Fredericktown Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Standing at the southwest corner of Main Street and the Public Square in Fredericktown, this brick church was built in 1885-86 in the Victorian Gothic style. Philadelphia architect G.W. Bolton designed it, and Evans & Sons of Columbus constructed it at a cost of $18,000, making it the largest church in town. The Presbyterian congregation had been organized in 1808 by Rev. W. Wright and had worshipped in two earlier buildings. An old tavern on the site was moved across the street to make room. Large stained glass Gothic windows and recessed arched entrances mark the exterior, which has sandstone foundations, stone trim and a tar-coated slate gable roof. A steeple above the north entrance lost its top in 1953. Inside, the main auditorium lies in the eastern section with classrooms to the west. The church still serves its congregation and sits in a park-like setting on the edge of the square.
Significance in brief: The congregation dates to 1808 and this was its third house of worship. At a cost of $18,000 it was the largest church in town when built. It is a notable local example of Victorian Gothic design, with stained glass windows and stone trim.
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 79003864, listed November 6, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main St. and Public Sq., Fredericktown |
|---|---|
| County | Knox County |
| Listed | November 6, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003864 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1885-86 |
| Architect / builder | G.W. Bolton, Philadelphia, Pa. (architect); Evans & Sons, Columbus, Ohio (builder) |
| Architectural style | Victorian Gothic |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church; interior and exterior condition listed as good, with some interior alterations and a steeple top removed in 1953. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.48062, -82.54362 (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 79003864.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5499225
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.