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 17
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A Sabbath school was formed long prior to the church congregation, Mrs. Piffard starting one in 1826 or 1827, and which has been regularly kept up ever since, her grand- children teaching the grand-children of those whom she instructed.
The services, at present, are a Sunday school at noon, an evening service, and a weekly prayer meeting-two in fact, a children's, just before the regular meeting-of 45 minutes. A large and very active society, " The Ladies' Aid Society," of about twenty-five members, is doing some very good work; it has been in existence some two years. A small society, "The Little Christians," meet for prayer, singing and religious readings and recitations. These " little ones" purpose to follow closely in the wake of their elders, and I am confident they will do so.
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Donations : In 1853 Mrs. David L. Haight [Ann Matilda] placed in the hands of Levi A. Ward, of Roches- ter, as a gift to the church, the sum of $1,500.00, the interest of which was to be used for various church expenses.
The church edifice and grounds belonged to the estate of David Piffard, now deceased, and was obliged to be sold. Certain of the heirs resigned all claim, each adding as much more to assist in the purchase. Some members of the Presbyterian Church in Geneseo, most nobly and generously bought and donated said church for the use of the village of Piffard, to be held by the trustees for such purpose, subject to certain conditions. This was in the autumn of 1884. In the summer of 1885, the Ladies' Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church in Geneseo gave to the Piffard church a beautiful Meneely bell in loving memory of Miss Sarah E. Piffard, whose loss was the sorrow of a community, and whose life the crown of a Christian mother's shining example.
The "Ladies' Aid Society" is now building a town hall for the benefit of the village. It was deeded to the church, and held by the trustees. Miss A. M. Piffard donated the site. N. H. P.
PITTSFORD.
Pittsford formerly constituted the centre of business for the original town of Northfield, which town was organized in 1794. In 1798, the name was changed to Boyle. In 1813, it was divided into three towns, named Perrinton, Penfield and Smallwood, the latter embracing the territory now constituting the towns of Pittsford, Henrietta, Brigh- ton, Irondequoit, and that part of Rochester which lies East of the Genesee river. Afterwards Smallwood was divided
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into Pittsford and Brighton. In 1818, Henrietta was set off from Pittsford. The settlement of Pittsford began in 1790. The first school, taught by Mr. Barrows, was institu- ted in 1794, and held in a log house one mile south of the village, which served both as school house and place for worship. The first sermon preached in Pittsford, was by a traveling missionary, said to be from Virginia, who visited them on a week-day during harvest. The service was held in a barn. Occasional preaching was enjoyed thereafter. Rev. James H. Hotchkin preached six Sabbaths, between November 8, 1801, and February 1, 1802. The organiza- tion known as The First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford, N. Y., began with the " Congregational Society of North- field," instituted 1807, at the house of Glover Perrin. Trustees were chosen, consisting of Orange Stone and Thomas Kempshall for one year ; Abram Bronson and William Spear for two years ; Glover Perrin and Samuel Stone for three years ; Thomas Ramsdell was chairman of the meeting and Josiah J. Kellogg, clerk. In February, 1808, this society voted to settle Rev. John Stewart, "if enough money could be raised." In 1809, Rev. Solomon Allen was engaged at a salary of $250 annually.
