Starkey United Methodist Church
Why it's listed
Built around 1828, this small frame church on Lakemont-Himrod Road in Starkey, Yates County, has served rural residents for nearly two centuries. It measures roughly 35 by 47 feet and rests on a concrete foundation that replaced the original rubblestone in the early twentieth century. Heavy timber framing supports a steeply pitched gable roof. The east facade has wide corner pilasters, a full entablature, a tympanum, a louvered belfry and a paired-door entrance with a shouldered architrave. Inside are a nave, chancel and vestibule. Around 1900 the congregation replaced the pews, floors and altar furniture and added a pressed metal ceiling, with Queen Anne influence. Its significance lies in its survival as an intact example of frame meeting house architecture in Greek Revival dress, one of the earliest surviving churches in the county. Its tall windows, pilasters and broad flat moldings recall a stone Greek temple in modest, rural form.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an exceptionally intact example of traditional frame meeting house architecture in Yates County and one of the county's earliest surviving church buildings. It is described as a builder's adaptation of the Greek Revival style, notable for its rigorous simplicity. It also serves as a local landmark recalling early settlement of the area.
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 94000955, listed August 24, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Lakemont--Himrod Rd., Starkey |
|---|---|
| County | Yates County |
| Listed | August 24, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000955 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca.1828 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century/Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious property; the historic and current function are both listed as religious. Remodeled around 1900, but the form states the exterior and interior retain a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.53635, -76.93412 (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 94000955.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7601997
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.