USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester Presbytery from the earliest settlement of the country, embracing original records of Ontario Association, and the presbyteries of Ontario, Rochester (former), Tennessee River, and Rochester City > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
Rev. John Wickes came April 27, 1856, and remained six years. His pulpit and pastoral labors were appreciated by the people, and a greater harmony prevailed. The Ladies' Aid Society, which has been so useful, came into existence at this time.
137
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Rev. Charles E. Furman supplied the pulpit a year, and Rev. George W. Whitney four months from September 1, 1863.
Rev. James Orton of Thomaston, Maine, came in 1864, and remained five years. He was an interesting and instructive preacher. He accepted the Professorship of Natural History in Vassar College in March, 1869. April 18, 1867, the church edifice was burned. The people courageously set to work to repair the loss, and the present church was built on ground given by Justus Yale, Esq. The new church cost $15,000, and was dedicated June 23, 1872, four years after the people began to worship in it.
Rev. Henry Wickes began his ministry to this church November, 1869, and remained five years. He was highly esteemed for his personal excellencies and ministerial faith- fulness.
The change to a Presbyterian church was made with unanimity September 21, 1870, and October 16, Elisha Y. Blossom, Harrison A. Lyon and Thomas B. Yale were elected ruling elders.
February 16, 1872, its corporate title was duly changed to " The First Presbyterian Church of Brighton."
Rev. Joseph R. Page, D. D., was installed February 25, 1875, and remained ten years. The most pleasant relations existed between him and his people. He was a faithful and conscientious preacher and an able Presbyter and counsellor.
Rev. James S. Root was installed May 12, 1885. The church prospered under his care. The congregation in- creased ; members were added ; the financial condition was improved. He resigned to accept a call to Emmanuel Church, Rochester, and was released by Presbytery June 13, 1887.
Rev. John McColl, called from the church of Brandywine Manor, Pa., began his ministry January 1, 1888, and was installed June 8, 1888,
138
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
The present number of members is 130. The Sunday School, organized by the first pastor, Mr. Allen, two years before any similar school existed in the city of Rochester, is in a flourishing condition under the superintendency of Mr. Theodore A. Drake. The missionary societies are prosper- ous, and temperance work is actively carried on. For an account of the godly men who served the church as deacons, and others to whom the church owes so much, readers are referred to Dr. Joseph R. Page's history of the church, from which this sketch is drawn.
BROCKPORT.
What is now the Presbyterian Church of Brockport was organized March 19, 1828, as a Congregational church, with six members; and it remained Congregational in its form of government for the first six years of its existence. But, in 1834, it was resolved to make a change, and adopt the Presbyterian form of government, and six ruling elders were chosen, namely, Moses Nash, Simeon Benedict, Jacob Sutphin, Silas Judson, Ralph W. Goold and Calvin McLueston. Some seven years later, the regularity of the proceedings in thus changing the church to Presbyterian was seriously questioned, and, as the best method to rectify the mistake and place the church on a safe basis, it was resolved, in 1841, to dissolve the old church and organize anew. Accordingly, this was done in due form, and new sets of officers elected. The ruling elders chosen at this time were Jacob Sutphin, Hollister Lathrop, Ralph W. Goold, John Efner, Ensign Bushnell, Simeon Benedict and Joseph Ganson. The deacons elected were Daniel Belden and Charles Wicks. From this date the church of Brock- port has remained a thoroughly sound and firm Presbyterian organization.
139
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
But to return to the origin of this church: Not long after its organization in the Congregational form, steps were taken to secure a house of worship. A suitable lot for such an edifice was donated to the congregation by Mr. James Seymor, and thereupon, with commendable expedition, was built a substantial and convenient church at an expense of some $5,000. After rendering good service for about a quarter of a century, this was taken down in order to be replaced by a better. The new church was erected in 1852 at a cost of $6,526, and this, substantially, is the house now occupied by the congregation.
The ministers who have occupied the pulpit of this church and their time of service, as nearly as can be ascertained, were the following :
Rev. Eli S. Hunter, D. D., pastor from 1834 to June, 1837.
Rev. B. B. Stockton, pastor from August, 1838, to June, 1843.
Rev. Ebenezer Mead, S. S., from November, 1813, to August, 1844.
Rev. Hugh Mair, D. D., S. S., from December, 1844, to September, 1845.
Rev. Augustus W. Cowles, pastor from February, 1847, to July, 1856.
Rev. Joseph Kimball, S. S., from October, 1856, to Feb- ruary, 1863.
