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 59
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Lewiston .- This village, situated in the town of Lewiston, was said, in 1813, to consist of about twelve houses, and to be a place of considerable business. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Feb. 12th, 1817. It is supposed to have been recently formed. At the organization of the Presbytery of Niagara, it was transferred to that body, and, on its division, was assigned to the Presbytery which retains the name of Niagara. In 1825, its number of members was twenty-three; in 1832, only eleven ; in 1843, one hundred and thirty-seven; and, in 1846, seventy. Rev. David M. Smith was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Sept. 16th, 1817. He continued in the pastorate till July 1st, 1828, when he was dismissed. After Mr. Smith's dismis- sion, the church appears to have been in a low state, and, for several years, was reported as vacant. In May, 1835, Rev. Joel Byington commenced labor as a stated supply, and continued between one and two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Herman Halsey, who supplied this church, in connexion with Niagara, one year. In July, 1841, Mr. Byington was again employed, and continued to officiate as a stated supply two or three years. In the support of these ministers the church received aid from the American Home Missionary Society. Rev. Reese C. Evans was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church, Jan. 8th, 1846, and was dismissed, June 30th of the same year. In 1838, and in 1842, revivals of re- ligion were enjoyed, by which the church was raised from her low estate, and her numbers much enlarged. This church has an ap- propriate house of worship, which was built many years since The Episcopalians, the Baptists, and the Universalists, have each a house of worship in the village of Lewiston.
Cambria .- This town, when first organized, included the whole of the present county of Niagara. The population of the town in 1810, numbered 1465. A church was organized in the town of Cambria, which was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, Jan. 29th, 1823, and, on the division of the Presbytery, was assigned to that which retained the name of Niagara. In 1825, the church numbered twenty-three members ; in 1829, forty- five ; and, in 1833, forty-eight. This is the last notice which the author has found. In 1827, Rev. Silas Parsons, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, became a stated supply
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to this church, and seems to have continued for two years. Rev. Herman Halsey is reported as the stated supply, in 1832, '33, and '34. After the last mentioned year, the name of the church is dropped from the reports of the Presbytery, till 1846, when it re- curs again, and is reported as enjoying the labors of a stated supply.
Lockport First Church .- The village of Lockport had its origin from the construction of the Erie canal, and is therefore of com- paratively recent date. A Presbyterian church was organized, which was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, Jan. 28th, 1823. On the division of the Presbytery, it was assign- ed to that which retained the original name. In 1825, it embraced fifty-five members. The next year it had increased to the number of one hundred and fourteen. In 1832, the number was three hun- dred and fifty-five, and, in 1846, two hundred and eighty-six. Rev. Aratus Kent was here as stated supply, in 1825. How long he continued is not known to the writer. Rev. William F. Curry was installed pastor, Feb. 12th, 1828, and the pastoral relation was dis- solved, Jan .31st, 1832. Rev. Joseph Myers was installed pastor, Nov. 8th, 1832, and dismissed from his charge, July 8th, 1834. Rev. Gilbert Crawford succeeded him as stated supply for a season. Rev. Nathaniel W. Fisher received the pastoral charge of the church, July 10th, 1839, and was dismissed, May 11th, 1842. He was succeeded by Rev. William C. Wisner, who was inducted into the pastorate, June 29th, 1842, and still sustains his charge. In the latter part of the year 1824, and the early part of the next year, a blessed revival of religion was experienced, which more than doubled the number of members in the church. In 1831, one hundred and thirty-four members, and the next year, one hundred and thirty, were reported as added to the church, by profession. A similar addition of one hundred and thirty-four was reported in 1843. These additions indicate that the converting influences of the Holy Spirit had been shed down in plentiful effusions, during those years. This church has never received aid from the Ameri- can Home Missionary Society. It has an appropriate house of worship.
Lockport Second Church .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, Feb. 1st, 1832. It had then re- cently been organized, and consisted of fifteen members. The next year it reported forty-three members ; in 1843, one hundred and eighty-six ; and, in 1846, one hundred and fifty. The church has never had a regularly installed pastor, and, for a number of years, was reported as vacant. Rev. William C. Wisner labored as stated supply two or three years, commencing in 1839. Rev. W. Rosevelt succeeded him in 1842, and continued about three years.
