Buffalo Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1846 as a one-story brick and wood church in Buffalo, Union County, Pennsylvania, the building is three bays wide and four deep, with a panelled entrance doorway beneath a portico of four square tapering white columns and a pediment framed in moulding. Twelve-over-twelve sash windows with louvered shutters line its sides and entrance, and a boxed cornice runs around the sides and back. The congregation, founded in 1775, was the oldest in Union County, and earlier buildings occupied the site before this one. The Presbytery of Northumberland dissolved the congregation in 1919, and the property was later sold with deed reservations requiring it be kept as a historical site consistent with its religious heritage. The nomination regards the building as a fine example of vernacular architecture with classical detailing, quiet, dignified and well proportioned. Its pews and woodwork are described as largely original, and a small stone-walled cemetery adjoins the church.
Significance in brief: The congregation, founded in 1775, was the oldest in Union County, and the site has early origins marked by the adjoining cemetery. The building is described as a fine example of vernacular architecture with classical detailing, and its combination of classical and local elements such as panelling and sash windows is regarded as well proportioned and balanced.
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 76001675, listed January 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of Lewisburg on PA 192, Lewisburg |
|---|---|
| County | Union County |
| Listed | January 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001675 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1846 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular architecture with classical detailing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Congregation dissolved in 1919; property purchased in 1975 and subject to deed reservations requiring it be maintained as an historical site. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 40.96306, -76.96753 (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 76001675.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4985813
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.