Church of Saint Lawrence
Why it's listed
Overlooking the St. Lawrence River from a rocky, elevated lot in Alexandria Bay, this wood-frame Episcopal church was built in 1889-91 as a place of worship for the Thousand Islands resort community. Boston architect William Pitt Wentworth designed it in the Shingle Style, with shingles flowing around corners over a massive rough-cut stone foundation. A shingled belfry suggests a ship's prow, a nod to local boatbuilding tradition. Inside, wood covers every surface, and church tradition credits local boatbuilders with the intricate woodwork. The building is significant for its architecture, as a rare Episcopal example of the style and a work by Wentworth, who also designed Trinity Church in Watertown. It also matters for religion and community development, as the only church in its diocese built in a major resort for a large summer population. Summer services have continued throughout its history, and a 1983 parish house stands beside it.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an artistically outstanding and rare surviving example of the Shingle Style, a design seldom used by the Episcopal Church. It is also the work of Boston architect William Pitt Wentworth. Historically, it is the only church in its diocese built in a major resort to serve a large summer population.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000442, listed May 16, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Fuller St., jct. with Sisson St., Alexandria Bay |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | May 16, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000442 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1889-1891 |
| Architect / builder | William P. Wentworth, architect; Albert Bachman, builder |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian / Shingle Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Religion, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility, with summer services continuing; the form reports a very high degree of integrity and minimal alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.33650, -75.92106 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000442.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5117044
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.