Rev. John Morron, S. S., from August, 1863, to February, 1865.
Rev. Horatio W. Brown, S. S., from December, 1865 to May, 1870.
Rev. George W. Rawson, S. S., from July, 1870, to July, 1871.
Rev. D. Henry Palmer, S. S., from May, 1872, to August, 1875.
Rev. David R. Eddy, S. S., from January, 1876, to present,
140
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
This church has been favored with a number of very precious revivals, the most noteworthy of which occurred in the following years, resulting in the hopeful conversion of the numbers set opposite thereto, respectively :
Revival of 1848, converted 17.
Revival of 1851, converted 39.
Revival of 1853, converted 31.
Revival of 1867, converted 53.
Revival of 1878, converted 37.
Revival of 1883, converted 65.
To indicate the present strength and past usefulness of this church, it may be stated that there have united with it altogether 958 persons. Of these, 468 joined on profession of faith, and 490 by letter. Of those who became mem- bers on profession, 311 were baptised in their infancy and 141 when received. The present number is 262, and among these remain Mr. George F. Barnett and Mr. William H. Seymour, who were members of the society at its first organization, and have resided in Brockport ever since.
A Sabbath school has been maintained in connection with this church from the day of its organization. The attend- ance at present is about 300, scholars and teachers included.
A ladies' " Missionary Society " was formed here as early as 1873; it has now a large and active membership, and through the years of its existence has accomplished much good.
A society named " Merry Workers " was formed in 1884, whose leading object is to raise funds for the improvement of the home church, and their efforts thus far have been rewarded by great success.
A young people's society of " Christian Endeavor" was organized in 1886, and has continued in a flourishing con- dition, having at the present time 49 active and 28 associate members.
141
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
A children's " Mission Band " also was formed in 1886, with 9 members, but now numbers 29. The meetings thus far have been very interesting and have proved of great benefit to the children.
This church has given to the world two ministers of the gospel-Rev. Corliss B. Gardner, now pastor of Westmin- ster Church, Rochester, and Mr. George A. Eddy, son of the pastor of this church, who has lately completed his theolog- ical studies at Princeton.
The congregation owns a good parsonage, and owes no man anything save love.
The present ruling elders are Edgar Benedict, Joseph A. Tozier, Horace A. Metcalf, Addison Gardner, Henry W. Gardner and John N. Drake.
BUSHNELL'S BASIN.
Eleven miles southeast from Rochester, in the town of Perinton, is the great embankment over the Irondequoit creek. This embankment is one of the greatest works on the Erie canal. It is nearly a mile in length and from forty to seventy-six feet in height.
About 1820 a Mr. Pardee, objecting to the canal running through his farm, sold to Mr. Oliver Hartwell, and the place went by the name of Hartwell's Basin. Mr. Hartwell opened a grocery and warehouse, and built boats, doing quite a business. In a few years Bushnell, Lyman Wilmarth & Co. bought him out, and carried on the mercantile and forwarding business, employing many clerks and doing a large business for many seasons during the canal navigation. About one boat-load of flour was shipped daily from this place, being brought in from the various mills in the surrounding country. There are at
142
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
present a grocery and shoe shop, a tavern, postoffice, and a short distance south a powder mill.
A school house was built in 1825. Previously, about 1800, one had been built a little farther east (District No. 1).
Mr. Charles Dickinson, who had commenced the mercan- tile trade by himself, in which he was very successful in after years, and Mr. Lyman Wilmarth, feeling the import- ance of observing the Sabbath, took it upon themselves, though non-professors, to gather the people, and conduct religious services by reading scripture, singing, and the reading of a sermon. Rev. Mr. Caulkins, of Victor, preached to them occasionally. Thus the first religious effort started in this place. In 1831, to a large extent aided by Charles Dickinson and Cyrus Leonard, a house of worship was built, which was dedicated as a Congre- gational church by Rev. Daniel Johnson, who left Victor in December, 1831, and ministered to this new church at Bushnell's Basin for nearly two years. This church was organized March 1, 1833, with twelve members, and was received by the Rochester Presbytery June 25, 1833. In 1834 it had increased to twenty-four members. Some of their members having removed West, and others having connected themselves with the Congregational church at Fairport, this church disbanded informally in the fall of 1834. Mr. Whittlesey was a deacon in the church. After the church had disbanded the house was occupied for many years as a mission by different denominations at different times. In 1863 the property was deeded to the Independ- ent Methodists, and by them to the Episcopal Methodists, who, at last account, continued to occupy the property .*
* The above is compiled from " Half Century of the Presbytery of Roches- ter ; " Rev. James H. Hotchkin's History of Western New York, and Prof. W. H. McIntosh's History of Monroe County, 1877.
