East Hounsfield Christian Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1844 in the crossroads hamlet of East Hounsfield, this two-story, gable-front frame church shows Greek Revival design in a rural setting. It has a square two-stage belfry with shallow Doric pilasters, a centered entrance with a trabeated frame, a triangular molding in the gable, and a rusticated stone foundation. Around 1900 the original windows and the transom were replaced with colored Queen Anne style glass, and the interior retains turn-of-the-century pews and a decorative ceiling of painted beaded board. A twentieth-century wing moved from Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor, joined by a small hyphen, now holds dining and meeting space. The congregation was founded in 1820-21 by the Reverend Lebbeus Field, who later donated the site for its first permanent building. The church was listed as the most intact example of a rural Greek Revival church in Hounsfield, with its form, setting and materials largely preserved, and it remains a visual landmark in the community.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-preserved example of a rural Greek Revival church that keeps its original form while showing later alterations from about 1900. It is described as the most intact example of its type in Hounsfield. It also reflects the New England building traditions of the area's settlers and is tied to the Reverend Lebbeus Field, who founded the congregation and donated the site.
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 89001621, listed October 18, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 3, Hounsfield |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | October 18, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001621 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown (the form also describes Rev. Lebbeus Field as the church's builder) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church; condition listed as good, with a rear wing moved from Madison Barracks serving as dining and meeting space. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.96895, -75.99219 (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 89001621.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5328625
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.