GUILFORD – The Rockdale Community Church in the Town of Guilford is the latest in a growing repertoire of nationally recognized historic places in Chenango County, having recently been identified by a National Historic Register marker.

Last week, Town of Guilford officials and historians congregated at the steps of the church on State Route 8 to commemorate the distinction and unveil the sign identifying the church as having been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. The 155-year-old church building has been a staple in the Rockdale Community, serving as location of worship for any denomination.

According to Thomas Gray of the Guilford Historical Society, the church – added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 – is one of several buildings in the township that are on the National Historic Registry and eligible for signage.

“We are trying to think of as many places as possible that are on the Historic Register in Guilford and have them recognized by one of these markers,” said Gray, also noting that the Guilford Historical Society is eying the church and cemetery in Guilford Center to receive the next historic site marker. “Unlike state markers which are blue, national markers are brown and white. So if someone comes here from another state, they will know that this is a national marker. These markers are promoting tourism for the county, which helps when people come here to visit.”