Possibilities for Historic Register

The Wayne County Office of Tourism and History has been notified that two local historic sites will be considered for nomination to the National and State Registers of Historic Places - the Brick Church in Sodus and the Methodist Episcopal Church of Butler.

In 1825, construction of the Brick Church was begun at "Rossiter's Corners," now known as Sodus Center. It was built on land given by the Pultney estate to the First Baptist Society of Sodus. The church was completed in 1826.

Until the early 1920's, services were conducted regularly, but dwindling membership caused the church to be closed and the property reverted to the Baptist Missionary Convention of the State of New York, who then offered the property for sale. The church property was purchased by a private citizen of Sodus Center, who, in turn, donated the property to the Baptist Rural Cemetery Association of Sodus Center, Inc. The members of the association care for the cemetery and church, and offer the church to the community for weddings, reunions and tours. For more information on the Brick Church, contact Janet Wunder, association member, (315) 483-9791.

Built in 1836, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Butler is the oldest known Methodist Church in Wayne County. It is located on Butler Center Road near the oldest sawmill in Wayne County to still be in operation, and it is said that the church was constructed from lumber from this mill.

The Church, which has been abandoned for the last several years, has now been taken over by the Town of Butler. Anyone wishing more information about the church or who is interested in volunteering in the restoration of the church may contact Butler Town Historian Barbara Briscese, (315) 594-2510.

Several other sites in Wayne County have been placed on the National and State Registers or have applications pending:

Galen: the Genesee & Columbia Street Historic District, the Ely Mansion and the Devereaux/Utley Farm (all with applications pending);

Lyons: the Water Street/Broad Street Historic District, the Hotchkiss Essential Oil Building and the Grace Episcopal Church Complex in Lyons;

Macedon: The Bullis Homestead, Macedon Academy and Quaker Church (application pending) and the J.E. Baker Cobblestone Farmhouse;

Marion: the Ezra T. Phelps Farm Complex (NS Register approved, National pending);

Palmyra: Heritage Square Historic District in Ontario; East and West Main Street Historic District, Market Street Historic District and the Zion Episcopal Church in Palmyra;

Sodus: the Sodus Point Lighthouse, Sodus Point Custom House, the Schooner Lotus, Wallington Cobblestone Schoolhouse, and the Wallington Cobblestone Tavern;

Williamson: the Pultneyville Historic District.

For more information about these sites or other historical sites in Wayne County, call the Wayne County Office of Tourism and History at (315) 946-5470.

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