USA > New York > Livingston County> Nunda > Centennial history of the town of Nunda : with a preliminary recital of the winning of western New York, from the fort builders age to the last conquest by our Revolutionary forefathers > Part 48
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J. J. Carter. Sylvanus Ellis, F. H. Gibbs, Major L. C. Skinner, Moses Dake, Charles Dake and others, influential business men.
Since its organization the church has had 1, 134 baptisms, and 702 members. who have joined this church by letter. Making a total of 1,836.
Many, many of these zealous, faithful members having "fought the good fight. finished their course and kept the faith," have gone home to wear the crown of righteousness which the Lord has laid up for them.
When we think of the blessed example of Father Metcalf. Dr. A J. Bar- rett, Rev. W. C. Phillips, and so many, many others, who have lived and whose influence is still felt in this church, it is for us, who are in the church to-day, to emulate their Christian example, and take up the work for which they labored and sacrificed so much knowing that Christ is made the sure foundation.
REV. LYMAN STILSON Missionary to Burma
THE LATE REV. WHITMAN METCALF For Many Years Pastor
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"Christ-the head and corner stone, Chosen of the Lord most precious, Binding all the church in one
To this temple, where we serve thee, Come. O. Lord of hosts to-day With thy wonted loving kindness.
Hear Thy people as they pray And thy fullest benediction Shed within these walls alway."
Think of over 1,800 persons, who have striven at some time to fashion their lives after that of the Master, and though even at large percentage of these failed to reach the high standard they hoped to attain, yet even these were helped for the time.
Then think of the larger percentage whose lives grew richer and better till called to "come up higher," and of those who gave all their beings loftier powers ; all their thoughts, their words, their doings; all their days, and all their hours ; and then you may form something like an esimate of what a Christian Church stands for, and its influence for good in the community.
This first church of Nunda like the Master, it sought to serve, had not for the first years of its existence where to find a sheltering home.
Organized at the home of a Presbyterian, at least three miles from its pres- ent location, many of its meetings during the winter were held in private houses. and in summer in the barns of Deacon Schuyler Thompson. Gideon Lowell, and of others. Even the ordination of Elijah Bennett was held in the barn of Gideon Lowell. The Log School Houses of that day also served as places of worship: and Wilcox inn, still standing at Guy's Corners was always at the service, of its worshipers and the landlord himself became a member of the church, and years afterward a member of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. His brother, Nathaniel P. Wilcox, was the architect and builder of the first church.
In 1827, eight years after its formation at its annual meeting in April, the following resolution was adopted :
"Voted. that we hold our meetings from the first Sabbath in May until the Ist of October. in one place, and that shall be at Mr. Jones' barn"; (our post office building now stands where Mr. Henry C. Jones' barn then stood), a very good place for Nunda people, but. in 1828, when Portage and Grove were no longer in Nunda their members withdrew and formed a church for their greater convenience in Grove and Portage, and this church held its services near or at the Tabor School House.
The Baptist Church of Nunda was housed at last, but not until 1832 did the work on a frame church commence. The building was on the northwest cor- ner of Church and Mill Streets ; though about the size of the M. E. Church edi- fice, with galleries on three sides it was not large enough to accommodate the 500 members and others who attended its services ; and the present brick church was built, and was ready for use in 1842. The old church was used for an Aca- demy and the Nunda Literary Institute occupied it until the building ceased to exist.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
REV. WM. MCCORMACK Pastor
REV. J. M. CARMICHAEL 1 Ex-Pastor
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NUNDA
The First Presbyterian Church of Nunda was organized, October 6th, 1831, in a schoolhouse near Deacon Wisner's, two miles northeast of the present site. Services were held here and in the Page school house, about half a mile east of the village, for two years. The following ministers and elders were present at the organization :
Ministers-Robert Hubbard, Abel Caldwell, Ludovicus Robbins; Elders -- Joseph Waldron, Silas Olmstead.
