Webster Baptist Church
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Why it's listed
Built in 1856 on South Avenue in the village of Webster, this Baptist church is a large cobblestone building in the Greek Revival style. Its front facade is veneered with small, red, lake-washed cobblestones set between grey limestone quoins, and an open octagonal belfry with eight fluted Ionic columns and a copper dome rises above the roof. Members of the congregation gathered the fieldstones and combed the Lake Ontario shore for cobbles to keep the cost near $5,000. The building measures 52 by 80 feet and is among the largest cobblestone churches in New York, one of only fourteen in the state. It is also the only cobblestone church in Monroe County still used as a church. The nomination points to the building's Greek Revival massing, cornice returns and trabeated entrance. Stained glass memorial windows were added in 1902. The interior was remodeled in 1902, 1938 and 1965 and is not counted as contributing. A 1957 rear education wing is also non-contributing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is an intact, large-scale example of mid-nineteenth century cobblestone architecture in Western New York. It is one of fourteen cobblestone churches in the state and the only cobblestone church in Monroe County still serving its original function. It is also a representative example of Greek Revival style in Webster, with its open octagonal belfry and Ionic columns.
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 91001672, listed November 7, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 59 South Ave., Webster |
|---|---|
| County | Monroe County |
| Listed | November 7, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91001672 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1856-1902 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th century; Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility; the church serves its original function and is described as well maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 43.21061, -77.43086 (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 91001672.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7978894
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.