Grace Reformed Church
Also known as: Calvary Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1887-1888 in Newton, the former Grace Reformed Church is a brick Gothic Revival building with a cruciform plan, a steeply pitched gable roof, and corner towers of unequal height. Its lancet windows, brick buttresses, and stained glass installed mainly between 1904 and 1910 are its most distinctive features. The congregation had formed in the 1840s and first worshipped in a building known as The White Church. Its second church was planned under Rev. Jacob C. Clapp, who led the congregation from 1869 to 1890 and also served as president of nearby Catawba College. Contemporaries regarded the building as the finest church in the classis. A Sunday School wing added in 1927-1928 was designed to harmonize with the older structure. The congregation moved to Brady Avenue in 1959, and the building was then bought by Calvary Baptist Church. It is significant for its architecture as the best surviving Gothic Revival church in Catawba County.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is the best example of Gothic Revival style remaining in Catawba County, with its architectural distinction preserved despite alterations. It also links the church to the development of the Reformed faith in the county and to the social and religious life of Newton, including its ties to Catawba College under Rev. Jacob C. Clapp.
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 90001035, listed July 5, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 201--211 S. Main Ave., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Catawba County |
| Listed | July 5, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001035 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1887-1888 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied by Calvary Baptist Church since 1959 |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.66120, -81.22275 (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 90001035.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5591354
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.