143
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
CALEDONIA.
The First Presbyterian Church of Caledonia was organ- ized March 4, 1805, by Rev. Jedediah Chapman, of Geneva, N. Y., with 52 members, 41 of whom were received by certificate, the remaining 11 by profession. Three elders were ordained to rule the church. The society was under the control of the Presbytery of Geneva, and supplies were furnished for over three years ; said supplies consisting of Rev. Messrs. J. Chapman, Oliver Ayers, of Massachusetts, John Lindsley, of Geneseo, and Alexander De Noon.
June 14, 1808, a call was presented to Mr. De Noon to bacome the pastor of the church, which was accepted, and his ordination and installation took place August 16, of the same year. Mr. De Noon was born aud educated in Scotland, came to this country about 1805, was licensed by the Presbytery of Albany, was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Ontario, was one of the most influential ministers of Western New York, and was greatly beloved and honored by the people of Caledonia. Mr. De Noon's labors were extended over a period of forty years, and considering the primitive condition of society at the commencement and the great hardships the early settlers had to endure, it may be regarded as a highly successful pastorate, an increase of 97 members being made during that time.
After the death of Mr. De Noon, the church was without a pastor for several years, when a successor was found in Rev. John W. Major, who remained from May, 1854, until some time in 1856. He was followed by Rev. William Evan Jones, who was installed May 20, 1857, dismissed in 1859. December 1st, of the same year, Rev. Malcolm Neil McLaren, D. D., began his pastorate, which continued until 1871 ; 82 members being added to the church. After leav- ing Caledonia, Dr. McLaren retired from the active minis- try and took up his residence in Auburn, N. Y., where his
144
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
death took place in 1887. He was one of the celebrated McLaren brothers, all three of whom were eminent Doctors of Divinity and able preachers of the gospel.
After an interval of three years, Rev. John Kennedy Fowler was chosen pastor, his ordination and installation taking place November 10, 1874. During the winter of 1875 a revival occurred, commencing with the week of prayer and continuing for several weeks, at which time 65 persons were received into the communion of the church. Mr. Fowler was assisted in these protracted meetings by a young class-mate, Rev. David Fay Stewart, who died a few years after in California. The pleasant pastoral relations existing between this church and Mr. Fowler were dissolved in 1877-he having accepted a call to Rockford, Ill. Dur- ing this pastorate 106 persons were received into the church.
November 29, 1878, Rev. Thomas Stephenson was in- stalled pastor of the church. At the same time, Rev. John P. Campbell, a son of Elder Peter P. Campbell, was or- dained to the work of the gospel ministry, accepting a charge at Baltimore, Md. Mr. Stephenson remained pastor until March, 1882-40 members being received into the church during this period.
About this time the Presbyterian church at Fowlerville was organized, drawing several families from the Caledonia church, thereby decreasing the number of members.
Mr. Stephenson was succeeded by Rev. John M. Carmichael, who began his labors in April, 1882-was in- stalled November 15, of the same year-continuing until November, 1886, when he was obliged to resign, owing to impaired health. There were thirty-nine accessions to the church during his pastorate.
After Mr. Carmichael's resignation the pulpit was supplied mainly by students from the Auburn Seminary; Rev. Johnson Henderson, of that iustitution, being engaged as stated supply during the summer of 1887. The following winter a call was extended to Mr. Henderson, and he was
145
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
ordained and installed May 29, 1888, and is the present pastor. The present number of members is about 150.
At various times during vacancies the pulpit has been ably supplied. Among these supplies were : Rev. D. H. Palmer, D. D., now of Penn Yan; Rev. L. D. Chapin, formerly Chancellor of Ingham University ; Rev. E. B. Walsworth, D. D., now of Livonia; Rev. Donald Grant, of Geneva, and Rev. T. M. Hodgman, of Rochester.
The following are the names of elders who have held office in the church since its organization :
Duncan McPherson, installed March 4, 1805.
Donald Anderson, 66
Donald McKenzie,
66
Archibald Gillis, installed August 16, 1808.
Peter Campbell,
John McPherson, 66
66
Donald Fraser,
66
66
Donald Fraser, 2d, “ 66
66
John D. McColl, installed May 19, 1842.
Alexander Fraser, 66 66
Angus McKenzie, installed August 19, 1855.
Peter P. Campbell,
66
Peter J. Campbell, 66 66 66
James Hamilton, installed May, 1862.
