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 56
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In June, 1832, Rev. Moses Ordway in connexion with Rev. Robert Hubbard held a protracted meeting in this place, which was continued for a period of ten days, the result of which was the hopeful conversion of a number of individuals, mostly heads of families. On the tenth day of July following, Rev. Moses Ordway
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and Rev. Moses Hunter organized a Presbyterian church in this place, consisting of twenty-nine members, twelve of whom were received by letters from other churches, and seventeen on profes- sion. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Bath, August 26th, 1834. In 1846, it consisted of sixty members.
In 1832 and part of 1833, Rev. George B. King was stated supply six or eight months. In March, 1834, Rev. Moses Hunter became stated supply and so continued about three years, preach- ing every Sabbath at Hornellsville, Almond, and Arkport. Rev. Benjamin Russell succeeded him for a season. Rev. John W. Hopkins was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Nov. 13th, 1839, and continued till his death, which occurred Feb. 9th, 1841. From that period till January, 1842, Rev. Charles B. Smith supplied most of the time. He was followed by Rev. Elias S. Peck for one year, and he, by Rev. Thomas M. Hodgman for two years. In April, 1846, Rev. Foster Lilly succeeded, and still con- tinues as stated supply. Besides the revival which gave rise to the organization of the church, there was one of considerable extent in 1834, under the ministry of Mr. Hunter. In 1839 there was a considerable addition to the church, as also in 1841. The church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society in the support of all its ministers except Mr. Hunter. It has a commodi- ous house of worship, fifty-nine feet in length and forty in breadth, and finished in a plain but neat manner, in 1834, at an expense of about $3000. The Methodist denomination have also a house of worship in the village, and throughout the town may number about as many members as the Presbyterians. There are some Baptists intermixed with the other denominations. It is estimated that more than half of the inhabitants of the town do not attend public wor- ship with any denomination.
Jasper .- At some period between 1805 and 1810, Andrew Simpson from Washington county (N. Y.) and Adam Brotzman and Nicholas Brotzman from New Jersey, and Ebenezer Spencer, ori- ginally from Connecticut, settled within the territory now included within the town of Jasper. Others came on soon after them. But there seems to have been no religious affinity between the early settlers. Occasional preaching by Methodists and others was held, but no regular stated worship was held before 1825. About that period, or soon after, a number of immigrants from the State of New Hampshire, among whom Deacon Enoch Ordway was a con- spicuous character, commenced public worship on the Sabbath, by holding what were denominated reading meetings, and instituted a Sabbath school. From that period public worship and a Sabbath school have been maintained in that part of the town known as the Hampshire Settlement. A Presbyterian church, consisting of
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twenty-four members, of whom six were males and eighteen females, was organized Oct. 29th, 1829, by Rev. David Higgins, Rev. Lyman Barrett, and Elder Israel Baldwin, a committee of the Presbytery of Bath. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery Jan. 26th, 1830, and was transmitted to the Pres- bytery of Chemung on the organization of that body. It was, on its application, restored to the Presbytery of Bath by the Synod, in October, 1847. The church numbered at the last report fifty- eight members. As stated supplies for different periods, Rev. Messrs. Elijah Wollage, Jeremiah Pomeroy, Oren Johnson, Robert Hubbard, Noah Cressey, and Thomas W. Duncan, have officiated at different times. Several of these have supplied another congre- gation at the same time, dividing their labors betwixt the two. In September, 1846, Rev. George T. Everest commenced laboring as a stated supply to this church, and was installed as pastor in De- cember, 1847. In the latter part of 1831 and the former part of the next year, the church experienced the reviving influences of the Divine Spirit, and as the result twenty-four members were added to the church by profession. In 1835 eight were added by pro- fession, and in 1839 and '40 nine were so added, indicating that the good Spirit of God had not forsaken his heritage.
This church had been aided in the support of most of its minis- ters by the American Home Missionary Society. It still continues to receive aid. In 1845 the church commenced building a mode- rate sized house of worship, which was completed the next year, soon after which it was consumed by fire. The church, though feeble, immediately commenced building another, which, by the blessing of the Almighty on their endeavors, was completed and dedicated in December, 1847. There are intermixed with the Presbyterians, Episcopal, Wesleyan, and Protestant Methodists. Baptists, and Christians. The last are principally in the southern part of the town. The Baptists have a house of worship, but their church is small. It is estimated that about one-third of the attend- ants on public worship meet with the Presbyterians. Probably the majority of the inhabitants of the town do not attend public worship with any denomination, and many of them are exceedingly irreligious.
