USA > New York > Wyoming County > Warsaw > History of the town of Warsaw, New York, from its first settlement to the present time; with numerous family sketches and biographical notes > Part 15
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"In 1828, the church having withdrawn from the Holland Purchase Association, united with the Genesee.
On the 9th of June, 1828, members of the Baptist church and congregation met for the purpose of effecting a legal organization. They accordingly organized under the name of " The Baptist Church and Society of Warsaw." Rev. David Bernard and Deacon Samuel Salisbury were chosen as pre- siding and returning officers of said meeting. The Trustees elected were David Fargo, Samuel Salisbury, and Seth Higgins. The proceedings were duly recorded in the County Clerk's office, July 7, 1828.
"In 1830, Rev. Peter Freeman became pastor of the church, and sustained this relation three years. His was a useful and successful pastorate. The Lord greatly blessed his labors." To this we add:
He was not only " useful and successful " as a pastor; but he was diligent in every good work. His coadjutors in the cause of temperance especially, can not have forgotten his self- denying efforts during the very inclement winter of 1831-2, when, in pairs they visited the school districts in this town and the towns adjacent, to advocate the cause and present the pledge. He was preeminently a Christian and philan- thropist, never "weary in well doing." He ceased from his earthly labors a few years since, and has entered into the " saints' everlasting rest."
From 1833 to 1837, Rev. Abraham Ennis served the church faithfully and successfully. He was succeeded by Rev. G. V. Walling, who served one year. In 1838, Rev. Joseph Elliott became pastor and served two years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. B. Wilcox.
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HISTORY OF WARSAW.
From 1841 to 1845, Rev. H. K. Stimson was pastor. It was during this time that Hon. James R. Doolittle became a men- ber of this church.
The church, as the Methodists had done, had found their mistake in building their house of worship too remote from the center of the population, it being half a mile south of the village, near the old cemetery. This, together with the fact that they needed a more commodious house, induced them to sell the old one, which had been occupied about twenty years, and build a new one in the village, being the one now occu- pied. The former was taken down and removed to the village in pieces, which were worked into a dwelling which stands near the Methodist church.
In 1845, Rev. J. L. Richmond became pastor, and served three years. In 1848, Rev. A. C. Barrell commenced his labors as pastor, and remained two years. He was followed by the Rev. H. Leavenworth, who served one year. The next two years the church had no pastor, but was supplied a part of the time by Mr. W. C. Hubbard, a candidate for the ministry. In 1853, Rev. Philander Shedd became pastor, and labored two years. He was succeeded by Rev. H. Smith, whose pastorate continued two years.
During the years 1857 and 1858, Rev. William Cormac was pastor. In 1859 the church had no pastor. During this year, the church was again agitated on the subject of secret societies; but the difficulty was amicably adjusted by repeal- ing the resolution relating to secret societies passed in 1828, and adopting another more conciliating in its expressions. Rev. H. K. Stimson served the church a second time in 1860, and soon after, as Captain of a company of Cavalry, joined the army of the Union in the late civil war.
During the next four years, Rev. J. B. Pitman and Rev. J. Hough served as pastors. After these Rev. W. I. Crane sup- plied the church one year. In December, 1865, Rev. Abner Morrill became pastor, and remained until November, 1867.
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BAPTIST CHURCH.
Those who have held the office of Deacon in this church, are as follows: Joseph Porter, Elijah Hammond, William Wiseman, Jonathan F. Ilibbard, Samuel Salisbury, Abial Lathrop, David Fargo, Broughton W. Crane, John Starks, Samuel L. Keeney, Simeon Holton. Mr. Crane and Mr. Holton still hold the office.
The following are the names of those who have served as Clerks: Elijah Hammond, Noah Wiseman, Hezekiah Scovel, Edwin L. Fuller, Ransom B. Crippen, Samuel L. Kinney, Jere- miah Watts, Wilber G. Bentley, Simeon Holton, Albert W. Palmer, the present Clerk.