May 11, 1809, "The Second Congregational Church of Northfield " was " constituted " by Rev. Solomon Allen, of the following members-" they having given satisfactory evidence of true piety and soundness in the faith," viz :- Andrew Miller, Joseph Farr, Michael Beach, Thomas Ramsdell, Samuel Stone, Glover Perrin, Joseph Shepard, Henry E. Dennis, Hannah Miller and Leah Packard. Thomas Ramsdell and Samuel Stone were chosen deacons of the church. The following June the church was received into connection with the "Ontario Association," and after the dissolution of that body, it was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva on the accommodating plan, April 20, 1814. From this Presbytery it was subsequently
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transferred to the Presbytery of Ontario, and from that to the Presbytery of Rochester upon its organization in 1819. In 1818, there were 37 members; in 1826, forty-two; in 1831, 159; and in 1846, 195. Rev. Solomon Allen was stated supply for two years. In 1811, Rev. Silas Hubbard labored with this church a short time. In its early years, the church was without regular preaching much of the time, and neighboring ministers and transient preachers supplied the pulpit ; baptised and received members. The town was named Pittsford by Col. Hopkins, one of its prominent citizens, after the place of that name in Vermont, whence he came. This changed the name of this church to that by which it was known for over fifty years. Rev. A. C. Collins, of Bloomfield, supplied the pulpit a part of the years 1817-18 ; after him Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman for a few months. Rev. Chauncey Cook was stated supply for two years. Rev. John Taylor served the church from 1820- 24, and also preached at Mendon. Rev. Ralph Cushman followed for one year. His ministry was blessed with a revival, and 38 were added to the church. Rev. William F. Curry, a licentiate from the South, followed Mr. Cush- man, and was ordained and installed July 14, 1825. In the same year, the society of this church was incorporated. Mr. Curry was dismissed, July 4, 1826. In 1827, Rev. Homer Adams came and preached for two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Asa Mahan, who was installed November 11, 1829, and was dismissed March 4, 1831. Rev. Alfred E. Camp- bell followed as stated supply, for one year. His successor Rev. Elijah Buck remained nine months. Rev. John B. Richardson began his labors June 2, 1833; was installed February 16, 1834, and left in 1850. During his ministry the church was especially blessed and built up. The years 1830, '31 and '32, seem to have been years of revival, dur- ing which time about 100 were added on confession. Rev. Job Pierson accepted a call to this church in 1850; was
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ordained and installed February 12, 1851. Resigned on account of health in 1856. Then came Rev. A. North for a season. Rev. Mr. Crittenden followed. In 1799, the inhabitants of Northfield built a large log-house, a little north of the present village of Pittsford, in which town business was transacted ; and public worship held upon the Sabbath. In 1816, a frame building was erected one mile South of the village, and dedicated as a place of worship. In 1826, the Presbyterian congregation built a commodious house of worship on the site occupied by the present edifice. It was a well built stone structure, 60 ft. by 40, with a spire . of great symmetry and beauty. The ground was donated by John Acer, Esq. This building was burned in 1861. The present building was erected in 1862, which with subse- quent improvements cost $12,000, and was dedicated May 13, 1863. The bell was donated by Mrs. Chloe Wilcox. Rev. C. R. Wilkins was, at this time, acting pastor. Rev. Dr. James B. Shaw, of Rochester, preached the sermon. Rev. Messrs. North, Pierson and Richardson, former pastors, took part in the services. The parsonage of this church was donated chiefly by Mrs. Lydia Bushnell. July 15, 1869, the ecclesiastical order of this church was unanimously changed from Congregational to Presbyterian. For 60 years it had been a Congregational church connected with Presbytery. Rev. G. L. Hamilton was serving the church faithfully and well, in April, 1866. He was followed by Rev. Henry M. Morey for two years, under whom the church prospered. For short periods Rev. George G. Smith and others fol- lowed him. In September, 1874, Rev. Lewis H. Morey, a brother of Henry, was called to this field, was ordained and installed May 25, 1575, and left in 1880. His labors were blest. May 3, 1880, Rev. J. Edward Close was called. He served the church with great acceptance for eight years, without installation. During his ministry over 100 united with the church. The Sabbath school early became an
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institution in this church, and has proved a great blessing. It last reported to the General Assembly 176 members. This church sustains a Ladies' Missionary Society, The Mission Band for Children, The Temperance Loyal Legion, and The Band of Mercy. It was active in the Anti-Slavery Cause, and as early as 1836 took strong temperance ground. Its present membership numbers 194.
ROCHESTER FIRST.
This church was organized on the 22nd August, 1815, as "The First Presbyterian Church of Gates in Rochesterville," by a commission appointed by the Presbytery of Geneva, consisting of Rev. Daniel Fuller and Rev. Reuben Parmerlee and elders Isaac B. Barnum and Samuel Stone. It con- sisted of the following 16 members: Sibel Bickford, Warren Brown, Henry Donnelly, Hannah Donnelly, Elisha Ely, Hannah Ely, Oliver Gibbs, Jane Gibbs, Aaron Lay, Sarah Lay, Charles Magne, Polly Magne, Huldah Stoddard Arbela Starks, Daniel West and Elizabeth West.
At the same time Warren Brown and Henry Donnelly were elected elders and Oliver Gibbs and Daniel West were elected deacons, and all were then ordained.
This congregation at that time was the only church in a tract of about 400 square miles.
This church being the oldest ecclesiastical body of any denomination in the place, it has naturally been a mother of Churches. Most or all of the other Presbyterian congre- gations that were formed during the first forty years of the existence of Rochester, were colonies from the old First.
