Worth's Chapel
Also known as: Creston United Methodist Church
Why it's listed
Creston, in Ashe County, North Carolina, is the site of this frame church completed in 1902 on land and funds left by David Worth, a Quaker-born merchant and manufacturer who was the village's leading figure. The church was founded in 1852 by Worth, Alexander McEwan, Zachariah Baker and Stephen Thomas, who built it for all villagers regardless of denomination. The building is square in plan with a tall northwest corner tower topped by a belfry, a steep pyramidal roof and diamond-shaped wooden shingles. Its pointed arch windows and stained glass memorial windows reflect the Gothic Revival style, while the rounded corner pinnacles show Romanesque influence. The sanctuary retains chestnut wainscoting, a two-story chestnut ceiling and oak pews. The nomination regards it as the most ornate rural church in the county and one of the most important Gothic Revival churches in Ashe County.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is significant for its distinctive, eclectic Gothic Revival style, which combines Romanesque Revival elements. It is described as one of the most ambitious rural Gothic Revival churches in the region and as the most ornate rural church in Ashe County. Its construction was funded by a bequest from David Worth, and its interior woodwork and stained glass are noted as well preserved.
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 05001097, listed September 28, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 175 Three Top Rd., Creston |
|---|---|
| County | Ashe County |
| Listed | September 28, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001097 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1902 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival with Romanesque Revival elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as Creston United Methodist Church; the 1902 church survived the 1940 flood. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 36.46509, -81.62105 (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 05001097.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8037147
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.