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 9
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
117
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
TRUSTEES OF THE PRESBYTERY.
Since the reorganization of the Board, June 18, 1883, the following persons have served as trustees for the years fol- lowing their respective names :
Joseph R. Page, 1883 to 1884. Louis Chapin, 1883 to 1889.
George W. Sill, 1883 to 1885.
Levi Parsons, 1883 to 1889. Frederick Probst, 1883 to 1889.
Charles N. Leonard, 1883 to 1889.
Charles P. Coit, 1883 to 1889. John R. Strang, 1883 to 1889. Alexander H. Campbell, 1883 to 1884. Charles J. Hayden, 1884 to 1888. Theodore W. Hopkins, 1885 to 1886.
Marcus K. Woodbury, 1885 to 1888.
David R. Eddy, 1886 to 1889.
Sidney A. Newman, 1888 to 1889.
David M. Hough, 1888 to 1889.
118
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
CLERKS AND TREASURERS
OF THE PRESBYTERY.
-
The Rev. Levi Parsons was elected Stated Clerk at the first stated meeting, September 14, 1870, and has continued to hold the office to the present time, 1889.
The Permanent Clerks have been :
Rev. John Jones, from 1870 to 1874, followed successively by Elder John R. Strang and Rev. Samuel A. Freeman.
The first Treasurer was Elder Jonathan E. Pierpont, whose successor up to the present time, 1889, is Elder David Cory.
MINISTERS AND CHURCHES
BELONGING TO ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY, OCTOBER, 1889.
MINISTERS.
ADDRESS.
CHURCHES.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS.
Linus W. Billington
Scottsville, N. Y
James B. Shaw, D. D
Rochester,
Ferdinand DeW Ward, D. D
Geneseo,
George W. Lane ...
Moscow,
A. Augustus Wood, D. D.
Rochester, 66
James Ballentine. . . Leroy, 66
Jonathan Copeland.
Webster,
66
Webster. .
126.
James F. Calkins.
East Avon,
66
Oliver P. Conklin.
Rochester,
William Hunter ...
Springwater,
Springwater.
26.
Alfred A. Graley ...
Clarkson,
Herbert W. Morris, D. D ..
Rochester,
Gates ...
99.
Edward B. Walsworth, D. D.
Livonia,
Livonia. .
170.
T. Morey Hodgman. . John Mitchell
Lakeville,
66
Geneseo First.
109.
Henry Wickes
Rochester,
John Reid
Clarkson,
Clarkson.
53.
Orson P. Allen
Kharpoot, Turkey.
Herman N. Barnum, D. D.
Kharpoot, Turkey.
George Patton ..
Rochester,
N. Y.
Rochester Third.
433.
Levi Parsons, D. D.
Mount Morris,
Mount Morris.
Timothy H. Quigley.
Tuscarora,
Tuscarora ...
257. 62.
119
·
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Rochester,
66
MINISTERS.
ADDRESS.
CHURCHES.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS.
120
Benjamin F. Willoughby .... John E. Baker. ..
Rochester,
Samuel A. Freeman, D. D
Honeoye Falls,
Honeoye Falls ..
117.
David R. Eddy.
Brockport,
Brockport. .
266.
Nelson Millard, D. D.
Rochester,
Rochester First.
530.
Corliss B. Gardner.
Rochester,
Rochester Westminster.
270.
Edwin B. VanAuken.
Phelps,
Gavin L Hamilton .. .
Rochester,
Parma Centre
30.
Horace P. V. Bogne.
Avon,
Avon Central. .
120.
Newton J. Conklin. .
Rochester,
Nunda
121.
Henry H. Stebbins, D. D.
Rochester,
Willis Clark Gaylord.
Rochester,
Geneseo Village.
624.
Thomas E Babb ..
West Brookfield, Mass .
Rochester Memorial.
354.
Alfred J. Hutton.
Rochester,
Rochester St. Peter's. 492.
James L. Box
Canisteo,
Theodore B Williams
Mendon,
Mendon. .
107.
George K Ward ..
Dansville,
Dansville .
357.
James S. Root
Rochester,
Rochester Emmanuel.
135.