The number uniting in this organization was fourteen, ten by letter and four by profession : by letter-John Chapin, Clarissa Chapin, James Patterson, Sarah Patterson, Zadock Herrick, Eliza Gay, Millie Pierce, Celestia J. Hills and Abraham Van Sickle; by profession. Sillah Lee, Lucinda Booth, William R. Duryee and Larry Duryee.
For four years they conformed mostly to Congregational usages, transact- ing their business by church meetings. It does not appear that they elected any officers until, August 25th. 1833. when David Shager and John Chapin were elected deacons, the latter declining.
At a meeting on May 25th, 1835. the organization was perfected by the elec- tion of six elders and four deacons. The elders elected for one year were: Samuel Swain and Russell Barnes: for two years, Elihu Dickinson and Ephraim Smith ; for three years, John Chapin, Abraham Burgess. The deacons were : G. Wing, David Thayer, Erastus Buck and Josiah Phelps.
The church was under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica until October 8. 1844, when by an act of Synod it was transferred to the Presbytery of On- tario.
Church Buildings
In 1833, the first church building was erected on the corner of East and Church Streets at a cost of about $2,200. Those most prominent in the enter- prise were S. Swain, Sr .. N. Chandler and G. Wing. Up to this time the church had had only half of the minister's time, now he gave them his full time.
In 1846, they sold the old church building to the M. E. Society and began the erection of the present building. To Mr. Alfred Bell ( now dead) is accred- ited the especial influence in originating and aiding in the construction of this second house of Worship. It is of wood and has a seating capacity of 650, and cost about $6.000. It was dedicated June. 1847, by Rev. Edward Marsh. a former pastor.
The first session house was built in 1838 for an Academy on the site of the present parsonage, at a cost of $800. The upper story was long used for school purposes.
The present chapel was built in 1886 in the rear of the church, Mr. Alfred Bell generously assisting. Cost of chapel $1.000 ..
The Parsonage was built by contract by F. D. Lake at a cost of $3,000. . The members of the O. S. Oakland Church joined the Nunda Church.
Pastors : Ludovicus Robinson, 1831. one year ; Wm. P. Kendrick, one year ; Asa Johnson, four years : Wales Tielston, two and one half years : Edwards Marsh, six years; Wn. Lusk, four years and eight months : Pliny F. Sanborne. four years and five months: Levi G. Marsh, three years and three months; Ira O. DeLong. three years: Levi G. Marsh, seven years and ten months: Dwight
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
REV. ROLAND C. DRYER Pastor
REV. L. D. CHASE Ex-Pastor
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Hunt, three years and seven months ; Bentley S. Foster, three years and three months ; Newton H. Bell, four years and six months ; John V. C. Nellis, three years and nine months ; John M. Carmichael, ten years and four months; John H. Williams, two years and eleven months: Milton K. Merwin, four years and six months; Wm. McCormack, (the present pastor ), 1908.
Elders: Samuel Swain, Russell Barnes, one year ; Elihu Dickenson, Eph- raim Smith, two years ; John Chapin, Abraham Burgess, three years; Erastus Buck from May 21st, 1835 to 1838: Wm. R. Duryee, May 21st, 1839; Charles W. King, June 23rd, 1840: Jos. Waldron, December 31st, 1841 ; Charles V. Craven, Stephen Baldwin. Earl Paine, January 10, 1840; Alfred Bell, John Gil- more, George H. Bailey, Marchi 5. 1864: J. Brinkerhoff, Charles T. Metcalf, Dec- ember 31. 1870: Adam Potts, Geo. Arnold, James M. McNair, July 6. 1872: John T. Van Ness, May 6, 1876: Arnold Galley, Augustus C. Dodge, Clement J. McMair, June 18, 1881 : Chas. E. Pratt, February 28, 1891; F. A. Northway and R. W. Swift, May 5, 1894.
