Red Hill Church and School
Why it's listed
Built of local stone and covered with stucco, the Red Hill Church was begun in 1766 on Durham Road in Tinicum Township, Bucks County. Its walls are 19 inches thick, and its floor boards lie over massive wood beams set directly in the earth. The one-room interior has a central aisle, two rows of pews, a central pulpit platform at the rear, and balconies on three sides supported by heavy square columns. An iron chandelier holding eight kerosene lamps hangs over the pulpit area. Across the inner court stands a one-story plastered stone schoolhouse built in 1843, with a cupola holding a bell. The church was shared by Presbyterian, Lutheran and Reformed congregations, and it was abandoned around 1920. It was restored and reopened for services in 1959. The church is regarded as an excellent example of early Protestant church architecture in the area, with a plain interior that reflects Reformation-era worship.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is an excellent example of the earliest form of Protestant church architecture in the area. Its plain interior, with a central pulpit platform, is presented as a true picture of early Protestant worship centered on Bible reading and preaching. The land lies within the 1737 Walking Purchase, and the building was used by several congregations over time.
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 78002355, listed May 22, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Durham Rd., Ottsville |
|---|---|
| County | Bucks County |
| Listed | May 22, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002355 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1766-1843 |
| Areas of significance | Education, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The church was restored and first services were held in it in 1959; the schoolhouse is currently used for community meetings. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 40.46933, -75.15721 (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 78002355.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7304267
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.