Methodist Episcopal Church of Butler
Why it's listed
Built around 1836, this small frame church sits in the crossroads hamlet of Butler Center in eastern Wayne County, New York. It is a rectangular, gable-roofed building in the vernacular Greek Revival style, with clapboard siding, a raised cobblestone foundation and an open belfry altered around 1900 with late Victorian ornament. The west front has a pedimented gable and a paneled double door framed by Doric pilasters and a full entablature. A rear wing, probably from about 1900, extends east. Inside, plaster walls, wainscoting, a pulpit, an altar railing and seven rows of pews survive. An 1864 burial ground with limestone markers lies on the same parcel. The church was listed for its architecture, as a rare and largely intact early nineteenth century religious building in the area. It also reflects the settlement of a former mill hamlet, where it was the oldest surviving building and long served as the main public gathering place. The church is now vacant.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a rare, remarkably intact example of early nineteenth century vernacular Greek Revival religious architecture in eastern Wayne County (Criterion C). It is also the oldest surviving building in the former mill hamlet and was its primary public building, a focal point of civic, social and recreational life (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 97001459, listed November 24, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Butler Center Rd., jct. with Washburn Rd., Butler Center |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | November 24, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97001459 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1836; 1900 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic function was religious (church); current function is listed as vacant, and the significance statement calls the church now abandoned. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Coordinates | 43.16841, -76.77118 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 97001459.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6823807
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.