Deacons : David Shager, August 25, 1833; Wm. R. Duryee, July 2, 1836; Zadock Herrick. September 4. 1837: Chauncey Ladd, May 21, 1839: John Briggs, December 31, 1841 : Charles V. Cravens, Erastus Buck, January 10, 1846; Geo. H. Bagley, A. B. Lockwood, March 6, 1864; C. T. Metcalf, April 8, 1871.
Revivals
There have been several revivals of very marked power; the first, under Rev. Asa Johnson, conducted by the Evangelist Littlejohn, in 1837; the second, under Rev. Wales Tileston, in 1840, when 97 were received into the church ; the third, under Rev. Edward Marsh, in 1843, when 30 were received; the fifth, under Elder Knapp in 1872, when 25 were received. In 1896 union evangelistic services were held, led by Rev. E. E. Davidson, thirty-three united. In 1902 Miss Sara Nicol conducted union services. Seventeen were added to the church. Rev. Williams was pastor.
HISTORY OF FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-1837-1908 By Mrs. Wesley R. Marsh.
In accordance with the customs of early Methodism, a few people who, being unable to form a society, but were loyal and true Methodist Episcopals, in belief, could form a class, and receive religious instruction from the travel- ing preacher. Thus it was, in the summer of the year 1837, the first class was formed which was to be the future Methodist Episcopal Church of Nunda. This class met at the home of Wm. Hand, who lived in Oakland, then Messen- gers Hollow, in what is now known as the Foster place, and was first served, by James Hall, a traveling preacher, who entered Genesee Conference in 1813, dying at the age of 92 years.
The original members were eight in number, as follows Wm. Hand and wife, Anna M. Hand. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Chase, Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Pratt. Mr. Samuel Reckard and Sabrina Reckard, his wife of Nunda. We are privi- leged in having in our midst. Deborah Hand, a daughter of Wm. Hand, to whom we are indebted for much of interest respecting this early class. The fol- lowing fall, these members attended their first quarterly conference, held at Sparta in a barn. About this time Alexander Farrell came to America from Liv-
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erpool, England. He with his wife and five children came to the home of Peleg Coffin, River Road Forks. Rev. Farrell preached his first sermon in America at the home of Wmn. Hand and the class were so pleased with his address that they urged the presiding elder to put Rev. Farrell on their circuit and Nunda was added to the Mt. Morris circuit with River Road Forks and Sparta. Rev. Far- rell began his labors January Ist, 1838. A revival at Nunda in the winter of '38, resulted in addition to the membership, among the number were George Haver and wife, Mary Hand 11 years of age, a daughter of Wm. Hand and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sutherland. Mr. Sutherland always prayed in German. When remonstrated with, he would say: "I was praying to God not to the congrega- tion, God could understand me that was enough."
P. W. Pratt was the first chorister and class leader. In the year, 1839, the class was served by Alexander Farrell and Rev. Doolittle, in 1840, by C. Wheeler, Amos Hard and S. C. Church.
The class was steadily increasing in members and meetings were held by S. C. Church in the schoolhouse on what is known as the Christa lot on Mill Street. The meetings were next held in Swains Hall, a room over the store now occupied by Joseph Wilcox, for two years, at a cost of $30 per year. The hall was furnished with seats, wood for fuel and lights and kept in order mostly, by brethren Reckard, Chase and Spencer.
The Thursday night prayer service was held for years at the home of Samuel Reckard, who kept on hand a supply of chairs for that purpose. His daughter, Mrs. Cree, remembers well, the weekly preparation for prayer meeting.
The first Methodist Episcopal society of Nunda was organized February 15, 1841, under Ira Bronson. The number of members at that time was 46. Rev. Bronson was pastor two years. The amount of money apportioned for preach- ing and current expenses was $131 ; highest apportioned was $10, lowest $1.00.