It was natural, too, from its having been earlier and longest in the field, that the First Church should have con- tained from the beginning and should still contain a con-
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ROCHESTER.
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siderable element of the stable intelligent and prominent Presbyterians of the city.
The pastors of this church have been as follows : Rev. Comfort Williams, installed January 7, 1816, was dismissed June 6, 1821 ; Rev. Joseph Penny, D. D., was installed April 3, 1822, and dismissed April 26, 1833 ; Rev. Tryon Edwards, D. D., was ordained and installed July 22, 1834, and dis- missed July 26, 1844 ; Rev. Malcolm N. McLaren, D. D., was installed Aug. 27, 1845, and dismissed Feb. 2, 1847; Rev. Joshua H. McIlvain, D. D., was installed July 13, 1848, and dismissed Oct. 1, 1860 ; Rev. Calvin Pease, D. D., was installed May 13, 1862, and died Sept. 17, 1863; Elias R. Beadle, D. D., of Philadelphia, Pa., was elected pastor that fall, which he accepted, and after supply- ing the church one year returned to his old charge; Rev. Casper M. Wines was installed May 22, 1866, and dismissed July 14, 1868; Rev. J. Lovejoy Robertson was installed
Dec. 7, 1870, and dismissed June 11, 1877; Charles E. Robinson, D. D., was installed May 14, 1878, and dismissed Dec. 6, 1886 ; Nelson Millard, D. D., began his pastoral labors here Sept. 15, 1887, and was installed April 24, 1888.
The First church edifice was of wood and stood on Carroll, now called State street, where the American Express building now stands.
That portion of Rochester which now is the heart of the city, was then like much of the central section of the town, wet and marshy. Indeed, where now stand massive and splendid business blocks was tlien almost a swamp. The church was raised a few feet from the mucky ground and stood on posts or blocks. It was not uncommon for dogs, hens, and other creatures of the street to find shelter under- neath the building and sometimes even on Sunday, to make themselves heard in a manner non-conducive to reverence. From such beginnings have grown both the city and the church, now so strong and so substantially built.
The second and better edifice of the First Church, which
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was of stone, was erected in the year 1825, on Fitzhugh street, just north of the Erie canal, on the site now occupied by the City Hall. It was capable of holding about 850 persons. Its first chapel, built of brick, stood east of the church edifice, and was erected in 1831. It was removed in 1859 to furnish room for widening Irving place.
A second chapel was then built of stone in 1860, west of the church near the east line of Fitzhugh street. This was demolished with the old church to make room for the City Hall. In 1871 the present beautiful and commodious edifice which is also of stone, and stands at the corner of Plymouth avenue and Spring street was erected. It was dedicated June 23, 1872. Its cost, with that of the parsonage adjoin- ing, was about $110,000. The lot on which the buildings stand is 112 by 132 feet or 15,783 square feet.
The first Sunday school that was established in Rochester was organized by the First Presbyterian church in the year 1816, that is the next year after the organization of the church itself. The school was held in a district school house, that stood on the site of the present Free Academy. The church also used the school house for conference or social meetings until their first chapel was built.
This church also organized the first infant school in Rochester in the winter of 1830-31. Mrs. Margaret Penny and Miss Harriet Hatch were particularly active in inaugu- rating it. They made special efforts to gather in the neglected little children from the highways and resorts of dissipation. The lady members of the church furnished a band of devoted helpers while the church sustained the enterprise with liberal contributions, so that the work was prosecuted with much vigor and success.
This missionary feature has prevailed in the Sunday school from the first and still continues in both the infant and the older departments. The superintendent is Thomas Chester, assisted by Charles P. Ford. Mrs. Marion L. Olds is at the head of the infant department.
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In June, 1873, the First Church organized, at the corner of Plymouth and Frost avenues, a mission Sunday school. A suitable building was completed in 1874. The organization was very vigorously and successfully maintained and con- tinued to grow with that part of the city, until, in 1887, an addition was made to the original structure, very much enlarging and improving it. On May 2, 1887, a church was organized called the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and elders were chosen and ordained. The cost of the lot and building amounting to about $9,000, was provided for by the First Church.
The session of the First Church is constituted on the rotary plan. Its present elders are George C. Buell, Albert G. Bassett, Thomas Chester, Henry Goold, David M. Hough, Arthur Hamilton, Charles F. Pond, and George D. Olds. The present trustees are Gilbert Brady, John Durand, Charles P. Ford, James C. Hart, George C. Hollister and Menzo Van Voorhes.
