USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume I > Part 39
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There is a mission at Deerfield in connection with this church known as St. Paul's. It was established by Rev. Mr. Gardner, and has services once each month. The members are considered a part of Trinity church.
GRACE CHURCH, UTICA, (Episcopal) was originally a portion of Trinity parish. At the time an effort was made to organize Trinity church Rev. John C. Rudd, D. D., was principal of a school in Utica. He was also the originator of the Gospel Messenger. He took charge of the new church until a regular rector was secured, and their first service was in April, 1838. The church was duly organized May 21, 1838, under the name of Grace Church of Utica. The first rector was Rev. Albert Clark Patterson, chosen in the spring of 1839. A church was erected on the corner of Broadway and Columbia streets in 1839, and the first service in the new building was held in August of that year. The Rev. John J. Brandegee came to the parish in 1854, and during his rectorship a new church edifice was built upon the corner of Genesee and Elizabeth streets, and was opened for service in 1860. This is the largest and finest church of the
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denomination within the county. Rectors of the church have been, after the first, Rev. George Leeds, Rev. John J. Brandegee, Rev. Edwin M. VanDeusen, Rev. Charles T. Olmsted, (now bishop), Rev. W. W. Bellinger, D. D., and Rev. Octavius Applegate. Mr. Brandegee was a man of unusual ability and great culture, and to him was due very much of the credit of the magnificent church, over which he presided so ably. It is said of him that in the spring of 1864, "when the rector, on Easter Day, even then sick unto death, presented on the altar the last offerings which freed the church from debt, and within two weeks his own funeral obsequies were celebrated in the same sanctuary before the same altar, it may truly be said that his real offering was himself, and that the church is his enduring memorial." It is not extravagant to say that Dr. Van- Deusen was one of the foremost preachers in the county; that during his pas- torate the church was very successful, and has ever since, under the able rectors who have occupied the pulpit, heen in the front rank in its good works.
Rt. Rev. Charles Tyler Olmsted, D. D., D. C. L., LL. D., bishop of the diocese of central New York, was born April 28, 1842, at Cohoes, Albany county, N. Y. His father, Charles A. Olmsted, was a civil engineer, and descended from Col. David Olmsted and Col. Comfort Tyler, pioneers of Onondaga county, N. Y. His mother was Ardelia Wilkinson, of Rhode Island, a descendant of Roger Williams. He graduated at Trinity College, Hartford, Ct., in 1865, and was for three years a teacher at St. Stephen's College, Annandale, N. Y. Was or- dained Deacon at Annandale in 1867, and in November, 1868, was called to Trin- ity Chapel, New York, as one of the assistant ministers of Trinity parish in that city. In December, 1868, he was ordained priest there, and continued in that work until the spring of 1884, when he was called to the rectorship of Grace church, Utica. His service at Grace church continued until April, 1899, when he returned to Trinity parish, New York, as vicar of St. Agnes's chapel on West 92d street. June 11, 1902, he was elected coadjutor bishop of central New York to assist Bishop Huntington, and was consecrated to that office on October 2 of the same year. Bishop Huntington died July 11, 1904, and the coadjutor bishop at once succeeded him as bishop of the diocese. Hobart College gave him the degree "D. D." in 1893; Syracuse University "D. C. L." in 1903, and Hamilton "LL. D." in 1909.
He was married to Miss Catharine Lawrence, of New York, April 25, 1876, in Trinity Chapel, New York City, and they reside at the present time in the bishop's house in Utica.
It was most certainly a great compliment to be called to the diocese of central New York, as it is one of the most intelligent sections of the entire country, and the distinguished services which Bishop Olmsted has rendered to the diocese are appreciated, not only by those of his own denomination, but by the entire religious element in the community.
CALVARY CHURCH, (Utica) originated in 1850, and the first services were conducted by Rev. Beardsley Northrup in a schoolhouse on the corner of Eagle and West streets. The parish was legally incorporated December 15, 1850, and a lot was presented to the corporation by what was known as the Bleecker and Tibbits estates, which was obtained through the instrumentality of Mr. L. M.
