USA > New York > A history of the purchase and settlement of western New York : and of the rise, progress and present state of the Presbyterian Church in that section > Part 39
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Onondaga Hollow .- This church, as has already been noticed, derived its origin from the church on the West Hill. In Novem- ber, 1809, the members of the original Religious Society, who re- sided in the Hollow and eastern part of the town, in connexion with the people of Salina, formed a separate Society, organized ac- cording to law, and the members of the original church, residing in the Hollow and Salina, amounting to about forty in number, were, on the fourteenth day of March following, by the Presbytery of Geneva, constituted a Presbyterian church, and Rev. Dirck C. Lan- sing was at the same time installed as their pastor. This church was originally denominated Onondaga second church, but since 1831 has been more generally known as the church of Onondaga Hollow. Mr. Lansing continued the pastor of the church till Feb. 2d, 1814, when the relation was dissolved. The church remained without a pastor, supplied at times by different ministers, till Feb. 6th, 1817, when Rev. Samuel T. Mills was installed as pastor. He was dismissed, Sept. 2d, 1818. His successor was Rev. James W. Mills, who was installed as pastor, Nov. 8th, 1820. Mr. Mills con .- tinued in the pastoral office until his death, which occurred in May, 1824. Rev. Washington Thatcher was the next pastor of this church. He was installed pastor in 1823. He was succeeded by Rev. Elijah Buck, who was installed, Oct. 16th, 1833, and dismissed, Oct. Ist, 1834. Since Mr. Buck's dismission, no pastor has been settled. Until 1839, different ministers and licentiates were employed as stated supplies for short periods ; but in November of that year, Rev. George H. Hulin was engaged as stated supply, and, in 1846, was still engaged in that capacity. During the pastorate of Rev. James H. Mills, a measure of revival was experienced, and twenty- seven members were added to the church. Also during Mr. Thatcher's ministry, the work was revived, and a goodly number by profession were added to the church. In 1831, thirty-three such additions were reported, and in the next year, forty-eight. In
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1825, the church reported eighty-six members; in 1832, one hun- dred and thirty-six, and in 1846, eighty-three. The church in Sa- lina was formed mostly of members from this church; the church in Orville (De Witt) in part, and in 1835, a colony including thir- teen members of this church, went out to form a settlement, and organize a church in Illinois.
This church has always supported its own ministers without foreign aid. They have a large and commodious house of wor- ship, sixty feet by forty-cight, exclusive of the portico, erected in 1811, at an expense of $8,000. The proportion of the inhabitants usually attending public worship, is estimated as about one fourth. There is a small Methodist Episcopal Church in the Village.
South Onondaga .- This church was originally denominated Onondaga third church, afterwards Onondaga South Hollow, but more recently South Onondaga. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga, Sept. 2d, 1829. The writer sup- poses that it had then recently been organized. In 1840, it re- ported thirty-three members. This is the only report of the num- ber of members found on record. Rev. John W. Lawton was in- stalled as pastor of this church, Feb. 1834. He was dismissed Oct. Ist, the same year, and deposed from the ministry, Sept. 1st, 1835. The church has never had any other pastor, and has gene- rally been reported as vacant. In the month of September, 1845, Rev. Samuel Williams received a commission from the American Home Missionary Society to labor with this church. His commis- sion was renewed the next year.
Camillus .- The town of Camillus originally included Elbridge. The settlement of the town commenced in 1790. The present church of Camillus was probably organized in 1816 or '17. It was then named Camillus second church, Elbridge being the first. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga, Sept. 2d, 1817. Rev. Jabez Spicer was ordained and installed its pas- tor, March 18th, 1818. The author supposes that he was dismissed in October, 1819, as he was then suspended from the ministerial office. From the period of Mr. Spicer's dismission to 1831, the author believes that no pastor was settled. The church is some- times reported as vacant, and sometimes as statedly supplied, but by whom is not known to the writer. Sept. 27th, 1831, Rev. Ben- jamin B. Stockton was installed as pastor, and continued in that station about three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Moody Harrington, who was installed Oct. 1st, 1834. How long Mr. Harrington continued in the pastorate is not known to the writer. He was dismissed from the Presbytery Sept. 10th, 1839. Rev. Josiah J. Ward was his successor, being installed June 22d, 1841. In 1846 we find the church again vacant. In 1825 the church re-
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ported one hundred and twenty-one members ; in 1846 one hun- dred and fifty. This is the highest number ever reported. Eleven is the highest number reported as being received by profession in any one year. This was in 1832, during the pastorate of Mr. Stock- ton. This church has a commodious house of worship, built a number of years since.
