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 45
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Tyre .- This town was originally a part of the town of Junius, and its settlement commenced as early as 1805, by three brothers of the name of Crane. Of its religious history the writer knows nothing, except that a church did exist, which, in 1837, consisted of thirty-one members. It was reported by the Presbytery of Geneva as under their care in 1836 and 1837. Since that period the writer finds no notice of it. Rev. Merritt S. Platt was commis- sioned by the American Home Missionary Society to labor with this church one year from Nov. 25th, 1835. Whether the church has seceded from the Presbytery or become extinct is not known to the writer.
Seneca Falls .- This town was originally a part of the town of Junius, the part first settled and where the business of the town was transacted. The settlement was commenced at the falls which now give name to the town and village, at a very early period, by Col. Willhelmus Mynderse, and others from New Jersey. At a very early day Col. Mynderse erected a flouring establishment, and the place, from the color of the buildings, was known by the appel- lation of the "Red Mills." At what period the Presbyterian Church was organized is not definitely known to the writer. It is apparent that it was under the care of the Presbytery of Oneida, and trans- ferred to the Geneva Presbytery on the organization of that body in 1805. It was originally denominated the " First Presbyterian Church of Junius." In 1825, it consisted of eighty-four members. In 1832, it numbered two hundred and forty-three, and in 1846, one hundred and ninety-six. It was probably organized by Rev. Jedi- diah Chapman, and for some years received a share of his services as a missionary. Rev. John Stuart was ordained and installed as pastor to the church, August 24th, 1808. He was deposed from the office of the ministry, September 22d, 1813. Whether he con- tinued as pastor to the period of his deposition is not recollected by the writer. He was followed by Rev. Shipley Wells as stated supply for a year or two. June 30th, 1819, Rev. William Bacon was installed pastor of this church and that of Cayuga village. He was dismissed February 6th, 1821. Rev. Azariah G. Orton com-
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menced labor with this church, as the writer believes, in 1823, and though he was not installed, continued to labor as a stated supply till 1834 or 1835. Rev. Wm. Gray succeeded him, and was in- stalled as pastor of the church, and dismissed, October 2d, 1838. Rev. Herman L. Vail was installed pastor, October 28th, 18:10, and dismissed April 16th, 1843. He was succeeded by Rev. Horace P. Bogue, as stated supply, who still officiates in that capacity. During the ministry of Mr. Bacon in 1819-20, a pleasing revival was experienced, and about thirty members were added to the church. In the year 1828, twenty were reported as added to the church the preceding year on profession. In 1831, forty-seven, and in 1832, thirty-two are similarly reported. These years under the ministry of Mr. Orton, seem to have been peculiarly years of the right hand of the Most High. In the year 1840, twenty-two are reported as having united with the church by profession, indi- cating that the preceding year had been one of revival.
This church has never required foreign aid to support its minister. It has a house of worship built many years since. About the year 1832 or 1833, a number of the members of this church were dis- . missed or withdrew, and formed a Congregational Church ; but what has been its destiny is not known to the writer. The Presby- terian Church has for many years been a strong, able church, though somewhat disturbed by the conflicting sentiments of the day. Be- sides the Presbyterians, the Episcopalians, the Methodists, and the Baptists, have each a house of worship. The Roman Catholics have also a mass-house for their meetings.
Waterloo .- This town was originally a part of the town" of Junius. At an early period a settlement was commenced by John Green, afterwards called the Trip Settlement, at the place now known as Lundy's Corners. A small settlement also was made on the south side of the Seneca river named Scawas, which now con- stitutes a part of the village of Waterloo. . The early religious his- tory of this place is identified with that of Seneca Falls. A sepa- rate Presbyterian Church was organized in Waterloo in 1817: the writer believes that it was composed principally of those who had been members of the church of Seneca Falls. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, August 13th, 1817. In 1825, it numbered 110 members; in 1832, 270; in 1840, 310; and in 1846, 227. Rev. Aaron D. Lane was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 21st, 1821. He continued in this station till 1834 or 1835, and after a short interval, was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. Samuel H. Gridley, the present pastor of the church. This church has been much favored with the dews of heaven since its organization. An addition of thirty-eight mem- bers was reported for the year 1825, but whether the result of a revival, or of the increase of the population of the village, is not
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known to the writer. In 1829, twenty-seven were reported as having been added by profession the preceding year, and in 1832, 117 were so reported. These were the fruits of revivals enjoyed in the congregation. This church has always supported its own minister without foreign aid. They have an appropriate, and very respectable house of worship, which was erected in the early period of the history of the church. There are also in the village appro- priate houses of worship for the Episcopalians, the Methodists, and the Baptists.
