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 49
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UNIVERSALIST PROFESSION OF BELIEF
Modern statement. We believe in : 1. The Universal Fatherhood of God ; 2. The Spiritual authority and leadership of His Son Jesus Christ : 3. The trust- worthiness of the Bible as containing a revelation from God : 4. The certainty of just retribution for sin : 5. The final harmony of all souls with God.
The Universalist Church of Nunda was first housed in the Mill Street frame school house, in the very year I was born-1838-and by some process of spiritual telegraphy still unknown and inexplicable I became possessed of this poetry of the heart. The majority of poets are prophets also and th: whole universe being their study they sing of universal life. love and destiny. So the God of the itinerant preacher, who first came to Nunda village in 183S
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had caught the idea of the Fatherhood of God from Christ's prayer to "Our Father," Our father. Ours, the father of all mankind. But Evangelist Flagler was Judge Flagler of Binghamton and he could see that the "Judge of all the earth" could, nay would, "do right." that is, judge righteously; that justice and judgment were free from injustice; that the sins of the hour, day, year. should be punished-as finite, temporal sins-and not with endless penalties. for finite transgressions. But those whose God was Almighty-in vindictive- ness-whose power was measured by his hatred and anger against the sinful -- went away full of condemnation of a gospel "too good to be true"-so unlike their own that they failed to ask if it was like the Master's, Whose disciples they supposed themselves to be. As if any message of God's universal love for His children could be too good to be true.
A few such pioneer preachers came and then came old Father Paine, came again frequently, regularly, till the well established churches thought it thei- duty to stir up opposition : and stones were hurled through the windows at the preacher. while men outside who would not go in but listened near the windows cried out. "It is a lie." and the preacher kept on quietly reading the blessed Beatitudes-"Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."
My mission, however, is to record the progress made by this small but persistent company of believers in the ultimate triumph of good over evil, and the final holiness and happiness of the world the all-conquering Christ was sent to save.
I cite these things told me by the charter members of this church to show how hostile the spirit of those days was to those who dared to appeal to rea- son, and endeavor to prove that God was good to all. Calvinism, the commo:1 orthodoxy of that day, asserted he loved only the elect.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH IN NUNDA
Organized Universalism in Nunda dates from September 12, 1840. These believers met at the district schoolhouse. The Rev. William E. Manley had met with them but was not at that time their pastor. as his name does not appear on the records of this meeting : but no layman drew up their Articles of Faith, which any one might to-day accept.
Confession of Faith
"I. We believe in one God and that beside Him there is none else.
"2. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Mediator between God and men.
"3. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world-finally we take the Holy Scriptures for our guide in faith and practice, and believe all the doctrines which God has therein revealed to mankind."
Who could not accept this creed? The names of the members who sub- scribed to this confession of faith and who were that day received into mem- bership were: Richard Church, Elijah Horton, Hiram Merrick. Joseph H. Root, Charles Stilson, Granville Sherwood, Joshua Fuller, George Townsend. Riley Merrill. Lawrence S. Church, Lyman Smiith. Ammon Smith, Leonard Church. Jonathan Hay, Sarah Horton, Elvira Starkweather, Malvina Jane Church. Esther Merrick, Abigail Gould. Harriet Horton and Mercy Fuller.
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June 20. 1841, there were added: George S. Lewis, Nathan Sherwood, Maria Sherwood. Betsy A. Grover. Mary Grover, John Tingley, Zadock Sherwood, William Gould ( the last two were Revolutionary soldiers ), Sally W. Yates, Anice Butler, Martha G. Butler, John Robinson. Jerusha Robinson, Erastus Day ; and on August 4, 1841 : Rev. William E. Manley (afterwards D. D. and author of Commentary on the Old Testament). Susan ( Day) Manley, making a membership of 37.
Granville Sherwood and Joseph H. Root were chosen deacons at the first meeting.
1840 TO 1850
Other Universalists of that decade were : * Eli Paige, William Huffman, "John Sergeant. Jr., *Eliphas Tyler. Esq. ; * John H. Townsend, Mrs. Town- send. * John Van Deventer. * Simeon Holmes, *Mrs. Ferris, *Dr. L. G. Ferris. *Conrad Swartout, *Hiram C. Grover, Mrs. Grover, *Roswell G. Bennett, * Asa D. Wood (merchant, removed). James L. Stone (removed), *David Edgerly, #Chas. McNair. * Amos Green. * Oscar F. Green, Joel C. Chase, Daniel Grover, $\'m. Huggins. Mrs. Huggins, *David Babcock, *W. W. Dunning, Mrs. Dunning, Sidney Ashton, #Mrs. Packard, *Horatio N. Pack- ard, J. B. Saterlee, Sr., Mrs. Satterlee. * Silas Hatch, *Frank Williams, *Charles Briggs, *Hiram Merrick, *Miranda Hatch.
