Grace Episcopal Church Complex
Why it's listed
Grace Episcopal Church Complex occupies a residential block just east of the business district in the Erie Canal village of Lyons, New York. It includes a limestone church begun in 1838 to designs by James DeLancey Walton, a frame rectory dating from about 1833, and a Queen Anne style parish house built in 1887-1888 and designed by Joseph Blaby of Palmyra. The church draws on English Perpendicular models and resembles early Gothic Revival churches by Ithiel Town and Josiah Brady. In 1857-1858 it was lengthened by a bay and given a semi-octagonal apse under Richard Upjohn, reflecting ecclesiological ideas. Inside are original box pews, a communion rail, lecterns, and a tracker organ built by Henry Erben and installed in 1840, along with stained glass windows added through 1946. The rectory was altered in the 1870s and about 1910. Lawns, mature trees and a walled garden complete the setting, which was judged one of Wayne County's most architecturally significant church properties.
Significance in brief: The complex is argued to be a distinctive ensemble of architecturally significant religious buildings in Wayne County. Its centerpiece is a regionally significant early Gothic Revival church designed by James DeLancey Walton and extended in 1857-1858 under Richard Upjohn. The church keeps a notable collection of Gothic Revival furnishings, including an 1840 Erben tracker organ, and a high degree of integrity inside and out.
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 94000802, listed August 19, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7--9 Phelps St. and 12 Lawrence St., Lyons |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | August 19, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000802 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1833-1946 |
| Architect / builder | James DeLancey Walton, New York, NY; Richard Upjohn, New York, NY; Joseph Blaby, Palmyra, NY; Francis and S.G. Palmeter, Lyons, NY |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century Gothic Revival; Mid-19th Century Greek Revival; Late Victorian Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current functions are both religious facility and church-related residence; the church, rectory and parish house remain in church use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Lyons Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 43.06524, -76.99010 (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 94000802.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5591153
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.