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CHAPTER XXXI.
Synod of Genesee .- Presbytery of Rochester :- Webster, Penfield, Bushnell's Basin, Pittsford, Brighton, Rochester First, Rochester Brick Church, Rochester Third, Rochester Free, Rochester Washington Street, North Rochester, Parma and Greece, Parma, Parma Corners, Clarkson, Murray, Holley, Brockport, Sweden, Ogden, Adams's Basin, Gates, Henrietta, Chili, Churchville, Riga, North Bergen, Bergen, Wheatland, Rush, West Mendon, Mendon.
WE now pass from the churches under the care of the Synod of Geneva to those which are connected with
THE SYNOD OF GENESEE.
And beginning at the north-eastern angle we commence with
THE PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
Webster .- The town of Webster was taken from the town of Penfield. The settlement of the town must have commenced about the year 1800. The church was originally designated the church of North Penfield and Ontario, and sometimes, Penfield Second Church, and North Penfield. It was organized August 25th, 1825, consisting of eleven members, taken, as the writer believes, wholly or in part from the original church of Penfield. It was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Rochester, Sept. 20th, 1825. In 1826, it reported sixteen members ; in 1831, one hundred and nine ; in 1834, one hundred and forty-three ; and in 1847, one hundred and twenty-eight. Rev. Richard Dunning commenced ministerial labor with the congregation in the early part of the year 1829, and was ordained and installed as pastor, June 3d, 1830. He continued to sustain the pastoral office till Feb. 5th, 1835, when he was dismissed from his charge. Under his labors the Spirit was poured out in his sanctifying and saving influences, and as many as seventy or eighty united with the church on a profession of faith in Christ. In the support of Mr. Dunning they were aided by the American Home Missionary Society. Since Mr. Dunning's dismission the church employed stated supplies the most of the time till 1841. On the fifth day of January of that year, Rev. Lemuel Brooks was installed as pastor of the church, and still continues in that relation. They have a house of worship erected in 1830.
Penfield .- This is the original church of that name, sometimes
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PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
denominated the Church of South Penfield, and sometimes, Penfield First Church. It was organized a Congregational Church consist- ing of fifteen members by Rev. Reuben Parmele of Victor. It was then called the church of Northfield, as the town of Northfield at that period comprehended the present towns of Perrinton, Pittsford, Henrietta, Brighton, Irondequoit, Penfield, Webster, and that part of the city of Rochester which lies east of the Genesee river. The church was received into connexion with the Ontario Association, June 10th, 1806, and continued the connexion till the dissolution of that body. In the beginning of the year 1814, the church adopted the Presbyterian form of government, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, April 19th of that year. From this Presbytery it was transferred to the Presbytery of Ontario, and subsequently to the Presbytery of Rochester, on the erection of those Presbyteries. During the two years succeeding the organization, twenty-nine members were added to the church. In 1825, it reported fifty-eight as the whole number of its members ; in 1831, one hundred and seven ; and in 1837, one hundred. From the period of its organization till 1816, no regular stated administration of gospel ordinances was enjoyed : the preaching of the gospel, and administration of sacraments, was only occasional. It is believed, however, that the church main- tained regular stated worship upon the Sabbath. In 1816, Rev. Asa Carpenter commenced ministering to the church one half of the time for two years ; after two years, the whole of the time, as the writer believes, till 1825. He was succeeded by Rev. Garret Hallenback for two years, and he by Rev. Eber Child for one year. In December, 1828, Rev. Lemuel Brooks, then a licentiate, succeed- ed, who was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 18th, 1829, and dismissed, Oct. 19th, 1830. After the dismission of Mr. Brooks, Rev. Elijah Buck, Rev. Simeon Peck, Rev. Conrad Ten Eyck, and Rev. Moses Ordway, were severally employed as stated supplies for one year, or about that period. They were succeeded by Rev. Albert G. Hall, then a licentiate, in May, 1835, who was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Feb. 24th, 1836. He was dismissed, Feb. 5th, 1840. Since the dismission of Mr. Hall, several ministers have been employed as stated supplies. The present supply, Rev. J. H. Young, commenced his labors in September, 1845.