Donald C. McPherson, " 66 66
William J. Williams, installed April 4, 1875.
Thomas Brodie, יי
William E. Masterton, installed May 14, 1882.
James Fraser, 66
Peter P. Campbell, 66 66
Charles J. Mckenzie, 66 66
William S. Mckenzie, 66 66
Hugh McColl, installed January, 1888.
Arch. McColl, 66
66
A flourishing Sunday school, with over 150 members, is one of the auxiliaries of this church. In January, 1881,
1
146
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
a Young People's Christian Association was formed with a large number of members. This continued with great success until July, 1888, when it was reorganized as a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, with 32 active members, 14 associate members, and with the pastor as president. A woman's Missionary Society was organized April 9, 1873, which has a large number of members. A mission band known as the "Cheerful Workers " was organized January 4, 1874, with over thirty members. The present church edifice was erected in 1855, the parsonage in 1862.
CHARLOTTE.
In the year 1851, Rev. Thomas Bellamy of Penfield came to Charlotte and called a public meeting, with a view to establish a Protestant church there. At that meeting it was decided that the Presbyterians and Methodists should unitedly undertake the building of a house of worship; but with the understanding that the denomination which should raise the largest amount of money for the pur- pose should be the denomination of the church about to be established ; which resulted in the success of the Presby- terians. The work was at once begun and vigorously pushed forward towards completion, which was accomplished in a brief period at an expense of about $2,000.
The church which was to occupy this new building was organized in June, 1852, by a commission from the Presby- tery of Rochester, consisting of Rev James B. Shaw, D. D., Rev. M. J. Hickok, and Elders William Alling, H. C Fenn and David M. Chapin. The original members, or those who were at this time constituted into a Presbyterian church, were the following :
147
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Joshua Eaton,
Nicholas Nelson,
Adaline Eaton,
Hannah Nelson,
Phineas B. Cook,
Mrs. C. B. Colburne,
Mary B. Cook,
Mrs. Sarah Root,
William Rankin,
Mrs. Sophia P. Stone,
Mary Ann Rankin,
Mrs. Marrette Allen,
Joseph Wiggin,
Joseph D. Buck.
Catherine Wiggin,
Total- 15.
The first ruling elders of this church were Joshua Eaton, Phineas B. Cook and Zenas Colburne.
The congregation was incorporated April 15, 1851, and its first board of trustees was composed of James S. Stone, Phineas B. Cook, Moses Wallace, George Lotta, William Rankin, Joshua Eaton and Henry H. Babcock.
The ministers who have occupied the pulpit and served this church are the following :
Rev. A. Ferguson, from June, 1852, to December, 1856.
Rev. A. T. Young, from April, 1857, to April, 1859.
Rev. Lemuel Leonard, from June, 1859, to September, 1860.
Rev. E. B. Van Auken, from January, 1861, to April, 1863.
Rev. Thomas Bellamy, from June, 1863 to November, 1866.
Rev. C. W. Ward, from May, 1867, for a few months.
Rev. O. P. Conklin, from April, 1869, to March, 1873.
Rev. A. B. King, from April, 1873, to April, 1875.
Rev. D. D. McColl, from May, 1875, to May, 1878.
Rev. R. J. Beattie, from June, 1878, to December, 1878.
Rev. D. M. Rankin, from February, 1879, to September, 1881.
Rev. T. B. Williams, from November, 1881, to June, 1885.
Rev. J. C. Henderson, from October, 1885, to the present time.
148
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Of all the above ministers, two only were installed, namely, Rev. A. Ferguson and Rev. T. B. Williams.
During the ministry of Rev. D. D. McColl a religious interest was awakened in the congregation, which resulted in adding a goodly number of members, and this is the only revival that has occurred in the whole history of the church.
A Sabbath school has been maintained in connection with this church from the date of its origin to the present day ; but this, like the church, has had its times of prosperity and depression. At present the school is in a thriving con- dition, having within the past two years increased very considerably, both in numbers and efficiency. The present superintendent is the pastor, Rev. J. C. Henderson ; secre- tary, Mr. Alexander Ferguson ; treasurer, Miss Carrie Blacknell ; librarian, Mr. George Swift.
The house of worship in which the church was organized is still occupied. It has since, however, been considerably repaired and improved. During the ministry of Mr. McColl the congregation bought a very comfortable parsonage, for which they paid about $2,500. Both the house of worship and the parsonage are entirely free from debt.
