History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 45

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The present church was completed in 1873. The first movement towards its erection was made March 13, 1867, when the measure was proposed by Manning C. Wells. A fund was gradually acquired from weekly offerings, but no imme- diate action was contemplated, since in the fall an addition to the old church was made. At a vestry meeting, November 6, 1871, a resolution by Chas. B. Meek was, without dissent, adopted : "That a subscription to build a new church and enlarge the present, or purchase a new site, at an expense of at least $30,000, be started and circulated at once." The new church building fund amounted at this time to $3731.63, and, including the subscription, realized $26,462.63.

The work of building was begun in the following spring. The old wooden church, thoroughly built, was demolished with no small labor. Pending the erec- tion of the church, services were held in the United States court-room. The com- pleted church involved the society in a debt which they found necessary to fund. Principal and interest have been promptly met, and at an early date the debt will be extinguished. The late Chas. B. Meek was a prime mover in the work of building. His name heads the subscription list. Daily he watched, with a de- clining strength, the growth of the building. It was not for him to see it com- pleted, but his lifeless body was borne into the still unfinished church, and the first words of divine service heard within its walls were these : "I am the resur- rection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth' in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

The wardens of the church have succeeded as follows: Moses Atwater and P. B. Underhill, 1814 to 1815; Ellis Doty and N. Jacobs (2d), 1816; John C. Spencer served from 1817 to 1839, when he was succeeded by Chauncey Moore, who, in 1843, was followed by Orson Benjamin, who discharged the duties of the ofice until 1862; then E. Hale, until 1871, when Charles E. Shepard, a present warden, was chosen. Zachariah Seymour served from 1817 to 1823; N. Jacob, 1823; Asa Stanley, 1824 to 1827 ; H. F. Penfield, 1827 to 1836; H. K. Sanger, 1836; Alexr. Duncan, 1837; E. W. Cheney, 1838 to 1842; Charles Seymour, 1842 to 1858; Charles B. Meek, 1858 to 1873; and Jonathan K. Wells, 1873, and yet serving. The number of infant baptisms in the church have been 731; of adults, 199; total, 930. There have been 573 confirmations, 320 marriages, and 515 burials.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of Canandaigua was organized in 1799, by Rev. Zadock Hunn and Rev: John Rolph, and in the presence of three licen- tiates, Jedediah Bushnell, Amasa Jerome, and Timothy Field. The incorporation of the society took place according to the statute law of the State on February 25 of

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the year named. Six trustees were chosen, viz .: Othniel Taylor, Seth Holcomb, Thaddeus Chapin, Abner Barlow, Dudley Saltonstall, and Phineas Bates. "The style, name, and title by which the trustecs and their successors shall forever here- after be known in law is, ' The First Congregational Church, in the town of Canan- daigua.'" The following were the eighteen original members: Enos Hawley, Abraham Root, Phineas Bates, William Shepard, Thaddeus Chapin, Israel Chapin, Wm. A. Williams, Harvey Steel, Joshua Giddings, Esther Bates, Dorothy Taylor, Abigail Warren, Abagail Chapin, Betsey Williams, Susannah Hubbard, - Mather, Naomi Bates, and Phoebe Steele. A grant was made on July 30, 1799, by Oliver Phelps, Esq., to this corporation of the burial-ground previously used in Canandaigua. In December it was determined at a meeting of " the male part of the congregation assembled at the school-house" (which stood near the corner of Main and Cross streets), that Rev. Timothy Field, who had preached to the congre- gation since June, should be requested to assume the pastoral office, and a majority of four-fifths of the subscribers to ministerial support pledged a salary of five hun- dred dollars a year. Considered in regard to the times, and the means of the community, the salary was a liberal one. The invitation was accepted, and this, the first pastor of the church, was ordained by council in February, 1800. He was dismissed at his own request by the Ontario Association, June 12, 1805, and died February 22, 1844. It was some time before a regular pastor succeeded Mr. Field, the church being furnished with stated supplies. An effort was made in 1807 to insure to a pastor a regular and liberal support, and to that end a sub- scription was made of sums to be paid each year, so long as subscribers continued to reside in town. The number of subscribers was ninety-six, and the amount of five hundred and thirty-five dollars and five cents was raised. The Rev. Henry Channing, called in January, 1808, entered upon the duties of the office in the following June, and resigned May, 1811. He was a gentleman of extensive learning and respectable talents, and died in New York in 1840.