Canoga .- The village of Canoga is situated in the eastern part of the town of Fayette, near the Cayuga lake. A small Presbyte- rian church was organized here about the year 1825, and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1828, it reported thirty-five members; in 1832, forty-eight ; in 1840, ninety-five ; and in 1846, 101. Rev. Richard Williams acted as stated supply one or two years, about the period of 1831 and 1832. With this exception, the church has uniformly been reported as vacant till after 1837. In 1840, Rev. Charles N. Mattoon is reported as pastor. He was dismissed May 6th, 1841. In the following year, Mr. Chauncey W. Cherry, a licentiate preacher, commenced labor- ing here, and, on the 12th day of July, 1842, was ordained and installed as pastor, in which relation he still remains. During the first year of his ministry with the church, he was under the patron- age of the Home Missionary Society. God blessed his labors ; a revival was enjoyed, bringing into the fold of Christ between forty and fifty hopeful converts, which strengthened the church to such a degree that they were able to support their pastor without foreign aid. They have an appropriate house of worship. This church was known a number of years as Fayette Second Church.
Fayette .- This town was originally called Washington, but in 1808 the name was changed to Fayette. Its settlement commenced in 1789. A large proportion of the inhabitants are Germans, emi- grants from Pennsylvania. These generally have their own reli- gious organizations, and to a great degree constitute a community by themselves. The other early inhabitants were mostly from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the southern counties of New York. A Presbyterian church was organized and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, probably in 1824. It is reported for the first time in 1825. It was then reported as vacant. No report of the number of members was made till 1826. It then numbered sixty-one members, thirty-zeven having been received within the year. In 1828 it reported eighty members. From that period the number diminished, and in 1846 the whole number was only fifty- two. In 1825, or the beginning of the next year, Rev. Isaac Flag- ler was constituted pastor of the church, and remained such about
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three years. During his ministry the church was considerably in- creased in the number of its members, nearly sixty being added. How large a proportion of these were received on profession is, not known. From the period of Mr. Flagler's dismission till 1834 the church is uniformly reported vacant, although several ministers preached in the congregation for short periods. Near the com- mencement of the year 1834, Rev. Adams W. Platt was engaged as stated supply, and continued about two years and a half. After him Rev. Oren Catlin supplied for a season. Rev. Alanson Scofield com- menced preaching to the congregation towards the latter part of the year 1837, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 7th, 1838. He was dismissed Sept. 3d, 1845. In the support of Messrs. Flagler, Platt, and Scofield, the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They have an appropriate house of worship, which was erected some years since. In the annual reports of the Presbytery, this church is sometimes denomi- nated Fayette, sometimes Fayette first church, and sometimes West Fayette.
