St. John's Episcopal
Why it's listed
St. John's Episcopal Church is a small timber-framed, clapboard-sided church in the hamlet of Speedsville, Tompkins County, New York. Built in 1832 in Richford, it was moved eight miles to Speedsville in 1842 as its original congregation dwindled and a growing English-descended population needed a place of worship. The rectangular building combines Federal form and massing with Gothic touches, including pointed-arch and paired lancet windows and a square belfry. A central pedimented pavilion and entry porch were added at an unknown date. A recessed chancel and vestry room were built in 1885, reflecting the church's growing emphasis on ceremony. Some original features, such as corner pinnacles and parapets, have been lost, and the windows are replacements. The church is significant as an intact example of early nineteenth-century Episcopal design in rural central New York and for its role in the growth of the denomination and the settlement of the area. It still serves a small parish.
Significance in brief: The church is a largely intact example of a Federal ecclesiastical building with Gothic detailing typical of early nineteenth-century Episcopal churches in central New York (Criterion C). It is also tied to the growth of the Episcopal Church during westward settlement and to the stability that regular worship gave the Speedsville community (Criterion A).
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 00001407, listed November 22, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1504 Seventy Six Rd., Speedsville |
|---|---|
| County | Tompkins County |
| Listed | November 22, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001407 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1832-1885 |
| Architectural style | Early 19th Century: Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Continues to serve a small rural parish as a church. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.30273, -76.25422 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 00001407.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7588707
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.