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Taylor of Utica. The first church was finished in 1851, and was consecrated by Bishop DeLancy in November of that year. In 1868 it was determined to build a new church, and its foundation was laid June 14, 1869, the cornerstone laid June 22, 1870, by Rt. Rev. Bishop F. D. Huntington, D. D., and the first service was held in the church December 10, 1872. The new church, free from encumbrances, was consecrated by the bishop of the diocese January 18, 1884, the sermon being preached by the Rt. Rev. Henry A. Neely, D. D., bishop of Maine, once rector of the parish. The longest service of any rector of this church was that of Rev. A. B. Goodrich, D. D., who served for thirty-seven years, was very highly respected, and his death, which occurred December 16, 1896, was mourned by the entire community. Rev. E. H. Coley became rector of the church April 18, 1897, and still holds that position.
ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, (Utica), was completed in 1862, and consecrated by Bishop De Lancy, June 7, 1864. The first minister was Rev. W. T. Gibson, D. D. Then followed Rev. S. F. Jarvis, E. W. Hager and W. B. Coleman, Jr. The present rector is Rev. Jesse Higgins. The most prominent of these clergymen was Dr. Gibson. He was born September 8, 1822. He attended the Ovid Acad- emy and graduated from Hobart College, in 1842. For a time he taught school and studied law in the office of Judge Whiting. He was admitted to the bar in 1845. In 1850 he gave up the profession, resolved to enter the ministry, and was ordained December 18, 1853. He became an assistant to Dr. Brandegee at Grace church in Utica. There had been a parish in Utica called St. Paul's, and to Dr. Gibson was assigned the task of reviving it. He did so, and organized from it St. George's church February 19, 1862. The cornerstone of St. George's church was laid in October, 1862, and Dr. Gibson was in charge as rector up to 1883. He was chaplain of the Utica State Hospital in 1865. He conducted services there, also at Oriskany, and frequently in his old church up to within a very short time of his death. He contributed largely to church periodicals, and was known as one of the foremost writers of the denomination. He was a member of the board of trus- tees of the General Theological Seminary at New York from 1870 to 1892. In 1885 he served as chairman of a committee of the church appointed by the di- ocesan convention on prayer revision, and the report of that committee, which was drawn by Dr. Gibson, was laid before the general convention in Chicago in 1886. He was editor of the Gospel Messenger. In 1873 he started a new church publication called the Church Eclectic. Among other of Dr. Gibson's publica- tions were "Notes of Clerical and Editorial Life," and "Adulescentiae Folia, or Reminiscences of a Schoolboy's Development." Dr. Gibson died in Utica November 23, 1896.
ZION CHURCH, Rome, (Episcopal)-"Several of the inhabitants of Rome, anxious to have in their midst the church of the living God, agreeably to the ordinances of the Protestant Episcopal church, met at the court house of the said town on the 15th day of August, 1825." Rev. Algeron S. Hollister was made chairman, and Hiram Denio, Esq., secretary. An act of incorporation was drawn up and a society organized by the name and title "Zion Church, Rome."
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Jay Hatheway and Henry Hayden were chosen wardens, and Numa Leonard, Hiram Denio, Horatio N. Carr, James B. Read, James A. Canfield, Richard But- ler and Peter White, vestrymen. Rev. A. S. Hollister, missionary, took pastoral charge, preached in the court house, and continued his services for the ensuing year. The original communicants numbered three, viz: Mr. Butler, Mr. Can- field and Miss A. L. Hatheway. The lower story of the Masonic Hall, corner of Liberty and Washington streets, was soon engaged for the use of the church for eight years. Three hundred dollars were raised, and the room was fur- nished in a plain manner. At the opening of this chapel, on a Sunday early in 1826, Rev. Marcus A. Perry preached, and the next day Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, bishop of the diocese, which then included the whole state of New York, preached in the chapel, confirmed fourteen persons, and baptized two children. Mr. Perry took charge of the congregation August 1, 1826, and preached one year alternately with Holland Patent. Zion church Sunday school was organized June 3, 1827, with Rev. M. A. Perry in charge. Thirty-five scholars were in attendance, and the teachers were Jay Hatheway, M. Rowley and L. Hatheway for boys, and A. L. Hatheway, R. Judd, A. Gates and M. Healy for girls.