Camillus Third Church .- This church was originally denominat- ed the Central Congregational church of Camillus. It is designat- ed in the reports of the Presbytery as Camillus third, till 1831. It was received under the care of the Presbytery, Oct. 11th, 1825. The next year it was reported as consisting of eighteen members. The highest number ever reported is forty-two. This was in 1830, the last time that the name is found in the Presbyterial reports. Up to this period the church is uniformly reported as vacant, with one exception. In the report for 1832 it is denominated Canton.
Van Buren .- The church in this place seems to have been a re- organization of the church of Canton, or Camillus third, in connex- ion with Warner's Settlement, on the Presbyterian plan of church government. It was received under the care of the Presbytery, Sept. 4th, 1832, and its name is found on the annual reports of the Presbytery till 1836. No statistics are given in these reports, ex- cept that the church was vacant till the last report, when Rev. James T. Hough was officiating as stated supply. From this period the church seems to have withdrawn from connexion with the Pres- bytery for several years, but was again taken under the care of the Presbytery, Feb. 6th, 1843. It was finally disbanded on the organi- zation of the church of Amboy.
Amboy .- This is a small village in the town of Camillus, situated on the Nine Mile Creek. The Presbyterian Church in this place was organized in December, 1845, in a considerable measure from members who had constituted the church of Van Buren. In 1846, Rev. Alfred C. Lathrop is reported as stated supply to this church.
Baldwinsville .- This village is situated on the Seneca River. About two thirds of the village lies on the north side of the river in the town of Lysander. The remaining part is on the south side in the town of Van Buren. The first permanent settlement on the south side of the river, was made in 1794, by Mr. John McHane, who had purchased a lot of land in that location. On the north side of the river, Dr. Jonas C. Baldwin fixed his residence in 1808. This was the beginning of the settlement of the village on the north side of the river, and from Dr. Baldwin the village derived its origin and name. In other parts of the town of Lysander, there were settlements as early as 1800, or, perhaps, even earlier.
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PRESBYTERY OF ONONDAGA.
In the early days of the settlement, the people were visited occa- sionally by itinerant missionaries, and public worship was instituted by Mr. Silas Scofield, a Baptist exhorter. A Presbyterian Church, consisting of fourteen members, was organized by Rev. Ebenezer Lazell, July 31st, 1813. Until 1832, it was known as Lysander First Church ; since that period, by the name of Baldwinsville. Mr. Lazel probably preached to the congregation before the organi- zation of the church, and for a short season afterwards. Rev. John Davenport resided here several years, and preached more or less to this congregation, till the period of his death, which took place, July 13th, 1821. Rev. Stephen V. Barnes, Rev. Josiah Mattoon, Rev. Jephtha Pool, Rev. Truman Baldwin, and others, sup- plied here at different times, and for various periods, till Oct. 25th, 1837, at which date, Rev. P. K. Williams was installed as pastor, and continued in this station till Feb. 12th, 1840, when he was dis- missed from his pastoral office, and suspended from the ministry. After his dismission the pulpit was temporarily supplied till March 12th, 1844. At this date Rev. Townsend Walker, the present pastor, was ordained and installed. In 1825, the church numbered sixty members. In 1813, it reported one hundred and one, and in July, 1846, it consisted of ninety-six members. There was an interesting revival in 1831, under the ministry of Rev. Edwards C. Beach, then officiating as stated supply, the benign influence of which is still felt in the church. Two or three seasons since that period, but not so durable in their effects, have exhibited the presence of the Divine Spirit in his converting influences.
The church has several years been aided by the American Home Missionary Society in the support of its ministers, but not since 1841. They have a very pleasant house of worship, which was built in 1830. It is fifty feet long, and forty feet broad. The Episcopal Methodists and the Baptists have also convenient houses of worship, and are respectively about equal in number and strength to the Presbyterians. The Episcopalians have a small organized society, and sometimes occupy the Presbyterian Church for a third service. They generally attend worship with the Presbyterian church. The Wesleyan and Protestant Methodists have each or- ganized societies in the village, but they do not flourish.
