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 21
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In the autumn of 1850, Rev. James E. Miller was elected and installed as pastor, which office he held until April, 1854. One year later Rev. Thomas Aitken, upon the invita- tion of the church and with the consent of the Presbytery,
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assumed the pastorate in connection with that of the First Church of Sparta. During the long period of 27 years thereafter he served the Master in that capacity with great fidelity and acceptance until, through the increasing infirmi- ties of age, he was obliged to relinquish the trust, and by the action of Presbytery, in September, 1882, was honorably retired and his name placed upon the list of pastors emeri- tus. Two years later he was called to his reward on high.
Rev. Evan R. Evans occupied the pulpits of the two churches, as stated supply from May, 1883, to January, 1886. Considerable accessions to the membership took place under his ministry.
In May of the same year the services of Robert K. Wick, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, were secured, and in August following, by a vote of the two congregations, he was elected pastor, and a month later was ordained and installed. He has very acceptably and with gratifying results continued his labors to the present time. The elders now in office are Hugh T. McNair, David McNair and Samuel Alexander. The office is permanent in this church.
A Sabbath school, with little intermission, has been in operation since the date of the organization of the church.
A Woman's Missionary Society was organized in 1872, and has been successfully sustained, as has also a Children's Mission Band organized at a later date. These societies have paid into the treasuries of the Mission Boards of the church or sent directly in the form of supplies to Home Missionaries an aggregate of $2,179.86.
The church building, which came by inheritance, as it were, to the church at the time of its organization, was erected in 1809, and was said to have been the second church structure put up in the state west of Cayuga bridge, which (latter) was an old time land mark.
It was hoary with age and much dilapidated, but greatly prized on account of the hallowed memories of former
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years, and the people entered heartily into the work of renovation. An outlay of about one thousand dollars trans- formed it from a place fit only for the owls and the bats into a decent and commodious sanctuary and as such it was duly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God in the autumn of 1852.
The following persons composed the first Board of Trus- tees : John Culbertson, Hugh T. McNair, Samuel Sturgeon, John W. McNair, Jacob Knappenburgh and David McNair.
The members of the board now holding office are J. A. Knappenburgh, C. F. McNair, Warren M. McNair, J. A. Culbertson, William G. Carney and William Driesbach.
The church is situated in a rural district, about three miles north of Dansville, and has suffered in past years from the depleting effects of change of inhabitants, which is so common in all the older parts of the country. The present membership is sixty-three.
Not a few of those who have gone out from it are usefully engaged in the Lord's work elsewhere. One of these, Rev. Theodore M. McNair, is now a missionary in the Empire of Japan.
The ordinances of the Gospel have been maintained with an encouraging degree of success, and with results which clearly indicate the approval of the Master and give promise of richer fruitage in the years to come.
SPRINGWATER.
This church, originally Congregational, was organized by Rev. Lyman Barrett, of Naples, Feb. 10, 1821, who preached from Matt. 5:16. The church was formed with twelve members, viz: Alpheus Phelps, Alfred Phelps, Jotham Dyre, Daniel Ward, Nathaniel Adams, Lucinda Ford, Esther
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Flanders, Mercy Adams, Clarissa Phelps, Nancy Brown, Malinda Goot and Mary Whalen.
The number who have belonged to the church up to the present time (1889) is 200. The largest number at any one time was 46. This was 1844.
The church had no regular preaching for nine years after its organization, but was supplied occasionally by Rev. Lyman Barrett, Rev. Warren Day and other neighboring ministers.
In 1830 Rev. James Cohoon was engaged as stated supply and remained about three years. Rev. E. Brunson followed and supplied the pulpit during part of the year 1834. Rev. S. Thompson was stated supply from January, 1836, until March, 1839.
The first settled pastor, Rev. Daniel B. Woods, was ordained and installed Sept. 19, 1839. The sermon was preached by his venerable father, Rev. Dr. Woods, of Andover. His pastorate continued a little less than two years.