Under the ministry of Mr. Carpenter, in 1818, a precious season of revival was enjoyed, which added to the church twenty-one members. In 1831, thirty-nine members were reported as having been added, by profession, within the year preceding. The church has a commodious house of worship, a brick edifice, erected in 1823, and capable of seating from six hundred to eight hundred persons. The church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society in the support of Mr. Hall.
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
Bushnell's Basin .- This is a small village on the Erie canal, in the town of Perrinton. A church was organized here in 1832, or the beginning of 1833, which was recognised by the Presbytery of Rochester, and reported as under their care, in 1833 and 1834. In 1833, it consisted of twelve members ; in 1834, it had increased to twenty-four. Since 1834, it has not been reported. The writer supposes that it withdrew from its connexion with the Presbytery, though he finds no mention of it on the records of the Presbytery.
Pittsford .- The village of Pittsford is the locality which former- ly constituted the centre of business for the original town of North- field. This town was organized in 1794. In 1798, the name was changed to Boyle. In 1813, it was divided into three towns, named Perrinton, Penfield, and Smallwood, the latter embracing the terri- tory now constituting the towns of Pittsford, Henrietta, Brighton, Irondequoit, and that part of the city of Rochester which lies east of the Genesee river. Smallwood was soon afterwards divided ; the part now forming the towns of Pittsford and Henrietta, was constituted a town by the name of Pittsford, a number of the in- habitants having formerly resided in Pittsford, Vermont. The other division was named Brighton. In 1818, the town of Hen- rietta was detached from Pittsford. Of the early settlement of the town of Pittsford, we have spoken in another place. It com- menced in 1790. The first school was instituted in 1794, and taught by Mr. Barrows, in a log-house, one mile south of the village, which served for a school-house and place for worship. The first frame house was built in 1795, and is still standing.
The first sermon which the early colonists had the privilege of hearing, was preached by a travelling missionary, said to be from Virginia, who visited them on a week-day, during the season of har- vest. General notice was given of the meeting, and all who were able assembled in a barn to hear the gospel. Several years, how- ever, elapsed before stated public worship was established and maintained. Occasional preaching was enjoyed, and sometimes a minister employed for a short period. The writer, then a licentiate preacher, preached six Sabbaths, in the interval between Nov. 8th, 1801, and Feb. 1st, 1802. This he believes was the first instance in which the people of this place ever employed a preacher of the Congregational or Presbyterian denomination. A Congrega- tional church was organized May 11th, 1809, by Rev. Solomon Al- len, and was constituted by the recognition of ten individuals as " persons giving satisfactory evidence of true piety and soundness of faith." The church thus formed, was received into connexion with the Ontario Association the next June, and after the dissolu- tion of that body, on the twentieth day of April, 1814, it was re- ceived under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, on the accom- modating plan. From this Presbytery it was transferred to the
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PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
Presbytery of Ontario, and from that to the Presbytery of Roches- ter, on the organization of that body, in 1819. In 1815, the num- ber of members was the same as at the organization, though not composed wholly of the same individuals. In 1818, the number was thirty-seven ; in 1826, forty-two: in 1831, one hundred and fifty-nine ; and in 1846, one hundred and ninety-five.
Previous to the organization of the church, and for some time afterwards, the stated preaching of the gospel was not enjoyed. Rev. Solomon Allen officiated here as stated supply for a season, the writer believes for a year, in 1810 and '11. After him Rev. Silas Hubbard was employed for a season. Rev. Aaron C. Collins officiated a part of the time during a part of the years 1817 and '18. After him Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman for a few months. In the autumn of 1818, Rev. Chauncey Cook was employed as a stated supply, and continued two years. During the four succeeding years, the church was under the care of Rev. John Taylor, who preached here and at Mendon alternately. During the winter of 1824 and '25, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Ralph Cushman. The next spring Rev. William F. Curry, then a licentiate, commenced preaching in the congregation, and was ordained and installed pas- tor of the church, July 14th, 1825. He was dismissed July 4th, 1826. Rev. Homer Adams was employed for one year, commene- ing in the fall of 1827, and was succeeded by Rev. Asa Mahan, who was installed pastor, Nov. 11th, 1829, and was dismissed, March 4th, 1831. He was succeeded by Rev. Alfred E. Camp- bell as stated supply for one year, after whom Rev. Elijah Buck supplied nine months. The present pastor, Rev. John B. Richardson, commenced his labors, June 2d, 1833, and was installed pastor, Feb. 16th, 1834. During the period of Mr. Cushman's labors in the winter of 1824-25, a blessed season of refreshing from on high was enjoyed, as the result of which, thirty-eight persons were ad- mitted to the church. The years 1830, '31, and '32, seem to have been years of revival. Between ninety and one hundred members during those years were reported as added to the church by pro- fession. During the ministry of the present pastor, several seasons of refreshing have been enjoyed, adding numbers to the church.
