Presbyterian Manse
Why it's listed
Built in 1839 in Jefferson, Texas, this one-story frame house with a central hall is regarded as the oldest home still intact in the town. General James Harrison Rogers, a prominent local lawyer, built it and opened his law library to East Texas lawyers and students who read law in his office. The original east half has two large chambers, a central chimney and a tetrastyle portico. A matching two-room addition later made the south side the main facade. That side has four fluted Doric columns and an unusually wide doorway with elaborate carving, including Greek Key pilasters and a sunburst in the head. The house is judged to hold some of the finest Greek Revival woodwork in the Jefferson area. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church bought it in 1903 and used it as a manse for about fifty years. A garden club now maintains it as a museum and as headquarters for the annual historical pilgrimage. The state designated it a historic landmark in 1966.
Significance in brief: It is considered the oldest home still intact in Jefferson. It was built by General James Harrison Rogers, a prominent lawyer, and it has some of the finest Greek Revival woodwork in the Jefferson area, especially at the south portico and doorway. It served as a Presbyterian manse for about fifty years and now operates as a museum.
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 69000211, listed October 28, 1969. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NE corner of Alley and Delta Sts., Jefferson |
|---|---|
| County | Marion County |
| Listed | October 28, 1969 |
| Reference number | 69000211 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1839) |
| Architect / builder | General James Harrison Rogers (builder) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In an excellent state of repair; owned and maintained by a garden club and used as a museum and headquarters for the Annual Historical Pilgrimage. |
| Within district | Jefferson Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.75763, -94.35112 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 69000211.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7240791
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.