Great Conewago Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Built of random fieldstone in 1787, the Great Conewago Presbyterian Church stands near Hunterstown in Adams County, Pennsylvania. The date and the name of the minister at the time, Joseph Henderson, are carved in a circular stone in the east gable end. The building has a gable roof, a moulded cornice decorated with small dentils, arched doors and windows with panelled shutters, and stone voussoirs and quoins. Much of the sash and imported English glass is original. The congregation was organized by Scotch-Irish settlers around 1738 and was recognized by the Donegal Presbytery in 1740. The church's plain form reflects the austere religion of its founders, and its original high pulpit was destroyed during the Gettysburg campaign, when the building served as a Confederate hospital. The church is valued for its early architecture and for its retained integrity.
Significance in brief: The congregation was one of the first organized by Scotch-Irish settlers in south-central Adams County, and the present church is regarded as a fine example of early church architecture in the United States. Its simple form and dentilled cornice reflect the severity of the Scotch-Irish religion, and the building retains much of its original interior and exterior. The church also served as a Confederate hospital during the Gettysburg campaign.
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 74001730, listed December 27, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Church Rd., Straban Township, Hunterstown |
|---|---|
| County | Adams County |
| Listed | December 27, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001730 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1787 |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The interior and exterior are described as in excellent condition, with stonework recently pointed and exterior woodwork painted. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Hunterstown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.88759, -77.16261 (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 74001730.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5598993
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.