USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York > Part 17
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The cornerstone of the present First Church edifice was laid April 27, 1869, and dedicated December 20, 1870, the total cost of the building having been one hundred and forty thousand dollars.
The first Sunday-school in Auburn was organized in the church in the winter of 1817.
The origin of the Auburn Theological Seminary and its location in Auburn were largely due to the untiring efforts of Dr. Lansing while pastor of the church.
The pages of the history of the church have been brightened by the record of frequent revivals of religion and large accessions to the membership of the church. This has been the prominent
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feature of the church since its founding. Its ministry has been characterized by earnest efforts in all great moral reforms. Dr. Hawley, when pastor, won national reputation for himself and the church by the outspoken stand that he took in favor of the Union and against slavery in 1861. Twelve days before the attack upon Fort Sumter Captain Terrance J. Kennedy, a member of the church, drew up an enlistment paper, and signing his own name to the paper opened his place of business on State street as a recruiting office. The Sabbath following the attack upon Fort Sumter, Dr. Hawley preached a stirring sermon declaring that the Lord was on the side of the Union and before nightfall three full companies were awaiting orders. The first regiment of volunteers recruited was afterward known as the "Old Nineteenth" and assembled in this church for religious services before leaving for the field.
The present congregation, realizing the possible needs of the future has raised fifty thousand dollars as a permanent endowment fund, the income only to be used in the work of the church. At the present time the organ is being rebuilt and largely increased so that it will be, when completed, one of the finest organs in the state.
There are many organizations in the church, all of which are active and progressive. The Sunday school is thoroughly organ- ized in its various departments, and meets in seven different places.
The church has always been blessed with liberal contributors to its support and advancement in material things from the days of John Hardenburgh until now. During the past sixty years the Willards and Cases have been most liberal contributors to the pros- perity of the church.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN.
The Second Presbyterian Society of Auburn, was organized by the members of the parent church on December II, 1828, The cornerstone was laid June 17, 1829, with appropriate exercises by Drs. Mills and Richards of the seminary. The Presbytery was induced to take this action by the petition of sixty-six individual
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members of the First Presbyterian Church, who believed that the rapid growth of this church, the corresponding increase in the population of the village, the establishment of the Theological Seminary in 1820, combined to create a demand for a new church.
Consequently the purchasing of a lot on South street, and erecting a house of worship was rushed through and finished and dedicated August 9, 1830. The first elders were William Brown, Abijah Fitch, John I. Hagaman, Horace Hills, Truman J. Mc- Master, George C. Skinner and Henry Teft.
The Rev. Daniel Axtel was ordained and installed pastor of the new congregation in 1830. He served five years. His health failing he was dismissed January 10, 1836. The Rev. Leonard E. Lathrop was installed November 12, 1836, and remained until Sep- tember, 1851, after an able and useful pastorate of nearly fifteen years.
Rev. Edward D. Morris was installed January 18, 1853. His pastorate ended November 30, 1855.
Rev. Professor Ezra Huntington, D. D., of the seminary sup- plied the pulpit for the next three years. Rev. Henry Fowler was ordained September, 1858, and terminated 1861. Rev. Samuel Boardman, D. D., served the next pastorship from 1862 until 1877.
Rev. W. H. Albright was called in 1879; after and over a decade of pastorate he was dismissed. Its next pastor was Rev. Edward D. Sprague, D. D., from 1887 to 1895. Then came in 1896 Rev. J. Wilson Brainerd who served for nearly a decade.
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
The Central Presbyterian Church came into being amid the conflict of opinions and the clash of arms of our great Civil War, when a meeting for organizing was held on December 16, 1861. The society was regularly formed according to the statute, and trustees were chosen. Meanwhile regular services were being held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association; the first meeting was conducted by Professor S. M. Hopkins. The new
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congregation worshipped in this room for most of the year 1862, and there was held the first communion on January 18, at eleven o'clock in the evening, preceded by a meeting of the sixty chartered members in the morning and evening service.
