Trinity Chapel
Also known as: St. John's Church; Beth-El Temple Church of God in Christ
Why it's listed
Built in 1858 on land donated by Benjamin Mott, this small frame church at Mott Avenue and 18th Street in Far Rockaway was designed by architect Richard Upjohn. It began as a mission chapel of Trinity Church in Hewlett, with Frances Hewlett Bolton playing a key role in its founding after her children's deaths in a scarlet fever epidemic. The building follows rural Gothic Revival design, with a steeply pitched roof, pointed arch windows, buttresses, a wooden belfry and an open beamed ceiling. Its separate chancel reflects the Episcopal Church's growing emphasis on liturgical formality. Wing additions from the early twentieth century house meeting rooms and a dining area. The chapel became the independent parish of St. John's in 1881, and its growth paralleled Far Rockaway's development as a seaside resort. It is recognized for its architecture as a local example of Gothic Revival design translated into wood for modest congregations, and for its role in religion and community development.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-conceived local example of a small, rural Gothic Revival church in wood, designed by the prominent architect Richard Upjohn. It also has local significance in religion and community development, having been established with the support of leading Far Rockaway families during the area's growth as a seaside resort.
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 01001445, listed January 11, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1874 Mott Ave., Far Rockaway |
|---|---|
| County | Queens |
| Listed | January 11, 2002 |
| Reference number | 01001445 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1858-1881 |
| Architect / builder | Upjohn, Richard |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century/Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a church (current function listed as religion/church); the parsonage and parish house were destroyed by fire in the late 1980s. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 40.60365, -73.75104 (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 01001445.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7842630
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.