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Rev. David Cushing was the next in succession, and continued one or two years. How the church has been supplied since Mr. Cushing's departure, is not known to the writer. The church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society, in the support of Messrs. Wisner and Rosevelt. During the period of Mr. Rose- velt's ministry, a revival was enjoyed, which added ninety-three members to the church, on profession of faith. The church has an appropriate house of worship, which was erected in 1842. In 1836 or the early part of the next year, a portion of the members of the church rejected the Standards of the Presbyterian Church, and constituted a separate organization. The author has not learn- ed whether this secession was on account of the doctrines of the Presbyterian church, cr on account of its discipline ; or whether both united constituted the grounds of secession. The Presbytery declared the members adhering to the Standards to be the Second Presbyterian Church of Lockport.
Besides the two houses of worship in the village of Lockport be- longing to the Presbyterians, the Congregationalists have one ; the Episcopalians, one ; the Baptists, one; the Methodists, one; the Lutherans, one ; the Quakers, one or two ; the Africans, one ; and the Roman Catholics have a mass-house.
Royalton .- This church was received under the care of the ori- ginal Presbytery of Niagara, July 4th, 1820, and on the division of the Presbytery was assigned to that which retained the name. In 1825, it consisted of fifty-three members ; in 1832, of sixty-nine ; and in 1836, of ninety-eight. This is the last enumeration which the author has seen. Rev. George Colton was installed pastor of the church, June 12th, 1822. He continued in the pastorate till June 30th, 1829, when he was discharged from his pastoral charge. The church was assisted in the support of Mr. Colton at least one year by the United Domestic Missionary Society. The name of Rev. Alvan Ingersoll is found in the report of the American Home Missionary Society, as missionary to this church for one year from August, 1835. Mr. Ingersoll reported a revival as having been enjoyed, during which sixty hopeful conversions had occurred. Rev. Richard Dunning is also reported as a missionary to this church for one year from November, 1840. He also reports a revival, with forty hopeful conversions. What other ministerial aid the church has enjoyed is not known to the writer. This church was regularly reported by the Presbytery in their statistical reports to the General Assembly till 1836. Since that year its name is not found in the reports.
Middleport .- This village is situated on the Erie canal, in the town of Royalton, and has its origin in the construction of the canal. The Presbyterian church in the village was organized, June 11th,
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1833, by Rev. Messrs. Rawson, Read, Mead, and Page, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara on the twenty-fifth day of the same month. In 1836 it numbered thirty- three members, and in 1846, eighty. As stated supplies under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, we find in succession the names of Rev. Messrs. Adino Stanley, Herman Halsey, Beaufort Ladd, Richard Dunning, Samuel A. Rawson, and Elisha B. Sherwood. None of them except Mr. Sherwood appear to have continued more than one year. Mr. Sherwood remained three years, and left in June, 1845, and was succeeded by Rev. William Bridgeman. Mr. Rawson reported a revival in 1839, with thirty- five hopeful converts. Mr. Sherwood also reported a revival in 1843, with fifty hopeful converts. The church has a house of worship erected in 1845. The Methodist denomination has also a house of worship in the village.
Medina .- This village, situated in the town of Ridgway, on the Erie canal, has grown up as the consequence of the construction of the canal. The church is first noticed in the records of the Presbytery of Niagara, as under the care of the Presbytery, Jan. 25th, 1831. In 1833, it was composed of one hundred and seven members ; in 1836, of two hundred and seven; and in 1846, of two hundred and forty-one. Rev. Maltby Gelston labored here as a stated supply during the years 1831 and '32. He was succeeded in April, 1833, by Rey. Herbert A. Reed, who continued three or four years. Rev. George W. Prudden was ordained and installed pastor of this church, Sept. 24th, 1839. He continued in the pastorate till July 16th, 1844, when the relation was dissolved. Rev. Charles E. Furman was installed pastor, Dec. 29th, 1847, and now holds this relation. What other stated supplies have been employed are not known to the writer. In 1831, the church, under the labors of Mr. Gelston, enjoyed a precious revival. About forty were numbered as hopeful converts. Another revival under the labors of Mr. Reed was enjoyed in 1833 and '34, as the result of which the church was greatly enlarged. In 1837, thirty members were reported as having been added the previous year by exami- nation, indicating that the Spirit had been poured out upon the congregation. Since that period the church does not seem to have received any remarkable increase. The church in its infancy re- ceived the aid of the American Home Missionary Society three or four years. It has a commodious house of worship. There are also in the village of Medina one Baptist, one Methodist, and one Episcopal house of worship.