It seems that although Rev. Mr. Perry was at first engaged for only one year, his services were continued here until some time in 1832, when he re- signed, and was succeeded by Rev. George Fiske. In 1833, the Rome Lodge, the lower story of which had been used as a chapel, was purchased, the build- ing enlarged and fitted up for a church, and opened for divine services on Sun- day, July 25, 1833, with a sermon by the Rev. Parker Adams, of New Hartford, The church was consecrated the 15th of the following August by Bishop Ben- jamin T. Onderdonk, successor to Bishop Hobart. The rectors at this time preached under a missionary stipend, and in September, 1834, Rev. William W. Niles was accepted by the society to share the stipend with Mr. Fiske, and al- ternate with him in holding services at Rome and Oriskany. Mr. Fiske resigned in the following December, and Mr. Niles assumed sole charge. The rectors since have been the Rev. Nathan B. Burgess, from November, 1836, to Novem- ber, 1839; Rev. Hobart Williams, deacon; Rev. Henry Lockwood, from Novem- ber, 1840, to May 10, 1842; Rev. Stephen Battin, June, 1842, and ordained priest Dec. 19, 1843; Rev. Seth Davis, April 1, 1845, resigned Oct. 4, 1845, to establish a school at Buffalo; succeeded by Rev. Almon Gregory, who remained until November, 1849; Rev. Henry B. Whipple, Dec. 2, 1849, to 1857; he was a portion of the time in Florida on account of ill health, and during his absence his place was supplied by Rev. Gordon M. Bradley. Mr. Whipple resigned March 10, 1857, to accept a call from Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. N. Barrows, who resigned March 5, 1864. The next pastor was Rev. Hugh L. M. Clarke, who assumed charge May 1, 1864, and continued until his death. He was succeeded by Rev. John H. Egar, D. D., on February 1, 1881, who continued until the pastorate was assumed by Rev. Douglas Matthews in 1903. Mr. Mat- thews resigned the pastorate in October, 1911, and his successor has not yet been named.
During the rectorship of Mr. Whipple the lot on the corner of Liberty and Washington streets was purchased, and the cornerstone of the present stone Vol, I-21
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church laid September 5, 1850. The new edifice was opened for service on Sunday, August 16, 1851, and consecrated by Bishop De Lancey September 25, of the same year. During the summer of 1867 the church was enlarged to its present dimensions, at a cost of nearly $10,000. In 1885 a beautiful memorial hall was erected of stone at a cost including site of $11,000, in memory of Rev. Mr. Clarke. In 1892 a beautiful memorial pulpit was built, in memory of the late John Stryker and his wife, Elizabeth. A new organ was placed in the church in 1893. In 1911 plans are under way for the enlargement of Clarke Memorial Hall and the erection of a cloister, to cost about $10,000.