On the 23rd of January. 1841, a constitution and by-laws were adopted and nine trustees were elected. They were: Daniel Grover, Richard Church. David Babcock, Granville Sherwood, Hiram Merrick. Elijah Horton, Joshua Fuller, William Huggins, Silas Grover. At this meeting it was unanimously "Resolved, That this society proceed to erect a church for public worship." The following building committee was appointed: Richard Church, Silas Grover, E. Horton, Granville Sherwood and Daniel Grover. This committee did its work so well that on Tuesday, July 13, 1841, the frame of the church was raised, and it is recorded. by the local press that the only drinks used on the occasion were lemonade and cold water. Evidently the editor of the paper was disappointed and expected something stronger; or did he mean that when the two former churches were raised they had something stronger, as would have been the case in the eastern part of the state a quarter of a century sooner ; or, was it the slur of a sectarian, too illiberal to believe any good could be expected of this household because of its broad theology.
The church was dedicated on the 19th of January, 1842. The following was the order of service :
I. Voluntary, "Lift Up Your Stately Heads."
2. Invocation, Rev. J. M. Day.
3. Anthem, "I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord."
. 4. Scriptures.
5. Dedicatory Hymn, read by Rev. O. Roberts.
6. Anthem, "Stand Up My Soul," choir.
7. Sermon. Rev. William E. Manley.
8. Anthem, "Great Is the Lord." choir.
9. Sentence of Dedication.
IO. Original Hymn, by M. Jane Church.
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Hymn
O Thou Eternal King of Kings. Thou Lord of Hosts, Jehovah, God! Heaven with Thy ceaseless praises rings ; The universe is Thy abode.
The rolling sun and spangled skies Declare Thy power and glory, Lord ; And to our weak and wondering eyes More brightly shines Thy sacred word.
To Thy almighty glorious name We dedicate this house of prayer ;
Here may benighted sinners learn A Father's love, a Father's care.
Oh never may its walls return The dismal wailings of despair ; But here benighted sinners learn A Father's love, a Father's care.
Thy sovereign power and grace impart, Faith, peace and joy to every soul ; Bind up the mourner's bleeding heart, Each anxious doubt and fear control.
Together may we walk in love, Together listen to Thy word; Until we join the choir above, To chant the praises of our Lord.
II. Benediction.
Editorial comment from Ira Wisner, editor :
"During the exercises (he meant services), which were conducted with simplicity and apparent sincerity appropriate on such an occasion, perfect order and solemnity prevailed, and the best attention was given by the large andi- ence (he meant congregation ) in attendance. (Evidently Editor Wisner had expected to have heard or seen something to find fault with.)"
It is hard to understand in these days of harmony and Christian courtesy what prejudices existed in small souls against the beliefs held in other churches three score years ago. A clergyman by the name of Linus Payne was one of the itinerant school house preachers of this church ; then Rev. W. E. Manley, and then Father Miles. As the last mentioned had been a Baptist clergyman his change of views made him a mark for special persecution.
Rev. William E. Manley, who afterwards became an author and com- mentator, as well as Doctor of Divinity, was located in this village in August. 1841, as we then find his name with that of his wife, Susan, on the church records.
Rev. Miles succeeded Dr. Manley in 1843. The length of his pastorate is unknown. He immersed some of his flock.
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Rev. Alanson Kelsey was pastor on alternate Sabbaths from 1847 to 1851, and then declined a call for two more years' service.
Rev. O. F. Brayton's pastorate was from 1851 to 1853. Rev. O. Roberts succeeding him until 1856.
Rev. Joseph A. Aspinwall's pastorate was unlike any before. He preached twice every Sabbath from 1856 until the summer of 1860 when, after a short illness, he died. lamented by the whole community. The pastor of the Baptist Church-Rev. Whitman Metcalf-offered the use of his large church for the obsequies ; and, led by the village clergy, a procession of 200 Universalists, in- cluding a Bible class of twelve young men and a Sunday School of sixty, moved solemnly through the silent streets. As though but yesterday, I recall the whole occasion ; there were no carriages, no badges of mourning ; family, clergy, congregation and Sunday School moved from the house on Gibbs Street to the church. Rev. Dr. Asa Saxe of Rochester was the preacher ; and the text I still hear and believe: "And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Mr. Aspinwall had been president of the Clinton Liberal Institute, and his scholarship, dignity and zeal for righteousness broke down sectarian bound- aries. His zeal for temperance was conspicuous. Lay services were held the rest of the year that the salary might be paid to his widow. Rev. C. C. Gor- don of Brooklyn, an expert accountant and lightning reckoner, gave up his position and a salary of $1200 a year, and accepted a call to Nunda at $600. He hired the large ( Whitehead) house on Portage Street at $200 a year rent but remained only one year. Rev. D. C. Tomlinson of Portageville became pastor in the fall of 1862. It was in war times and many a clergyman's patriot- ism was too great for some of the trustees ; he remained but one year until 1863. Rev. Henry C. De Long succeeded him (1864 and 1865), who gave general satisfaction, but a wealthier society in a college town won him away, and have him still.