On the night of October 3 Ist, there had been a fire which con- sumed a block of buildings on the southwest corner of William and Genesee streets, and this location was chosen by the new church for the erection of an edifice. Four lots were finally purchased and a basement chapel constructed for temporary use, covered with an inexpensive roof in the faith that with increased strength would come resources for completing the building, but in 1868, a majority was found to be in favor of a more desirable location and after discussion the present site on William street was chosen. By 1869 subscriptions were secured for a new church sufficient to justify breaking ground and the cornerstone was laid August 12, 1869. October 25, 1870 the new church was dedicated.
In 1885, the extensive addition in the front of the Sunday school room, parlors, chapel, etc., was undertaken with an expenditure of over $70,000. During the past season extensive and tasteful renovation has been made. The pastors of the church have been : Henry Fowler, 1861 to 1871. Henry F. Hickok, D. D., 1872 to 1875; Samuel Duffield, 1876 to 1878; Charles G. Hemingway, Ph. D. D., 1879 to 1891, and Frederick W. Palmer, who preached his first sermon as pastor March 19, 1893.
CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN.
Calvary Church has been organized as a church over thirty-five years.
Calvary Church was first organized as a church November 30, 1870. The Rev. H. S. Huntington was installed as the first pas- tor. His pastorate continued until November 26, 1875, when he resigned. From that time until May 1, 1875, the church had no pastor. At a meeting of the society February 22, 1876, Mr. Woolsey Hopkins, a student in the senior class of the seminary,
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was unanimously called to the pastorate. Rev. Mr. Stryker accepted the call and began his ministry on May 30, 1876. This new pastorate was made possible through the generosity of two friends of the church, Theodore P. Case and Dr. Sylvester Willard each of whom gave five hundred dollars toward the pas- tor's salary for the year.
On the first of September Rev. George B. Stewart became stated supply of the church. He resigned in December, 1884. Rev. Frank Hinman succeeded him in May, 1885. The next was Rev. A. S. Hasler; he remained till 1893. After an interval of six months, the Rev. E. H. Adriance came in June, 1894. The church and Sabbath school have about five hundred members each. The church edifice was formerly the First Presbyterian which stood on the corner of North and Franklin streets from 1819 until 1869, when it was demolished and reconstructed on Calvary Hill.
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN.
In the spring of 1883, through the combined interest and labor of the Sunday schools of the Second and Central Presbyterian Churches a Sunday school was opened on Baker avenue to meet the needs of the rapidly growing western part of the city. The first session of the school was on Sunday, May 27th, with an attendance of seventy-five taxing the capacity of the room. The interest continued and increased, and it soon became evident that larger accomodations were needed. At the invitation of the superinten- dent, Mr. A. J. Barber, the four Presbyterian churches of the city appointed representatives to advise in the matter. The committee thus constituted undertook the work of raising money to build a suitable chapel. Their efforts were successful; a site was purchased at the corner of Genesee and Delevan streets and the present brick structure erected. In view of the large contributions made by Dr. Sylvester Willard the trustees decided to name the chapel, Willard Chapel. The services of dedication were held November 30, 1884.
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For several months from this date services for public worship were held in addition to the Sunday-school with preaching by local pastors and the professors of the seminary. In June, 1885, Mr. Albert S. Hughey, a recent graduate, was engaged to supply the pulpit for one year. On October 27, 1885, in response to a petition by a large number of persons interested, the Presbytery of Cayuga met in Willard Chapel and effected the organization of a new Presbyterian church with forty-four members, naming it West- minster Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hughey continued his labors until March Ioth when he was ordained and installed as pastor. His pastorate closed December, 1889. The succeeding pastors have been Rev. E. W. Twichell, 1890-2 ; Rev. O. T. Mather, 1893-7, Rev. Tracy B. Griswold, 1898.
FIRST BAPTIST.
The First Baptist Church of Auburn, N. Y., was constituted February 17, 1819, by a council composed of delegates from the First Church of Aurelius, and the churches in Mentz, Brutus and Owasco, convened for that purpose.
