The complex consists of: a Tudor Gothic Revival stone church building - construction of which began in 1838, of rubble limestone walls and cut limestone trim; a wood framed late Federal and early Greek Revival style two story rectory begun about 1833; and a one story, wood framed, Queen Anne style parish house built between 1887–1888. The church was designed by James DeLancey Wilson of New York City. It features a 60-foot gothic tower, buttresses with pinnacles and arched windows and doors. Local masons constructed the building.

“At the time of the construction, the community praised the new addition to the town as extraordinary and worthy of imitation. Trinity Church on Wall Street (in New York City) made a generous donation of 2,000 dollars towards the building of the church. The church was consecrated in 1841. It is the second oldest Episcopal building in the Wayne County.” [Finger Lakes Gothic]

First meeting at the Wayne County Court House in 1820 (the first court house in the park), this group of Episcopalians incorporated in 1825. However, the congregation diminished by 1835 and no longer met. “In 1838, a new organization formed and was incorporated. They acquired land with a ‘forever used for worship’ covenant” and built the Grace Episcopal Church. [Jorgensen]

Other historic components of Grace Episcopal Church are the historic stained-glass windows – most notable the Life of Christ window showing five scenes of the life of Jesus, and the historic 1849 organ, built by Henry Erben, one of the most revered organ builders of the 1800s.

Unfortunately, the church held its last service on Christmas 2016. Grace Episcopal Church is truly a historic testament to the community, the church members from over the years, to the quality and attention to detail of the local builders, and to the architect’s eye for beauty and quality of design.

Information from Loreen Jorgensen’s book “The First Hundred Churches of Wayne County, New York”