Salem Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Greek Revival design defines this brick church at East Main and Market Streets in Salem, Virginia. Presbyterians organized in Salem in 1831 and began the present building in 1851 after outgrowing their first church. Dedication took place on August 8, 1852. Slave labor built it, its bricks were burnt on the site, and its cost of about $4,500 was paid before dedication. The temple-form building measures 40 by 80 feet and has a projecting Ionic portico, Doric pilasters, and a belfry. Many details come from plates by Asher Benjamin and Owen Biddle. The master builder is unknown, though Benjamin Deyerle is suggested, and the woodwork is attributed to carpenter Gustavia D. Sedon. Later changes include a replaced spire, a 1928 domed lantern, a rear Sunday school addition from 1914 and further additions in 1956. It remains an important downtown landmark and an active congregation's church.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the Roanoke Valley's most beautiful examples of Greek Revival architecture and a principal landmark of downtown Salem. It shows a self-assured handling of Greek elements and balanced proportions, with details drawn from builders' handbooks by Asher Benjamin and Owen Biddle.
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 74002245, listed October 15, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E. Main and Market Sts., Salem (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Salem |
| Listed | October 15, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74002245 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific dates 1851-1852) |
| Architect / builder | Master builder not determined; possibly Benjamin Deyerle. Woodwork attributed to Gustavia D. Sedon, a Roanoke County carpenter. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition good and altered; occupied and in religious use as the city's chief Presbyterian church. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Downtown Salem Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.29305, -80.05704 (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 74002245.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713170
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.