Rev. E. Reynolds of Cuba in 1866 became a permanent supply. Gifted. devout and eloquent, but physically frail, he declined a settlement, but sup- plied regularly till forced by failing health to give up his charge.
Rev. F. Stanley Bacon, who combined the gifts of artist, musician and orator, sacrificed music and art for the sake of proclaiming the gospel mes- sage. He was aesthetic by nature, and introduced a liturgical service, wore a robe, had an altar and reading desk. His decorations of the church at Christ- mas were so elaborate that the old church looked like a bower of roses. The organ we have, and the baptismal font of Parian marble that he bought still reminds us of the harmony and purity of his ethereal nature. He served the parish three years-1867 to 1870. He went to Belfast, Me., where he died, in 1874. at the age of 40.
In 1870 S. J. Dickson was the pastor. His services were well attended. Rev. A. L. Rice, fresh from the theological school, served the parish for some- thing less than a year. He became, when older, a very successful minister.
Rev. J. A. Dobson's pastorate lasted three years, and during this time, 1871 to 1874. the Church of the Redeemer, a large and beautiful Gothic struc- ture, was built at a cost of $15.000, and was dedicated with imposing cere- monies.
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Rev. Dr. L. J. Fletcher of Buffalo preached the sermon of dedication. The old church had been enlarged and made into a public hall, and services were held there during the building of the new church. The evening congre- gations during this time were larger than at any other time since the first organization of the church. Every transient felt at home there, but when they came to the new church they felt like visitors, afraid of getting into some one's $50 pew.
John P. McLean, a college graduate and a graduate from St. Lawrence Theological School, was hired for four months as a supply in 1874.
Rev. Alanson Kelsey finished out the year. and though full of years his services were eminently successful. An infirmity of sight prevented further service. Rev. H. Jewell. rich in years and experience, was the pastor in 1875. In 1876 the church depended on supplies. Rev. J. H. Shepard and Rev. Nelson Snell served more frequently than others.
Rev. S. T. Aldrich of Hornellsville preached every Sunday morning at Nunda for three years, from 1876 to 1880. Rev. A. U. Hutchins, state superin- tendent of churches, furnished the preaching till the society called Rev. I. P. Coddington, who remained two years, but against the wishes of the parish went to Jersey City.
From 1882 to 1889 there were only occasional services. Rev. Jay J. Bray- ton was pastor from January, 1889 to January, 1892. Congregations and Sun- day Schools were large at this time. Rev. Frank T. Sweet, a recent accession from the Rochester University and the Baptist Theological School, served the church acceptably from January, 1892, to January, 1895. Rev. James Taylor from January, 1895 to April, 1896. He became a Swedenborgian. Rev. Jud- son P. Marvin was pastor from September, 1897, to August, 1898. The sickness of a beloved relative in Boston caused his resignation. He was a pulpit orator such as we have seldom had. Rev. Clara Morgan was pastor for nearly five years, from September, 1897 to July, 1903. She was very successful but sought a "wider field." and so took three parishes at least twenty miles from the first to the third and so found what she sought. Rev. Donald Frazer was pastor from January, 1904. to November, 1905. While preaching during an October vacation he found a model parsonage at Macedon and received a call to occupy it, which he promptly accepted.
Rev. C. P. Lynn served the parish as a summer supply. As an orator he was very fine. As he was compelled to go with crutches from his boyhood he seldom passes his winters North on account of the icy pavements which are a source of peril to him.
The present pastor. Edwin P. Wood, came to the church and the denomi- nation in September. 1907. from the Society of Friends or Quakers. He had been in their ministry ten years.
We give you, one and all, an opportunity to see our "Friend preacher." for the photo was taken while he was an orthodox Quaker. He is still "sound in the faith once delivered to the saints," and his services are very satisfactory to all who hear him. May he long be the last.