Knowlesville .- This village, like the preceding, is situated in the town of Ridgway on the Erie canal, and has its growth from the construction of the canal. The Presbyterian church, whose place
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of meeting is in this village, was originally denominated the church of Ridgeway, and by that name it is generally designated in the records and reports of the Presbytery. This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Rochester, June 27th, 1820, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Niagara at the organiza- tion of that body. In 1825, it was composed of thirty-three mem- bers; in 1832, of one hundred and sixty-five; in 1840, of two hundred and nine ; and in 1846, of one hundred and seventy. Rev. David Pratt was ordained and installed pastor of this church, Aug. 2d, 1820. The pastoral relation was dissolved, Jan. 27th, 1824. Subsequent to this date he appears to have officiated for a season as stated supply. Rev. David Page was reported as stated supply in 1831 and '32, and Rev. Ebenezer Mead in 1834. Rev. John Thalimer was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 16th, 1836. He was dismissed, Jan. 30th, 1838. He was succeeded for a season by Rev. Richard Dunning as stated supply. Rev. Josiah Parting- ton was installed into the pastoral office, July 9th, 1839, and con- tinues to sustain the relation. Under the ministry of Mr. Pratt in 1821, God was pleased to pour out his Spirit upon the congrega- tion, and as many as forty were reckoned as the subjects of renew- ing grace. In 1831 and '32 seventy five members were reported as added to the church by profession, indicating that the showers of the Spirit had descended from on high. Other seasons of less ingathering are noticed. This church seems never to have received foreign aid in supporting its ministers. It has an appropriate house of worship in the village of Knowlesville. There are also two other houses of worship in the village, but to what denominations they belong the author is not informed.
Gaines .- This church was received under the care of the Pres- bytery of Rochester, April 16th, 1822, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Niagara on its organization. In 1825, it consisted of thirty-one members ; in 1832, of one hundred and twenty-six ; in 1836, of one hundred and eighty-seven ; and the succeeding year, of one hundred and thirty-five. Since that period the author has seen no report of its number. As stated supplies, Rev. George Goodyear, Rev. David Pratt, Rev. Chandler Bates, and Rev. Hilan Hulburd, had severally officiated previous to 1837. On the twenty- eighth day of February of that year, Rev. J. P. Hovey. was ordained and installed pastor of the church, but was dismissed. May Ist, 1838. In 1845, Rev. Mr. Dewey was officiating as stated supply. In 1832, one hundred and three members were reported as having been added to the church the previous year by profession, indicating the presence and gracious influences of the Holy Spirit upon the congregation. In 1838 this church is mentioned on the minutes of the Presbytery as one on which the spiritual dew of heaven had descended. The church received aid one year in the
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support of Mr. Goodyear from the American Home Missionary Society. Oct. 13th, 1840, the church took a dismission from the Presbytery for the purpose of uniting with the Genesee Consocia- tion. It has an appropriate house of worship in the village of Gaines. The Methodist denomination also has a house of worship in the village.