Geneva .- Of the early settlement of the village of Geneva, we have spoken in another place. The mass of the first inhabitants of this village were not distinguished for a regard for religion and its institutions, but the contrary. Many vices predominated to a very great extent, yet in 1798, on the sixteenth day of July, a religious Society under the general law of the State was formed by the adult male inhabitants of the village and the vicinity. This was the first religious society formed in the place, and was designed to be connected with a church of the Presbyterian order. The trus- tees elected for the Society were Oliver Whitmore, Elijah Wilder, Septimus Evans, Ezra Patterson, Samuel Latta, William Smith, Jun., and Polydore B. Wisner, none of whom are now living. At this period the population of the village, probably, did not exceed thirty families. In 1800, Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, under an ap- pointment from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, located his family in the village of Geneva, and was employed by the inhabitants to labor with them one half of the time, while the remaining half was employed in missionary service in the destitute places around. The same year Mr. Chapman organized a Presby- terian church in the village. As the original records are lost, it is not known of what number of members the church was composed. It is supposed, however, that the number was less than twenty, and several of these lived at a considerable distance from the village. Oliver Whitmore, Elijah Wilder, and Seth Stanley, were constituted ruling elders. This church was taken under the care of the Pres- bytery of Oneida, and on the division of that body was assigned to the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1806 the church was reported as vacant and unable to support a pastor. In 1825 the church num-
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bered two hundred and seventy-two members, and the next year four hundred and seven. In 1831 the number was five hundred and sixty-seven ; in 1843, six hundred and fifty-two; and in 1846, six hundred and five.
After the organization of the church about twelve years elapsed before a regular pastor was called. For a large proportion of this period Mr. Chapman occupied the pulpit one half of the time, and employed in missionary labor the other part. On the 12th of July, 1812, Mr. Chapman was installed pastor of this church, and at the same time Rev. Henry Axtell was ordained and installed co-pastor with him. Mr. Chapman died May 22d, 1813, after a life of much usefulness, and greatly beloved and respected. He was at the time of his death in the 73d year of his age. Dr. Axtell continued pastor of the congregation until his death, which occurred Feb. 11th, 1829, when he was forty-five years of age. During the sixteen years of his ministry, there were two special seasons of revival ; the first in 1819, when nearly one hundred were added to the church ; the other in 1825, when a still larger number took the vows of God upon them. Rev. Eliakim Phelps, D.D., the successor of Dr. Axtell, was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 11th, 1830, and was dismissed, Sept. 15th, 1835. During his ministry there was one powerful revival of religion, as the result of which more than one hundred members were added to the church, and the whole number added during his ministry was three hundred and twenty-seven, of whom two hundred were by examination. Rev. Philip C. Hay, D.D., was installed pastor, Feb. 3d, 1836, and was dismissed, April 9th, 1846. During his ministry up to February, 1846, the additions to the church were five hundred and thirty-eight, of which two hundred and seventy-six were received on their profession of faith. Rev. William Hogarth was installed pastor of this church, Dec. 3d, 1846, and is the present pastor.
This congregation erected a house of worship previous to the settlement of the first pastors, which, at that period, was considered large and elegant. It has since been removed, and replaced by their present spacious, commodious, and elegant edifice. This church may be considered as the parent of several others. The Presbyterian Church of Castleton was derived from it. The Reformed Dutch Church of Geneva was to a considerable extent constituted of members of this church, and at a later period a Congregational Church has been organized from it. The Episco- palians have a magnificent house of worship in this village. The Reformed Dutch and the Methodist denominations have houses which are large and elegant. The Associate Reformed, the Baptist, and the African Baptist churches, have houses which are appropriate and commodious. Besides these the Universalists have a house for meeting, and the Roman Catholics have a mass-house.
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Castleton .- This village is situated in the town of Seneca, and derives its name from an Indian fortification located on the ground in former time, from which the place, by the early white inhabitants, was denominated the Old Castle, now Castleton. It was settled contemporaneously with the other parts of the town of Seneca. Its religious history is involved in that of Geneva until 1828. Several of the original members of the Church of Geneva, and two of its three elders, resided in this place. In 1828, a Presbyte- rian Church consisting of nineteen members was organized here. The most of these were taken from the church of Geneva. The church, soon after its organization, was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1829, it reported thirty members ; in 1832, one hundred and forty-six ; and in 1843, one hundred and seven. Rev. Stephen Porter, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, commenced laboring here in the month of August, 1828, previous to the organization of the church. His labors as stated supply were continued for five years. In 1831-2, a blessed work of the Spirit was wrought, as the result of which about one hundred members were added to the church by profes- sion. Rev. Oren Catlin succeeded Mr. Porter, and was installed as pastor of the church, and continued two or three years, after which Mr. Porter was again employed as stated supply one or two years. He was succeeded by Rev. George C. Hyde, and he by Rev. Benjamin Russell, who yet remains. The Church were aided by the American Home Missionary Society in the support of Mr. Porter five years ; since that period they have supported their own minister without foreign aid. They have an appropriate house of worship, which was erected in 1829 or 1830.