John McColl
Brighton,
66
Brighton.
150.
James Robertson.
Pike,
Fisher Gutelius.
Moscow,
Piffard. .
25.
Edward Bristol. .
Rochester,
Rochester Calvary. .
132.
William R. Taylor.
Rochester,
Rochester Brick.
1431.
Theodore W. Hopkins. .
Rochester,
Peter Lindsay ...
Rochester,
Rochester North.
326.
John C. Henderson.
Charlotte,
Charlotte ..
93.
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
John M Carmichael
Nunda,
.
Rochester Central. 988.
Josiah E. Kittredge, D. D.
Geneseo,
Charles P. Coit ..
Rochester, N. Y.
Lima. . .
183.
Lima, N. Y
( Moscow.
94.
MINISTERS.
ADDRESS.
CHURCHES.
NUMBER OF MEMBERS.
George W. Davis ..
Huron, N. Y ..
Theodore M. McNair
Tokio, Japan ..
Frank P. Gilman ..
Hainan, China ..
Gerard B. F. Hallock
Scottsville, N. Y.
Wheatland.
250.
Daniel M. Countermine.
Fowlerville,
Fowlerville
106.
§ Sparta First
85.
Robert K. Wick ..
North Sparta,
Sparta Second.
63.
Glenroie McQueen.
Spencerport,
Ogden .
202.
Johnson A. Henderson.
Caledonia,
Caledonia.
170.
Lucius F. Badger
Groveland,
¥
Groveland ..
170.
Pittsford.
190.
Victor
243.
Chili.
30.
Avon. . .
90.
Sweden
46.
Ossian .
50.
Union Corners.
20.
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Louis F. Ruf. .
Pittsford,
121
.
Ruling Elders Belonging to the Churches of Rochester Presbytery, AS REPORTED IN NOVEMBER, 1889.
AVON.
Harvey Bigelow, - - East Avon, N. Y. Ralph S. Taintor, Jr., - " Solomon Taintor, M. D.,
AVON CENTRAL.
George G. Westfall, Avon, N. Y. Henry G. Woodruff, West Rush, N. Y.
BRIGHTON.
Elisha Y. Blossom, - Brighton, N. Y. Harrison A. Lyon, - Theodore A. Drake, -
Marshfield Parsons, -
- Thomas A. Brown, M. D.,
Thomas E. Blossom, -
BROCKPORT.
Henry W. Gardner, Brockport, N. Y.
66 Horace A. Metcalf,
Joseph A. Tozier, John A. Drake,
Edgar Benedict,
CALEDONIA.
William E Masterton, Caledonia, N. Y.
James Fraser,
-
William S. McKenzie,
66
Archibald A. McColl,
Hugh McColl, Le Roy, N. Y.
CHARLOTTE.
Alexander Ferguson, Charlotte, N. Y. Richard Bemish,
William H. Denise,
CHILI.
J. Allen Andrews, Chili, N. Y. Benjamin F. Bowen, Chili Station, N. Y.
CLARKSON.
Chauncy Allan,
-
Clarkson, N. Y.
William H. Steele,
-
Thomas Breckenridge,
66
Edward Corlett,
122
- HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
DANSVILLE.
David D. McNair, Dansville, N. Y.
James M. McCurdy,
George W. De Long,
Alexander Edwards,
66
William T. Spinning,
George W. Shepherd,
FOWLERVILLE.
Gerritt S. Casey, Fowlerville, N. Y.
Theodore Freeman,
Hugh B. Agar,
-
66
GATES.
Thomas Roe, Gates, N. Y. Franklin S. Hinchey, Rochester, N. Y. Thomas M. Joslin,
Silas W. Hulbert, Ogden, N. Y.
GENESEO FIRST.
Samuel N. Knight, Lakeville, N. Y. Daniel Bigelow,
Cornelius P. Weeks,
David Dinsmore, Livonia Station, N. Y.
GENESEO VILLAGE.
Adoniram J. Abbott, Geneseo, N. Y.
Andrew W. Butterway,
66
William A. Brodie,
66
Thomas Elliot, Moscow, N. Y.