In 1810 the church declared itself independent, as a Congregational church, and has so continued to the present time. For a number of years public worship was held in the old court-house, but on October 5, 1810, a meeting was called at the said court-house for the purpose of considering and agreeing on measures looking to the building of a meeting-house. The Rev. Wm. F. Torry was ordained February 9, 1813, and resigned his charge here January 5, 1817. He died in Madison, Ohio, November 29, 1861, in his seventy-sixth year.

The house of worship was built of brick during 1812, and on October 30 of that year, William Shepard, clerk of the society, sold at public auction the pews therein. This meeting-house was dedicated March 10, 1813. The Rev. Evan Johns was installed pastor October 22, 1817, and, at his own request, dismissed by council, June 9, 1823. He died in this village May 6, 1849, aged eighty six years. The Rev. Ansel D. Eddy, D.D., was installed pastor of the church by council, January 1, 1824. The introductory prayer was by Rev. Mr. Merill, installing prayer by Rev. Mr. Taylor, sermon by Rev. Mr. Lansing, charge to pastor by Rev. Mr. Fitch, right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Taylor, charge to church and people by Rev. Mr. Aztell, concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Steele. In the evening, an address was delivered by John C. Spencer, Esq., and a sermon by Rev. Mr. Eddy. Mr. Eddy was dismissed, at his own request, on July 3, 1835. The society, numbering two hundred and sixty members in 1829, had increased under Mr. Eddy to three hundred and ten. The successor of Mr. Eddy was the Rev. M. L. R. P. Thompson, D.D., who was installed in the spring of 1836, and having resigned his charge in May, 1844, was dismissed by the same council which installed his successor. The Rev. Oliver E. Daggett, D.D., was duly installed on January 30, 1845. During the year 1848 the church was enlarged to its present size. He remained for a period of over twenty-two years, and was finally dismissed, at his own request, on October 16, 1867. The Rev. Frederick B. Allen was ordained and installed by council, April 2, 1868, and, at his request, dismissal was granted on April 2, 1873. The Rev. Frank T. Bayley, the present pastor, was ordained and installed September 3, 1873.

Deacons .- The first deacon of the church, and the only one from its organiza- tion till his death, August 11, 1807, was Enos Hawley, who died in his eightieth year. Israel Chapin was elected June 24, 1810, and died August 31, 1833. William Shepard and Harvey Steele were elected January 11, 1809. They were ordained with the laying on of hands. The former died July 13, 1823, and the latter removed from the village. Walter Hubbell was elected January 18, 1824; died March 25, 1848. Henry W. Taylor was elected November 28, 1828; re- moved, and on his return re-elected, January 10, 1849. Robert Antis and Samuel H. Andrews were elected April 29, 1837; Francis J. Castle, February 28, 1845; George Willson (2d), Noah T. Clarke and W. Mynderse Chipman, June 30, 1848. Willson died December 30, 1852, and Chipman, March 14, 1856; Edward G. Tyler, December 30, 1853. Joseph B. Hayes was elected January 2, 1863, and ordained March 1 following, with the laying on of hands, and Levi B. Gaylord was elected December 30, 1870. The list of membership in 1874 includes three

