Snowville Christian Church
Also known as: Cypress Grove Christian Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1864 near the end of the Civil War, this frame church sits on a bluff above the Little River at the southwest end of Snowville, Pulaski County. It measures forty by sixty feet and has a gabled roof, a pedimented front with two entry doors, Greek Revival pilasters and an octagonal bell tower. Inside, walnut columns support a gallery, and the pulpit is placed between the entry doors, reversing the usual plan of area churches. The congregation began as New Salem Church in 1836-37 under Chester Bullard, a local preacher and doctor who later united his churches with the Disciples of Christ movement. The building is larger, more detailed and better preserved than most rural churches of its type in the region, and a brick Methodist church in Newbern is the closest comparison. It also reflects Snowville's role as a nineteenth-century manufacturing center. No records name its builder, though local tradition credits the Snow family.
Significance in brief: The church is considered significant within the context of New River area architecture. It resembles rural nave-plan churches of the region but is larger, more elaborate and better preserved. It also documents Snowville's importance as a nineteenth-century manufacturing and population center and the religious movement led by Chester Bullard.
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 87000563, listed April 2, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 693, Snowville |
|---|---|
| County | Pulaski County |
| Listed | April 2, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000563 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; local tradition ascribes construction to Asiel Snow and his family |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (pattern-book details) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and used as a religious building; altered by a 1970s rear addition and acoustical tile ceilings, but described in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Snowville Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.03429, -80.55993 (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 87000563.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15278310
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.