HENRY BENJAMIN WHIPPLE, D. D., LL. D., bishop, born at Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., February 15, 1822, prepared for college, but owing to ill health, went into business; in 1847 became a candidate for holy orders, and pursued theological studies privately; was ordained deacon 1849, in Trinity church, Geneva, N. Y., by Bishop De Lancey; took charge of Zion church, Rome, N. Y., December 1, 1849; was ordained priest July 16, 1850, in Sackett's Harbor by Bishop De Lancey; became rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, Chi- cago, Easter, 1857; was chosen Bishop of Minnesota June 30, 1859; and was con- secrated in St. James's church, Richmond, Va., October 13, 1859. In 1860 Bishop Whipple, with others, organized the Bishop Seabury Mission, out of which has grown the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, the Seabury Divinity School, Shattuck School, and St. Mary's Hall, which have made Fairbault one of the educational centers of the northwest. The Bishop was known as the "Apostle" of the North American Indians, among whom he planted successful missions. In 1888, as the senior bishop present of the American church at the third Lam- beth Conference, he received from the University of Cambridge the degree of LL. D. He published a number of occasional sermons and addresses, and sev- eral of his discourses have appeared in volume form. He died in Fairbault, Minn., September 16, 1901.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH at Rome was organized by a group of schismatics from St. Mary's German Roman Catholic parish located on South James street, in the early '40's. Disaffection over the location of a new and much needed church building caused about one-third of the members of St. Mary's church to with- draw and form an independent parish. This organization was effected on April 24, 1871, and the present church property was purchased forthwith, and build- ing preparations begun. July 27, 1871, the cornerstone was laid by Rev. Ber- nard Werner, an aged Roman Catholic priest, who had left Germany to join a sister living near Cohoes, because of the promulgation of the dogma of in- fallibility the year before.
Without a priest or pastor this peculiar congregation demonstrated its co- hesiveness by clinging together for five years, with only spasmodic administrations from deposed priests of the Roman Catholic church. Two classes of children were admitted to their first communion by such unfrocked ecclesiastics. One of them who thus served was a deposed Franciscan Father by the name of Fleming.
By reason of being unable to obtain recognition from the Roman Catholic bishop the congregation turned its attention to the Episcopal church. Early
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in 1876 they began negotiations with the Rev. H. L. M. Clarke, rector of Zion Episcopal church in Rome, with a view of allying itself with the Anglican church, and the late Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, bishop of the diocese, there- upon sent the Rev. Dr. Sigmund, at that time Latin professor at Hobart Col- lege, to prepare the congregation for admission. December 27, 1876, (the Feast of St. John the Divine) the people were formally received into the Episcopal church by the bishop, assisted by a large number of clergy. For fourteen years Bishop Huntington gave this peculiar flock his fostering care, and besides Dr. Sigmund supplied the following pastors : Rev. Martin Albert, 1876-7; Rev. Julius Unger, 1878-83; Rev. G. E. Purucker, 1884-88; Rev. William T. Tierkeral, 1888-90. During this time scarcely anything was accomplished except to ad- minister to the people of the congregation, training the young and preparing them for confirmation and first communion. In 1890 it was impossible for Bishop Huntington to get a clergyman of the Episcopal church who could speak German, and he, therefore, appointed the Rev. J. M. Hayman to take the charge, who was at the time a student for holy orders. It was a critical period for the work, but Mr. Hayman contributed largely to the successful transition period of changing it to an English-speaking church and congregation. He remained until 1893. D. A. Parce, a student and lay reader was in charge during the early part of 1894. June 1, 1894, the bishop appointed Rev. A. L. Byron-Cur- tiss to take charge, who found about thirty-five of the original Germans in the church and the same number of young people, making about seventy people in the congregation. Being a fluent German speaker, Mr. Byron-Curtiss was able to administer to the remaining members who could not speak English, and during the early part of his ministry conducted many funerals in German. There was a large indebtedness upon the church at the time Mr. Byron-Curtiss assumed charge, which he succeeded in raising, and the church building was consecrated November 2, 1898. This event was extremely gratifying to the ven- erable Bishop Huntington, who pontificated, for, as he had told Mr. Byron- Curtiss, when being told that the indebtedness was paid and the church ready for consecration, "I never expected to live to see that auspicious day." When the congregation was received by the Bishop in 1876 it loyally surrendered its corporation, and not until December, 1903, was a new ecclesiastical corporation formed and wardens and vestrymen elected, the work, meanwhile, being a mis- sion of the diocese. On the above date, under the successful work of the Rev. A. L. Byron-Curtiss the congregation had so progressed and increased that a new corporation was effected and the parish admitted to union with the con- vention at the diocesean convention in June, 1904.