hundred and fifty names. The number of deceased members from January 30, 1845, to April 27, 1874, was one hundred and forty-five. The oldest of these was Abigail Beals, widow of Thomas. She died August 9, 1872, aged eighty- eight years. In 1848 a chapel had been built for a Sabbath-school and weekly evening service. Time had rendered it dilapidated, and on May 8, 1871, the society held a meeting in the old building to consider the matter of better accom- modations. The proposition to enlarge and rebuild the old chapel was rejected, from the limited space in the rear of the church. A proposal to purchase the lot and building adjoining the church on the north was received with favor. Meetings were held June 6 and 13, when the trustees were directed to make purchase of this property and procure plans for a chapel building. A committee to procure subscriptions soon raised ten thousand dollars. The lot was bought, June 15, for six thousand five hundred dollars. Samuel J. F. Thayer, of Boston, drew plans and specifications, which were adopted March 4, 1872. The proposal of Albion Ellis of the village to build was accepted April 1, and a building of stone was to be erected for the sum of eleven thousand two hundred and three dollars. A meeting of April 16 approved the action of trustees, ap- pointed additional subscription committee, and five thousand seven hundred dollars additional was raised. The foundation was laid, and the work went on till completed, January, 1873. The chapel was dedicated February 12, 1873, by appropriate services, conducted by Rev. Frederick B. Allen, pastor, and Rev. Mr. Beard, of Syracuse. The entire cost of the chapel aggregated twenty-four thousand three hundred dollars. The present superintendent of the Sunday- school is Levi B. Gaylord.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Canandaigua was formed from persons previously members of the Congregational church. On April 26, 1870, a public meeting was held at the court-house to consider the question of organizing a church of the Presbyterian faith and polity. Anticipating such movement, the lot on the corner of Main and Gibson streets had been purchased, March 16, as the location of the new church edifice. On May 7 a second meeting was held in the same place as the first, and the means for the support of the gospel for a year were there pledged. On the evening of May 7 the first prayer-meeting of the friends of the enterprise was held at the house of Rev. A. M. Stowe. It was largely attended and of great interest. The next day, Sunday, Rev. S. M. Campbell, D.D., pastor of the Central church of Rochester, preached the first sermon to the congregation assembled in the court-house. On Sunday, May 15, Rev. E. A. Huntington, D.D., professor in the Auburn Theological Seminary, preached in the morning; and public worship concluded, himself presiding, the organization of the First Presbyterian church of Canandaigua was effected. Four ministers took part in the exercises, A. M. Stowe, H. W. Brown, D. C. Sackett, and J. Alabaster, the last named pastor of the Methodist church of Canandaigua. Forty-six persons presented letters of dismissal from the Congre- gational church of this village, and nine from other churches. These, with Alfred M. and Sarah G. Nott, who made profession of faith, were received in the formation of the church,-fifty-seven persons in all. Three persons, each of whom had served as such in other churches, were chosen elders; namely, John S. Worth, Harlow L. Comstock, and William H. Lamport. Two deacons, George Hills and Daniel F. Alverson, were chosen, and ordained according to the consti- tution of this church.

On May 16, Rev. Dr. Huntington was engaged as stated supply till a pastor could be provided. In November, Rev. Samuel H. Thompson, of Pittsburgh, Pa., received a call from this church. He accepted, and was installed February 2, 1871, in the Methodist church, by the presbytery of Geneva. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Huntington, the charge to the pastor was given by Rev. Dr. S. H. Gridley, and that to the people by Rev. Dr. A. A. Wood. On Jan- uary 11 of this year, two elders were elected,-James T. Wisner and Noah T. Clarke. The former was already an elder, the latter was ordained . u the next Sabbath. On May 30 the corner-stone of a church edifice was laid, with proper exercises and ceremonies; and on January 16, 1872, the building was completed, and dedicated to the worship of God. From organization till the completion of the church-a period of nineteen months-religious services were held in the chapel of the Methodist Episcopal church of this village, the building having been kindly and freely tendered to them for that purpose.

On January 30, 1873, Rev. S. H. Thompson, at his request, was dismissed, and on March 14 a unanimous call was extended to Rev. George C. Curtis, D.D., to become their pastor. The call was accepted, and installation took place Octc- ber 16, 1873. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. S. M. Campbell, charges by Rev. B. M. Goldsmith and Rev. Dr. T. F. White. Rev. Curtis is the present efficient and estimable pastor.