Albion .- This village, situated on the Erie canal in the town of Barre, was founded in 1827 by Nehemiah Ingersoll and George Standart, jun. The Presbyterian church was the first religious body organized, and was formed, July 22d, 1824, by Rev. William Johnson. At its organization it consisted of sixteen members, of whom eight still remained in September, 1845. The village was at first called Newport, and by that name the church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara in 1824 or 1825. In the last mentioned year, it consisted of twenty-two members ; in 1831, one hundred and thirty ; in 1836, three hundred and forty- three ; in 1843, three hundred and sixty ; and in 1846, three hun- dred and five. Mr. Johnson, who organized the church, continued with it as a stated supply until 1826. Rev. Lewis Cheeseman was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Oct. 3d, 1827, and was dismissed from his charge, Sept. 24th, 1829. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Benjamin Lane, who commenced his labors with the congregation early in the year 1830, was installed as pastor, April 19th, 1831, and dismissed, June 31st, 1832. Rev. Gilbert Crawford commenced labor as a stated supply in 1834. He was installed as Pastor, Feb. 5th, 1835, but on account of a failure of health was dismissed, Dec. 1st, of the same year. From April to October, 1836, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Ferdinand Ward, since a missionary in Southern India. From October, 1836, to March, 1838, Rev. E. R. Beadle officiated as stated supply. He has since gone as a foreign missionary to Syria. Rev. John Keep officiated as stated supply from July, 1838, to March, 1839. In October of the last named year, Rev. Gilbert Crawford again took charge of the church as a stated supply, and continued till May, 1842. In June of that year, Rev. William N. M'Harg commenced his mi- nistry with the church, was ordained and installed its pastor, Oct. 26th, 1842, and still retains the office. During the ministry of Mr. Lane a blessed revival was experienced, which resulted in a large accession of members to the church, and gave a moral and religious tone of character to the place, which by the grace of God has been quite permanent. During the winter following the settlement of Mr. M'Harg, a very precious revival was enjoyed, in the progress of which the pastor was very materially assisted by his prede- cessor Mr. Crawford. The result was the addition of about eighty members to the communion of the church.
This church has from the first always borne its own expenses
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PRESBYTERY OF NIAGARA.
without foreign aid. In 1839, the church erected a house of wor- ship, at an expense of $4500, which was occupied by the congre- gation till 1845, when it was sold to the Episcopal Society, and a new and spacious one, constructed of brick, eighty feet in length by fifty in breadth, was erected, the cost of which was estimated at $8000. The church has been blessed with harmony among its members, and the agitations which have distracted so many churches for some years past, have affected it but little. The proportion of the population connected with this congregation may perhaps be estimated at one fifth. Intermixed with the congrega- tion are organized societies of Baptists, Methodists, and Episcopa- lians. The Baptist church numbers about two hundred and seventy members; the Methodist about two hundred : and the Episcopal about forty. Each of these denominations has its own house of worship.
Barre Centre .- This church, originally denominated Barre, was received under the care of the Presbytery of Rochester, June 27th, 1820, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Niagara on the or- ganization of that body. It was dismissed, on application, to join the Genesee Consociation, June 30th, 1840, and was again received under the care of the Presbytery, Oct. 14th, 1845. It numbered, in 1825, forty-nine members ; in 1836, one hundred and twenty-five ; and in 1846, one hundred and seventy-five. What ministerial aid the church enjoyed in its early days is not known to the writer. He believes that Rev. Andrew Rawson officiated as stated supply for a considerable period, and as early as 1821 or '22 Rev. William Johnson, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, labored here as stated supply two years, from October, 1826. Rev. Ebenezer Raymond, under the same patronage, was stated supply one year, from November, 1832. Rev. Jonathan Hovey was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 4th, 1835, and the pastoral relation was dissolved July 16th, 1839. What ministerial labor since the dismission of Mr. Hovey, has been enjoyed, is not known to the author. This church has an appropriate house of worship.
Millville .- This is a small village in the town of Shelby. The church formerly was known by that name, and is so designated in the Reports of the Presbytery till 1837. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Rochester, April 17th, 1821, and was as- signed to the Presbytery of Niagara on the organization of that body. In 1825 its number of members was thirty-six; in 1836. eighty-four; and in 1846, fifty-two. As stated supplies at differ- ent periods, Rev. Messrs. Alanson Darwin, William P. Kendrick, Ebenezer Raymond, and Samuel A. Rawson, have been employed. Rev. Richard Dunning was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 3d,
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1835, and retained the office till June 26th, 1838, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. In the support of the above-named, the church received aid from the American Home Missionary Society. The present pastor, Rev. Elisha B. Benedict, was ordained and in- stalled Oct. 28th, 1842. In April, 1821, this church reported a revi- val as having been enjoyed, resulting in the hopeful conversion of about fifty individuals. In 1832, twenty members were reported as having been added to the church on profession, the preceding year, indicating the presence and saving operations of the Divine Spirit in a measure. This church has an appropriate house of worship. There is also in the village a house of worship belonging to the Society of Friends.
