German Evangelical Zion Lutheran Church
Also known as: Tabernacle Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Brick Gothic Revival church at Capital and Herr Streets in Harrisburg, built in 1886 for a German Evangelical Lutheran congregation. It is two stories with a three-story square bell and entrance tower at the southeast corner, pointed and round-arched window pairs set between square pilasters, and oval tower windows framed in stone tracery. Brick corbelling marks the cornice and upper tower levels, and a small turret with a cross-gabled roof stands on the opposite corner. The stained glass windows, which bear German inscriptions and dedications, are original. A three-story brick parsonage added in 1897 is joined to the rear. The congregation had earlier met in other buildings after a 1842 separation over the language of services. The church moved to a Baptist congregation in 1967 and has remained a landmark and social focus in a largely Black neighborhood of small 19th-century residences. The nomination values its fine brickwork and sophisticated design, which is uncommon among the area's small churches.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a good example of Gothic Revival design, noted for its stone tracery, brick corbelling and original stained glass with German inscriptions. It also states the building has been a local landmark and a religious and social focal point in a neighborhood of modest 19th-century houses, and that it has remained important to the community after its later use by a Baptist congregation.
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 75001637, listed November 12, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Capital and Herr Sts., Harrisburg |
|---|---|
| County | Dauphin County |
| Listed | November 12, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001637 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1886 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior not seriously altered and in good repair; interior appointments altered over the years; now used by a Baptist congregation. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.26747, -76.88549 (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 75001637.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5551092
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.