During the year, 1841, a subscription was started for the purchase of a lot and the erection thereon of a parsonage, the committee in charge being, Jacob Osgoodby, Anson Norton. Peleg Coffin, Ira Huggins and Benj. Shepard, dated Nunda, Allegany County, N. Y., the 18th day of October. 1841. Later the lot now occupied by C. K. Sanders was bought and a one story building erected.
In 1842 the society was served by C. Wheeler and Carlos Gould. During the next year 1842 and '43 the society was served more or less by Calvin Booth. Peleg Coffin, John Passage. Ephraim Walker, Marvin Dutcher and Josiah Sher- man, local preachers.
Peleg Coffin was licensed to exhort at Mt. Morris August 24, 1835, by John H. Wallace preacher in charge and the following year was licensed to preach. by the same man. In 1840 he was made deacon and in 1848 was ordained elder. Samuel Reckard and Peleg Coffin belonged to the underground railroad. In 1844, D. B. Lawton was preacher in charge and Jonas Dodge became our second presiding elder. Meetings were held in the Universalist Church, now the Aca- demy of Music, at a rental of $30. Afterwards meetings were held in the ses- sion house of the Presbyterian Church, located near the present Presbyterian parsonage, the inen being seated on one side and the women on the other side.
In 1846, Robert Parker was pastor, remaining two years. In 1847. six years after organization tie present church building was bought at a cost of $250 and the church lot for $300. The building was removed from the ground now occupied by the Presbyterian Church and put upon its present foundation
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at a cost of nearly $200. The moving of the church cost the society $30, for the moving apparatus, the society contributing the labor gratuitously. The steeple was given to the church by the townsmen, one Win. Marsh heading the subscription by a gift of $30. About this time the River Road Forks class divided, some taking their membership to Mt. Morris or the Ridge and others coming to Nunda. This strengthened the Nunda charge greatly.
In the year 1848 and '49. A. S. Baker was preacher in charge, with Thomas Tousey as assistant. During 1849 the church was remodelled to substantially its present form at a cost of $1,200. Willard Wood being the architect; A. S. Baker pastor; and Peleg Coffin raised the money by subscription. This sub- scription list is still in existence and pays mute tribute to the loyalty of early Methodism.
The Church, clear of debt, was now ready for dedication and Freebone Gar- rettson Hibbard was chosen to preach the dedicatory sermon in the forenoon of the day; and in the evening Alexander Farrell gave a history of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Nunda.
The first choir in this church was a large one, nearly, if not quite, filling the orchestra when all were present.
The following is a partial list of the members of the choir, one of whom we still have with us, Elizabeth Reckard-Cree: Jane Reckard, Rose Reckard, Phoebe Roberts, Mary Jane Roberts, Augusta Bennett, Harriette Foote, Chas Herrick, Mrs. Dr. Meacham, soprano, Mr. and Mrs. Addison Ray, Latham Cof- fin, Walter Coffin, Ruby Coffin and Olive Brown Coffin.
While A. S. Baker was pastor a change was made in parsonage property and the house and lot now owned by Mrs. Pratt, formerly occupied by A. C. Colby, became our next parsonage.
In the year 1850 J. L. Edson was the preacher in charge and Dr. I. J. Meacham, local preacher.
In 1851 A. G. Layman was pastor and this year Nunda was made a sta- tion. In 1852 A. Plumby was pastor: J. Copeland 3d presiding elder ; 1854 Ebenezer Latimer ; A. C. George. 4th presiding elder ; 1856 Wesley Cochrane pastor for one year : 1856-'58 R. Harrington pastor ; W. H. Goodwin 5th presid- ing elder. While Rev. Harrington was pastor, trouble arose among the mem- bers, some of whom considered the placing of an organ in the church a dese- cration. Rev. Harrington preached a sermon taking his text from the Psalms, possibly the 150th Psalm, and proved to the listening congregation that there would be instrumental music in heaven.
The next pastor sent was. L. L. Rogers, in the year '59-'60; and our few remaining members of the society at that time remember him as the pastor, who on one occasion, delivered his sermon, in original poetry.