Since the building of the new church the large room in the basement has been completed and rendered serviceable at a cost of $300. Within the period of the last two years, a mortgage on the church property amounting to $1,300
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has been removed. The old church building, a public hall, has been sold, and the funds received therefrom have been used to make a payment towards the purchase price of the parsonage. Universalists have from time to time mani- fested their love for their church by leaving bequests to aid in sustaining its services. A Mr. Watson left a fund of about $5,000 to the Universalist Church of Nunda and a similar amount to the church at Portageville; this was about sixty years ago.
Mrs. Samuel Whitcomb gave, a short time before her death all her per- sonal property and real estate. amounting to about $12,000 to the Church of the Redeemer (Universalist) of Nunda. The church has not come into possession of the same, but it is gratifying to know that the childless Universalists of two different generations have proved their love for their church by giving their all to the cause they loved best.
Others who have been prominent in the work of the church were: Wilson Willard, R. G. Bennett. W. B. Whitcomb, E. W. Packard. S. P. Whitcomb, H. W. Hand, C. K. Sanders, W. Y. Robinson, J. V. Townsend, Virgil Hun- gerford, Francis Ray, E. O. Dickenson, B. F. King, Barton Satterlee, Sr., Prof. E. E. Spaulding and Norman Smith; in recent years, D. S. Robinson, F. P. Smith, W. H. and O. J. Willard, W. H. Brady, B. E. Jones, Fred Smith, Robert Balty. W. B. Sanders, La Verne Powell and L. P. Higgins. But the largest part of the work has been. in the past, and probably will be done in the future. by the faithful women of the church, without whose efforts many of the suc- cesses achieved would have proved futile. While all have toiled diligently some have proved natural leaders and furnished the courage and enthusiasm to make the work marvelously great.
Of those, who have passed away we will mention. Mrs. F. J. M. Whit- comb, Mrs. Wilson Willard, and Mrs. Juliette Whitcomb-but those who remain are equally loyal and zealous, and are proving their faith by their works.
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Services were held for the first time, with a view to the formation of a parish, April 7th, 1847, at Swain's Hall. The Rev. Mason Gallagher of Dans- ville, presided: H. Chalker was chosen as clerk. The following was the first vestry: C. Remington and G. P. Waldo, church warders; I. T. Turner. R. H. Spencer, N. Chittenden. Johnf Guiteau. S. Swain, Jr., David F. Swain. H. Chalker and R. Bennett, vestrymen. Services were conducted for different preiods by- Rev. Gersham P. Waldo, Rev. Lucius Carter and Rev. Asa Griswold, until De- cember 1, 1849, when the Rev. Andrew D. Benedict took pastoral charge, in connection with St. Marks Church. Hunt's Hollow. During the rectorship of Rev. Benedict which ended May Ist. 1852, the present church was erected. The church was consecrated some time later, by Bishop De Lancey. The parsonage and lot adjoining the church were' donated by Miss Catharine Brooks of Brooksgrove, who also presented the parish with an expensive set of communion vessels and the altar linen. now in use. The Rev. James A. Robin- son succeeded as rector May Ist. 1853 until fall of 1854. Rev. James O. Stokes, was in charge from fall of 1854 until 1855: from July Ist. 1856. until April, 1857, Rev. G. P. Waldo: 1857 to 1860, Rev. H. V. Gardner; from June Ist 1863, until February 28th, 1866, Rev. Fayette Royce.
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REV. HENRY S. DENNIS Ex-Pastor Episcopal Church
GRACE CHURCH AND RECTORY
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The parish during the rectorship of Rev. Royce was connected with Brooksgrove mission and Canaseraga. January, 1867, Rev. Waldo, resident clergyman ; January 1, 1867. Rev. H. Adams was called as rector. Rectors since have been Revs. Noble Palmer Woodward. H. M. Brown, S. H. Batten. F. A. Gould, Badger, Cameron and H. L. Dennis.
H. Chalker, the first clerk, served in this office until 1872. During the rec- torship of Rev. Dennis which terminated in 1906 the officers were: Wardens, Capt. George J. Campbell, U. S. A., and W. H. Fuller ; clerk, J. R. Gurnee ; treasurer, Joseph Miller.
St. Marks Episcopal Church at Hunt's Hollow was organized in 1826 and was therefore for one year in the town of Nunda. It was for many years a church well sustained and supported. The Hunts, Bennetts (Walter B. family), Clarks, Cobbs, Averills and Williams families were prominent and zealous work- ers. The building is to be torn down and moved to Hunt, as the Baptist Church was twenty years ago. May its former prosperity be again restored. The rec- tors of St. Marks and of Grace Church have for many years been the same.