George Fridd, Geneseo, N. Y. 66
Nelson J. Griswold,
Elisha W. Hudnutt, -
66
Walter E. Lauderdale, M. D.,
William J. Milne, LL. D.,
66
James S. Orton,
.
John R. Strang, Esq., 1
1
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
GROVELAND.
Orimel Bigelow, Groveland, N. Y.
Fort Benway,
66
66
Samuel Culbertson, East Groveland, N. Y. John P. Titsworth, Groveland, N. Y.
HONEOYE FALLS.
Albe C. Allen,
1
Honeoye Falls, N. Y.
Seward W. Holdridge,
66
66
Christopher Eberly, -
123
-
LIMA.
Justin S. Goodrich, Lima, N. Y.
Andrew J. Warner,
Williamı R. McNair,
William H. Day,
Henry Lawrence,
Edward Salmon,
MENDON.
Frederick Probst, Mendon, N. Y.
Josiah B. Smith,
Henry Scribner,
Curtis M. Gates, Honeoye Falls, N. Y.
MOSCOW.
Daniel T. Barnum, Moscow, N. Y.
Newton H. Crosby, 66 66 William Holbrook, F. Stuart Gray, Greigsville, N. Y.
MOUNT MORRIS.
Loren J. Ames, [M. D., Mount Morris, N. Y. Wilder Silver,
Samuel L. Rockfellow,
Miles B. McNair,
Robert Crawford,
Joshua C. Weeks,
Henry M. Swan,
NUNDA.
George Arnold, Nunda, N. Y.
James H. McNair,
Arnold Galley,
OGDEN. William B. Nichols, Spencerport, N. Y. George H. Comstock, 66
Horace Rann,
William B. Lowry,
John Kincaid,
James N. Arnold, Ogden, N. Y.
OSSIAN.
David McCurdy, Dansville, N. Y. Matthias Rolison, Ossian, N. Y. Jacob Clendening,
PARMA CENTRE.
Thomas Breeze, Parma, N. Y.
Hugh Johnson, 66
Isaac Castle,
Parma Centre, N. Y.
Andrew Warren,
PIFFARD.
T. Nelson Shattuck, Piffard, N. Y. Zera F. Blakely, - Willis A. Sackett, Buffalo, N. Y.
124
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
PITTSFORD.
George R. Barker,
Pittsford, N. Y.
George W. Canfield,
Wesley Van Buskirk,
66
יי
Albert White,
Charles F. Thornell,
ROCHESTER BRICK.
David Dickey, - Rochester, N. Y.
Louis Chapin,
-
Jesse W. Hatch,
Truman A. Newton,
Joel G. Davis, 66
Edward Webster,
Charles F. Weaver,
George N. Storms,
Lansing G. Wetmore,
Seth J. Arnold, -
Win. Henry Gorsline,
ROCHESTER CALVARY.
Franklin S. Stebbins, Rochester, N. Y.
Thomas Oliver,
66
66
Frank T. Skinner,
-
66
ROCHESTER CENTRAL.
William Alling, - Rochester, N. Y.
Henry Churchill,
Darius L. Covill,
Frank M. Ellery, 66
Heman Glass,
John N. Harder, 1
William A. Hubbard,
William A. Hubbard, Jr.,
William B. Levet,
Alonzo L. Mabbett, 1
66
Samuel Sloan, 1
66
Henry Wray, 1
¥
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
ROCHESTER EMMANUEL.
Francis Noye,
Rochester, N. Y.
Edwin E. Shutt,
66
George Lockwood,
66
Frank F. Dow, -
George A. Tanner,
George H. Barons,
66
125
ROCHESTER FIRST.
George C. Buell, - Rochester, N. Y.
Charles H. Webb, Albert G. Bassett, David M Hough,
Henry Goold, Thomas Chester, Arthur S. Hamilton, Charles F. Pond, ٤٠
George D. Olds, -
ROCHESTER MEMORIAL.
Edward W. Warner, Rochester, N. Y.
George H. Rudman,
David C Rudman,
Wilbur F. Smith,
Gottleib W. Hauert,
ROCHESTER NORTH.
George W. Davison, Rochester, N. Y. Frank H. Clement, Frank J. Shields,
Hiram T. Jones,
ROCHESTER ST. PETERS.