Rev. William Hunter, a graduate of Auburn Seminary, commenced labors as stated supply in October, 1841. He was ordained and installed pastor Sept. 25, 1844. The sermon was preached by Rev. R. Hill, of East Bloomfield. Mr. Hunter's health being feeble he resigned his charge in 1865, but preached occasionally as his strength permitted. Having recovered health he complied with a unanimous request of the church and resumed labors as pastor in Octo- ber, 1868. If the above interim be included he has now (1889) been pastor for over forty-seven years.
Daniel Ward, the first and only deacon, was chosen to that office April 9, 1830, and served the church faithfully.
Nov. 10, 1827, the church voted to change the form of government from Congregational to Presbyterian, and at the same time elected four elders, viz : Jotham Dyre. Dan- iel Ward, John Slack and Benjamin Boyd. The church was received under the care of Ontario Presbytery, Jan. 16, 1829.
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Ten years afterwards, owing to death and removals, the eldership had become extinct. From 1837 to 1870 business was again transacted according to the Congregational form, the church still remaining under the care of Presbytery.
May 8, 1870, Charles Brewer, Christopher Osgood, Wil- liam Rosenkrans and Samuel A. Howe were ordained as elders, the pastor being assisted in the services by Rev. J. R. Page. Dr. T. D. Conner and Frank S. Grover were set apart to the office of elder, Aug. 5, 1888. Up to the present time the church has had only ten elders. Messrs. Howe, Grover and Conner constitute the present session, T. D. Conner being clerk.
For twenty years the church worshiped in school houses and private dwellings. In 1840 Mr. Jonathan Bassett donated a lot of land for a meeting-house and parsonage. A convenient house of worship, 50 by 36 feet, was built the same year and dedicated Dec. 31.
In 1872 the building was thoroughly repaired at an expense of $2,000. It was re-dedicated Feb. 20, 1872. Rev. Dr. Shaw, of Rochester, preached the sermon, and addresses were made by Dr. I. N. Sprague and Rev. Messi's. Dobbin, Burghart, Hibbard, DuBoys, Weed, Page and Jessup. The services were successful in the raising of $1,500 of the $2,000, so that the entire amount was provided. The parsonage was built in 1843.
The first Sabbath school was organized in 1840 by the pastor, Rev. Daniel B. Woods. For several years it was the only school in the town. The school at the church has. been continued ever since. Two or three others were kept up at different times in school houses. The one at the " Bell school house " was very prosperous. Most of the large scholars, during a revival, became Christians. In the school now held at the church there are about 60 scholars and seven teachers. Dr. T. D. Conner is superintendent.
When the present pastor commenced his labors in 1841,
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there were seven " taverns" in town. Drunkenness was common, but the friends of temperance were united and persevering, and at last through the Divine blessing gained the victory. In the spring of 1875 the town voted " No License " by a majority of 127. The same vote has been repeated every year since, and now for fourteen years there has been no liquor sold in town. The increased prosperity of the place in consequence of the change has been wonderful.
The most general and powerful revival was in 1843. In the early months of that year there was a general awakening in all the churches. The pastor had help from Rev. Charles Morgan, of Geneseo, and Rev. D. M. Merritt, of Dansville. As fruit of the revival twenty-five united with the church.
In 1856 there was another general religious awakening throughout the town. Union meetings were held and fourteen members were added to the church.
Union meetings were again held in the winter of 1869- 1870. A large number professed conversion but the additions to the churches were small. Only eight joined this church. Other seasons of religious interest have been enjoyed at different times.
This church has never had more than a " little strength." It commenced with few members and little wealth, and has never been other than one of the " feeble " churches. But through the divine blessing it has held on its way, and survived unrecorded trials that threatened its very existence. It has been the dear religious home of many who have gone to the " home above," and of some who are still serving the Master in connection with other churches. It is not known that more than one of its members entered the ministry-the Rev. Levi G. March, now the able and beloved pastor of the Presbyterian church of Lewiston, N. Y.