Lysander .- This church has its location in the western part of the town of Lysander, at the village known in the vicinity by the name of Betts' Corners. The first log building was erected about 1806, by Mr. Abner Vickory. Public worship was first set up in a private house, in 1817, principally through the agency of Deacon William Townsend from South Salem, Westchester county, and some pious families who began to come in about that time. They were favored with an occasional sermon from Rev. John Daven- port, who resided in the town, and labored in the region a con-
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siderable part of the time as an itinerant missionary. They were also visited and encouraged, from time to time, by Rev. David R. Dixon of Mexico and Rev. Oliver Eastman of Ira. The church was organized on the Presbyterian plan, Oct. 19, 1820, by Rev. Messrs. Davenport and Eastman, and was received under the care of the Presbytery, Feb. 7th, 1821. At its organization it consisted of nine members, and was denominated Lysander second church, Baldwinsville being the first. It was subsequently named, in the reports of the Presbytery, Lysander West, and latterly Lysander. In the infancy of the church, it was aided considerably by itinerat- ing missionaries. Of this class of laborers, Messrs. Snowden, Lane, Davenport, Abell, and Pool, are mentioned as having rendered im- portant services. As stated supplies, for a few months each, Rev. Messrs. Stephen V. Barnes, Horatio J. Lombard, William Clark, and Asahel Bronson may be named. The present pastor, Rev. Ebenezer C. Beach, commenced his labors with this congregation in 1832, and was installed as pastor of the church, Jan. Ist, 1834, and at the same time the house of worship was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. The first extensive revival enjoyed by this congregation was in the summer and fall of 1831, during which time the present pastor, then a stated supply at Baldwins- ville, frequently visited them and labored. This revival produced a very great change in the community for the better, and gave an entire new impulse to the church. Before this the church num- bered less than thirty members. From that time it has regularly increased, and now consists of about one hundred and thirty. Re- vivals, but not of equal power, were enjoyed in 1836, 1838, 1843, and 1846.
This church is one of the few, which, in the midst of trials and excitements all around it, has maintained its steadfastness and union. The leading influence of the church has always been such as not easily to be moved by mere novelties, and the church have neither desired nor listened to any newer systems of theology than those which constituted the faith of their Puritan fathers of New Eng- land. One noticeable cause of this fixedness of sentiment may be found in the instruction of the Sabbath school, which embraces all classes in the congregation, and is continued throughout the year. The church has been aided in the support of its pastor by the American Home Missionary Society, from 1832 to 1838. Since this last period it has supported its own pastor, and refunded the amount which it had received from the Society. The church has an appropriate house of worship." The community at large may be denominated a church-going people, a goodly proportion of which attend worship with the Presbyterian church. The Re- formed Dutch and Methodists have organized churches and houses of worship in the village. The Reformed Dutch have services every alternate Sabbath ; the Methodists one service each Sabbath. With these the Presbyterians are on terms of Christian friendship.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
Presbytery of Cayuga .- Victory, Ira, Cato, Wecdsport, Mentz, Montezuma, Elbridge, Jordan, Marcellus First Church, Marcellus Second Church, Skeneatoles, Borodino, Sennett, Auburn First Church, Auburn Second Church, Cayuga Village, Aurelius, Springport, Fleming, Scipio Second Church, Scipio First Church, Aurora, Mo- ravia, Summer Hill, Milan, Genoa First Church, Genoa Second Church, Genoa Third Church, Lansing, Genoa Free Congregational, East Groton, Kingston.
THE churches which next will claim our notice, are those which are, or have been connected with
THE PRESBYTERY OF CAYUGA.