Sidney A. Newman, - Jonathan E. Pierpont, Richard K. White, Esq., Ira C. Goodridge, Hon. John S. Morgan,* Marcus K. Woodbury*, Henry C. Clark, 1 Harvey W. Brown, - Edwin S. Hayward, -
Rochester, N. Y.
66
ROCHESTER THIRD.
Joseph Harris,
-
Rochester, N. Y.
William F. Cogswell,
Edward Harris,
-
William S. Little,
John H. Hill,
Charles R. King,
David Cory,
David Copeland,
*Deceased.
126
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
ROCHESTER WESTMINSTER.
Benjamin H. Hill, - Rochester, N. Y. Jeremiah B. Whitbeck, 66
John M. Cheeseman,
James L. Tarrant,
Harvey B. Graves,
William F. Parry, 1
SPARTA FIRST.
James S. Gilman, Mount Morris, N. Y. Charles B. McNair, Sonyea, N. Y. Edward L. McFetridge, Scottsburgh, N. Y.
SPARTA SECOND.
Hugh T. McNair, Dansville, N. Y. David McNair,
Samuel Alexander,
SPRINGWATER.
Samuel A. Howe, - Springwater, N. Y. Frank S. Grover, - 66
Timothy D. Connor, M. D.,
SWEDEN.
George H. Way, - Brockport, N. Y. James Mershon, - Beman B. Roberts,
Charles J. White, -
Alfred M. White, -
.
TUSCARORA.
Garrett C. Conklin, Tuscarora, N. Y. Andrew Johnson, E. Marsh Petrie, 66
UNION CORNERS.
Jacob Bergen, Tuscarora, N. Y. Jacob Knappenberg, Andrew Sedam, 1
VICTOR.
.
Albert Simonds, 1
Victor, N. Y.
D. Henry Osborne, -
Stephen J Talmadge,
Stafford S. Lusk,
William A. Higinbotham,
C. Lewis Simonds, 1
66
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
WEBSTER.
Roland W. Warner, Penfield, N. Y. Alexander McPherson, Webster, N. Y. George Middleton, West Webster, N. Y. Andrew M. Holley, Webster, N. Y.
WHEATLAND.
Daniel C. McPherson, Garbutt, N. Y. Myron Miller, - Scottsville, N. Y. Wilson R. Ballintine,
George V. Hahn,
127
128
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Histories of the Presbyterian Churches
IN THE COUNTIES OF MONROE AND LIVINGSTON.
These histories, with few exceptions, have been prepared by the ministers of the several churches, subject to the re- vision of the committee of Presbytery appointed to pub- lish its history, consisting of Rev. Levi Parsons, D. D., Louis Chapin, Esq., Rev. H. W. Morris, D. D .. , and Rev. C. W. Backus.
In the work of revision, the churches of Rochester were assigned to Louis Chapin, Esq .; those of Brockport, Charlotte, Chili, Churchville, Clarkson, Gates, Ogden, Parma Centre, Sweden and Wheatland to Dr. Morris ; those of Brighton, Bushnell's Basin, Henrietta, Honeoye Falls, Mendon, Penfield, Pittsford, Rush, Victor and Webster to Rev. C. W. Backus ; and those in Livingston county to Dr. Parsons.
AVON.
The town of Avon, which was called Hartford, up to 1808, was settled in 1790 by five families from Farmington, Conn. It is thought that the Rev. Daniel Thatcher or- ganized a Presbyterian church in this town as early as 1795 ; but this does not appear from Presbyterial Records, nor from any records which the church has handed down.
A Congregational church was organized November 10, 1810, by Rev. Reuben Parmerlee, consisting of the following twenty persons : Samuel Federal, Phoebe Blakeslee, Asa and Jemima Clark, Herman and Mary Ladd. George Crouse,
129
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Martha and Lucy C. Tilden, Elizabeth Strunck, Maria and Catharine Berry, Thankful Bancroft, Lucinda Burfee, Chris- tiana Bishop, Rebecca Scott, Mary Brown and Catharine Miller. The first deacons were Samuel Blakeslee and Asa C. Clark, and the first clerk Federal Blakeslee. The church became a constituent part of the Presbytery of Ontario on the accommodating plan, January 15, 1822 ; elected ruling elders March 25, 1842, and has continued its connection with the Presbytery up to the present time.