This church has ever supported its own minister without foreign aid. In 1799 the widely scattered inhabitants of Northfield united in building a large log-house, a little north of the present village of Pittsburgh, in which house for several years the business of the town was transacted, and public worship held upon the Sabbath. This house was thus occupied till 1816, when a frame building was erected, one mile south of the village, and dedicated as a place of religious worship. In 1826 a new and commodious house of wor- ship was erected in the village, by the Presbyterian congregation. It is a very neat, well built, stone edifice, sixty feet in length, by forty in breadth. There is a Baptist, and also a Methodist church
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
in the town, each of which is feeble. The Presbyterian congrega- tion, in a pecuniary point of view, are abundantly able to support the institutions of the gospel, though a large proportion of the popu- lation of the town have no connexion with any place of worship.
Brighton .- The name of this church is found in the Statistical Report of the General Assembly for 1846, as connected with the Presbytery of Rochester, but the writer finds no mention of it in the Records of the Presbytery, nor has he any knowledge of its history.
Rochester First Church .- The city of Rochester, we have re- marked in a preceding chapter, is of recent origin. The mill-lot, so called, lying on the west side of the river, and including one hun- dred acres, was given in 1789 to a Mr. Allen, for building a mill for the accommodation of the settlers who might move into the ad- jacent region. But the settlement being mostly made in other di- rections, the mill went to decay, and the lot was repeatedly sold. In 1802, Nathaniel Rochester, William Fitzhugh, and Charles Car- roll of Maryland, purchased the lot, and left it unsold till 1812, when it was laid out into village lots, and offered for sale, and re- ceived the name of Rochester. The centre of the city on the east side of the river, was purchased in 1789 for twenty-five cents per acre. A log-house and saw-mill were erected on this tract in 1808, but it was not much improved till 1817, when it was laid out into village lots. In the north-west part of the city the first improve- ments began to be made in 1807, and in the north-east part in 1813. In 1813 there were three houses built and occupied, on the west side of the river. In 1817 the village was incorporated ; and in 1834 a city charter was granted. In 1815 the population of the village was three hundred and thirty-one souls ; in 1845 it was twenty-five thousand two hundred and sixty-five.
The first Presbyterian church, denominated the " First Presbyte- rian Church of Gates," was organized with sixteen members, by a committee of the Presbytery of Geneva, August 22d, 1815. At that period the part of the village on the west side of the river was in the town of Gates, that on the east was Brighton. The members of the church were dispersed over these two towns. In conse- quence of the wide separation of the members from each other, the Session, at a meeting held March 16th, 1816, passed the following vote : " Voted, that a meeting of the church shall be considered regularly warned, by a notice given publicly on the Sabbath, and when information shall have been sent to the settlements on the ridge in Gates, and in the east part of Brighton." At the organi- zation of the church, Oliver Gibbs, Daniel West, Warren Brown, and Henry Donnelly, were elected ruling elders. In 1825, the church numbered one hundred and eighty-eight members ; in 1837,
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PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
four hundred and ninety-six. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Jan. 16th, 1816, and from that was trans- ferred to the Presbyteries of Ontario and Rochester respectively, on the organization of those bodies.