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IIISTORY OF WARSAW.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
THIS church was organized February 16, 1840. Those who were instrumental in its organization had, with one or two exceptions, been connected with the Presbyterian church in this place, and requested letters for the purpose of consti- tuting a new church. The request was presented in a written statement of their views and motives; in which they said: "We believe that by withdrawing from our present connec- tion, and uniting under a system consonant with our views of duty, we shall be able to do far more to promote the interests of religion than now; and not only so, but our brethren and sisters who differ from us, will be free to pursue those plans of usefulness, without let or hindrance from us, which their own views of duty may dictate." This statement and request was dated Jan. 27, 1840, and signed by thirty-nine individu- als, of whom thirty-four met on Sabbath, February 16th, when the church was duly constituted by Rev. Samuel Gris- wold. Soon after, twenty-two others were added; so that, at the end of the year, the church consisted of fifty-six members.
In the "Constitution and Rules " of this church, are the following:
"No person shall be admitted to membership in this church, who does not wholly refrain from the use of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage, or who in any way gives countenance or support to the manufacture or traffic in such drinks for that purpose.
"No person shall be admitted to this church, who is a slaveholder, or holds security in slaves as property, or traffics in the persons of men."
The views of the church on the subject of slavery, are more fully stated in a " Declaration of Sentiments," adopted March 6, 1841, as follows:
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
"1. We believe slavery to be a most flagrant sin against God, and that, like every other sin, it should be immediately forsaken.
"2. As the slaveholder's right originates in usurpation, and is continued only by force, so he can not sell or delegate to another any authority over the slave; and every person who, under pretence of purchase, hire, or appointment, shall exer- cise the authority of a master over a slave, does thereby become a partaker in the slaveholder's sin.
"3. We believe that, should we invite slaveholders to preach to us, or commune with us, or in any way recognize them as Christians, while they refuse to confess and forsake their sin of slaveholding, we should, in so doing, make ourselves parta- kers in their iniquity.
"4. We believe that those who justify or apologize for slavery, whether as a settled system, or for a limited time, to terminate by a system of gradual abolition, do thereby com- fort and defend a system most abominable to God and holy men.
"5. We believe it is inconsistent with a good conscience and the word of God, which says, He ' hateth robbery for sacrifice,' to mingle our religious contributions with those societies that send their agents among slaveholders, to solicit contributions, or who knowingly receive into their treasury such contributions."
The first house of worship occupied by this church was a small building known as the "Baptist Vestry Room," stand- ing over the mill-race on the south side of Buffalo street, on the lot now owned and occupied by Nehemiah Park, and which had also been occupied as a school-house. They immediately purchased the lot on which their brick church now stands, and commenced the building of a meeting-house. In the fall of 1840, they were able to hold meetings in the lecture room attached to the church edifice. The building was completed early the next year. Its dimensions were 36 by 45 feet; the cost of house and lot a little less than $3,000.
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HISTORY OF WARSAW.
On the 13th of January, 1841, it was dedicated to the wor- ship of Almighty God. Rev. Mr. Ward, of Bergen, Genesee county, preached the dedication sermon. Five years there- after it was enlarged by the removal of the east end, and the insertion of sixteen new slips: Some years later, it was again similarly enlarged by putting in twenty-eight new slips, doubling the original number of sittings.
In 1852, an organ was put in the house. In 1855, its inte- rior was remodeled by transferring the pulpit from the west to the east end of the building, reversing the slips, and making other important alterations.
On the 3d of March, 1855, the propriety of members of the church belonging to Secret Societies, was brought up for consideration in a church meeting. The subject, after con- siderable discussion, was referred to a committee, consisting of Seth M. Gates, Charles J. Judd, Anios M. Barnett, N. T. Yeomans, and Joshua H. Darling. The committee, May 5, 1855, reported a series of resolutions, declaring it improper for members of Christian churches to belong to secret oath bound societies, to continue in fellowship with their members, and attend their meetings. The resolutions, after full discus- sion, were unanimously adopted by the church, and placed on file with the church clerk, Mr. Gates. In 1860, his office was forcibly entered in the night, and these resolutions, with the church record, stolen therefrom.
