St. Paul's Episcopal
Also known as: Church of the Nazarene
Why it's listed
Built in 1878 on a lot of less than an acre in LaFargeville, this small wood-frame church combines Stick Style design with Gothic Revival details. It has a rectangular sanctuary under a steep gable roof, clapboard and saw-tooth vertical siding, leaded stained-glass windows with drip moldings, and a limestone block foundation. A square engaged bell tower was added in 1908. Inside, the original plan and finishes survive, including the raised pulpit, altar, altar railings and original globe lamps. The Episcopal congregation was organized in 1868 by the Rev. H.R. Lockwood, and the sanctuary was built within ten years at a cost of $3,000; no architect or builder is recorded. The church changed hands around 1900 and housed the Church of the Nazarene until 1994. It is listed for its architecture, as a distinguished example of Gothic features adapted from stone to wood for a small-town congregation, and for its role in the community's social history. It now stands empty and for sale.
Significance in brief: The church is a highly intact example of a vernacular rural church combining Stick Style and Gothic Revival features, with Gothic details translated from stone to wood for a modest congregation. It is also significant in the community's social history, recalling the hamlet's growing prosperity in the later nineteenth century and the Episcopal congregation organized in 1868.
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 96000669, listed June 28, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E side of Main St., S of jct with Co. Rd. 181, Hamlet of La Fargeville, Orleans |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | June 28, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000669 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1878-1908 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Stick Style, Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant and not in use; the church is standing empty and up for sale, after use by the Church of the Nazarene until 1994. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.19065, -75.96772 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 96000669.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7591085
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.