A goodly spirit of benevolence has prevailed in the church from the first, as evinced by their yearly contributions. This moreover has manifested encouraging increase during the past year by the adoption of the plan of "Systematic benevolence." The amount thus raised being double of that before given.
The church has a vigorous Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which holds weekly meetings. The attendance is good and the meetings are spirited. Other meetings auxillary to the work of this Society, are held during the year. There is an efficient Ladies' Benevolent Society, which does much work for the poor during the year and sends away a number of excellent "missionary boxes," also a "Ladies' Missionary Society," a " Young Ladies' Missionary Band," a " Little Girls' Band," and a " Boys' Band,"
There have been numerous seasons of marked religious interest in the congregation, the first was in 1821. Early in
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that year Josiah Bissell, Jr., visited Pittsfield, Mass., (the place of his nativity, when there was a revival and was con- verted). He returned full of ardor and zeal. He attended the evening prayer-meeting and surprised the assembly by repeating the verse in Dodridge's hymn :
" Grace taught my soul to pray; And made my eyes o'erflow, 'Tis grace has kept me to this day And will not let me go."
To hear this from such a man was most deeply impressive. A revival followed resulting in the addition of 21 members to the church on confession of their faith. There was also a revival in 1827, the fruits of which added 43 members to the church on confession.
In Sept., 1830, Rev. Charles G. Finney made his first efforts in Rochester and continued here more than 6 montlis. For a few weeks he preached about two sermons per week in each of the First, Second and Third churches. . In the evening of Oct. 1, 1830, a crowded congregation were assembled in the First Church, the building had no columns in its audience room to support its roof, the weight spread the walls so that a scantling fell over the ceiling and broke through the plastering, causing a stampede, the congrega- tion smashed through windows and trampled down a crowd at both doors. The church was then closed till supports for the roof were set up in the middle aisle. At this time St. Paul's Church being without a rector, their vestry tendered the use of their church to the congregation of the First Church, and their pastor, Joseph Penny, D. D., preached in it till the latter part of the winter, when St. Paul's Church secured a rector. In the afternoon of Jan. 2, 1831, the First Church held their communion service in the Second Church and received 100 new members. In several other years large additions were made to the church.
This church has had at different times quite a number of students for the ministry under its care or support. Some of whom have become foreign missionaries. The following
BRICK CHURCH, ROCHESTER,
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
are of those who entered the ministry : James Ballantine, Henry B. Chapin, Charles R. Clark, Henry Cherry, George Dutton, T. Dwight Hunt, Mathew L. P. Hill, Everard Kempshall, Charles G. Lee, L. Merrill Miller, William N. McCoon, Gideon P. Nichols, James H. Mellvain, Jr., Henry E. Peek, Robert Proctor, Justin Gamaliel Riley, George S. Sill, Robert L. Stanton, Ferdinand DeW. Ward and Horace Winston.
CARTHAGE.
This church, containing 28 members, was received by the Presbytery of Rochester at its first meeting, April 6, 1819. No session book is found or list of names of its original members, and date of its organization. Probably it had no organized society. They worshipped in a framed building, standing on high ground, on the west side of the road, a little south of the present location of the mute asylum.
In consequence of a bridge over the Genesee river near the lower falls having fallen, and many of their members residing on the west side of the river being thereby cut off from access to their place of meeting, and many east side residents having moved away, under the advice of the Pres- bytery, letters of dismission were given to their remaining members, and their organization was surrendered to the Presbytery, and disbanded by them April 15, 1822.
ROCHESTER BRICK.
The Second (now Brick) Presbyterian Church of Roches- ter was organized November 18, 1825, by a commission of Presbytery, consisting of Rev. Asa Carpenter, Chauncy Cook, Joseph Penny and William F. Curry, and Elders Moses Chapin and Joel Baldwin.
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The following 25 persons composed it: Timothy L. Bacon, Lydia Bacon, Lydia W. Blanchard, Catharine Brown, Asa Carpenter, Seth Case, Elizabeth Cherry, Lottie Cherry, Richard Gorsline, Amelia Gorsline, Silas Hawley, Sarah Hawley, George A. Hollister, Sally Hollister, Catharine S. Russell, Mary Rust, Thomas Sheldon, Jane Sheldon, Derrick Sibley, Nabby Sibley, Irene Sibley, Linns Stevens, M. D., Thankful Stevens, Delia Stevens.
