First Baptist Church
Also known as: Valleytown Cultural Arts Center
.jpg){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Built in 1923 at the corner of Third and Chestnut streets in Andrews, North Carolina, this brick church replaced a simple frame building from 1904 on the same lot. The congregation, founded in 1902, grew from fifteen members to over 400 by 1921, and in 1920 voted to spend about $50,000 on a new building. The loan came from the Home Mission Board, which required one of its architects, though the designer's name is not known. The church follows a modified Greek cross plan with two corner entrances, a concrete cornice, a belfry, and eighty-two stained glass windows, many given in honor of local families and Sunday school classes. Inside are a tall sanctuary with a tin ceiling, a three-sided balcony, and many classrooms. It is regarded as an intact local example of Classical Revival design and of the push for grander church buildings across the South in the early 1920s. Since 1987 it has operated as a theater and arts center.
Significance in brief: The building is argued to be an intact, locally significant example of Classical Revival architecture under Criterion C. It reflects the 1920s Southern trend toward more substantial, high-style church buildings, and is among the most elaborate churches in Andrews. It meets Criteria Consideration A because its significance derives primarily from its architecture.
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 02000962, listed September 14, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 101 Chestnut St., Andrews |
|---|---|
| County | Cherokee County |
| Listed | September 14, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000962 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1923 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by a cultural arts and historical society since 1987 and used as a theater and cultural arts center; the Baptist congregation moved to a newer building in East Andrews. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.19998, -83.82524 (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 02000962.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452355
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.