Immanuel Episcopal Church
Also known as: VDHR File No. 42-125
Why it's listed
Immanuel Episcopal Church sits on a rural road near Old Church in Hanover County, Virginia. Built in 1853 as a plain rectangular brick building, it replaced an aging wooden Anglican church from 1718. George Washington Bassett donated $1,000 toward construction, matching a gift from the parish. The church was consecrated in 1854 and had no notable Gothic features at that time. Additions in 1881 changed its character: a front vestibule with a Tudor-arched doorway, decorative vergeboards, a Palladian-inspired window and a rose window, plus a recessed chancel behind a pointed arch and stained-glass windows. Later rear additions in 1916 and 1967 formed a T-shaped plan. Inside, the sanctuary is spare, with original pine pews and a gallery. A cemetery surrounds the church on three sides. The building is regarded as the best example of Gothic Revival architecture in Hanover County and reflects the revival of the Episcopal church in Virginia.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the church shows the revival of the Gothic style in America, even though it was not built in that style originally. The 1881 vestibule and recessed chancel gave a plain rectangular building a Gothic character. It is considered the best example of Gothic Revival architecture in Hanover County. It also reflects the renewal of the Episcopal denomination in Virginia after a post-Revolutionary decline.
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 96000577, listed May 23, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SR 606, 1.7 mi. E of jct. with US 360, Mechanicsville |
|---|---|
| County | Hanover County |
| Listed | May 23, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000577 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1853-1916 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility, with a cemetery. |
| Acreage | 9.4 |
| Coordinates | 37.64312, -77.21620 (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 96000577.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6004645
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.