Historic board to report St. Mary’s Episcopal Church meets National Register criteria

City staff asked the Palatka Historic Preservation Board on April 2 to prepare a report confirming that St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 809 St. John’s Avenue meets the National Register of Historic Places criteria and that the documentation is complete.

Renee Brown, speaking for city staff, told the board the planning department, the HPB and the community have been notified and that the file appears complete. "I can report this back to the state myself with your permission," she said. The applicant, Dr. Diane Taylor, said she had discussed the nomination with the state and described the response as "super positive." Dr. Taylor added, "This is so incredibly neat because now precious little St. Mary's Church will move on to the National Register."

The board opened the matter for public comment and, seeing none, did not delay the item. Brown said the Division of State Historic Resources will consider the nomination on May 7; staff offered board members a webinar link because several members will be unable to travel to Tallahassee.

Why it matters: listing on the National Register can make properties eligible for matching grants and formal recognition of historic significance. Brown told the board the next step will be submission to the state and, if approved there, subsequent steps before the federal listing can occur.

The board did not take a formal binding vote recorded in the minutes beyond giving staff permission to advance the report; staff will file the report to the state and alert board members of the May 7 hearing.