Beginning on the north, we commence with the church of
Victory .- The town of Victory embraces one quarter of the original military town of Cato. The settlement of the town was commenced about the year 1815, by a number of Dutch families, interspersed with some others from Connecticut and Vermont. The Dutch settlers who were professors of religion, were members of the Reformed Dutch Church. The Presbyterian Church, con- sisting of six members, was organized on the 20th day of Nov., 1820, by Rev. Messrs. Eastman and Dunning. The whole number of persons that have been members of the church down to the com- mencement of the year 1846, is seventy-seven, of whom thirty-two remained in connexion with it at that period. The church has always been small and feeble, and has never had a regularly set- tled pastor. Rev. Messrs. Jephthah Pool, Martin Powell, William Williams, Phinehas Blakeman. Daniel Waldo, and Lemuel Dady- the last of whom now officiates have, at different periods, been stated supplies. Much of the time the church has been vacant, and at one time was in so low a state, as to intermit public wor- ship. They have been to a considerable extent assisted by the American Home Missionary Society, and at times have been aided by the students of the Theological Seminary at Auburn. Several seasons of religious revival have been experienced ; but they seem to have had but little effect in enlarging the Presbyterian Church. In the year 1841, the congregation erected a house of worship, at an expense of about $1400, which has been completed. It is in size about fifty feet by thirty-eight ; is well built and very pleasant, and has a steeple. The Baptists and Episcopal Methodists have congregations more numerous than the Presbyterians. There has also for a number of years been a strong Campbellite influence existing, though now considerably on the wane.
.
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Ira .- This place was originally a part of the old military town of Cato, and was settled at an early period. Among those who were early engaged in establishing and supporting religious insti- tutions, the families of the names of Conger, Van Wie, and Phelps, stand conspicuous. A church, consisting of fifteen members, and called the First Congregational Church of Cato, was organized, July 8th, 1807, by Rev. Francis Pomeroy. In 1823, the church elected ruling elders, and adopted the style of the First Presbyte- rian Church of Ira. The church became connected with the Pres- bytery of Cayuga, in the month of August, 1812, and has continued in that connexion to the present time. In 1836 nearly one half of its members received letters of dismission to form a new church in the present town of Cato. The largest number of members ever reported to the Presbytery, as belonging to this church, is one hun- dred and fifty-two. This was in the year 1833. The number reported in 1843 was one hundred and one; but a correspondent in September, 1845, states the number of resident members as less than sixty. In the early period of the history of this church, Rev. Messrs. David R. Dixon, Oliver Eastman, Jephthah Poole, and others, supplied them with preaching from time to time. In 1824, the congregation completed a house for public worship, in good style and commodious for use, of the size of about sixty feet by fifty. On the 12th day of July, 1826, Rev. Robert W. Hill, then a licensed preacher of the gospel, was ordained and installed pastor of the church, by the Presbytery of Cayuga. Mr. Hill continued till January 21st, 1829, when his pastoral relation was dissolved by the Presbytery. After Mr. Hill's dismission the church was sup- plied at different times for several years, by Rev. Messrs. Publius V. Bogue, Oliver Eastman, Chauncey Cook, and some others. During this period, as the writer believes, under the ministry of Mr. Cook, there was a blessed effusion of the Holy Spirit experienc- ed, as the result of which, sixty-three members were added to the church by profession, during the year ending April, 1832, and twenty-nine the next year. On the 10th day of June, 1834, Rev. William U. Benedict was ordained to the work of the ministry, and installed pastor of this church. Mr. Benedict ministered to the church till Jan. 21, 1840, when his pastoral relation was terminated by act of the Presbytery. During his ministry a measure of revival was enjoyed, so that the church was enlarged, in the year ending April, 1836, by the addition of eighteen members by profession, and the succeeding year by the addition of thirty-two. Since the dis- mission of Mr. Benedict, Rev. Julius Doane has officiated as a stated supply two years ; Rev. Mr. Wilcox, one year ; Rev. Wm. Clark, three years ; Rev. Wm. Rowlat, six months, and at the pre- sent time Rev. John C. Morgan is engaged as a stated supply. This church has always supported its own ministers without aid from any Missionary Society. The church has been greatly
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diminished by death, or the removal of its members to other places of residence.
There are several classes of Methodists of two denominations, one Baptist Society, and many Campbellites, in the town. It is thought, however, that a larger number of hearers are found in the Presbyterian church when there is preaching, than in any other.
Cato .- The present church of Cato is an emanation from the church of lra, and was organized by a committee of the Presby- tery appointed for the purpose, and was recognised as a church in connexion with the Presbytery of Cayuga, April 13th, 1836. It is noticed in the statistical tables of the minutes of the General As- sembly for that year as vacant ; in the tables for the next year as still vacant, and numbering thirty-six members. In subsequent years it is reported as furnished with a stated supply. In 1846, Rev. James 'T'. Hough is named as the supply. In 1840, the num- ber of members reported is sixty, fifteen having been added the previous year by profession ; in 1843, the whole number was one hundred and nineteen, the additions by profession having been twenty-four ; and in 1846, the whole number of members by report was one hundred and fifteen, and the additions by profession twen- ty-nine. This is all the information which the writer has concern- - ing this church.