As a preliminary step to the formation of a church, a number of brethren had met in the house of James Randall, September 4, 1817, and formed themselves in a body, afterwards known as the "Auburn Baptist Conference. "
The conference thus formed continued its meetings for prayer and praise until December 17, 1818, when meeting as before at the house of Mr. Randall, they agreed that the time had come when it was their duty to be known as the Church of Christ and appointed a meeting to be held on the twenty-sixth day of the same month to perfect their organization. At this meeting a vote was passed calling a council to meet with them in the Court House on the day appointed, which after a proper examination recognized them as a Church of Christ in Gospel order. At the nineteenth annual meet- ing of the Cayuga Association held in Throopsville, September 15 and 16, 1809, this church was received as a member of that body.
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From their organization in 1817 until December 1818, they had remained destitute of the stated ministry of the Word; but about this time an arrangement was made with Elder Elkanah Comstock to supply them one-half of the time, which continued about ten months.
Their first pastor was Rev. C. P. Wyckoff, who was called early in 1820, and preached his first sermon in the Court House, then occupied as their place of worship, June 4th of that year. In 1825, during Mr. Wyckoff's pastorate their first edifice was built, being erected on the site of Richardson's furniture store at the junction of South and Exchange streets. They occupied this place of worship for eight years. Rev. Mr. Wyckoff relinquished his charge in 1830.
He was succeeded by Rev. John Blain, who remained for three years. During his pastorate there was great increase in religious zeal which continued to extend until the winter following when God visited the church with the most extensive and powerful revival of His work ever enjoyed by that body during any period of this history. One hundred and fifty-seven were added to the church by baptism.
This revival was the cause of building their church on Genesee street in 1833. The edifice was of stone, eighty feet long and sixty wide, equipped with organ, bell and a handsome spire. They occupied this edifice for fifty years.
The next pastor, Rev. J. M. Graves, came about this time and remained for two years. The Rev. S. S. Parr followed in 1835, and served his church until 1838, having been greatly pleased in all his efforts to promote the interests of the church and the Redeemer's cause. After the close of Elder Parr's, labors the church did not immediately secure another pastor, but were supplied by Brother Wilson, whose labors proved both acceptable and profitable.
Rev. James Johnson took the pastoral charge in 1839 and continued one year. Rev. Alfred Pinney followed in 1841, who
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remained two years, during which time ninety-five were added to the membership. Rev. J. S. Backus, D. D., was called in 1843 and continued seven years. Rev. W. P. Pattison succeeded Dr. Backus in 1851, remaining to 1855. Rev. A. M. Hopper, D. D., became pastor in 1857 and remained two years. Next followed Rev. P. P. Bishop from 1861 to 1868. Rev. W. H. Maynard, D. D., accepted a call in June, 1869, serving until January, 1875. Rev. Willard H. Robinson was called in June, 1876, serving until 1881. Seventy-five were added to the church during his pastorate.
For the first seven months of the year 1882, Professor A. S. Coats of Rochester Theological Seminary supplied the pulpit. A call to the pastorate was extended to the Rev. Joseph K. Dixon in 1883.
The unlimited growth of the church and the constant increase of the congregation in 1883, resulted in a site being purchased on the corner of Genesee and James streets at a cost of $18,000 and erected a new and beautiful house of worship costing upwards of $70,000. The church was dedicated on Sunday, October 10, 1887. Rev. Dr. Strong preached the morning sermon. The dedicatory service proper in the evening was by Rev. Wayland Hoyt, D. D.
In June, 1889, Rev. Dixon received a call to a larger field. From this date the pulpit received supplies by Rev. Dr. Maynard, Rev. A. S. Coats, Rev. Dr. Judson and others, until November 10th. A call was extended Rev. Dr. Robert G. Seymour, who entered upon his duties the 17th of November, 1889, and remained until 1891.
In 1882 came Rev. Giles H. Hubbard, D. D .; he increased the membership from four hundred and seventy-five to six hundred and seventy-five.
The indebtedness of the church when he took charge was $20,000 which has been cleared, besides extensive needed improve- ments being made. He served eleven years.
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In the Sunday school the interest has kept pace with that of the church. In 1891 there were three hundred and sixty-four members; now there are over five hundred.
In 1904, Rev. A. W. Bourne came to keep up the good work with the same energy and won the highest appreciation of our religious community. He is still with us.
SECOND BAPTIST.
