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 58
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Gates .- The town of Gates formerly included that part of the city of Rochester which lies on the west side of the Genesee river, and the First Presbyterian Church of Rochester was originally denominated the Church of Gates. The present Presbyterian church of Gates was reported to the Presbytery of Rochester as organized, June 28th, 1831. In 1833, it consisted of nine members. The next year it had increased to eighteen, and in 1837, to thirty-eight. Its present number is not known to the writer. As stated supplies under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society,
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
Rev. Messrs. Silas Pratt, Alvan Ingersoll, David K. Gally, and James Ballentine, have ministered to this church. The three former labored for one or two years each. Mr. Ballentine com- menced ministerial labor in May, 1843, was installed pastor, Sept. 23d, 1845, and still continues. Mr. Gally reported a revival as having been enjoyed in 1838. Mr. Ballentine made a similar report in 1843, as the result of which the number of members in the church was doubled within a year. This church has an appro- priate house of worship erected in 1844. It has ceased to ask the further aid of the Missionary Society.
Henrietta .- This is a Congregational Church which was organ- ized many years since. It was taken under the care of the Presby- tery of Rochester, June 25th, 1833, and on the eleventh day of July ensuing, Rev. Roswell G. Murray was installed as pastor. He continued in this relation till July 1st, 1835, when he was dismissed. The church at the same time, on its request, was dismissed to join the Genesee Consociation. In 1834, the church numbered one hundred and fourteen members. It has an appropri- ate house of worship. Rev. George P. King, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, officiated as stated supply two years from August, 1826, and Rev. John Thalhimer, under the same patronage, two years from April, 1831. The remaining history of the church is not known to the writer.
Chili .- The town of Chili was formerly a part of the town of Riga. At what period a church was organized, is not known to the writer. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, Feb. 10th, 1819, and was then known as the church of East Riga. After the division of the town it was denominated the church of Chili. It was transferred to the Presbytery of Rochester on the organization of that body. In 1825, it reported ninety-four members ; in 1832, one hundred and twenty-five ; and in 1834, one hundred and five. This is the last report which the writer has seen. Rev. Chauncey Cook was installed pastor of the church, Dec. 27th, 1820, and continued in the pastorate till Feb. 7th, 1828, when the relation was dissolved. He was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. Silas Pratt, who was installed pastor of the church, Nov. 3d, 1829, and was dismissed, Nov. 3d, 1831. Since that period, the church has had no regularly installed pastor, but has generally been furnished with a stated supply. Rev. Lemuel Brooks was employed in this capacity for a season ; but what other ministers have officiated, is not known to the writer. In 1820, a revival was reported as having been enjoyed, with about forty hopeful conversions attending it. In 1828, sixteen were reported as having united with the church by profession, and in 1832, thirty- three, indicating that the preceding years had been years of revival.
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PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
The church, it is believed, has always supported its own minister without foreign aid.
Churchville .- This is a small village in the town of Riga on the line of the Tonawanda railroad. At what time the Presbyterian church was organized is not known to the writer. Its name is first found in the Statistical Tables of the Minutes of the General As- sembly, in the list of churches connected with the Presbytery of Rochester, 1833. It then consisted of fifty-seven members. In 1836, it numbered seventy-six, but the next year was reduced to sixty-seven. In 1833, Rev. Worthington Wright was officiating as stated supply. Rev. Lemuel Brooks succeeded him for a season. Rev. Royal West, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, labored one year with the church from Octo- ber, 1842. Under the same patronage, Rev. Charles Kenmore followed him for six months. In November, 1846, Rev. E. W. Kellogg received a missionary appointment to labor in this church for one year. A revival in 1834 and '35 made a considerable addi- tion to the church.
