Lyerly Building for Boys
Also known as: Nazareth Orphans' Home
Why it's listed
Built between 1913 and 1916 from rough-cut native granite quarried in Rowan County, this two-story building on Crescent Road served the Nazareth Orphans' Home, founded by the Reformed Church in North Carolina in 1903. The first floor held a chapel that doubled as classrooms, and the upper floor was a boys' dormitory. It is named for Rev. J. M. L. Lyerly, who led early fundraising and served as the first president of the Home's board. Its vernacular Gothic Revival character shows in a steeply pitched slate roof, a Gothic window in the gable, a granite entry porch with balcony, and pilasters rising to the parapet. The front wall was rebuilt in 1929 and a rear addition followed in 1930. It is the only early twentieth-century granite church or chapel of its kind in the county and the oldest building on the campus. It now houses a used clothing store that supports the Home, and the interior retains its original plan and finishes.
Significance in brief: It is the only early 20th century vernacular Gothic Revival granite church or chapel standing in Rowan County, and it reflects the county's granite industry. It was the first building the Reformed Church built for the Nazareth Orphans' Home, which was the county's only orphanage, and it is the oldest building on the complex. The Keeper's amendment added Criteria Consideration A because a religious institution built and operated it.
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 88003006, listed January 5, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Crescent Rd./Rt. 3, Gold Hill Township |
|---|---|
| County | Rowan County |
| Listed | January 5, 1989 |
| Reference number | 88003006 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913-1938 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a used clothing and goods store benefiting the Home; funds are being sought to restore the interior. The floor plan and original interior finishes remain largely intact. |
| Acreage | 4.3 |
| Coordinates | 35.57007, -80.42947 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 88003006.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19986877
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.