At the annual meeting of the Society, Feb. 16, 1866, the Trustees reported that they were unable to furnish seats for all who desired them; and a special meeting was called, to be held on the 26th of the same month, to consider the propriety of building a new meeting-house; at which meeting it was resolved to build; and a building committee was appointed, consisting of the following named persons: Artemas Blake, Joshua II. Darling, Lloyd A. Hayward, Wolcott J. Humphrey, William D. Miner, Simeon D. Lewis, Lewis E. Walker, and Elisha S. Hillman. The old church was sold to Dr. Ethan E. Bartlett, the Society reserving the privilege of occupying it
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCII.
until the new church should be completed. The old bell and organ were sold to other parties.
The corner stone of the new church edifice was laid, with appropriate services, by Rev. Edwin E. Williams, the pastor, on the 6th of July, 1866; sermon by Rev. Mr. Bennett, of Lockport. A brief history of the church and its labors in building and enlarging its house of worship, with a descrip- tion of the new house to be built, was read by Seth M. Gates, Esq., the Church Clerk. The following articles, in a sealed tin box, were deposited in the corner stone:
A list of the names of the Pastor and officers of the church.
Names of the Building Committee.
Name of the Architect.
Names of the Master Mason and the Builder.
The Roll of the Sunday School.
A copy of the subscription for building the church.
A sketch of the History of the church.
A copy of the Report of the church's celebration of its quarter-centennial anniversary, February 16, 1865.
The architect who finished the plan of the building was Mr. A. J. Warner, of Rochester. The style of architecture is mainly Norman. It has two towers of unequal height in front; the highest of which, to its extreme point, is 643 feet. The dimensions of the main building are 94 by 58 feet. The andience room is 77 by 55, exclusive of the orchestra, and contains 128 slips, seating 660 persons; the walls and towers are of brick. The mason work was done by Ambrose J. Armstrong, of Warsaw; the wood work by V. Hodge & Son, of Buffalo. A new organ, at a cost of abont $2,000, was given by Joshua H. Darling, Esq. The house was completed with- out a serious accident. It was dedicated, free from debt, by the pastor, Mr. Williams, August 7, 1867; sermon by Rev. Dr. Vermilye, of Hartford, Conn.
The first pastor of this church was Rev. Huntington Lyman. He was succeeded by Rev. Lyman P. Judson, who was fol-
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HISTORY OF WARSAW.
lowed by Rev. Reuben H. Conklin, since deceased. Next, Rev. P. H. Myers, whose health soon failed, and he was called to his rest. He was followed by Rev. Corban Kidder. Rev. N. T. Yeomans ministered to the church at various times as stated supply. The Rev. Zachary Eddy, now of Brook- lyn, N .. Y., was pastor for several years; next, Rev. John Vincent; and since 1857, the present pastor, Rev. Edwin E. Williams.
Those who have been Deacons in the church are, Ezra Walker, Peter Young, Hanover Bradley, Charles J. Judd, Lloyd A. Hayward, Stephen Hurd, Edward C. Shattuck, John Matthews, and Elisha S. Hillman.
F. C. D. McKay, Charles J. Judd, and Seth M. Gates, have been Church Clerks.
The first superintendent of the Sabbath-school was F. C. D. Mckay, who held the position for three or four years. Charles J. Judd was superintendent one year, and Lloyd A. Hayward one year. Seth M. Gates was superintendent fourteen years, and resigned January, 1864. He was succeeded by Simeon D. Lewis, the present superintendent.
There have been in all, five hundred and twenty members of this church. About half of that number having died or been regularly dismissed to the fellowship of other churches, the present number is two hundred and fifty.
THE QUARTER CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
of the organization was celebrated on the 16th of February, 1865. The Committee of Arrangements consisted of Rev. Edwin E. Williams, and thirteen others. A Committee of Invitation was also appointed, consisting of Joshua H. Dar- ling, Seth M. Gates, Peter Young, and Lloyd A. Hayward. A letter of invitation was sent to all former pastors and mem- bers of the church; to all absent members; to pastors of Con- gregational churches in the county; to the pastors of all the churches in the village, and others.