Riga .- The settlement of this town commenced in March, 1806. A Congregational church was organized as early as 1809 or '10, which became connected with the Ontario Association May 27th, 1812. In this connexion it continued till the dissolution of the As- sociation. It then remained without any ecclesiastical connexion for several years. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, on the accommodation plan, June 17th, 1817, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Rochester on the organization of that body. It was dismissed to unite with the Genesee Conso- ciation, on its request, Oct. 9th, 1838. The church at its organiza- tion, like most other churches in the wilderness, was composed of a small number of members. In 1825 it had increased to the num- ber of one hundred and twenty-three. In 1832 it numbered one hundred and fifty members ; and in 1836, one hundred and thirty- five. This is the last account which the writer has respecting it. Rev. Allen Hollister was the first pastor. He was ordained and installed by an ecclesiastical council, perhaps two or three years after the organization of the church, and continued pastor till his death, or until sickness rendered it impossible for him to perform any ministerial service. Rev. Alanson Darwin was his successor. He, too, was ordained and installed by an ecclesiastical council. The date is not known to the writer. He was dismissed by the Presbytery of Rochester, May 4th, 1825. Rev. George Coan was installed pastor of the church Oct. 10th, 1826, and was dismissed Sept. 17th, 1828. He was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Mead, who was ordained and installed pastor, July 14th, 1829, and continued
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
till July 11th, 1833. Who have been pastors or stated supplies since that period is not known to the writer.
This church has been blessed with the reviving influences of the Divine Spirit from an early period. In 1818 there was a revival which added a considerable number of members to the church. During the ministry of Mr. Mead, in three years eighty-eight mem- bers were added to the church by profession, as the fruits of a re- vival. In 1836 forty-nine members by profession were reported as having been added the preceding year, indicating that the commu- nity had been visited with the converting influences of the Holy Spirit. This church has an appropriate house of worship, and has always supported its own minister without foreign aid.
North Bergen .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Rochester, June 24th, 1828. It is supposed that it had then been recently formed. It was then denominated the church of Byron, Bergen, and Clarendon, and, as the author sup- poses, was constituted of individuals from each of these towns. It afterwards was called the church of Lyme, and latterly North Bergen. In 1831 it contained forty-two members. This is the highest number found in the Statistical Tables. Rev. Ralph Clapp was ordained and installed pastor of this church, Feb. 25th, 1829, and was dismissed Feb. 22d, 1832. For a period of about ten years after Mr. Clapp's dismission, the church was sometimes supplied, and sometimes vacant. Rev. Bela Fancher was installed pastor of the church, July 19th, 1842, and, at the last information of the writer, retained his station. In 1842 this church enjoyed a revival, but how extensive is not known to the writer. They were aided by the American Home Missionary Society two years, in the sup- port of Mr. Clapp.
Bergen .- The settlement of this town commenced as early as 1806 or 1807. Among the early settlers were several families from Guilford, in the State of Connecticut, who were professors of reli- gion, and immediately on their arrival set up public worship on the Sabbath. In 1808 a church of the Congregational order was or- ganized, which became connected with the Ontario Association, May 27th, 1812, and continued in that connexion till the dissolution of the Association. It was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Rochester on the formation of that body. In 1825 the church numbered eighty-two members. This was about the num- ber from year to year till 1830, at which period only forty-one were reported. In 1832 one hundred and forty-seven were re- ported, and the next year one hundred and sixty-two. In 1836 the number was two hundred and eleven, and the next year one hun- dred and eighty-six. This is the last report which has come to the
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PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
knowledge of the writer. For several years the church received occasional assistance from travelling missionaries, and at times was supplied for a season by some minister or licentiate whose services could be obtained. In the year 1820, Rev. Herman Halsey was installed pastor by an ecclesiastical council. This mode of induc- tion was disproved by the Presbytery, Mr. Halsey and the church being at the time under its care. Mr. Halsey continued to hold the pastoral office till Feb. 5th, 1831, when he was dismissed by the Presbytery. After this period Rev. Josiah Pierson seems to have officiated as stated supply for a season. Rev. Jairus Wilcox was installed pastor. Sept. 8th, 1835. He continued only one year, and was dismissed Sept. 14th, 1836. The church was then with- out a pastor about ten years, and what supplies were employed is not known to the writer. Rev. William P. Jackson was installed pastor, June 30th, 1846, and still continues in that relation. This church has been repeatedly visited with the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. In 1819 there was a season of refreshing enjoyed. In 1832 one hundred were reported as added to the church by profession ; in 1836, thirty-nine ; and in 1837, thirty-seven, marking those years as peculiarly years of the right-hand of the Most High. This church has an appropriate house of worship, and has ever supported its own ministers without foreign aid.
