Zion Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Zion Episcopal Church occupies the southeast corner of Main and Church Streets in the Erie Canal village of Palmyra, New York. Completed in 1873 after its cornerstone was laid in 1872, it is built of roughly hewn Medina sandstone with smooth-cut limestone trim and a tall corner tower topped by an octagonal spire. Polychrome slate roofs with iron cresting, lancet windows with stained glass, and large rose windows mark the exterior, while the interior has a tall nave, side aisles, exposed wooden trusses, and elaborate panelling around the altar. Designed by Emlin T. Littell of New York City and built by the Warsaw Manufacturing Company, it replaced the congregation's first permanent church, which was razed in 1872. The building was listed for its architecture, as a sophisticated example of Gothic Revival design in the tradition of the English Ecclesiologists. It remains an active church and a local landmark.
Significance in brief: The church is argued to be an outstanding example of Gothic Revival ecclesiastical architecture in the Finger Lakes Region. It is distinguished by its 125-foot bell tower and steeple, polychrome slate roofs with iron cresting, rose windows, and notable stained glass. It follows the high-style tradition of A.W.N. Pugin and the English Ecclesiologists.
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 96001388, listed November 29, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100--120 Main St., Palmyra |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | November 29, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001388 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1872 - 1921 |
| Architect / builder | Emlin T. Littell, NYC (architect); Warsaw Manufacturing Company of Warsaw (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a house of worship; a modern one-story brick parish hall is attached to the east side. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 43.06328, -77.23290 (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 96001388.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8072514
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.