At half past ten o'clock on the day appointed, a large audience assembled at the church. The exercises were con-
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
menced by singing the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," by the choir and congregation; followed by an invocation by the pastor, closing with the Lord's Prayer, in which the congregation audibly joined. The choir sang the anthem, " When the Lord shall build up Zion." Rev. Mr. Nassau, of the Presbyterian church in this village, read the Scriptures; and Rev. N. T. Yeomans, of Fowlerville, formerly a member of this church and its stated supply, of- fered prayer; and Rev. Mr. Blake, of the Methodist Episcopal church in Gainesville, read the first Hymn,
Rev. Mr. Williams, the pastor of the church, then pro- ceeded to deliver the discourse prepared for the occasion; the text of which was, Deut. i, 31: "Thou hast seen how the Lord thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place."
After the sermon, the pastor announced Seth M. Gates, Esq., as Chairman of the meeting, and called for the reading of a letter from Rev. R. H. Conklin, a former pastor of the church, who was sick, and apparently near his end, in the city of Detroit. As the letter closed with a request for the prayers of the church, Rev. Mr. Kidder being called on by the Chairman, led the congregation in prayer for Mr. Conklin. After singing, the morning exercises closed by the Benedic- tion by Rev. Mr. Blake.
At two o'clock P. M., the meeting was again organized, and Messrs. E. E. Farman and Wm. H. Merrill were appointed Secretaries.
The Chairman briefly addressed the meeting, reviewing the progress of the world during the past twenty-five years, in the arts and sciences, in civil liberty, the spread of the gospel, and particularly in the deliverance of the oppressed, the overthrow of slavery, and the practical recognition of human rights, closing with a fraternal welcome, in behalf of the church, to all former members and pastors who had re- turned to mingle in these scenes of reunion and these commemorative exercises.
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HISTORY OF WARSAW.
Brief addresses were then made by Rev. Mr. Kidder, and by Rev. George W. Walker, formerly a member of this church, now a minister of a church in Ohio; and prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Crane, of the Baptist church in this village. Addresses were then made by Francis F. Fargo, formerly a member and a chorister of this church, and for many years past a resident of San Francisco, Cal .; by Rev. Mr. Yeomans, Rev. Mr. Cunningham, pastor of the Congre- gational church of Gainesville; Rev. Mr. Nassau, of the Presbyterian church, of this village; Hugh T. Brooks, Esq., of Pearl Creek, and by Professor N. F. Wright, of Batavia, for- merly a member of this church and of the choir, and a teacher in the Sabbath school.
Letters in reply to invitations to be present, were read, from Rev. James A. McKay, of Michigan, and Dr. N. D. Stebbins, of Detroit, former members; and the closing address was by Rev. Mr. Lord, of Perry Center. All then united in singing the hymn,
"Lo what a glorious sight appears," &c.
In the evening, the commemoration was concluded by a social reunion at the house of the pastor, on which occasion letters responsive to invitations were read from Mr. Arden Woodruff, Rev. Huntington Lyman, and many others, for- mer members of the church.
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EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
OF the religious societies and church organizations in War- saw, the one latest formed, except the Free Will Baptist in the south-east part of the town, is the Episcopal. The "Parish of Trinity Church," was organized May 12, 1852. The germ of this organization, however, was planted at a much earlier date; and its friends had been for many years favored, for short periods, with the services of ministers of their own order. From a "History of the Church of Warsaw, compiled from Official Docments, 1854, by the Rev. Robert Horwood," the following sketch has been prepared:
The Rev. Richard Salmon, missionary at Geneseo, in his report to the New York Convention of 1826, wrote that he was engaged for the ensuing year conditionally to preach at Wethersfield and Warsaw alternately, for one-half the time. To the Convention of 1828, he reports, that he had moved to Warsaw, the center of the station; that he had here given nineteen Sundays and thirty-two lectures; that the service was performed with great zeal and propriety; and that ser- eral additions had been made to the communicants. In Sep- tember, 1828, Bishop Hobart confirmed six persons.
In 1829, Rev. Mr. Salmon, who appears to have moved to Medina, reports to the Convention, that the congregation at Warsaw, and also those at Wethersfield and Sheldon, not- withstanding their destitute circumstances during the past year, are evidently flourishing; and the labors of a mission- ary would unquestionably be greatly blessed. He wrote also that the Sabbath-school at Warsaw, formed during his location there, of about twenty-five scholars, had been increased to an average attendance of between eighty and ninety.