From the journal of the 43d annual convention of the diocese of central New York, it appears that the Protestant Episcopal churches in Oneida county and the number of communicants are as follows: Augusta, St. Andrew's, 14; Boon- ville, Trinity, 72; Bridgewater, Christ church, 9; Camden, Trinity, 80; Chad- wicks, St. George's, 84; Clark's Mills, St. Marks, 126; Clayville, St. John's, 6; Clinton, St. James, 159; Deerfield, St. Paul's, 25; Durhamville, St. Andrew's, 71; Forestport, Christ church, 57; Holland Patent, St. Paul's, 57; New Hart- ford, St. Stephen's 168; New York Mills, St. James, 33; Oriskany, St. Peter's, 65; Oriskany Falls, Good Shepherd, 69; Paris Hill, St. Paul's, 48; Rome, Zion,
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473; Rome, St. Joseph's, 260; Trenton, St. Andrew's, 20; Utica, Calvary, 619; Utica, Grace, 611; Utica Holy Cross, 313; Utica, St. Andrew's, 242; Utica, St. George's, 178; Utica, St. Luke's, 205; Utica, Trinity, 300; Waterville, Grace, 253; Westmoreland, Gethsemane, 29; Whitesboro, St. John's, 195. Total, 4,841.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-Mr. Wager, in "Our County and its People" says "The first Methodist class formed in Rome was in 1799 on the Turin road three miles north of the village. The first preacher here was Rev. Jonathan Newman, who came about 1791. In 1803 the class moved over to the Ridge and joined with the Methodists there in worship." This would indicate that the Methodists were holding services at Ridge Mills prior to this time. Whether or not a church organization existed at the Ridge (Ridge Mills) at this time is impossible to determine. In the History of Oneida County, published in 1878 by Everts and Fariss, Philadelphia, it is said, "The first Methodist preach- ers who labored in the Mohawk valley were: Revs. Jonathan Newman and Philip Wager, the former having preached in the town as early at 1791; he was recollected by Judge Hathaway as being an energetic and able minister." (P. 398). There were circuit preachers who traveled in this region from 1790 forward. In Rome village a class existed as early as 1820, and in 1824 a church building was begun near the court house, which building was completed in 1829. Mr. Wager says the present commodious brick edifice, situated on the corner of West Embargo and North George streets, was completed in Sep- tember, 1869, at a cost of $45,000. It is probable that this was the first perma- nent location for the Methodist Episcopal society in the county of Oneida. Statistics are not at hand to give a more detailed account of this first church. The pastors who have served this church are as follows: 1803, Matthew Van- duzen; 1804, Eber Cowles and John Deakens; 1805, Edward Larkins and John P. Weaver; 1806, Husselkus and John P. Weaver; 1807, Ebenezer White and Charles Giles ; 1808, same as 1807; 1809, James Kelsey, John Crawford; Craw- ford did not serve, Benjamin G. Paddock taking his place; 1810, Luther Bishop, W. B. Lacy, John P. Weaver; 1811, W. B. Lacy, Asa Cummins, Jonathan Huestis; 1812, Asa Cummins, Abner Chase; 1813, Abner Chase, Thomas Thorp; 1814, James Kelsey, Truman Gillet, Peter Baker; 1815, 1816, Chandley Lambert; 1817, Seth Mattison, Ira Fairbank; 1818, Seth Mattison, Joseph Willis; 1819, Dan Barnes, Joseph Willis; 1820, Dan Barnes, Henry Peck; 1821, Ralph Lan- ning. At the end of this year there were 99 members. 1822, Zenas Jones, Joseph Baker; 1823, Zenas Jones, Isaac Stone; 1824, Zachariah Paddock, Charles Northrup; 1825, George Harmon, Joseph Baker; 1826, George Harmon, Elias Bowen, Eli W. R. Allen; 1827, Jonathan Worthing, Ira Fairbank; 1828, Zenas Jones, Jonathan Worthing; 1829, Andrew Peck. At this point Rome is made a circuit by itself. 1830, Charles Giles; 1831, 1832, Isaac Stone; 1833, Calvin Danforth; 1834, Albert D. Peck; 1835, Nathaniel Salsbury; 1836 Vincent M. Coryell; 1837, 1838, Eli W. R. Allen; 1839, Aaron Adams; 1840, Isaac L. Hunt; 1841, Wm. Ward Ninde; 1842, Wm. Ward Ninde; 1843, John Alley ; 1844-45, Hiram Mattison; 1846, George Sawyer; 1847, Freeman H. Stanton; 1848, Free- man H. Stanton; 1849-50, James Irwin; 1851-52, Lorenzo D. Stebbins; 1853, Burroughs Holmes; 1854-55, James P. Jennings; 1856-57, Isaac S. Bingham;