Rev. John F. Bliss was ordained and installed pastor February 25, 1812, and remained until February, 1818. Then followed, for short terms of service, Rev. Chauncey Cook, Rev. Mr. Hyde, Rev. Mr. Knapen, Rev. Mr. Robbins and Rev. Mr. Bird.
January 16, 1822, Rev. John Whittlesey was installed, and was dismissed March 19, 1829. He was succeeded by Rev. H. M. Miller, who was followed by Rev. Jacob Hart for three years from May, 1831. Then followed Rev. William C. Wisner, for two years; Rev. Alfred White, for one year ; Rev. Edwards Marsh, two years, and Rev. J. Hubbard, Rev. P. C. Hastings and Rev. E. W. Kellogg for a year each.
In September, 1844, Rev. Samuel M. Hopkins commenced his ministry, which terminated in July, 1847.
September 27, 1848, Rev. Edward B. Walsworth was ordained and installed pastor and continued until October, 1853. He was followed by Rev. Corydon W. Higgins from 1853 to 1855, and by Rev. J. W. Ray, from 1855 to 1857. After Mr. Ray, Rev. William N. Cleveland supplied the church for a short time, and was followed by Rev Nathan- iel Elmer from 1858 to 1862. Rev. Archibald M. Shaw, from 1864 to 1865 ; Dr. E. B. Walsworth, from 1866 to 1867 ; Rev. J. R. Page, from 1868 to 1872 ; Rev. Horace P. V. Bogne, from 1874 to 1876 ; Rev. F. De W. Ward, D. D., from 1876 to 1880, and Rev. James F. Calkins, from from 1880 to 1888.
130
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Services at first were held in a school house.
In 1812 a large brick church was commenced, but was not completed and dedicated until 1827, though services were held in it prior to 1820. In 1841 the building was in part renovated ; in 1845 a bell was purchased ; in 1850 the park was planted with trees and the parsonage was built.
In 1866 a very strong effort was made to secure the removal of the church to the west village, which resulted in forty or fifty members taking letters to form the church of Avon Springs. The church, however, not only refused to be removed but rallied to new life, and made a very thorough renovation of its church edifice at an expense of $4,000.
During Dr. Page's ministry a study was added to the parsonage, and a pipe organ put in the gallery.
In 1879 a prayer and Sunday School room was added to the church, and in 1888 the platform was lowered and the organ brought from the loft and placed beside the pulpit.
In 1825 the number of members was seventy-one; in 1833, one hundred and two; in 1839, one hundred and fifty, and in 1888, seventy-five.
Two interesting seasons of revival were enjoyed under Mr. Whittlesey's labors which brought an accession to the church of more than fifty members on profession. The labors of Dr. Wisner were greatly blessed in confronting the strong infidelity which had prevailed, resulting in an addition of more than forty members. A similar blessing attended the labors of Mr. Marsh, when seventeen were added.
Much could be said very favorably of the ministrations of Dr. Walsworth, Mr. Elmer, Dr. Page and Dr. Ward.
The eight years ministry of Rev. J. F. Calkins has proved longer than that of any of his predecessors, and very happy in the ingatherings which it has secured. Feeble health compelled him to resign after a very successful ministry of
131
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
more than forty-four years. The church at this date, 1889, is depending upon transient supplies.
In its entire history, while it has never paid a large salary, owing to the fact that but few of the wealthy men of the place are members, it has always refused to ask for mission- ary aid.
The elders elected March 25, 1842, when the church first became fully Presbyterian, were Mishael Wilson, Henry L. Young, William Jackson, James Hosmer and David Whitney.
The trustees in 1812 were John Pierson, John Brown, Ezekiel Morly, Jehial Kelsey and Josiah Waterous.
The present officers of the Sunday School are Louis R. Bristol, superintendent ; Charles Beckwith, assistant ; Charles Lacy, treasurer; Frank Henry, secretary, and Augusta Taintor, librarian.