About the vear 1829, a division occurred in the church. The author believes that the cause of division was the location for a house of worship. Nearly one half of the members of the church seceded, and formed a separate Congregational church, and took the name of the Congregational Church of Bergen and Leroy. With the subsequent history of this church the author is unacquainted. It is not connected with any Presbytery.
Wheatland .- This town is situated on the Genesee river, which bounds it on the east. It is about nine miles in length from east to west, and about three in breadth from north to south. Near the eastern end of the town, on the Genesee Valley canal, stands the village of Scottsville, in which the church has its house of worship. We have stated in a preceding chapter, that Peter
Shaffer, in 1788, settled where this village now stands.
Other
families of Germans, from Pennsylvania, came in about the year 1796. These were soon followed by emigrants from England and Scotland, and a few from the eastern States. The first settlers were mostly of an irreligious class. The Sabbath was regarded as a day of business or pastime. An infidel club was formed at an early period, composed mainly of Englishmen and Scotchmen, to disseminate the principles of infidelity. This club had a circu- lating library, composed of the works of Hume, Voltaire, Volney, Paine, and similar authors. There was occasional preaching by ministers of the Baptist denomination as early as 1816. In 1821,
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
Rev. Chauncey Cook, of Chili, preached in the town one fourth of the time, and in March, 1822, a Congregational church, con- sisting of six male and five female members, was organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Rochester, consisting of Rev. Messrs. Cook, Penny, and Everett. This church was received, April 16th, 1822, under the care of the Presbytery, on the accom- modating plan. The original members were taken from the churches of Caledonia, Riga, and Chili. In 1832, the church adopted the Presbyterian form of Church government, and elected ruling elders. In 1826, the church consisted of twenty-four mem- bers ; in 1834, of one hundred and sixty-one ; and in October, 1845, it numbered one hundred and fifteen. In the autumn of 1821, Rev. John Mulligan commenced preaching as a stated sup- ply, at first a part of the time ; afterwards, the whole of the time. He preached in two or three neighborhoods, and continued his labors three years. Rev. William F. Curry followed him as stated supply about one year. Rev. Abiel Parmele was stated supply for two years from May, 1827. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Hart, who continued two years. Rev. Lewis Cheeseman com- menced laboring as a stated supply in May, 1831. He continued his labors, and was installed pastor of the church in 1824, and was dismissed from his pastoral charge, Oct. 25th, 1836. In May, 1837, Rev. Eli S. Hunter, D.D., commenced his labors with the church, and was installed pastor, Sept. 20th of the same year. He was dismissed, June 26th, 1839. From September, 1839, to December, 1840, Rev. Selden Haynes supplied the congregation. Rev. Linus W. Billington commenced laboring with the congregation in the spring of 1841, and was installed pastor, July 20th of the same year. He still continues in that relation.
During the period of Mr. Curry's ministration a measure of divine influence was felt, and some addition was made to the church. Under the ministry of Mr. Parmele a gradual and pre- cious work of grace was manifested, which added a number of valuable members to the church. A protracted meeting, under Mr. Cheeseman's ministry, was held, characterized, it is said, by some extreme measures, as the result of which more than a hun- dred members were received into the church. Shortly before Dr. Hunter's dismission, there was a precious revival, as the re- sult of which about thirty members were added to the church after his departure. In the spring of 1843, a season of special religious interest was enjoyed, as the result of which twenty-two members were added to the church.
A house of worship was erected and finished in 1831, fifty-four feet in length and forty-two in breadth, and in its construction pleasant and convenient. In the support of Mr. Curry the church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society.
In December, 1837, between forty and fifty members of the
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PRESBYTERY OF ROCHESTER.
church, on resolutions of adherence to the Old School General Assembly, seceded, and were organized as a church, denominated the church of Scottsville. This church is under the care of the Presbytery of Wyoming. In 1845, it consisted of about fifty members. Rev. Lewis Cheeseman was their minister four or five years, and after him, Rev. Edwin Bronson, two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Richard Kay.