THE HOLY ANGELS CHURCH
When the Genesee Valley canal was commenced at Rochester in the year, 1837, to be built to Dansville, many young Irish Catholics were employed in the work until the canal was finished to Dansville, in 1842. Immediately after the completion of the canal to Dansville a branch was begun at the Shakers, built to Olean and finished in 1852. The men who had been employed on the Dansville branch found employment on the Olean branch. Many of them located at Nunda and in the immediate vicinity in 1842.
Thomas Kiley, Michael Welch, Thomas Brick, James Brick and Michael Creed, were the first Catholics who came to Nunda. Shortly after, came James Kiley, Patrick Barry, Owen Carroll, John Sheahan, Maurice Wall, the Blake and Skelly brothers, Michael Barnes, Maurice Gurry and others, until in 1842 Nunda had quite a settlement of Catholics. The first marriage among them was that of Thomas Brick and Ellen Fitzgerald in 1845. At the "Deep Cut," two miles from Nunda, a colony of about three hundred Catholics located, where they were employed by the firm of Sharp & Quinn, who had the contract for "mak- ing the cut." Sharp and Quinn came from Rochester.
Through their influence Father O'Reilly, who later became Bishop of Hart- ford came on horseback from Rochester to the "Deep Cut" to hold services. The few who were living in Nunda attended mass at the "Deep Cut" for a time. On one of his visits to the "Deep Cut" Father O'Rielly stopped at Nunda and baptized the first child, born of Catholic parents, in the village. Subsequently Father O'Brian came to Nunda from Greenwood, Allegany County and held services in a private house a number of times. In 1846, Father Sheridan was stationed at Portageville, where a large number of Catholic families had located. Father Sheridan's field of labor extended south to Belfast, west to Pike, Perry and Warsaw, and north to Nunda.
There were no churches at any of these places and mass was read in private houses. Father Sheridan remained at Portageville five or six years. He was succeeded by Father MCEvoy who remained until 1854. In 1854 Father Dolan purchased a building in Nunda, which had been intended for a dwelling. This
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REV. JAMES H. DAY
CHURCH OF THE HOLY ANGELS
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building was begun by Mr. Marsh, a tailor, who was unable to finish it. Mr. B. P. Richmond bought the building and sold it to Father Dolan, who converted it into a church. This church was plainly finished and furnished, the seats con- sisting of plain pine boards without any backs. Father Dolan felt very proud that the few Catholic families of Nunda had at last a church of their own. Father Dolan was succeeded by Father Ryan; who was followed by Father Moore, who remained only three months. Then came Father Dean, who re- mained until 1862. He had the church repaired, pews put in and the interior painted. Father Purcell then had charge of the church for one year, and had a new altar and confessional built. Father Lawton had charge in 1863: Father Greig came in the early spring of 1864 and remained until late in the fall, being followed by Father McGinnis who remained until March, 1865. Father Cook then came and remained until 1872. He was a classmate of General Thomas Francis Meagher, and a fellow sympathizer in the young Ireland movement of "'48." Father Biggins of Dansville succeeded Father Cook, in 1872, and the church was transferred from the Buffalo to the Rochester Diocese. Father Big- gins built the present church and remained until 1874. Father Seymour next took charge for one year and was the only one of all these priests who took Nunda as his only charge. The congregation however, was too small and too poor to support a priest, which fact Bishop soon discovered and Father Donnelly, who was stationed at Mt. Morris, with the assistance of Father O'Connell attended Nunda from 1875 to 1882. Father Donnelly had new pews placed in the church and made many other improvements. Father Day was ap- pointed pastor of the parishes of Mt. Morris and Nunda, May Ist, 1893, and is still in charge. From. July, 1898, until November, 1899, he was assisted by Rev. E. A. Rawlinson. The interior of the church has recently been papered and painted, and the altar remodeled and decorated.
Thomas Kiley was the first lay trustee and held the office up to his death in 1879. James Price was also a trustee for a few years with Mr. Kiley. John O'Connell became a trustee to succeed Thomas Kiley, in 1879, and still holds office jointly with R. H. Hughs who was appointed in 1893. The other trus- tees, are the Bishop and Vicar General of the Diocese, and the pastor, ex-officio. The church is without debt and has a membership of thirty families.
HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DALTON- TOWN OF NUNDA
The first religious services were held at Nunda Station. now called Dalton, in 1855, three years after the railroad station for the town of Nunda was located there. Hiram Merithew secured the services of Rev. Joseph Pearsall to preach in the school house. where the first class was formed with Hiram Merithew as class leader. These meetings grew in interest, with increase of attendance until more commodious quarters became a necessity.
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