Commack Methodist Church and Cemetery
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1789 on Townline Road in Commack, this two-story, two-bay shingled church has a broad overhanging gable roof and twelve-over-twelve windows with paneled shutters. The front has two entrances and a shed-roofed porch on square columns. Inside, a gallery runs along three sides, and the interior is described as virtually unaltered since the late eighteenth century. The Methodist congregation formed in the Huntington area in 1783, and land for the meeting house was bought for two pounds, five shillings. The church served its congregation continuously until the mid-twentieth century, when a nearby modern building replaced it, and it still hosts special services. It is described as the oldest Methodist church in New York State and one of two surviving eighteenth-century religious properties in Huntington. A fenced, wooded cemetery surrounds it, holding simple stone markers from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, and adds to the property's significance.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of settlement-period religious architecture in Huntington, with simple form and little decoration. It is described as the oldest Methodist church in New York State and one of two surviving eighteenth-century religious properties in Huntington. It is also one of the few relatively unaltered historic properties in Commack.
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 85002511, listed September 26, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 486 Townline Rd., Huntington |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | September 26, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002511 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | James Hubbs (listed as architect/builder on the inventory form) |
| Architectural style | Settlement period religious architecture |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used continuously until the mid-twentieth century, when a nearby modern church replaced it; the building is still used for special services. Condition is rated good. |
| Acreage | 8.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.84482, -73.29285 (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 85002511.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5152065
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.