Congregational-Presbyterian Church
Also known as: Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Overlooking the village of Kinsman in Trumbull County, Ohio, this white frame church was begun in 1831 for a group of about 50 Congregationalists who asked to be dismissed from their church to found a Congregational-Presbyterian congregation. Plans are believed to be the work of local master builder Will Smith, and the building replicates the old North Church in New Haven, Connecticut. It cost $4,000, about a quarter of it donated by the widow of town founder John Kinsman, who also gave the bell that still hangs in the belfry. A bell tower without a steeple dominates the front, supported by slender engaged Doric columns, while five lancet windows line each side, mixing Greek Revival and Gothic Revival details. Inside, the original box pews remain. A rear section and a 1957 brick education building were added without altering the front or tower. It is regarded as one of the best early Connecticut-style churches in the Western Reserve.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the best early Connecticut-style Protestant church buildings in the Western Reserve. It combines Greek Revival and Gothic Revival ornament and retains its original box pews and nearly original chapel appearance. Its congregation has preserved it and kept additions from altering the front facade and tower.
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 71000654, listed September 3, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Near OH 5 and 7, Kinsman |
|---|---|
| County | Trumbull County |
| Listed | September 3, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000654 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1831) |
| Architect / builder | Will Smith, local master builder (plans believed to be his) |
| Architectural style | Connecticut-style church with a combination of Greek Revival and Gothic Revival ornamentation |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition, unaltered, on its original site; in religious use and occupied. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 41.44813, -80.58474 (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 71000654.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5160703
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.