Rev. A. N. Fillmore was the 7th presiding elder. In 1861 C. S. Fox served the charge. In 1863 B. F. Bradford came to Nunda. Rev. Bradford was a very fine sermonizer. He preached his first sermon in this pulpit. He has a son still living who is a noted writer. The first organ was purchased in 1864 under this pastorate, Rev. Bradford securing the purchase of the instru- ment. It was a small pipe organ and was used until 1874 when our present organ was purchased for $225.
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The fall of 1864 E. P. Huntington, a brother of D. W. C. Huntington, be- came pastor, remaining two years : 1865 J. N. Brown 8th presiding elder.
During the year, 1866, Elijah Wood was sent to this station, but Rev. Hunt- ington was seriously ill and could not vacate the parsonage. Rev. Wood and wife boarded for some time but before the year closed E. Wood was obliged to resign on account of ill health. One instance will suffice to show the sympathy which existed between pastor and people. One night a certain layman was so impressed with the thought that the Huntington family were in sore need, that sleep was impossible, upon inquiry such was found to be the condition and this layman circulated a subscription amounting to $70 for their relief. .
J. L. Edson came to Nunda in 1867 for the second time. At this period Nunda was separated from what was the Nunda Station, now Dalton; and Nunda charge lost some of her able supporters. However, the church was aroused and during the revival which followed, many were added to her num- bers. To the temporal affairs was added the shingling of the church.
J. C. Hitchcock came to Nunda in 1868. Andrew Sutherland was appointed 9th presiding elder. At this time the stoves now in use were bought at an ex- pense of $220 under the supervision of Peleg Coffin. The church was also beau- tified by the addition of paint and the walls tinted, C. W. Merrick paying the bill of $128.
In 1870, L. D. Chase was sent to Nunda. He was the first three years man and the first to reside in the present parsonage. In 1872 the church sheds were built at a cost of over $1,000. L. D. Chiase and Peleg Coffin were the committee on sheds, but Peleg Coffin died in February and his work was taken up by his son Latham Coffin. A revival resulted in an addition to the church of between fifty and sixty members. Rev. Chase received the largest donation of any pas- tor on record, amounting to over $300. L. H. Brace was made Sunday school librarian. In 1873 Wm. Bradley came and was our pastor for three years. The organ was purchased, the prayer room changed by removing partially the long seats ; and chairs supplied at an expense of $90. The story is told -- that Rev. Bradley thought some of the sister churches were keeping track of his converts
too closely. Preaching on the subject he made this remark : "The hen that hatched the chickens, knew how to care for them better than her neighbors." 1876 J. B. Countryman, pastor : G. W. Paddock 10th presiding elder. 1879 An- drew Sutherland a former presiding elder came to this charge. During his pas- torate the choir arrangement was changed from the orchestra to its present posi- tion, new carpets bought, and walls and ceiling painted at a total cost of $140. Revival meetings were hield, with the assistance of Mrs. Ellis and about forty added to the church, a large proportion of which, were Sabbath school scholars. Mrs. Sutherland was our Sabbath school superintendent and filled the position pre-eminently.
J. B. Wentworth became our IIth presiding elder in 1880. Daniel Leisen- ring came to this charge in 1881. In the year '84 of his pastorate an old church debt of $740 was paid, leaving $16.56 in the treasury. The next year, 1885, un- der Dr. K. D. Nettleton, expense in repairs and improvements amounted to $886.96, but $150 of this remained as debt until 1894. under the pastorate of W. S. Crandall, when this and some other trustee debts were cancelled. Dr. J. E. Bills was our 12th presiding elder.