Besides the Presbyterian churches, there are in the village of Scottsville, a Methodist and a Baptist congregation, neither of them very large. There are also many Roman Catholics, who have a monthly service. One mile south of the village, are two Quaker meetings, one Orthodox, the other Hicksite. It is estimated that about one half of the church-going population attend with the New School Presbyterian church. The congregations upon the Sabbath range from two to three hundred attendants.
Rush .- This church is first noticed on the Statistical Tables in the Minutes of the General Assembly for the year 1830, as con- nected with the Presbytery of Rochester. No mention is made of its reception on the records of the Presbytery. In 1831, it con- sisted of eleven members; in 1823, of twenty-three. This is the last report known to the writer. It appears that Rev. Messrs. Erie Prince, Abner Benedict, Chauncey Cook, and Conrad Ten Eyck, have been severally stated supplies to the church, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, at dif- ferent periods.
West Mendon .- This church has its location at the village of Honeoye Falls, which is situated partly in the town of Mendon, and partly in the town of Lima. This location was formerly designated Norton's Mills, an appellation derived from Capt. Zebulon Norton, who at an early period purchased the location, and erect- ed mills at the Falls. Captain Norton was a member of the Methodist Church, and under his patronage regular preaching by the Methodist denomination was established at an early day. A Presbyterian church, under the auspices of the Rochester Presby- tery, was reported as organized, Jan. 28th, 1831. In 1832, it was reported as consisting of forty-six members, and the next year it reported fifty-seven. Rev. George G. Sill officiated as stated sup- ply one year from August, 1828. He was followed by Rev. Richard Dunning, and he by Rev. Jacob Hart, who probably continued one year each. Rev. Samnel J. M.Cullough was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Oct. 30th, 1839, and was dismissed, June 30th, 1840. He was succeeded by Rev. Ephraim Strong, who was in- stalled, June 12th, 1841. The pastoral relation was dissolved, July 11th, 1843. In 1843 and '44, Rev. Thomas Riggs officiated as stated supply. In 1846, Rev. Obadiah C. Beardsley com-
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
menced ministering to the congregation, and still continues to officiate.
This church has an appropriate house of worship. There are also in the village, one Episcopal, one Methodist, and one Christian house of worship.
Mendon .- The settlement of this town commenced at an early period, and preaching by the Baptists and Methodists was enjoyed in some considerable degree, and by Presbyterians occasionally ; but no church of the Presbyterian denomination was formed till about the year 1823, which was received under the care of the Presbytery, of Rochester, July Ist, 1823. In 1826, the church numbered twenty-one members ; in 1831, it had increased to eighty ; and in 1834, its number was one hundred and fifteen. In 1837, it had decreased to one hundred. Rev. George G. Sill officiated as stated supply under the patronage of the American Home Mis- sionary Society, in 1826. He seems to have continued one year. Rev. William Jones, under the same patronage, officiated one year, from March, 1828. Rev. Elisha D. Andrews was reported as stated supply, in 1831. Rev. John Thalhimer was installed pastor of this church, June 25th, 1833. He continued till Oct. 14th, 1835, when he was dismissed. Rev. Elijah D. Wells was installed pas- tor, Jan. 3d, 1837, but, on account of the failure of his health, was dismissed, Sept. 2d of the same year. In 1828, a revival was reported as having been enjoyed, which added forty-one members to the church. In 1831, twenty were reported as having been added the previous year by profession, and in 1834, twenty-five were report- ed as so added, indicating that those were years of revival. With the history of the church since Mr. Wells's dismission, the author is not acquainted.
This church has an appropriate house of worship in the village of Mendon. The Baptist church, which is of a much earlier date than the Presbyterian, have also a house of worship in the village.
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CHAPTER XXXII.
Presbytery of Niagara : - Carlton, Yates, Somerset, Wilson, Porter, Lewiston, Cambria, Lockport First, Lockport Second, Royalton, Middleport, Medina, Knowlesville, Gaines, Albion, Barre Centre, Millville, Pendleton, Chalmers, Niagara Falls.
THIE PRESBYTERY OF NIAGARA
Will next claim our attention. We begin with
Carlton .- This church was organized in 1831 or 1832, consisting of sixteen members, and was received under the care of the Pres- bytery of Niagara, January 31st, 1832. It remained a feeble church, with no considerable increase till January 26th, 1836, when it was united with the church of Gaines.
