Second Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Second Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Eighth and Waller Streets in Portsmouth, Ohio, is a rusticated Pennsylvania brownstone church completed in 1911 to designs by architect George W. Kramer. Its front facade has a massive gable, a four-story bell tower modelled on Magdalene Tower at Oxford, and a large stained glass window above a three-arched entrance. A two-story education wing was added in 1935. A fire in September 1933 gutted the interior and destroyed several original windows, though three 1911 windows by the Horace I. Phipps Company survived. The interior was rebuilt in 1935 with Tudor Revival features such as carved wood, fireplaces, and diamond-paned windows. The sanctuary seats 600 and holds a Kilgen organ. The church is considered significant as the only Late Gothic Revival church in Portsmouth with Tudor Revival interior elements, and as an example of early twentieth century church design. Kramer was a nationally known church architect.
Significance in brief: It is nominated under Criterion C as an example of Late Gothic Revival architecture, designed by church architect George W. Kramer. It is the only church in Portsmouth in that style with Tudor Revival interior features, the interior dating from a 1935 remodelling after a 1933 fire. It shows how early twentieth century church architecture developed in the city.
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 96000926, listed August 22, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 801 Waller St., Portsmouth |
|---|---|
| County | Scioto County |
| Listed | August 22, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000926 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1911-1936 |
| Architect / builder | George W. Kramer (1911); J.C. Fulton & Sons/Wesley P. Ridenour (1935) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & Early 20th Century/Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility; the exterior retains its 1911 appearance and the interior was remodelled in 1935 after a 1933 fire. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.73641, -82.98958 (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 96000926.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7443480
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.