ORC Recipient of Designation on State and National Registers of Historic Places

Thank you to all who worked so hard to compile necessary information to submit an application to have Owasco Reformed Church added to the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. The state application was unanimously approved on Tuesday, March 9 (and national status approval was received on May 15) as both architecturally and historically significant – as noted in the application “The Owasco Reformed Church, built in 1811-15, is architecturally significant
as a remarkably intact example of very early nineteenth century religious architecture in Cayuga County. Designed in the late Georgian/early Federal style reminiscent of New England meeting house architecture, the building is distinguished by a two-story, rectangular, gable-roofed form with an engaged bell tower centrally located on its front (east) facade. Of particular note is the intact gallery encircling the sanctuary, a hallmark of the New England meetinghouse type. As the oldest building in Owasco and one of the earliest buildings in Cayuga County, the church is additionally significant … for its association with the earliest settlers of European descent in the Finger Lakes Regional of New York State.” Don't forget to pick up the latest chapter of the history of this building and its people, compiled and provided courtesy of Laurel Auchampaugh, Owasco Town Historian – available in the rear of the sanctuary.