Rev. Comfort Williams was installed pastor of the church, Jan. 17th, 1816. He continued in the pastorate till June 6th, 1821, when he was dismissed. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Penny, D.D., who was installed pastor, April 3d, 1822, and was dismissed, April 16th. 1833. Rev. Tryon Edwards was the next pastor. He was ordained and installed, July 22d, 1834, and dis- missed, July 26th, 1844. His successor was Rev. Malcom N. M'Laren, who was installed into the pastorate, August 27th, 1845, and but a short time since resigned his charge. This church has been blessed with great and powerful revivals, some mention of which has been made in a previous. part of this work. At the close of the year 1836, the church had, since its organization, received, on profession of faith in Christ, four hundred and twenty-three mem- bers. The years 1830 and '31 were the most distinguished. During the former, ninety-one, and during the latter, eighty-one members were received on profession. This church has furnished a number of missionaries and assistant missionaries for India. Sy- ria, and the Sandwich Islands. Rev. Ferdinand D. W. Ward, Rev. Henry Cherry, Mrs. Maria W. Smith (wife of Rev. Eli Smith), Rev. Jonathan Green, Miss Delia Stone (since Mrs. Bishop), Mr. Henry A. De Forest and Mrs. Catherine S. De Forest, and Mr. Timothy D. Hunt, were members of this church.
This church may be considered the nucleus from which the other Presbyterian churches in the city have proceeded. At its or- ganization it worshipped in a school-house. This was soon ex- changed for a temporary edifice prepared in a comfortable manner. Its present house of worship is a massive stone building.
Rochester Brick Church .- This church was organized in Nov. 1825, with twenty-five members taken from the first church. It was for some years known as the second Presbyterian church, but in 1834 took the name of the Brick Church. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Rochester, Feb. 7th, 1826. It has been, through the grace of God, a very flourishing church. In 1826, it reported thirty-five members ; in 1831, two hundred and twenty ; in 1834, six hundred and six ; and in 1837, five hundred and sixty-eight. This is the last report which the writer has seen. Its first pastor, Rev. William James, was installed, July 2d, 1826, and received his dismission Oct. 19th, 1830. He was succeeded by Rev. William Wisner, D.D., who was installed pastor, July 28th, 1831, and was dismissed, Oct. 14th, 1835. The church then re- mained without a pastor between two and three years, and in the issue obtained Rev. George Beecher, who was installed, June 28th,
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
1838, and resigned his charge, Oct. 6th, 1840. Rev. James B. Shaw followed in the pastorate, and was installed by a committee of the Presbytery in the spring of 1841. This church has been peculiarly distinguished for the number of members received by profession, indicating the presence of the Holy Spirit in his con- verting operations. In 1831, one hundred were reported as added to the church by profession ; in 1832, two hundred and eight ; in 1834, two hundred ; in other instances, from fifty-five to seventy- seven.
The church was gathered, and for a season worshipped in the temporary building previously occupied by the first Presbyterian church. But in 1826, they erected an elegant edifice of brick, located on the corner of Fitzhugh and Ann streets. The building is fifty feet in breadth, and seventy deep.
Rochester Third Presbyterian Church .- This church was or- ganized with twenty-two members, Feb. 28th, 1827. Its organiza- tion was the result of the preaching and labors of Rev. Joel Parker, D.D., then a licensed preacher merely. It was deemed desirable that a Presbyterian church should be organized on the eastern side of the river, within the limits of the city. To accomplish this ob- ject Mr. Parker was employed to preach in that location. He commenced his labors in December, 1826, and in February follow- ing, as above stated, the church was organized, and in June fol- lowing was recognised by the Presbytery of Rochester, as under their care. The church, in 1828, reported one hundred and fifty members ; in 1832, four hundred and two; but in 1837, only two hundred and forty. This is the last report which has fallen under the eye of the writer. At the time of its recognition by the Pres- bytery, Mr. Parker was ordained and installed as its pastor. He was dismissed from his charge, June 17th, 1830. Rev. Luke Lyons succeeded him in the pastorate, and was installed, July 27th, 1831, but was dismissed, Feb. 21st, 1832, having sustamed the relation less than seven months. Rev. William C. Wisner was the next pastor. He was ordained and installed, Oct. 24th, 1832, and was dismissed, June 25th, 1833. It was almost two years before another pastor was designated. In November, 1834, Rev. William Mack, then a licentiate, commenced preaching to the congregation, and was ordained and installed pastor, Feb. 4th, 1835. This rela- tion he sustained till July 22d, 1829, when he was dismissed. Rev. Albert G. Hall was installed pastor, Nov. 10th, 1840, and still continues to sustain the pastoral relation. In the interval between the dismission of Dr. Parker and the coming of Mr. Lyons, the pulpit was supplied, a part of the time, by Rev. Charles G. Finney.
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