Immaculate Conception Rectory at Botkins
Why it's listed
Built in 1887 at 116 North Mill Street in Botkins, this two-story brick rectory served the Immaculate Conception parish, which was established in 1865. It is designed in the Italian Villa style and has a T-shaped plan, a hipped asphalt roof and a limestone foundation. The form calls it an atypical rectory because of its central peaked gable with an elliptical window, ornate hood moulds above the windows, and a deep cornice and frieze with brackets. A later addition extends the east side of the T-section. Its cost was recorded as $3000. The priest had earlier been unable to stay at a nearby convent, so a rectory was built for him, and the Archbishop later ruled in the early 1900s that priests should live at their parishes. A convent from the 1920s stands to the south, with the church and school to the east. The building remains in use as a rectory and is in good exterior condition.
Significance in brief: It is an atypical rectory with a central peaked gable, elliptical window, ornate hood moulds and a deep bracketed cornice. It was included as part of a thematic group of cross-tipped churches and related resources. The form also records its link to the parish, established in 1865, and to the Archbishop's early 1900s ruling that priests be housed at the parish.
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 79002876, listed July 26, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 116 N. Mill St., Botkins |
|---|---|
| County | Shelby County |
| Listed | July 26, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002876 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1887 |
| Architectural style | Italian Villa |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a rectory; exterior condition listed as good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.46924, -84.17441 (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 79002876.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6004330
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.