Hopewell .- The present towns of Hopewell and Gorham were, in 1801, organized as a town by the name of Easton. In 1806, the name was changed to Lincoln, and in 1807 to Gorham. In 1824 or '25 the town was divided, and the northern section named Hopewell. The settlement of this town commenced at a very early period, and a Presbyterian church was organized at an early date, probably by Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, soon after his estab- lishment at Geneva. In his journal under date of August 7th, 1803, he speaks of administering the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the church in this place. The church must have been connected with the Presbytery of Oneida, as on the organization of the Pres- bytery of Geneva, it appears, without any act of reception, to have belonged to that body. At the time of the organization the number of members was small. In 1825, it had increased to one hundred; in 1828, it reported one hundred and eight; and the next year, only forty-four. This change was in consequence of a division of the church by the organization of a separate one in Gorham. In 1832, the church reported sixty-four members added
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within a year by profession, making the whole number one hun- dred and four. Two years afterwards the whole number was one hundred and thirty-four, forty-three more having been added by profession. Since that period the number has diminished, so that, in 1846, it was only ninety-two. For some years after the or- ganization of the church it did not enjoy stated preaching. The labor of Mr. Chapman, or some other missionary, for an occasional Sabbath, was nearly the amount of ministerial help experienced. Still the writer believes that stated public worship on the Sabbath was maintained. In 1804, Rev. Samuel Leacock came into the town, and was engaged as a stated supply for one year, but pre- vious to the expiration of the year his labors were terminated by his decease. Rev. Eliphalet B. Coleman, then a licentiate, officiated as stated supply for a season, in 1807. Rev. Joseph Merrill com- menced ministering to this church in connexion with that of Rush- ville the latter part of the year 1808, and in June of the next year was installed as pastor of the two churches. Mr. Merrill officiated as pastor of both churches till May 1st, 1821, when he was dis- missed from his charge of the church in Middlesex, and devoted his whole labors to the church in Hopewell, till 1827, when he was dismissed from his pastoral charge. Soon after Mr. Merrill's dismission the church was divided, and thereby the church of Hopewell was considerably weakened. Rev. Isaac Flagler was employed as a stated supply in the latter part of the year 1828, and in this relation he continued about three yeras. After his departure for a period the church was supplied irregularly for some time, and then enjoyed for a season the labors of Rev. Samuel Howe, as pastor. In 1837 and 1840, it is reported as vacant, and in 1843, as supplied by Rev. John W. Wood. In August, 1844, Rev. Isaac Flagler commenced ministering to the church, and was installed as pastor, April 16th, 1845. In this relation he still continues.
During the period of Mr. Merrill's ministry there was a gradual increase in the number of the members of the church from year to year, and at one time at least a considerable revival. The years 1831 and '32 were years in which the greatest accessions were made to the church. These were the result of the labors of evangelists connected with protracted meetings, and about one hundred were added to the church.
This church has been assisted by the American Home Mission- ary Society in the support of Mr. Flagler, both when he officiated some years since as a stated supply, and since his installation as pastor of the church. They have an appropriate house of worship.