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SWEDEN.
What is now the Presbyterian Church of Sweden was organized Sept. 5, 1816, under the name and title of "The First Congregational Society of Sweden." There were present, as executive council, Rev. Comfort Williams, of Rochester; Rev. Alanson Darwin, of Riga ; Rev. Henry Smith and Rev. Elam Clark, home missionaries ; Deacon Levi Ward, of Bergen, and Deacon Davis, Justus Brown and Asahel Finch, of Parma.
The following persons presented themselves for the pur- pose of being formed into a church, viz: Theda Clark, Abigail Smith, Lydia Lee, Sally Hollister, Lucretia Bennett, Abigail Beedle, Daniel Avery, Elisha Smith, Samuel Blair, Joseph Langdon, Rebecca Cone, Anna Brown, Artemas Lyman, Sarah Stickney, Rosanna Avery, Diodate Lord, Silas Judson-total 17.
Daniel Avery was elected the first clerk of the church, Artemas Lyman the first standing moderator, and Diodate Lord and Samuel Castle the first deacons.
The first board of trustees was elected Jan. 26, 1819, and was composed of the following persons, viz : Silas Judson, Silas Parker, Artemas Lyman, Oliver Spencer, Abel Root and John Reed. The original certificate of incorporation was recorded in the county clerk's office of Genesee (Sweden being then in Genesee) on Feb. 4, 1819, in Liber I of Mis- cellaneous Records, page 293.
For seventeen years from the date of its organization the church was managed on what was known as the " accom- modation plan." But in May, 1833, at a regular meeting of the church, it was duly resolved to become a Presbyte- rian church. Accordingly, Abel Page, Chauncey Staples, Sisson Taylor, Joseph Staples, Samuel V. Way and Daniel J. Avery were elected ruling elders, and Elias D. Wilcox
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and Oliver Spencer were chosen to serve as deacons, all of whom were ordained to their sacred offices by Rev. Samuel Marsh, on June 9, 1833.
The church, as nearly as can now be ascertained, was served by the following ministers during the years set opposite their names :
Rev. Abraham Foreman, from 1822 to
Rev. David Page, from 1826 to 1829.
Revs. P. Kimball and -- Myers from 1829 to 1830.
Rev. Josiah Pierson, from 1830 to 1833.
Rev. Samuel Marsh, from 1833 to 1834.
Rey. David Johnson, from 1834 to 1839.
Rev. W. M. Benedict, from 1839 to 1841.
Rev. Moses Gillett, from 1841 to 1845.
Rev. Truman C. Hill, from 1845 to 1849.
Rev. William R. Platt, from 1849 to 1855.
Rev. J. L. Jones, from 1855 to 1858.
Rev. William Dewey, from 1858 to 1861.
Rev. John C. Taylor, from 1861 to 1865.
Rev. John Cunningham, from 1865 to 1876.
Rev. James Robertson, from 1876 to 1879 ..
Rev. Emerson G. Wickes, from 1879 to 1884.
Rev. John Mitchell, from 1884 to 1888.
This church has been favored with repeated revivals, of which the following were the most marked : In the winter of 1835-6, under the ministry of Rev. D. Johnson, 35 per- sons joined on profession of faith. In the spring of 1867, under the ministry of Rev. John Cunningham, and with the assistance of Rev. O. Parker, Evangelist, 41 persons joined, of whom 15 were heads of families. Other similar refresh- ings, resulting in good fruits, have been repeatedly enjoyed.
Very early in the history of the church, a Sabbath school was established in connection with it, which has been maintained ever since. For many years the church has also had its " Ladies' Missionary Society," which has supported
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some missionaries and helped to support others. It has likewise two or three Young People's Societies, aiming respectively at some good work.
