Bellman's Union Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1814 in Centerport, Berks County, Bellman's Union Church is a two-and-a-half-story gable-roof brick building that is five bays across and three bays deep. Its walls are laid in Flemish bond with engaged brick pilasters, a raised belt course and a water table. Round-headed windows with stone keystones are used throughout, and the two open gable ends each carry a Palladian window above a side doorway, with a circular window above. Doorways have double panel doors, fanlights and wooden keystones, while the box cornice has moulding, dentil work and modillions, with shingled returns on the gable ends. The interior has a wine-glass pulpit, a vaulted ceiling and a gallery. The church is regarded as an unusually elegant example of rural Georgian architecture for its period, and it is one of the few churches of this refinement remaining in the state.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church represents Georgian architecture as it reached rural areas, and that it embellishes many fine architectural points such as an elaborate cornice, Palladian windows, arched windows, detailed doorways and a gallery. It is described as a good example of an elegant country church, more stylistically detailed than typical early nineteenth-century rural brick churches, and as one of the few remaining churches of such elegance in the state.
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 73001589, listed December 4, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Centerport off Rte. 726, Centerport |
|---|---|
| County | Berks County |
| Listed | December 4, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001589 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The interior is described as remaining in very good condition despite repeated use, and the church is used on occasion for services. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.45870, -76.03077 (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 73001589.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4883788
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.