Unitarian Universalist Church (Cortland, New York) Explained

Unitarian Universalist Church
Location:3 Church St., Cortland, New York
Coordinates:42.6014°N -76.1781°W
Built:1837
Architect:Davis, Benjamin; Bliss, Horace
Architecture:Greek Revival, Federal
Added:July 1, 1993
Refnum:93000592

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland, New York, also known as "The Old Cobblestone Church," is an historic cobblestone church building located at 3 Church Street in Cortland, New York, United States. Built in 1837, the building was established as a Universalist church. Since 1961, the congregation has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association due to a denominational merger. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

It has cobblestone walls and granite quoins. In 1895, a large arch was cut in the east cobblestone wall and a Morey and Barnes organ was set in the arch. This historic organ is one of only two such historic organs remaining. It is nationally recognized by the American Organ Historical Society for its superb sound and nearly original condition.

The building was documented by Historic American Buildings Survey photographer Jack Boucher in 1966.

It is one of only 21 surviving cobblestone religious buildings in New York State.[1] It is also the oldest public building still in use in Cortland, NY. "The Town of Cortlandville contributed $100 toward construction of the church in return for the use of the church basement as the Town Hall. The Town retained use of the basement until the 1880s."[2]

Notes and References

  1. [{{NRHP url|id=64500447}} National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation: Cobblestone Architecture of New York State MPS]. pdf. March 1992 . Nancy L. Todd . National Park Service.
  2. Web site: The History and Heritage Series: The History of the Unitarian-Universalist Church by Dr Leonard Ralston. 2009-04-19. Leonard Ralston.