When the first house of worship was put up is not recorded, but the present church edifice was built in 1845, repaired and remodeled in 1861, and repaired again, after a fire, in 1881. The parsonage was built in 1835, and repaired and improved in 1881.
The ruling elders serve for a term of five years each, and those in office at the present time are Beman B. Roberts, George H. Way, James Mershon, Charles J. White and A. M. White, elders Way and Mershon acting as deacons.
Owing to the gradual extinction of the purely American families and the influx of foreigners in this region of country, the numbers and strength of the congregation have declined accordingly. But faithful and earnest souls still remain in it, and by these the belief is fondly cherished, that this church which has been the object of so much self- denial, fervent zeal, and prayerful interest on the part of those now gone to their reward, will not cease to exist, not at least during the present generation.
TUSCARORA.
This church was first organized in 1839, by Rev. Israel Hammond, as Reformed Dutch.
In the year 1846, it was re-organized as the Second Pres- byterian Church of Mount Morris, now Tuscarora, having the following members : Wm. H. Cownover, Jacob Petrie, Peter Van Nest, Garrett Cownover, John Michael, Geo. S. Kershaw, Isaac Van Deventer, William Post, Charity Van Deventer, Juliana Dodge, Susan Kershaw, Permela Powers, Margaret C. Howell, Ida Post, Ann Conklin, Jane Birch,
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Elizabeth Van Nest, Catharine Cownover, Ann Van Orsdall, Sarah Van Auker, Mary Milholen, Sarah H. Cownover, Sarah Ann Lashels, Eleanor Howell, Frances I. Howell, Ketura Davis, Catharine C. Michael.
The following persons were ordained, elders and deacons :
Elders. Aaron Cownover, Wm. Howell, James Conklin, Stephen Birch.
Deacons. Wm. N. Hall, Wm. Van Deventer, Aaron Davis.
The church was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Ontario, June 2d, 1846.
From the time of the formation of the church till Octo- ber, 1851, it was under the care and ministrations of the Rev. Peter S. Van Nest, who labors were abundantly blessed, in the edification of the church and the salvation of souls.
During the ministrations of the Rev. Peter S. Van Nest, the relationship of the church was changed from Ontario Presbytery new school, to Wyoming Presbytery old school.
September 2d, 1852, the church issued a call to the Rev. Thomas L. Dewing to become its pastor, and he having accepted the call was duly installed Oct. 20th, 1852, by a Commission of Wyoming Presbytery, Rev. Thomas Aitken preaching the sermon, Rev. Isaac Oakes charging the pas- tor, and Rev. Mr. Young, the people. He remained one year.
In the year 1852, the church changed its name from the Second Presbyterian Church of Mount Morris to the Pres- byterian Church of Tuscarora.
In November, 1833, Rev. Washington D. Mckinley commenced his labors with the church as S. S., and remained about eleven years.
During his ministrations, the church enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity, yet no marked awakening character- ized its history. Rev. Mr. Mckinley resigned his charge
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in August, 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. Robert W. McCormick in January, 1865, as pastor. He remained with the church till September, 1869, when the pastoral relation was dissolved.
In May, 1870, the church of Tuscarora formed a union with the Presbyterian Church of Union Corners, called the United Church of Tuscarora and Union Corners. Rev. William E. Jones was called to the pastorate of the united church and commenced his labors June 26th, 1870. He ministered to the united church for three years.
In the interim of vacancies, the church has had various supplies for a brief period and in several instances has experienced revivals of more or less interest, and of salutary results.
In 1875, the church severed its connection with the Union Corners church, and called to its pastorate the Rev. Silas Mckinney, who ministered to the church about three years, and was succeeded by Rev. John Mitchell, January, 1880, who also ministered for the term of three years, both of them S. S. During Mr. Mitchell's term of service, G. C. Conklin and E. Marsh Petrie were ordained elders.