Chapinsville .- This is a small village on the outlet of the Canan- daigua lake, in the town of Hopewell, near its north-west corner. At an early period of the history of the Genesee country, the
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Messrs. Chapin of Canandaigua erected mills on this spot, it being the nearest place to Canandaigua where a sufficient water-power existed. Hence the place was formerly known by the appellation of Chapins' Mills. Latterly it has been called Chapinsville. In consequence of the water-power there existing, a considerable village has grown up. A small church of the Congregational order, as the writer believes, was formed here a number of years since. It would seem that it has been connected with the Presby- tery of Geneva, as its name is found in their reports to the General Assembly for 1836 and 1837. Why it is not found in later reports, is not known to the writer. In 1837 it consisted of forty-eight members. What ministerial aid was enjoyed by the church pre- vious to 1833, the writer knows not. In February of that year, Rev. Isaac Flagler was employed as a stated laborer among them, and continued four years. He was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Crabb, who continued two or three years. In 1841, Rev. G. W. Lane labored with them for a season, and in November was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. B. Wilson, who continued two years. In the support of these ministers the church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society. In their reports to the Society, some of them at times speak of hopeful conversions, but of no extensive revival. The history of the church since 1842 is wholly unknown to the writer. They have an appropriate house of worship, erected a number of years since.
Rushville .- This village is situated partly in the town of Gorham, and partly in the town of Middlesex. The latter town, including also the town of Potter, was originally named Augusta. The name was changed to Middlesex in 1808. It was settled at an early period by emigrants mostly from Massa- chusetts, but some from Rhode Island and Connecticut. Dea- cons Loomis and French, still living, were among the early settlers. Public worship on the Sabbath was set up very soon after the settlement commenced, in a log school-house, where the people assembled and worshipped God, by prayer and singing, reading the word of God and printed sermons. They were occa- sionally visited by a missionary. A church, of the Congregational order, consisting of fifteen members, was organized by Rev. Jedi- diah Chapman, Nov. 28th, 1802, and was denominated the " First Congregational Church of Augusta and Gorham." The church became connected with the Ontario Association, June 14th, 1803, and continued in this connexion till the dissolution of the Associa- tion in 1813. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, on what was denominated the accommodating plan, April 19th, 1814. In this connexion it still continues. This church has been a highly favored church. In 1825, it numbered one hundred and sixty-two members; in 1834, two hundred and fifteen ; and,
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in 1846, two hundred and fifty-two. The members of the church and congregation reside, some in the town of Gorham, some in the town of Middlesex, and some in the town of Potter. All the ori- ginal members had previously been members of churches in the places from which they emigrated. Soon after the organization of the church, Rev. Ahijah Warren commenced laboring with them as a stated supply, and continued nearly one year. After him, Rev. Reuben Parmele labored for a season. Rev. Joseph Merrill was installed, by an ecclesiastical council, pastor of this church and that of Hopewell, July 9th, 1809, and continued in the pastor- ate of both churches till 1821. At that period each church felt itself able to support a minister for the whole of the time. Each wished to retain Mr. Merrill, and, though each was equally dear to him, yet some circumstances determined him to continue with the church of Hopewell. Accordingly, on the first day of May, 1821, his pastoral relation to the church of Rushville was dissolved, and the next day Rev. David Page was ordained and installed pastor in his stead. Mr. Page continued about four years, and was dismissed on his own request. Rev. Joseph Brackett soon after became the pastor of the church, and continued as such till his death, which occurred Sept. 24th, 1832. Rev. Henry P. Strong succeeded him as pastor, and continued with them a little more than two years, when death removed him from his pastoral charge. Rev. Maltby Gelston was his successor. He was installed in the month of May, 1836, and still continues in the pastoral office.
The church has been blessed under all its pastors, with revivals of religion to some extent. There was one revival of great power and extent in Mr. Merrill's day, as the fruits of which one hundred or more united with the church, and nearly all remained steadfast in their profession. Under Mr. Page's ministry there was a season of religious interest, in which numbers were brought into the church, but time has shown that many of these supposed conversions were spurious. Under Mr. Brackett there was a revival of consider- able interest, and frequent seasons when some few were gathered into the church. Under Mr. Strong's ministry, there was a season of revival and ingathering into the kingdom. Under the labors of Mr. Gelston, there has been, at different times, some interest on the subject of the soul's salvation, and a few gathered into the church. There has also been one general revival, as the fruits of which more than forty were added to the church.
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