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1858, Benjamin S. Wright; 1859-60, William X. Ninde; 1861-62, John B. Foot; 1863, Wesley Mason; 1864-66, Spencer R. Fuller; 1867-69, Melvin D. Kinney ; 1870-72, William Searls; 1873-74, William F. Hemmenway ; 1875-77, Fred Wid- mer; 1878-80, William H. Reese; 1881, George M. Mead; 1882-84, Charles W. Parsons; 1885-87, Thomas B. Shepherd; 1888-91, Melville R. Webster, D. D .; 1891-92, Samuel H. Adams, D. D .; 1892-97, David F. Pierce, D. D .; 1897-1904, Samuel J. Greenfield; 1904-12, Edward B. Topping. In March, 1906, a beau- tiful and commodious parsonage on George street was completed at an ex- pense of $6,000. In March, 1911, a beautiful new chapel was dedicated. This large addition, with every facility for modern Sunday school work, etc., cost $32,000.
A number of Methodist churches were organized within the county, but we cannot determine the date of their organization, though historians say they were organized "very early." Notwithstanding the fact that this denomination en- tered the field much later than others, it has made great progress, and at the present time its communicants are more numerous than those of any other denomination.
Special interest attaches to the organization of the First Methodist Epis- copal church in Utica. The Methodists worshiped in 1809 in a schoolhouse on Genesee street, also in a little house near the dividing line between the town of New Hartford and the city of Utica on Genesee street, but a church build- ing was erected on Main street, and dedicated August 16, 1816, which was occupied for many years. A humorous description by Dr. Bagg concerning services in this building is here given, as an illustration of how common it is that the most sacred relations may be disturbed by mirth on a slight pretext:
"The solemn scenes which this old chapel must from time to time have wit- nessed, the fervid discourses, the earnest prayers uttered there, time has swept from the remembrance of the living; while their record is preserved on high, the substance of this record is gone from human inspection. As of men when they die, the good is apt to perish with them and the evil to live afterward, so with societies and commingled endeavors, as they pass down the current of time, the graver and weightier elements subside and are lost from view, while the scum alone is left floating on the surface. Thus are we constituted, we forget the momentous while the trivial is retained. Nay, it sometimes happens that on occasions of special seriousness, and when we are awakened to matters of the highest interest, the trifling or the ludicrous will force itself upon us and take full possession of our thoughts. So it was with one of the early preach- ers of this church, a man of sensitive and risible make, and attuned as well to fun as to soberness, in accordance as the responsive note was struck. He was lodging with one of the officers of the society, and his term of service at an end, he was about to preach his farewell sermon. While silently reading it over on Sunday morning in the presence of his friend, he suddenly broke into a laugh. The latter, surprised that such an exercise could be a source of merri- ment, asked him why he laughed. 'You know,' said he, 'that Mr. A. sits di- rectly in front of the pulpit; he comes to church tired, and soon after the ser- mon begins, he closes his eyes and seems to be asleep, except that now and then he breaks out most unexpectedly with a very loud "Amen." Now as I was
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