August 30, 1873, James S. Hickox, Charles Robinson, Levi N. Beebe, and E. Ransom Page were elected elders; the first two were ordained, and the others installed, on September 28, after morning service. The membership in 1875 was

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two hundred and thirty. A Sunday-school was organized May 15, 1870, just after the services of church formation. William H. Lamport was elected super- intendent, and John S. McClure, secretary and librarian. There were six teachers and twenty-three scholars. Two Bible-classes were also formed. One of these classes was conducted by Judge Comstock, the other by Charles Robinson. On May 15, 1876, there were twenty-four classes, and a membership, oficers and teachers, of three hundred. Eighteen scholars joined the church in the spring of 1876. Within six years there have been fifty-seven teachers and five hundred scholars. The contributions by the school have been fifteen hundred dollars; eight hundred volumes in library, one hundred and fifty copies of papers taken. Noah T. Clarke is the present superintendent.

METHODISM IN CANANDAIGUA .- The first class was formed about five miles southwest of the village in 1796, where later the Cokesbury chapel was built. The class numbered five members: Roswell Root, Ambrose and Lydia Phelps, Sarah Morse, and Hezekiah Root. The minister who organized the class was named Hamilton Jefferson. The first minister to occupy the new church was James Gilmore. Under his administration, and that of most of his successors, there were more or less revivals, but by far the largest was in connection with Zirner J. Buck, when about one hundred and fifty were converted. At a very early day, Bishop Asbury, passing through Canandaigua, preached at the chapel. As early as 1811 a Methodist minister preached in Canandaigua village, in the "Old Star Building," then the court-house.

The first class was formed about 1814 or 1815, in the upper room of a tin- shop, then standing on Buffalo street, and owned by Sylvester Wilson. David Benham and wife were among the first members, and the only married people in the class. In time the loft became too strait for the class, who exchanged for a school-house on Chapel street. During this period occasional services were held in the court-house, and, shortly after the class began to meet in the school-house, siz persons were baptized,-Phoebe Baloom, David and Silas Benham, Eliza Ruff, and Mrs. Benham; the name of the sixth is lost. These were the first Methodists baptized in the village.

The first preacher in charge at Canandaigua was Rev. Benjamin Paddock, in 1817, but the station was not independent, since Hopewell and Cokesbury chapel formed the Ontario circuit, and had probably done so for some years. The wife of Samuel Brockelbank, who came from Connecticut in 1791, did much for the Methodists, and soon joined them. In the winter of 1817 the society began the erection of an edifice on Chapel street, at a cost of seven thousand dollars, Rev. Benjamin G. Paddock being pastor. Nathan Loofborough, Joel Gillet, Aaron Sprener, and Roswell Root were trustees for the circuit. The church was a year and a half in building. It was dedicated July 26, 1818, Rev. Wm. Barlow off- cisting. The following year he became pastor. Succeeding him were Loring Grant, in 1821; George Hasmon, 1822 and 1823; Gideon Lanning, 1824; James Hall, 1825; Seth Mattison, 1826; Gideon Lanning, 1827; Richard Wright, 1828; Ira Fairbanks, 1829 and 1830; John Parker, circuit 1831 and 1832; John Easter, 1833; and Wilbur Hong, 1834 and 1835.

In 1834, arrangements were made for moving the church edifice to its present site. In February, 1823, under George Hasmon, the society in Canandaigua was incorporated, under the title " The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Canan- daigua." To this time its property had been held by the trustees of the Ontario circuit. Among those who were members during the first year of its history were Levi Brockelbank, Joseph Canfield, Wm. Boughton, John Brockelbank, Wm. Goodling, Jas. S. Woodard, Abram Bunnell, Wm. Wyckoff, and not a few godly women. In 1876 one only of the original members survives,-Mrs. Sarah Ben- ham, born in 1794.

