Grace Church Complex
Why it's listed
Set on a wooded corner lot along Merrick Road in Massapequa, this complex combines a small shingled church, a village library and two cemeteries. The church, built in 1844 and remodeled in 1905, is a modest example of Gothic Revival design with a square bell tower, dark oak pews, an exposed timber ceiling and Tiffany stained-glass windows. It was the first Episcopal church built in the area, and Henry Floyd-Jones prepared its plans. Next door, the Delancey Floyd-Jones Free Library of 1896 kept its original bookcases, furniture and a Queen Anne style fireplace, and for sixty years it was the village's only public library. Behind the church, the Floyd-Jones cemetery holds the graves of Major Thomas Jones and his wife Freelove Townsend, the area's first settlers. Because the Floyd-Jones family mansions have all disappeared, these buildings and burial grounds are the only surviving properties tied to a family central to Massapequa's early history.
Significance in brief: The complex is presented as a largely intact reminder of the area's settlement and its ties to the locally prominent Floyd-Jones family. The church was the first Episcopal church built in the area, and the library was the only public library in Massapequa for sixty years. The cemeteries hold the graves of the area's first settlers and colonial leaders, and the family's other mansions no longer survive.
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 83001713, listed June 30, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Merrick and Dover Rds., Massapequa |
|---|---|
| County | Nassau County |
| Listed | June 30, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001713 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Church: Elbert Floyd-Jones (builder); plans prepared by Henry Floyd-Jones; Library: unknown |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival (church); library with Queen Anne style fireplace |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Church and library are in use; the library continues to serve residents. An 1880 parish hall, Wiley Hall, was demolished in 1967. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.66708, -73.45876 (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 83001713.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5591048
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.