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The fall of '88 R. W. Copeland became our pastor remaining two years. He was removed contrary to the expectation of the people and Kasimer P. Jer- vis was sent to Nunda in the fall of 1800. but failed in health, dying May 23d. 1&)I at the age of 66 years. Previous to his death, W. S. Crandall, his son-in- law was made assistant pastor and remained at the head of the church for three years. Presiding elder, L. A. Stevens preached K. P. Jervis funeral sermon in this church at which services, an original hymn of Rev. Jervis composition was sung. Memorial services were hield, Rev. Dr. W. R. Benham delivering the address. Rev. Jervis preached his last sermon Sunday May 10th, being car- ried to and from the church in a chair. During the last afternoon of his life, in talking of creeds and isms, he said: "After all, the important thing, the thing of the greatest importance, is spirituality, a conscious christian experience.'
During the pastorate of C. G. Stevens, which began in 1895, the leaning steeple was repaired, the church painted, and various other repairs made, at a cost of $165. When some of the brethren thought best to discard the steeple. rather than repair it, one brother said, "No. it was a gift and must be preserved."
C. G. Stevens desired that the parsonage property should be improved and in the spring of 1897, Rev. Stevens and Latham Coffin canvassed the society raising a subscription of $1.000 for a new or remodeled parsonage. The pro- ject continued, Rev. Stevens moving into the lower rooms of the church, while the building was in progress : however, the pastor and family spent the last two years of the pastorate in the new parsonage. A. F. Colburn 14th presiding elder. In 1899 L. D. Chase was sent to this charge for his second pastorate. whom, like J. L. Edson, the people having learned to love, gladly received for a second time. Rev. Chase celebrated his 50th anniversary as a minister of Genesee conference while in Nunda. E. H. Latimer, 15th presiding elder.
Rev. E. G. W. Hall was pastor for two years. He was an indefatigable worker, and through his efforts the church gained ground. both spiritually and financially. His family were exceptionally helpful in church work an.1 were greatly missed.
'The year 1906-'07 Roland C. Dryer, son of G. H. Dryer, sixteenth presid ing elder of Genesee District, was sent to Nunda. The parsonage was im- proved at an expense of $81 by the society. The pastor added other improve ments to the amount of $150, presenting the same to the society. On Febril- ary 5. 1908. Rev. Dryer was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Wright. of Rochester.
The following July the society paid in full all indebtedness on the par- sonage property, and the society was again out of debt.
The second year of Rev. Dryer's pastorate improvements were made to the amount of $354, including furnace, and cement walk on Church Street.
A Home Missionary Society was formed in October of this year. Re- vival meetings conducted under the management of Rev. Ralph Gillain re- sulted in the addition of 45 to our membership.
Hitherto the Lord has helped us, and His promise still assures us: "I will never leave thee or forsake thee." "I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."
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REV. J. A. ASPINWALL Died at Nunda, 1860
REV. E. P. WOOD Pastor of Universalist Church
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER ( UNIVERSALIST) 1871
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. OF NUNDA
By H. W. Hand.
Universalism is the poetry of the heart: it is born of love for the right .. and hatred of cruelty, injustice and oppression. Poets. unconscious of devia tion from the paths of conservatism, become the discoverers of new realms or sublime thought. So Browning in attempting to express his own hope, un- consciously voiced the sentiments of the Universalist. unaware that the sent' ment of his own heart had warmed and cheered and enlarged the hopes of men in every period of the Christian era. He sang :
"My own hope is, a sun will pierce The thickest cloud earth ever stretched ; That after Last returns the First, Though a wide compass round be fetched; That what begins best can't end worst, Nor what God blessed once, prove accurst."
Universalism is a protest against ascribing to God, conduct any good man would repudiate if ascribed to him.
Another poet has said :
"Give evil but an end and all is clear ; Make it eternal. all things are obscured, And all that we have sought, hoped or endured, Worthless. We feel indeed if our own sins Were washed away forever. No true cheer could to our yearning bosoms be secured While any being we on earth held dear Remained forevermore disconsolate. Oh, much does life the full fruition need Of all made blest in far futurity. Heaven needs it. too, our bosoms yearn and pant, Rather indeed our God to justify Than our own souls."
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