Pendleton .- The village of Pendleton, in the town of the same name, is situated on the Erie Canal. A church was here organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Niagara, in 1833, and was re- ceived under the care of the Presbytery, June 26th, of that year. The writer has found no report of the number of its members ex- cept for the year 1843. It that year reported twenty-six. It has generally been reported as vacant. Rev. Roswell Brooks, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, officiated as stated supply to this church and that of Chalmers two years, from April, 1841. What other ministerial aid it has enjoyed, is not known to the writer, nor does he know what has become of the church. Its name has been dropped from the list of churches be- longing to the Presbytery.
Chalmers .-- This is a small village in the town of Niagara. At what period a church was organized here is not known to the writer. He finds it reported in 1840, as a church under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara. In that year it consisted of forty- nine members ; in 1843, of seventy-nine ; and in 1846, of fifty-four. In September, 1837, Rev. Herman Halsey was commissioned by the American Home Missionary Society to labor here one year, which commission the writer supposes that he fulfilled. In 1840, Rev. John Elliott is reported as a stated supply to this church. Rev. Roswell Brooks, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, supplied this church, in connexion with that of Pendleton, two years, from April, 1841.
Niagara Falls .- This village is located on the Niagara river, adjoining the Falls. It was laid out in 1807, by Messrs. Porter and Barton, on land then entirely wild. It was then named Manches- ter, but has for many years past been known as Niagara Falls. The names of Niagara, Manchester, and Niagara Falls, have all been applied to the church in this place. At what time this church was organized is not known to the writer. At the organization of
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the Presbytery of Niagara, it is recognised as one of the churches connected with that body, but the author finds no mention of it in the records of the Presbytery of Buffalo. In 1825 it numbered but five members ; in 1829, twenty-seven ; in 1832, seventy-four ; and in 1840, seventy. This is the last enumeration which the writer has seen. As stated supplies for different periods, the author finds the names of Rev. Messrs. Horatio A. Parsons, Ashley M. Gilbert, Maltby Gelston, Roswell G. Murray, Royal Mann, and Henry Calahan. The last is supposed to be still ministering to the church. In the support of several of these, the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. In the year 1832, sixty- four members were reported as having been received the preced- ing year by profession, indicating that the showers of mercy which visited our land in so remarkable a manner during that memorable year, were vouchsafed to this church in a good measure. An ap- propriate house of worship was erected in 1832 or '33. The church in 1841 declared itself independent of the Presbytery, and its name was stricken from the roll of churches in connexion with that body, May 5th, of that year.
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
Presbytery of Buffalo :- Newstead, Clarence, Black Rock, Buffalo First, Buffalo Free Congregational, Buffalo Pearl, Buffalo Park, Buffalo La Fayette Street, Buffalo Ger- man, Buffalo French Church, Indian Stations, Lancaster, Alden, Wales, East Au- rora, West Aurora, Hamburgh, Evans, Eden, Boston, Colden, Holland, Concord, Springville, Collins, Hanover, Forrestville, Silver Creek, Sheridan, Dunkirk, Fre- donia, Villanova, Lodi, West Otto, East Otto, Ashford, Franklinville, Ellicottville, Cherry Creek, Charlotte, Stockton, Chautauque, Portland, Westfield, Ripley, May- ville, Ellery, Ellington, Connewango, Napoli, Great Valley, Randolph, Waterboro', Ellicott, Jamestown, Ashville, Mina, Panama, Busti, Carroll.
IN our progress westward we now arrive at the territory over which the churches are distributed, which are or have been con- nected with
THE PRESBYTERY OF BUFFALO.
This Presbytery was originally denominated the Presbytery of Niagara, but at the time of its division, the new Presbytery formed from the northern part of this Presbytery and the western part of Rochester, was named Niagara, and the remaining portion received the name of Buffalo, retaining the records of the original Presby- tery. In narrating the history of the churches which have been connected with this Presbytery, we shall use the designation by which it is now known, even when we refer to the period when it had the name of Niagara. In this way we shall clearly distin- guish it from the Presbytery now known as the Presbytery of Niagara.
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