Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church
Also known as: United Church of Fayette
Why it's listed
Built in 1823 of light gray fieldstone, this rural church in Fayette, Seneca County, began as a simple rectangular building with a gable roof and modest Federal detailing. Stephen Frantz, a congregation member who had also helped build the earlier log church, was the builder. Stone was a rare building material in the Finger Lakes region at the time. In 1882, as local farm prosperity grew, the congregation updated the building rather than replace it. A four-stage bell tower with Queen Anne and Romanesque ornament was added, along with brick trim, stained-glass windows, a new pulpit, oak pews and a cellar. The interior has changed little since then. The one-acre property also holds a cemetery used from 1810 to 1926, with about two hundred gravestones showing nineteenth-century funerary art, an 1877 cast-iron fence and two early carriage steps. Together these elements form a well-preserved local landmark.
Significance in brief: The church is argued to be a distinguished and intact example of nineteenth-century ecclesiastical architecture. Its 1823 stone construction was rare in the Finger Lakes region, and its 1882 Victorian additions, including the Queen Anne and Romanesque bell tower, brick trim and stained glass, remain largely unchanged. The cemetery, in use from 1810, adds notable funerary art.
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 89002092, listed December 8, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Main St., Fayette |
|---|---|
| County | Seneca County |
| Listed | December 8, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89002092 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1810-1882 |
| Architect / builder | Frantz, Stephen |
| Architectural style | Federal/Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The church remains in religious use. The cemetery was recently restored, and the fence is largely intact despite some vandalism and alteration. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.81450, -76.79721 (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 89002092.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5108905
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.