During 1831 a remarkable revival, lasting three months, added one hundred and fifty persons to the church. Difficulties in securing an eligible church site were surmounted through the aid and influence of Rev. John Raines, an English local preacher of wealth.

Following Mr. Hong, the list of pastors has been as follows: P. E. Brown, 1836; Gideon D. Perry, 1837; Thos. Carlton, 1838-39; Thos. Castello, 1840; W. H. Goodwin, 1842-43; John Copeland, 1844; Wm. R. Babcock, 1845; Jno. Parker, 1846-47; J. T. Arnold, 1848-49,-during his stay the church edifice was enlarged, bricked, and otherwise improved, and at a sale of seats every one was sold for ten years,-Manly Tooker, 1850-51; E. G. Townsend, who remained one year and then took the Bible agency for Western New York; S. W. Allen, 1853- 54; J. T. Arnold, 1855-56; K. P. Jervis, 1857-58,-he was a popular preacher in and among friends out of the church,-P. Mckinstry, 1859; F. G. Hibbard, 1860,-he was a fine Biblical scholar, and gentleman in bearing, which gave good standing to the church,-J. K. Tuttle, 1861; D. D. Buck, 1862-63; Mr. Hib-

bard returned, and served acceptably from 1864 to 1866, inclusive; John Ala- baster, 1867-69,-during this pastorate a large revival was enjoyed, and the church edifice was repaired,-C. Z. Case, 1870; A. W. Green, 1871-73,-some seventy were added to the church during Mr. Green's term,-and George Van Alstyne, 1874, and now in charge. During Mr. Van Alstyne's pastorate the church has shown a healthy progress. This minister is a close student and an eloquent speaker, and has many friends, not only including his charge, but in the village.

Among class-leaders in the church were David Benham, Joseph Canfield, L. B. Wood, J. Fisk, A. Parsons, J. Raines, Geo. Kimber, J. B. Voak, and L. Wilcox.

In conference relation it formed part of the "Ontario circuit." It was from 1821 to 1823 in the Geneva circuit. In 1860 Cokesbury chapel was sold, and its members joined at Canandaigua. From 1817 to 1836 Canandaigua was in- cluded in Ontario district. It was in Rochester district till 1846, when East Rochester district was organised, and of that it formed part till 1851, when it was put into the Bath district, till 1855. At a readjustment, it was made part of Rochester district, and three years later was made the head of Canandaigua district, which continued till 1863, when it became, and still continues, part of Geneva district. Three sessions of conference have been held here,-the Geneseo, 1834; East Genesee, 1855; and Central New York, in 1875.

The Sunday-school was organized about the time the church was built on Chapel street. Rev. John Parker was its superintendent, and procured for it ita first library. For some time the pastors served as superintendents. Among the laymen who have acted in this capacity are O. M. Smith, Mr. Aldrich, and L. Wilcox.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF CANANDAIGUA was organized at Centrefield on June 21, 1826. At a council held to recognize the organization, Elder Solomon Goodale acted as chairman, and Elder E. W. Martin as clerk. The roll of original members includes fifteen names, as follows: David Tower, Joel Crane, Wm. H. Straight, O. N. Sage, Jesse Carpenter, I. M. Booth, Mary Seley, Mary Straight, Hannah Shaw, Sarah Andrews, Amy Carpenter, Sarah Hand, Huldah Hart, Triphena Miller, and Ellen Crane.

The pastors, until meetings were held in Canandaigua, were Thomas Baker, settled July 8, 1827, and Anson Sha, February 1, 1830. The following-named ministers preached as supply, at intervals, until August 2, 1834: Revs. Bentley, Eli Haskell, Samuel Carpenter, Bennett, Eli Stone, M. Allen, Israel Roberta, S. Goodale, Orsamus Allen, John B. Potter, John Sears, Simmons, and Elmore.

A Sabbath-school, organized in 1827, has been continued until the present.