In 1883, the church extended a call to the Rev. William F. Millikan to become its pastor, and he having accepted the call was installed March 20th, 1883, by a commission of Rochester Presbytery. Rev. J. E. Kittredge, D. D., presided and offered the prayer of installation. Rev. Levi Parsons, D. D., preached the sermon. Rev, J. R. Page, D. D., charged the pastor, and Rev. John Mitchell, the people. Mr. Millikan ministered to the church during two years, when the pastoral relation was dissolved.
October 18th, 1885, an invitation was extended to Rev. T. H. Quigley to minister to the church. The invitation was accepted, and he is at present its stated supply.
Its present board of elders consists of Garret C. Conklin, E. Marsh Petrie, Andrew Johnson and William N. Hall.
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For the past few years, the church has suffered by deaths and removals so that its numbers are depleted and its financial resources crippled, yet it has steadily maintained its standing.
All or nearly all its pastors and stated supplies have been instrumental in leading greater or less numbers to Christ. They have without exception rightly divided the word of truth.
The church has long maintained a flourishing Sabbath school.
The house of worship was erected in 1844, and has subse- quently been thoroughly repaired and remodelled about the year 1870.
Adjoining the church lot, the society owns a commodious parsonage.
The Sabbath school was organized in February, 1846. Its present superintendent is Mr. Charles Whitenack. The present trustees of the society are Garrett C. Conklin, Charles Whitenack and E. R. Creveling.
UNION CORNERS.
The Presbyterian Church of Union Corners was organ- ized Aug. 21, 1825, by Rev. Elihu Mason with the follow- ing nine members : Garret Van Wagnen and Mary, his wife, Mrs. Catharine Bogart, Mrs. Catharine Thompson, Abraham Thompson, James O'Brien and Nellie, his wife, James J. Amerman, and Jacob Van Middlesworth. The elders who were then ordained were Garret Van Wagnen, James J. Amerman and Dea. Jacob Van Middlesworth.
The present three elders are Jacob Bergen, Andrew Sedan and Jacob Knappenberg. Jacob Bergen is the only deacon, and these officers are not elected for limited terms.
After the organization no further record appears until
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August 6th, 1828, when the Rev. Norris Bull received Catharine Thompson, Archibald Ten Eyck and Eliza, his wife, Philip Thompson and Hannah, his wife, and Hannah G. Thompson.
Sept. 17th, 1828, Rev. N. W. Fisher, moderator, Philip Thompson and Archibald T. Ten Eyck were elected elders.
April 19, 1832, the following elders were elected to the session : Obed Cravath, Calvin E. Clark, Jacob Bergen and Samuel Comstock.
March 5, 1834, the following were chosen as the first trustees : Jabez Hungerford, Stephen Trowbridge, Samuel T. Comstock, Jacob Bergen, Abraham T. Thompson and Gilbert Bogart.
The following is a list of the ministers who have labored with this church :
Rev. Amos P. Brown, 1829-1830.
Rev. Ludovicus Robbins, 1831-1832.
Rev. Leonard Rodgers, 1833-36.
Rev. Leveret Hull, 1837-40.
Rev. Samuel A. Rawson, 1841-42.
Rev. Horatio Norton, 1843-44.
Rev. William Bridgeman, 1844-45.
Rev. William Fithian, 1846-53.
Rev. Norris Barton, 1855-56.
Rev. Timothy Darling, 1857-59.
Rev. Robert W. McCormick, 1865-66.
Rev. Peter S. VanNest, 1867.
Rev. Willis Clark Gaylord, 1868-70.
Rev. William E. Jones, 1870-73.
Rev. James M. Harlow, 1874-75.
Rev. Silas Mckinney, 1876-77.
Rev. Burton A. Partridge, 1878-79.
Rev. John Mitchell, 1879-81.
Rev. William F. Millikan, 1882-84.
Rev. Wilmer McNair, 1885.
Rev. Timothy H. Quigley, 1886.