The young people have a prayer meeting Sunday evening.
A Juvenile Missionary Society was formed five or six years ago.
The Woman's Missionary Society was formed in 1877.
AVON FREE CHURCH.
A special meeting of the Presbytery of Ontario, for the purpose of forming a church in the southern part of the town of Avon, met at the house of Mr. Norman Little, December 16, 1834, and was opened with a sermon by Rev. Justus Hough, from Ps. 97: 1, who also was chosen moder- ator. It appearing that the church in Avon had not been properly notified of this movement, Presbytery adjourned to the same place on the 26th inst., when the following eighteen members of the church of Avon, viz : Norman Little, William F. Southworth, Solomon Hunt, Jane Ann Little, Lewis G. Howard, Edwin Cook, Lovisa C. Cook,
132
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Sarah Wallage, Harriet Hunt, Isaac Osgood, Jemima B. Osgood, Martha Miller, Rebecca Scott, Ezekiel Scott, Sally Post, Mahitable Fuller, Eunice Weed and Lysander Weed, together with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Lyon of the church at Canandaigua, were constituted a church, known as “ The Free Church of Avon," which was located at the village of Littleville. At the time of the organization, Isaac Osgood, Lewis G. Howard and William T. Southworth were duly chosen and ordained to the office of deacon ; from which, as no elders were ordained, we infer that the church was Congregational and belonged to Presbytery according to the " Plan of Union."
The Rev. Hezekiah B. Pierpont was the first minister, and on the 18th of February, 1836, was installed pastor by the Presbytery of Ontario, which relation was dissolved August 25, 1841. It is thought that Roderick L. Hurlbert, a licen- tiate received by Ontario from Cayuga Presbytery August 24, 1842, succeeded Mr. Pierpont, and that after him the church had no other minister. Resolutions respecting his death at Castile were passed by the Presbytery April 26, 1854.
The Committee on Home Missions reported to Presbytery July 9, 1856, in regard to this church, that " Most of the members have died or left the place, or connected them- selves with a neighboring church," and that " the committee are told the church is virtually disbanded already."
A house of worship was erected soon after the organiza- tion of the church, which remained for about thirty years when it was put to other uses.
Hotelkin's history says : "In 1836 it numbered one hun- dred and fourteen members. * * * In 1846 a blessed revival and ingathering of souls was granted. Seventy- seven were added to the church on profession."
133
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
AVON SPRINGS.
In October, 1865, Rev. Edwin R. Davis commenced preaching in the Academy at Avon, N. Y., with reference to the organization of a church. This resulted in the forma- tion of the Avon Springs Presbyterian Society, November 12. 1866, with the following trustees : R. S. Taintor, Stephen Hosmer, Theodore E. Winans, O. Comstock, D. C. Brayton and D. M. Stevens.
On the 11th of December, 1866, a commission of Ontario Presbytery consisting of Rev. John Barnard, D. D., Rev. Pliny F. Sanborne and Rev. George P. Folsom, organized the Avon Springs Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Mr. Folsom preaching the sermon.
Thirty-seven persons, recommended by letter, principally from the First Church of Avon, united with each other in covenant, and were constituted the Presbyterian Church of Avon Springs.
O. Comstock, D. C. Brayton and R. Taintor were duly elected and ordained ruling elders.
Rev. Mr. Davis continued his labors until October, 1867. in all two years, when he retired, and no successor was ever obtained. During these two years an effort was made to erect a church edifice, which for a time was very hopeful, but failed.
In the spring of 1872 an unsuccessful effort was made to revive the church.
In 1876 some of the original members of this organiza- tion united with others in constituting the Central Presby- terian Church of Avon. But, though a new church was formed, the old legal organization known as the Avon Springs Presbyterian Society was continued as the legal representative of the new body.
(See History of the Central Presbyterian Church of Avon.)
134
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
AVON CENTRAL.
The Central Presbyterian Church, Avon, N. Y., was or- ganized May 9, 1876, by a commission of Rochester Presby- tery, consisting of Rev. J. L. Robertson, Rev. S. M. Campbell, D. D., and Mr. Louis Chapin. Forty-two mem- bers constituted the organization. The rotary system of eldership was adopted, and two elders were chosen, viz., Edwin I. Stevens and Benj. Long. The trustees of the society, whose legal title is the Avon Springs Presbyterian Society, were Aaron Barber, Stephen Hosmer, Edwin I. Stevens, William P. Low, J. A. Chase and W. S. Curtiss.
