Tower Township in Buffalo in Cass County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Old Stone Church

— Buffalo Historical Tour —

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

1. Old Stone Church Marker

Inscription. Built in 1885, this church was formerly the Calvary Episcopal Chapel and the first church built in Buffalo. It was designed by architect George Hancock who held ND architect license #1 and was constructed of native prairie stone. The Buffalo Masonic Lodge donated the church in 1985 to the Buffalo Historical Society, Inc. The Old Stone Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Erected by City of Buffalo Historic Preservation Commission, U.S. Dept of the Interior, National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 46° 55.296′ N, 97° 33.081′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, North Dakota, in Cass County. It is in Tower Township. It is at the intersection of Wilcox Avenue North and 3rd Street North, on the right when traveling south on Wilcox Avenue North. The marker is left of the sanctuary entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 Wilcox Avenue N, Buffalo ND 58011, United States of America.

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Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Red River Valley

and in Greater Fargo Area.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Calgary Episcopal Church Rectory (within shouting distance of this marker); More House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1916 Buffalo High School (about 300 feet away); First Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away); St. Thomas Church, Grotto and Crucifix Shrine (about 600 feet away); Peterson House (about 600 feet away); Buffalo Area Veterans Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sibley Trail (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

Also see . . . Old Stone Church. National Register Nomination Form prepared by Dale Bentley and Rolene R. Schliesman. SHSND, Buffalo Historical

Old Stone Church Marker left of the sanctuary entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

2. Old Stone Church Marker left of the sanctuary entrance

Society, 1995<blockquote>The Old Stone Church, which was built in 1885 as the Calvary Episcopal Chapel, has had many names throughout its history. As the oldest church building in Buffalo, it is commonly known in the community as the Old Stone Church.

Built in the Second Gothic Revival style, the Old Stone Church is nominated under Criterion C for its statewide significance in architecture. A fine example of an "ecclesiologically correct" Gothic Revival Church, the building was designed by prominent Fargo architect George Hancock.’ As the first stone Episcopal church built in Cass County, it represents a rare type of Episcopal church construction, that being uncut fieldstone rather than the dressed version. Ordinarily National Register criteria excludes religious buildings, however the Old Stone Church is eligible under Criteria Consideration A, because it derives its primary significance from its architectural distinction...

Plans for Calvary Episcopal Church in Buffalo began in 1884. At the time, there were six Episcopal churches in North Dakota, with the first built in Fargo in 1874. Episcopal Bishop William D. Walker

Full view of Old Stone Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

3. Full view of Old Stone Church

sent Reverend O'Callaghan McCarthy to Buffalo, a small town along the Northern Pacific Railway and 45 miles west of Fargo. There were no church buildings of any kind when the Reverend McCarthy arrived in Buffalo. Episcopalians were few in town, but numerous on the farms. When Bishop Walker visited the community in 1884, almost 100 people gathered to hear him. The Buffalo congregation grew rapidly, and the Episcopal Society, under the guidance of Reverend McCarthy, made plans to erect a church building.

Mary Strong Wilson and her sister, Laura Strong Letchworth, donated the land on which the church was built. The sisters were heirs to the estate of John C. Strong, a wealthy New York landowner. Lots were donated to anyone who would build a business, church, or school in the city of Buffalo.

In July of 1885, during an elegant and impressive ceremony, the corner stone of the Episcopal Church was laid. The procession included Bishop Walker, the Reverends Cooley and Swan, several ladies and gentlemen, and the Episcopal Choirs of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota. They arrived by tail in the Bishop's special car and were

Old Stone Church National Register of Historic Places plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

4. Old Stone Church National Register of Historic Places plaque

received by Reverend McCarthy, the Buffalo Band, and a large concourse of citizens. The occasion was one that marked an important step in the history of Buffalo. The enterprising Episcopal Society was composed of many Buffalo's leading citizens, and the edifice was to be built at once. (Submitted on July 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.