The Second Baptist Church is the outcome of a small mission Sunday school, established in Francis street in May, 1867. The organization of the school was the result of the devotion and zeal of two Christian laborers, E. L. Ford and Stephen C. Hoyt. These gentlemen being members of the Young Men's Christian Association the school was early adopted by that body and under its supervision passed the first of its history.
In June, 1868, the mission was by mutual consent given into the hands of the First Baptist Church, it being thought that it would prosper better under some distinct denominational control; a small body it was, but the experience of the past year had proved that a school was needed and could be sustained in this part of the city. To be specific, there were present the first Sunday after this change of management, twenty-five scholars and five teachers. E. L. Ford assumed the position of superintendent. Later the school removed to the house of Thomas Hale on Augustus street, a member of the First Baptist Church, who kindly offered his rooms for the use of the school free of rent. From this small beginning the school constantly advanced in numbers and efficiency until the fall of 1869, when funds were raised and a handsome chapel put up on the corner of Owasco and Lasette streets. In these quarters the school prospered yet more remarkably, reaching an attendance as high as one hundred and seventy-five.
In the fall of 1875 after nearly eight years of service, Brother Ford was succeeded by Brother A. W. Chappel as superintendent. At this time an additional room was built on the rear of the main
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building. In April, 1878, Charles A. Cobb was elected as superin- tendent. In the summer a library was added. In the fall, Rev. Judson Davis was engaged as stated supply and regular preaching services were held at the "Mission Church." The success of these meetings encouraged many to believe that a Second Baptist Church could be organized and sustained here; the result was that April 29, 1879, such an organization was effected. Prominent among these who labored there was Rev. Edgar Smith.
On April 20, 1882, plans were adopted for a new brick church on the corner of East Genesee and Owasco streets, so on September 25th ground was broken, and work commenced; July 17, 1883 the cornerstone was laid, accompanied by appropriate services. The dedication of the church took place on April 13, 1884. The whole cost of the church was $34,689.40. Rev. Wilkins continued as pastor until October 22, 1885, when he resigned and removed to Iowa. The next pastor was Rev. O. E. Coxe. He remained until February, 1888. Rev. Frank D. Penny of the Hamilton Theo- logical Seminary succeeded and remained five years. Rev. Penny was succeeded by Rev. F. Webb in September, 1893, serving three years; Rev. Arthur C. Watkins came next and remained one year. In October, 1897, Rev. Amos Naylor came to the pastorate.
IMMANUEL BAPTIST.
The Immanuel Baptist Church is an offshoot of the Second Baptist Church, Auburn, N. Y., believing as they did that the time had come when a third Baptist Church should be founded. Consequently, on April 12, 1888, nine members of the Second Baptist Church stated that with "malice to none and charity for all" they desired letters to form a new church, which should occupy the unworked field in the southeast part of the city.
On April 19, 1888, forty-four letters were granted to join the nine of the new organization. At first meetings were held in private houses. On April 15th the company of believers formally organized under the Centennial law. College Hall was secured as a place of
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meeting and on Sunday, April 29th, prayer meeting was held and a Sunday school organized. On the following Sunday another prayer meeting when three deacons, a clerk, and a treasurer were elected. It was then a name was decided upon and proved to be the Immanuel Baptist Church.
On Wednesday, May 6th, the first preaching services were held, conducted by Rev. F. W. Lockwood of Rochester Theological Seminary. Sunday, May roth, six trustees were elected and imme- diately thereafter a certificate of organization was filed in the county clerk's office. The remaining three Sundays of May and the first Sunday in June, Auburn Theological students conducted the services in the hall.
On May 24, 1888, a unanimous call was extended to F. W. Lockwood of Rochester Theological Seminary to spend in labor with them the remaining three Sundays of his vacation which was accepted and he began his labors June 10, 1888. The seminary chapel, through the kindness of the trustees of the seminary, was tendered them when they held regular preaching, Sunday school and prayer meeting services. Meantime a site for a church was looked for in the field they intended to work, and the old Mission Chapel on Owasco street was looked eagerly at but they were un- able to secure it. Finally, they purchased a lot on Owasco near Bradford street and in 1888 erected a neat little church wherein they worshipped God.