The trustees of the church at the present time are D. S. Messro, D. S. Denise, Alexander Ferguson, William Newcomb. Andrew Fallison, and J. J. Miller.
The eldership in this church is perpetuated on the rotary plan, each elder being elected to serve for the term of three years. The present elders are Richard Bemish, Alexander Ferguson and William Denise.
This church in the past has had to struggle against a com- bination of adverse influences, and its growth in consequence has been but slow. The population around it is and always has been largely Catholic ; while the non-Catholic part are also, by local inheritance, largely non-church-going people.
149
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Add to all this, Charlotte being a favorite resort for pic- nics, excursions and recreations for all classes from the neighboring city of Rochester, its Sabbaths, through the summer season, are sadly disturbed and desecrated. But the place is growing and improving, and the future of this church has never been so encouraging as at the present time.
CHILI.
This church originated in a religious "society," organized in the year 1816, at a meeting held in the house of Mr. Isaac Hemmingway, in the town of Chili, then a part of the town of Riga. This meeting was called " for the pur- pose of forming the professors of religion of the Congre- gational and Presbyterian order, in the vicinity, into a church of Christ." This purpose was there and then car- ried out under the direction of Rev. Hugh Wallis, a missionary sent out by the Geneva Missionary Society, Rev. Alanson Davidson, pastor of the First Congregational church of Riga, and Mr. Henry Smith.
The persons who were thus constituted into a church numbered eighteen, and were the following :
Abel Belknap,
Mrs. A. Derry,
Besha Belknap,
Lemmuel Potter,
Patty Hemmingway,
Daniel Clark,
Leah Marlin,
Conrad Hartman,
Lydia Potter,
Nancy Marlin,
Apollos Derry,
Sarah Gridley,
Timothy G. Baldwin,
Daniel Deming,
Joel Baldwin,
Sarah Baldwin,
Fanny Deming, Tamor Child.
The infant church held its first regular meeting July 24, 1816, at the house of Mr. John Wetmore, where Apollos
150
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Deming and Joel Baldwin were chosen deacons, and Daniel Clark clerk. The first minister was the Rev. Mr. Chase.
The meetings for worship appear to have been held at private dwellings, and occasionally in barns, until some time in the year 1818, when Rev. Mr. Martindale was called to labor among them, and a small meeting-house was built upon the same site as that occupied by the present church.
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Rochester, held at Ogden, February 10, 1819, this " society " proposed to that body to unite with them on what was called "the accommo- dation plan ;" this proposition was favorably regarded, and they were received under its care.
The first regular pastor of the church was the Rev. Chauncey Cook, who was installed December 27, 1821. During the following year there appear upon the records the names of from 96 to 103 members in full communion ; but at the close of Mr. Cook's pastorate, 1827, there were but 87 members.
In the spring of 1828 Rev. Abner Benedict was invited to minister to the church for the term of one year, which he did, leaving the number of members a little less than he found it. Mr. Benedict was succeeded by Rev. Silas Pratt, who was called to be the pastor, and was installed November 25, 1829; under his ministry the number of members increased from 82 to 94.
In 1832 the congregation undertook the building of a new house of worship, measuring 40 by 60, which was completed at an expense of $2,600, and was dedicated January 2, 1833, Rev. Mr. Mead of Riga officiating.
About this time steps were taken to change the title of the congregation, and obtain a charter under that of the "First Presbyterian Society of Chili," which now appears on the county records, in Liber I, page 16 of Religious Incorporations. Shortly after this, May 25, 1833, the form
151
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
of church government also was changed, by a nearly unan- imous vote, from the Congregational to the Presbyterian system, the following persons being elected and ordained as ruling elders, namely, Alfred Schofield, Levi Campbell, Tunis Brokaw, Ira Andrews and J. A. Gillett. At the same time Alfred Schofield and Tunis Brokaw were chosen deacons. On the same occasion Levi Campbell, Judah Gridley and George Brown were elected trustees.
Of the church thus legally and ecclesiastically reorganized, Rev. L. Brooks became the first pastor, and remained such until 1837. Of the fruits of his ministry the records give no account. He was followed by Rev. C. B. Smith, whose pastorate, though short, only two years, was yet productive of great good. In the winter of 1837 and 1838, assisted by Rev. Mr. Avery, he held a series of meetings which resulted in the most fruitful revival in the history of the church, some seventy persons being received into communion on profession of faith.
After Mr. Smith's resignation, the pulpit was supplied for a brief period-the summer of 1840-by Rev. H. N. Short. Then came Rev. J. W. Fox, who was installed pas- tor and continued his services for four years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.