First Methodist Episcopal Church of Perry
Also known as: Perry United Methodist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1906-1907 at the corner of Covington and Short streets in Perry, this Methodist Episcopal church was designed by the Rochester firm of Jay Fay and Otis W. Dryer, which specialized in churches. The base is rusticated St. Lawrence Marble, and the upper walls are glazed yellow brick. A four-story bell tower holds the main entrance. Inside, the plan is loosely based on the Akron Plan, joining a Sunday School space to the auditorium. Oak pews, altar casework and doors with leaded glass survive, along with stained glass attributed to the Tiffany studio and to Benjamin Sellers, a Tiffany artisan. The congregation traced its origins to 1816 and outgrew several earlier buildings as Perry prospered. The Ladies Aid Society raised money for the windows and other items. Changes include a pipe organ in 1909, bell tower repairs in 1928 and a 1956 renovation of the classroom area and basement. The church is valued as a well-preserved example of Gothic Revival design and of the village's early twentieth-century prosperity.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a largely intact and distinguished example of Gothic Revival church design by a prominent Rochester firm that specialized in Methodist churches. Its scale, oak interior and Tiffany and Tiffany-inspired stained glass reflect Perry's early twentieth-century prosperity.
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 06000880, listed September 28, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 35 Covington St., Perry |
|---|---|
| County | Wyoming County |
| Listed | September 28, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000880 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1907-1956 |
| Architect / builder | Jay Fay & Otis W. Dryer |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a church (current function listed as religious facility); the nomination describes it as well preserved. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.71954, -78.00486 (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 06000880.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5453323
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.