This organization was formerly recognized as a regular and independent Baptist church on August 7, 1888, by a council from the Baptist churches in Cayuga Association. On that evening appropriate services were held at the First Baptist Church, Rev. A. H. Strong, D. D. of Rochester Theological Seminary preaching the recognition sermon. The dedication of the church was deferred by the unanimous choice of the congregation until the debt was paid; therefore, the dedication did not take place until Wednesday, June 26, 1901. The chief address in the afternoon was made by
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Rev. Amos Naylor of the Second Baptist Church. Among the pastors of the church have been Rev. Lockwood, five months; Rev. H. C. Buckholdz; W. L. Swan, four years; J. C. Brookins, five years : H. S. Burd, two years.
ST. LUCAS' GERMAN EVANGELICAL.
In 1873 to 1877, when the German Protestants of all parts of Germany began to increase in the city of Auburn, the true Christians felt the necessity of forming themselves together for prayer and praise. For years they held private meetings in different houses. They sang their German carols and hymns. Prominent members read some portions of the Bible with prayers and sermons. From time to time they called a minister from Syracuse or Rochester to render a sermon, baptize their children, and celebrate the Lord's Supper with them.
In 1879, after they were organized as St. Lucas', German Evangelical Church and became a member of the German Evangeli- cal Synod of North America, by the influence of some pastors of the said denomination they called Rev. George Feld from Buffalo, as their pastor. He accepted and became the first preacher of St. Lucas' Church. During the time they were laboring zealously for a new edifice they held their meetings in the old seminary. Finally, their noble efforts with the help of other churches enabled them to purchase a lot on Seminary avenue where they erected a house of worship in 1881. Rev. Feld remained until 1895, when he was forced to relinquish his charge on account of failing health. A word in regard to the faithful and good work his wife accomplished would not come amiss in recording the short history of this church. She did much to keep the German language alive among the children and young people.
In July, 1895, the Rev. Adelbert E. Helm of East Eden, Erie County, N. Y., responded to an urgent call from the congregation and became the pastor of St. Lucas'. He began his duties August 24, 1895.
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The German Protestant people gained new interest in their church work. The edifice was put in repair, a new pipe organ purchased and most of the debts paid. In March, 1901, Rev. Helm tendered his resignation but the congregation declined to accept and entreated him to remain. During the three years' pastorate of the present pastor, Theodore Braum, the society has become possessed of one of the finest parsonages in the city.
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
In 1829 Deacon Peck and Edward Allen residing in Clarksville, now West Auburn, entered as charter members into the formation of the Disciples of Christ of Throopsville.
These men soon began to hold meetings in their homes, then in a cider mill in Clarksville and in the stone school-house on Division street. They continued with the Troopsville church until a suffi- cient number of neighbors had joined them for an organization in their own community. Accordingly they effected a temporary organization about 1845. In 1849, the organization was completed and the church incorporated as the first congregation of Disciples of Christ of Auburn and Clarksville; at the same time steps were taken to build a new church, and a wooden building was erected in 1851 on the present site of the church. James A. Garfield preached here while on his way to Williams College. When Mr. Garfield was in the city in 1879, in a political campaign, he worshipped in the Division street church.
For a number of years the church had no pastor except the resident elders; these looked after the interests of the congregation and did the preaching. Two of them W. J. Lathrop and F. M. Hyatt soon developed into regular preachers and left their business for the sacred calling. Traveling evangelists made frequent visits, preaching in the houses of members of the society.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST.
The organization of the Universalist Society of Auburn, took place on April 12, 1821, in the school-house on the academy green.
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Following this event they held public worship in the Court House, academy and various other public places until they succeeded the Baptists in their abandoned church which stood on the site of Richardson's furniture store, junction of South and Exchange streets, in 1834. They had previously reorganized April 24, 1833. They remained in this church until 1847, when they moved into their newly constructed edifice on the corner of South and Lincoln streets.
The first pastor employed under the organization of 1833, was George W. Montgomery, D. D., who commenced his labors in September, 1833, and closed them in 1843. He was succeeded in October, 1843, by N. L. Hayward, who served them one year, when in September, 1844, failing health compelled him to leave and finally leave the ministry and seek a home in the far West.
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