The 11 Most Unique Looking Religious Structures In Upstate NY

Just a few of the houses of worship across Upstate NY that are particularly unique in their appearance! A list by Chris Clemens of www.ExploringUpstate.com in Rochester, NY

11. First United Presbyterian Church (Mumford, NY)

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Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not, the church is sometimes thought to be built of petrified wood, but it's really made from bogstone quarried up the street and is most likely one of the few in the country.

10. Holy Trinity Monastery (Jordanville, NY)

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Featuring five churches and a museum, this Russian Orthodox Monastery in the Mohawk Valley is otherworldly in its beauty!

9. Cross Island Church (Oneida, NY)

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Once the 'Smallest Church in the World', this one requires a row boat and fits about five people!

8. Temple Sinai (Penfield, NY)

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This James Johnson design at a Reformed Jewish temple looks a bit like an A-frame tent set back in the woods.

7. Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam (Rush, NY)

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Though the outside of this Hindu Temple is fairly plain, the inside is nearly like being in India.

6. First Unitarian Church (Rochester, NY)

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Considered to be on of Louis Kahn's gems, this church is surprisingly un-church looking.

5. Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Lewiston, NY)

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A dome structure to model the globe rests below a large statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Stairs allows visitors to ascend to the top of the dome.

4. St. Januarius (Naples, NY)

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Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, this church was built to look like an upturned grape leaf from a bird's eye view. The front wall is speckled with oval stained glass pieces to represent the different grapes grown in the region.

3. Calvary Baptist Church (Leroy, NY)

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This fiberglass dome was built in the 60's and has a full immersion tub for baptisms.

2. Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham (Rush, NY)

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A Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in a rural area just south of Rochester.

1. The Home of Prophet Isaiah (Niagara Falls, NY)

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This home of Prophet Isaiah is said to be the final place of decision on Judgement Day.