On May 22, 1876, the Rev. H. P. V. Bogne was invited to take charge of the church, and began his labors with it June 10. In the fall of the same year the society purchased a parsonage, and a lot adjoining for a church edifice. In July, 1877, the erection of a brick church was begun, which was finished in 1878 at an expense of $12,000. In 1886 the manse was enlarged and improved at a cost of $2,200.
The church has enjoyed two special seasons of revival, though lesser revivals have not been infrequent. In the first thirteen years of its history, exclusive of those who united at the organization, 84 have been received on con- fession of faith and 67 by letter. It has four missionary societies, and a Society of Christian Endeavor, which was organized in February, 1887. The present pastor is the only one the church has had-Rev. H. P. V. Bogne. The elders are George G. Westfall and Henry G. Woodruff. The trustees, Aaron Barber, Stephen Hosmer, George G. Westfall, James D. Carson, Henry G. Woodruff, John Schanck, David W. Gregg and John March.
135
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
BRIGHTON.
The Rev. Solomon Allen of Northampton, Mass., came to Brighton in 1816. Previously acquainted with some of the early settlers of the town from that State, he followed them to care for their religious interests. The church was organized September 18, 1817, by Rev. Messrs. Solomon Allen, Comfort Williams and Aaron C. Collins, with 22 mem- bers, and until 1870 was a Congregational church. The first deacons were Daniel West, Daniel Smith and Henry Donley, who were set apart to said office in January, 1818. The regular place of worship was a school house. Mr. Allen was an interesting preacher and a most devoted pastor, and endeared himself to all classes of the community. He paid attention to the children, and started a Sunday school in 1816. The church in the wilderness prospered, and num- bered 60 members at his departure for his old home in the fall of 1820. He died in New York City, January 19th, 1821, aged 70 years.
The church has had many stated supplies, but only five regularly installed pastors, the longest time of service by any minister being ten years. Rev. Jonathan Winchester came in Jannary, 1822, and had charge about a year and a half. Rev. Charles Thorpe was installed April 27, 1825 ; the installation services being combined with those of the dedication of the new church. His pastorate lasted about three years.
Rev. William Jones supplied the pulpit for eight months, and his ministrations were marked by a revival of religion.
Rev. Silas Pratt served the church four months, and was followed, in the summer of 1828 by Rev. Abner Benedict, who remained two years. The church was agitated by the general anti-Masonic excitement, and other troubles, and efforts were made to change it to a Presbyterian church.
136
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Its first report to the "Consociation," on June 1, 1829, cred- ited it with 116 members.
Rev. Linus W. Billington supplied the pulpit two or three months. Rev. Charles G. Finney was in Rochester at the time, and Brighton church enjoyed a revival. In 1831, 79 persons were added to the church. Rev. Worth- ington Wright supplied the pulpit four or five months.
Rev. Hiram L. Miller came in June, 1831, and remained a little over two years. Fifty-nine were added to the church. Great interest was taken by the people in the cause of temperance. A petition was presented to the Rochester Presbytery for the organization of a Presbyterian church, but in the interest of peace was refused.
Rev. Samuel Griswold served the church for two years, beginning January, 1834. He was well suited to guide in these exciting times, and religious interest increased. Be- fore the year closed 50 confessed Christ.
Rev. Alva Ingersol was installed November 10, 1836, and remained three years. The church was distracted by divis- ions, which he labored hard to heal.
Rev. Blackleach B. Grey began his ministry here in the beginning of 1840, and served ten years. A general revival attended his labors in 1842. In August of this year the church withdrew from the " Association," and for twenty years was independent. Rev. T. B. Hoyt succeeded Mr. Grey for one year. Rev. Joseph S. Barris came in the spring of 1851 and remained four years and a half. He was a faithful minister, but the church suffered much through loss of members. In 1852 the house of worship was reconstructed and greatly improved.
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.