Timothy L. Bacon, Linus Stevens, M. D., and Silas Hawley were elected and ordained as elders. The present elders are Seth J. Arnold, Louis Chapin, Joel G. Davis, David Dickey,* Willam H. Gorsline, Jesse W. Hatch, Tru- man A. Newton, George N. Storms, Charles F. Weaver, Edward Webster and Lansing G. Wetmore. Since the organization of this church there have been 29 different elders, 15 of them have died, and 3 who are now living, have resigned. Terms are not limited.
The church has had seven different deacons, all of whom resigned. Five of them are dead.
The following have been pastors or stated supplies : William James, the first pastor, was called from Clarkson, where he was stated supply, April 17, 1826, installed July 24, 1826, resigned his pastorate October 14, 1830, and was dismissed to Albany, February 4, 1831. William Wisner, D. D., was called from Ithaca, January 24, 1831, began his pastorate May 1, 1831, was installed July 24, 1831, and was dismissed to St. Louis, October 14, 1835. On the retirement of Dr. Wisner, Rev. Russell S. Cook was employed as tem- porary supply for some four months, until February 26, 1836. In March, following, Conway P. Wing, D. D., of Ogden, supplied the church for several months, assisted by David N. Merritt, a layman from Port Gibson, who was afterward licensed, and on the 24th of August, 1836, was engaged as
*David Dickey, was born September 12, 1802, united with the church on certifi- cate, September 5, 1831; was ordained an elder September 29, 1833, and was appointed clerk of the session January 8, 1836, which office he continues to hold.
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supply for one year. He continued as such more than a year and removed to Massachusetts.
Rev. George Beecher, was called from Putnam, Ohio, December, 1>37, was installed June 15, 1838, and dismissed to Ripley, Ohio, October 6, 1840.
Rev. James Boylan Shaw was called from Dunkirk, November 25, 1840, installed February 16, 1841, and con- tinued until he was retired by the Presbytery as pastor emeritus, April 10, 1888.
Rev. William Rivers Taylor, was called from the First Reformed Church, Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 14,1887, accepted and commenced his labors Feb, 19, 1888, and was installed April 10, 1888. He continues as the pastor. The growth of the church under the several pastorates and supplies has been as follows :
Rev. William James, 42 years, 43 on confession, 112 by certificate.
Rev. William Wisner, D. D., 4} years, 372 on confession, 202 by certificate.
Rev. Conway P. Wing, D. D., and David N. Merritt, 1} years, 109 on confession, 26 by certificate.
Rev. George Beecher, 2} years, 138 on confession, 76 on certificate.
Rev. James Boylan Shaw, 472 years, 2,061 on confession, 1,320 on certificate.
Rev. William Rivers Taylor, 1 year, 78 on confession, 33 on certificate.
There have been received into the church on confession 2,965, and on certificates 1,763 members. The present resident membership is 1,414, besides 306 names on a non- resident list (according to Morris' Digest of 1886, Chap. VII. Sec. 49, page 640).
The Sunday school was organized on the last Sunday of November, 1825, under the superintendence of Jonathan Mann, and has been maintained without interruption. Its records show that 151 teachers and 1,638 scholars have
)
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united with the church in a little more than 62 years. Its present superintendent is Lansing G. Wetmore. It has 100 teachers, and 842 scholars. May 24, 1857, a Sunday- school was organized in what had been a tavern, on the corner of Buffalo road and York street. The tavern was bought by Aristarchus Champion, and fitted by him for Sunday school, and prayer meeting purposes. John H. Thompson, was its superintendent. George W. Mackie, a theological student, visited the section and conducted religious meetings there. The school was closed December 25, 1859, having had 426 different scholars.
A Sunday school was opened July 27, 1856, in a hall on the south side of Buffalo street, now West avenue, opposite the end of Canal street, belonging to Joel B. Bennett, under the management of teachers from the Brick and Washington street churches. This school continued till December 25, 1859, when it was united with the one from the Champion mission, and the two formed the new school in a small chapel now composing in part the Westminster Church. It remained as a union school until September 2, 1862, when a society was incorporated, called "The West Avenue Chapel." Its trustees were Joel B. Bennett, Sam- uel Dix, Stephen Coleman, Henry L. Churchill and Lewis H. Alling.
June 13, 1869, members of the Brick Church organized a Sunday school in District School house No. 18, on North street. In a short time the wants of the district required the occupancy of the room and the school was suspended.
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