Zion Episcopal Church and Rectory
Why it's listed
Zion Episcopal Church and its neighboring rectory sit on Main Street in the hamlet of Colton, on the Raquette River south of Potsdam. The church was completed after its cornerstone was laid in 1883, built of rough-cut red Potsdam Sandstone from the Clarkson family quarry. Designed by James P. Johnston, it has an 85-foot corner tower, lancet windows, a rose window, and a largely original Victorian Gothic interior with oak pews, stained glass and an 1890 Hook and Hastings organ. The Clarkson children built it as a memorial to Elizabeth Clarkson, who had left $10,000 for a church and long supported Episcopal missions. The congregation began as a mission of Trinity Church in Potsdam serving Adirondack workers and their families. The Italianate rectory, built in 1900 after fire destroyed an earlier one, became the Town of Colton Museum in 1982. Two 1880s cast iron objects, an urn and a lamppost, also contribute to the property.
Significance in brief: The church is presented as a remarkably intact, distinguished example of late-19th century ecclesiastical architecture, with English parish church inspiration and Victorian Gothic elements. It was built of stone from the Clarkson family quarry as a memorial to Elizabeth Clarkson. In social history, it began as a mission of Trinity Episcopal Church in Potsdam for Adirondack workers and their families.
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 03000029, listed June 6, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 91 and 95 Main St., Colton |
|---|---|
| County | St. Lawrence County |
| Listed | June 6, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000029 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1883-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Johnson, James P. |
| Architectural style | High Victorian Gothic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Church remains in religious use; the former rectory has served as the Town of Colton Museum since 1982. Some masonry deterioration is noted on the front facade. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.55372, -74.93909 (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 03000029.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8072517
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.