Yates .- This church is first brought to notice on the Minutes of the Presbytery of Niagara, June 24th, 1834. The next year it was reported as consisting of fifty-one members. In 1840, eighty were reported, and in 1846, eighty-one was the number. In 1834, Rev. David Page seems to have been stated supply. In 1836 and a part of 1837, Rev. Joel B. Potter, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, officiated as stated supply. Rev. Richard Dunning succeeded him under the same patronage, and continued for a season. What other stated supplies the church has employed is not known to the writer. Mr. Dunning, in 1839, reported to the Missionary Society 100 hopeful conversions as having taken place. The writer does not find that any considerable number united with the church. In 1846, the church was reported as vacant.
Somerset .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, January 27th, 1824. The writer supposes that it was then a newly organized church. In 1825, it was re- ported as consisting of only ten members ; in 1830, of eleven ; in 1840, of eighty-four ; and in 1846, of one hundred and twenty-four. Rev. Truman Baldwin officiated a year or two as stated supply under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, com- mencing in July, 1837. Rev. Thomas Payne was installed pastor of the church, July 6th, 1842, and was dismissed from his pastoral charge, January 30th, 1844. In his support the church was aided by the Home Missionary Society. Rev. Ebenezer H. Stratton
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
received a commission from the same Society to supply this church in November, 1845, which was renewed in 1846. In his report to the Society, he speaks of the congregation as " small and widely dispersed." What other ministerial aid this church has enjoyed is not known to the writer. A large proportion of the time it has been reported vacant. In 1832, eighteen members were reported as having been added the preceding year by profession. In 1840, thirty were reported as thus added, indicating that those were years of spiritual prosperity.
Wilson .- This church was received under the care of the Pres- bytery of Niagara, February 10th, 1819, and on the division of the Presbytery in 1823, was assigned to that which retained the ori- ginal name. The author supposes that it was a newly organized church, and that the settlement of the town at that period was recent. In 1825, the church consisted of twenty-two members. In 1833, it had increased to eighty-four, and in 1846, it numbered one hundred and forty. For several years after its organization, its mem- bers were few, and it seems generally to have been vacant. As stated supplies at different periods, Rev. Messrs. Silas Parsons, An- drew Rawson, John Elliot, and G. W. Lane, have been employed. Rev. Elisha B. Sherwood was installed pastor of the church, Sept. 11th, 1839, and was dismissed May 6th, 1841. In 1846, Rev. Thomas Payne was reported as pastor. In 1827, the church consisted of but twenty-three members. From that period it seems to have been favored with repeated revivals, bringing accessions of hopeful con- verts from the world of the ungodly. In 1843, the whole number of members reported was one hundred and sixty-one. It does not appear that this church has ever received the aid of the American Home Missionary Society.
Porter .- This church has its location at the village of Youngs- town in the town of Porter. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, June 27th, 1824, supposed to have been then a newly organized church. In 1825, it consisted of thirteen members ; in 1831, of only twelve ; in 1840, of one hundred and three ; in 1843, of two hundred and sixty-eight; and in 1846, of two hundred and thirty-one. It is reported as furnished with a stated supply in 1825. But from that period down to 1832, it is uniformly reported as vacant. In that year Rev. Ebenezer H. Stratton is reported as the stated supply. He seems, however, to have con- tinued not long. Rev. John Elliot was installed pastor of the church, September 10th, 1839, and continued till May 6th, 1844, when he was dismissed. He was succeeded by Rev. Roderick L. Hurlbut, who was ordained and installed pastor of the church, January, 15th, 1845. For a considerable number of years this church was very small and feeble, and blessed with no revival ; but at length the Lord turned their captivity. In June, 1841, the
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PRESBYTERY OF NIAGARA.
Presbytery of Niagara record on their Minutes-" the church of Youngstown, four years ago, had but two male members. In less than three years they have had three precious revivals, and now number about 200 members." Since that period, their number has considerably increased, showing that the Lord is still gracious. This church has never been aided by the American Home Mis- sionary Society. They have an appropriate house of worship.
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