First Presbyterian Church of Avon
Why it's listed
Standing at the corner of two highways in East Avon, this brick church was begun in 1812 and finished in 1815. It is a three-by-six bay Federal style building with a three-story engaged bell tower, a slate-covered broached spire and a meetinghouse interior with galleries on three sides, laid out in the Wren-Gibbs tradition. Local stone, timber and brick were used in construction, and the interior was left unfinished until 1827. Work was slowed by the War of 1812 and a regional epidemic that killed its leading organizer, John Pearson. A renovation in 1866, prompted by members leaving to form a new congregation in Avon village, added Gothic Revival stenciling, new pews and the present spire. Later additions at the rear provide offices, classrooms and meeting space. The church is listed as one of the oldest church buildings in Livingston County and the last major early building at its crossroads, which once anchored the town's first commercial center. It remains in use for worship.
Significance in brief: The church is argued to be architecturally significant as a largely intact Federal style church in the Wren-Gibbs tradition, reflecting changing Protestant tastes through much of the nineteenth century. It is historically significant for its link to the early settlement of northern Livingston County and as the last major early building in East Avon, the town's first commercial center.
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 04001444, listed January 5, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5605 Avon-Lima Rd., East Avon |
|---|---|
| County | Livingston County |
| Listed | January 5, 2005 |
| Reference number | 04001444 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1812-1954 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal; Mid-19th Century/Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Continues to serve as an active house of worship. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.90988, -77.70638 (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 04001444.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5453677
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.