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Of the above ministers the Rev. Willis Clark Gaylord was ordained and installed as pastor, Oct. 6, 1868, the Rev. S. M. Campbell, D. D., of Rochester preaching the sermon, from which relation he was released April 1st, 1870, in order that the church might be united with the church in Tuscarora in the choice of a pastor.
Rev. William F. Millikan was installed pastor, March 20, 1883, Rev. Edward Bristol, of Rochester, preaching the sermon, from which relation he was released Jan. 1st, 1885.
The church enjoyed extensive revivals during the min- istries of Rev. L. Hull, Rev. W. C. Gaylord and Rev. B. A. Partridge. The latter, being a Methodist minister was instrumental in connection with the revival, in forming a Methodist church about 1879, which movement very much weakened the Presbyterian.
The present house of worship was built in 1835, but was never dedicated until 1880, at which time it was very thor- oughly repaired.
The present trustees are Jacob Knappenberg, William J. Slaight and Sherman Strivings.
Jacob Bergen was born Jan. 11, 1803, united with this church, April 5, 1832, elected elder, April 19, 1832, and is the only one living, June, 1888, who contributed of his substance for the erection of said church.
Mrs. Cynthia Sedam, a sister of Jacob Bergen, was born June 17, 1798, and united with this church, April 4, 1830. She is still living and attends church occasionally.
The church has been closed for about two years with but little prospect that services will be resumed.
It was received under the care of Presbytery of Ontario, Aug. 23, 1825, and followed the same in its union with the present Presbytery of Rochester, reporting in 1888, twenty- eight members. This church is located in the town of West Sparta, only a few rods from the boundary line between it and Mount Morris, and only two miles from Tuscarora.
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VICTOR.
The First Presbyterian Church of Victor was originally a Congregational church, organized by Rev. Reuben Par- mele, who had previously been settled in Hinesburg, Ver- mont, and came to Victor in 1798. The society was incor- porated Sept. 13, 1798, under the title, "The North Congregational Society in Bloomfield," and the trustees named in the act of incorporation were Jared Boughton (the original purchaser of the town of Victor), Joseph Brace, Jr., and Thomas Hawley. Subsequently, in 1811, the corporate title was changed to "The Northeast Con- gregational Society in Bloomfield." Victor was set off from the town of Bloomfield in 1812, but the corporate title of the church was not changed thereafter until 1888, when it became " The First Presbyterian Church in Victor." The church was duly constituted, and its first pastor, Mr. Parmele, was installed Feb. 13 and 14, 1799. Nine persons united by letter to form the church, under the authority of an ecclesiastical council of which Rev. Seth Williston was a member. The Victor church is the fifth oldest church organization extant west of Seneca Lake.
Palmyra church organized 1793.
Lima church (Presbyterian) 1795.
Lakeville church (Presbyterian) 1795.
East Bloomfield church (Congregational) 1796.
Victor church (Presbyterian) Sept. 13, 1798.
The first church building in Victor was erected by this society in 1805-6, and was located on the hill north of the center of the village, near the ground where De Nonville repulsed the Senecas in the battle of July 13, 1687. The present church building was erected on ground near the ambuscade, and was dedicated Thursday, Jan. 24, 1833. The building has since been enlarged and improved, while
VICTOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
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adjoining the church on the east is a good parsonage and pleasant grounds.
This church was connected with the "Ontario Associ- ation " until that body was merged in the Geneva Presby- tery, May 5, 1813. Subsequently, about 1818, it became connected with the " Genesee Consociation." Feb. 8, 1827, the church decided to become Presbyterian, and the minority withdrew and remained a Congregational church. The Presbyterian branch joined the "Ontario Presbytery " at its meeting in Geneseo, Jan. 16, 1828. A compromise and reunion were effected between the two branches, Sept. 20, 1832, and subsequently the church again became Con- gregational. March 8, 1858, the church finally became Presbyterian, and since then has been known as the " First Presbyterian Church in Victor."
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