Buffalo Presbyterian Church and Cemeteries
Why it's listed
Buffalo Presbyterian Church occupies a grove of oak and hickory trees on Carthage Street in Sanford. Its congregation was organized in 1797 by Highland Scot settlers and is the oldest Presbyterian congregation in Lee County. The present two-story, gable-fronted frame sanctuary was built in 1879 to plans by J.J. Minor of Fayetteville, with John B. Masemore as contractor. It has lancet-arched windows, a projecting three-stage entry tower, and a balcony on three sides of the nave. A 1957 educational wing and a 1926 Colonial Revival manse complete the buildings. The grounds hold several burial areas: an original cemetery begun in 1857, an African-American cemetery said to have been a slave burying ground, a Matthews family plot, and a main cemetery established around 1870. The main cemetery is notable for brownstone markers carved by French stonecutters brought to Sanford's quarries in the 1890s. The property reflects the Scottish settlement of the region and its rural church architecture.
Significance in brief: The church is the oldest Presbyterian congregation in Lee County, organized in 1797 by Highland Scot settlers, and has long been a social and religious center for that community. The 1879 sanctuary is a well-preserved example of the county's nineteenth-century rural Presbyterian churches. The cemetery holds outstanding brownstone markers carved by French stonecutters in the 1890s.
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 99000090, listed February 5, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1333 Carthage St., Sanford |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Listed | February 5, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000090 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1857-1948 |
| Architect / builder | J.J. Minor, Architect; John B. Masemore, Builder |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival; Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Social History, Architecture, Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The church remains an active congregation of about 150 members; the manse is still the pastor's residence, and the Matthews plot and main cemetery remain in use. The original cemetery is overgrown and largely abandoned. |
| Acreage | 12.8 |
| Coordinates | 35.46233, -79.19400 (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 99000090.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4985816
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.