On January 24, 1833, the church voted to remove to Canandaigua village. The first meeting was held in the town-house on January 24, following. Steps were taken to procure a site for a meeting-house, and resulted in the purchase of the present site, on east side of South Main street. Here a building was erected, and its completion was marked by appropriate opening exercises, held December 3, 1835, by Rev. Elon Galusha, of Rochester, who preached the dedicatory ser- mon. The building then erected is yet in use, and carries one back to forty years ago. Without, all about are the business blocks among which it stands, a souve- nir of the early day ; within, are the sloping side-galleries, and on the east end is a high platform, without desk. The old building has many pleasant associations, and fully answers the wishes of the society. There are many more pretentious and costly structures, but the society prefers the present structure and freedom from the crushing influence of debt. The following is the list of pastors to date : Marvin Allen, settled August 2, 1834; Lewis Ransted, October 8, 1837; J. G. L. Hoskins, January 4, 1840; Wm. R. Webb, December 27, 1840; Peter Colgrove, 1841 ; Samuel Wood, supply, April, 1843; Samuel Adsit, January 7, 1844; David Bernard, September, 1845; Leonard Whitney, supply, November 2, 1845; A. S. Kneeland, May 15, 1847; Wm. H. Douglass, Decem- ber 2, 1849; William Phillips, July 18, 1852; A. G. Bowles, May, 1854; M. P. Forbes, January 15, 1856; A. H. Lung, May, 1857; S. W. Titus, February 1, 1865; J. N. Tolman, October 28, 1866; Robert McArthur, supply, June 7, 1869; Andrew Wilkins, September 25, 1870; J. W. Ford, supply, October 19, 1873, and pastor since March 29, 1874.

Additions were made every year, more or less, to the society, but no notable revival until the spring and summer of 1837, when Elder Marvin, assisted by Elder Jacob Knapp, began a series of meetings, which largely increased the mem- bership. In 1840, Wm. R. Webb, assisted by Elder Montague, aroused an inter- est which greatly strengthened the church. Revivals have taken place also in 1849-50, in the spring of 1860, in 1870, and during the present pastorate, which have brought many into fellowship with the church. The present number of members is two hundred and thirteen, and the church is regarded as well estab- lished and quite prosperous.

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TOWN OF CANANDAIGUA.

ANOTHER and a warlike race had risen to battle and the chase. Their favorite resort had been the shores of Canandaigua lake and the forests on the north. There they lived in security till the raid of the American army, laying waste with fire and sword, aroused the fires of a revenge which they were impotent to aocom- plish. Rotreating along the foot of the lake, squaws and children were secreted upon an island, which since bears the name Squaw Island. It was comprised in an area of about two acres, and heavily timbered. The squaws peered from their leafy recesses upon the passing soldiery, and when the last had gone betook them- selves to the broader shelter of the northern woods. While game was most abun- dant on the land, the waters of the lake teemed with the choicest fish. Here, then, not only when the Senecas were lords of the soil, but many years after, their camp-fires blazed and burned low, while the inmates of lodges prepared their dainty meal and gave themselves up to repose.

We have grown familiar with the many circumstances connected with treaty, purchase, and primary settlement of the county of Ontario. We have noted the arrivals at Geneva and Manchester and the succeeding journeys to the county seat, and now our interest rests on the town of Canandaigua as it was formed on Jan- uary 27, 1789. It lies along the north and west shores of Canandaigua lake, and is the central part of the county. It may be known as consisting of three portions, designated Town 10, Range 3, No. 9, and Academy tract. Southward the surface is hilly, but to the north changes to a more level character. The alti- tude of the highest ridges does not exceed six hundred feet. The soil is a clay loam in the north, and a gravelly loam in the south, and in its fertility ranks high by comparison with other parts of the State. Its lands are watered by Canan- daigua outlet, Beaver creek, and Steven's brook. Within its limits are located the handsome old village of Canandaigua, situated at the foot of the lake, Cheshire in the south part, Centrefield on the west border, Academy near the south line, and Padelford station to the north.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 45

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

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Publication date:
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Number of Pages: 391