Weedsport .- This church was formerly denominated the First Presbyterian Church of Brutus, and was received under the care of the Presbytery, Jan. 17th, 1826. It is supposed by the writer to have been at that time of recent organization. It is noticed in the statistical tables of the minutes of the General Assembly for the year 1826 and the five succeeding years as enjoying the mi- mistry of a stated supply. Rev. Justus S. Hough is named as the supply for the years 1829 and 1830. The number of members in 1828 was seventy-one, of whom ten had been received the preced- ing year. In 1832 the number reported was eighty-two, of whom twelve had been received by profession the previous year. The number reported in 1846 was ninety-seven, the largest number ever reported. Rev. Daniel C. Hopkins was installed pastor of this church, April 28th, 1831, and continued in the pastoral office till Jan. 15th, 1833. From this period the church appears to have been furnished with stated supplies about ten years, among whom are found the names of Rev. Moses Ingalls and Rev. Melancton B. Williams. On the sixth day of March, 1844, Rev. Charles E. Avery was installed as pastor, and is still continued in that relation.
Mentz .- This church has its location in the village of Port
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Byron, and is generally called by that name. It was organized at an early period, but the precise date is not known to the writer. It was connected with the Middle Association, and, on the division of that body in 1811, was placed in connexion with the Presby- tery of Cayuga. It is noticed in the minutes of the General As- sembly for the years 1814 and 1819, as vacant, and unable to support a pastor. The number of members in 1825 was fifty-nine ; in 1833, one hundred and four ; in 1840, one hundred and thirty- seven ; and in 1846, seventy-six. In 1829, thirteen members are reported as having the preceding year been added to the church by profession ; in 1832, thirty-seven were thus added ; in 1836, twenty-two ; and the next year, fifteen. These circumstances in- dicate that the years preceding these reports were, to some extent, years of revival. What amount of preaching the church enjoyed prior to the year 1824, is unknown to the writer. On the seven- teenth day of November, 1824, Rev. Birdseye Gibbs was ordained, and installed pastor of the church, by the Presbytery of Cayuga. His relation to the church continued but a short period. On the twenty-sixth day of July, 1826, he was by the Presbytery dis- missed from his pastoral charge, and suspended from the exercise of ministerial functions and the communion of the church. At a subsequent period he was deposed from the ministerial office. During the years 1828 and 1829, Rev. William Williams labored here as a stated supply, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. His labors were attended with some measure of success. After Mr. Williams' departure the desk was supplied two or three years by Rev. Justus S. Hough. Under his ministry a greater number of additions to the church were made than had ever before been added in a single year. In 1836, Rev. James T. Hough was employed as a stated supply, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. He pro- bably continued for a period of two years. In March, 1846, Rev. Thomas M. Hodgman received a commission from the American Home Missionary Society to labor as a stated supply in this con- gregation, and has continued to the present time. He reports the church as gaining in numbers, courage, and strength. The church has of late years been greatly weakened by the secession of a considerable number of its members to form a Presbyterian church under the care of the General Assembly (Old School). That church, in 1846, numbered ninety-one members, and had for its pastor, Rev. William T. Van Doren. It is connected with the Presbytery of Steuben. Between these two churches an unhappy controversy arose respecting the ownership of the property be- longing to the original church, each claiming to be that church. This controversy was carried into the civil courts, and decided in favor of the New School church, on the ground that they were
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the majority, and the others a secession. Both of these churches have commodious houses of worship. The Baptist denomination have also a house of worship in the village of Port Byron.
Montezuma .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga on the eighteenth day of January, 1825, and its name is uniformly found on the list of churches belonging to that Presbytery in the yearly reports till 1834. In January, 1835, the Presbytery were informed that it had become ex- tinct. No number of members is mentioned in any of the re- ports, and the church is uniformly, with two exceptions, reported as vacant. It appears that in 1829, Rev. Asa Messer was laboring with the church as a stated supply, under a commission from the American Home Missionary Society for one year. He was not re-appointed, and it is supposed that he did not continue, and that he had no successor.
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