Rev. Mr. Salmon, again missionary at Warsaw, reports to the Convention of 1831, that during the thirteen months past, he had officiated half the time at Warsaw, quarter at Sheldon,
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IHISTORY OF WARSAW.
and quarter at Wethersfield ; and occasionally on Sunday evenings and on week days at Wyoming. And Bishop Onder- donk, in Aug., 1832, baptized one adult, and confirmed eleven.
Rev. Alexander Fraser, missionary at Warsaw, reports to the Convention of 1834: " When I came to Warsaw, I found
it to be the day of small and feeble things indeed. * * * I have labored the greater part of the time at Warsaw. The congregations are good, and the prospects of the church are more pleasing than at any former period." To the Conven- tion of 1835, Rev. Isaac Garvin reports that he had labored at Warsaw half the time, and divided the rest between Wethersfield and Aurora.
The Rev. Henry Tullidge, missionary at Wethersfield, re- ports to the Convention of 1839: "I have occasionally preached a third service at Warsaw. I have preached at Warsaw several times in the Methodist and Presbyterian houses to very respectable congregations. * * * I am not without hope that the church may again be revived there. There are still remaining some who love the church, and would do all in their power for its support. In 1843, Bishop De Lancy preached one Sabbath in the Baptist house of wor- ship, and baptized one child.
We come now to the organization of the Society under its present title.
On the 12th of May, 1852, in pursuance of a notice pre- viously given on two successive Sabbaths, the following named persons incorporated themselves under the act of the legisla- ture, as a religious society, to be known in law by the name and title of "The Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church in the Town of Warsaw in the County of Wyoming." John A. McElwain, John G. Meachem, Noble Morris, Ran- som S. Watson, Nehemiah Park, Jun., Richard M. Tunks, Alonzo W. Wood, Charles W. Bailey.
The Rev. A. D. Benedict, Rector of the church and con- gregation, was called to the Chair; and Charles W. Bailey was appointed Secretary.
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EPISCOPAL CIIURCII.
The meeting then proceeded to elect two Church Wardens and eight Vestrymen. John A. McElwain and John G. Meachem were elected Church Wardens; and Alonzo W. Wood, Nehemiah Park, Jun., Linus W. Thayer, Noble Morris, Ransom S. Watson, Charles W. Bailey, Richard M. Tunks, and Abel Webster, were elected Church Vestrymen.
A certificate of incorporation having been prepared, it was signed by the officers of the meeting, and caused to be re- corded.
In June, 1853, at a meeting of the Vestry, it was voted that a lot be purchased for a house of worship; and a building committee was appointed, consisting of John G. Meachem, N. Park, and A. W. Wood. And on the 25th of May, 1854, the building was in due form consecrated "to the worship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, by the name of Trinity Church."
In March, 1864, by the will of the late Mrs. Laura S. Wat- son, the church came into possession of a house and lot, to be held as a parsonage, " so long as the church shall remain an organized body, and shall have a regularly established rector or clergyman therein."
Since the date of the present organization, Rev. A. D. Bene- diet had the pastoral charge of the church, from May 12, 1852, until April, 1855.
Rev. Wm. White Montgomery became rector June S, 1856, and resigned April 3, 1858.
Rev. Thomas Applegate became rector June 1, 1858, and resigned June 1, 1859.
Rev. Wm. O. Gorham became rector December 25, 1859, and resigned July, 1862.
Rev. Noble Palmer became rector November, 1862, and resigned October, 1863.
Rev. Robert Horwood was called October 10, 1863, to sup- ply the parish for one year. In October, 1864, the call was renewed for another year. Ile resigned, June, 1865.
Rev. John V. Stryker became rector March 1, 1866, and continues in charge.
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IHISTORY OF WARSAW.
FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
THERE is probably no part of this town where the salutary influence of religious institutions has been more signally illus- trated, than within the bounds of this society. To this fact, many of the older inhabitants will bear witness. To form a just idea of the change, one must have a knowledge of the character of the neighborhood at an earlier period. A candid and worthy citizen, who has resided there from childhood, a period of more than fifty years, has furnished us a brief his- tory of that part of the town, including an account of the formation of the church. We copy from his letter the fol- lowing :
"The morals of this settlement were rather lax; little regard was paid to the demands of religion at that early day. The Sabbaths were spent in various ways. Some worked, some fished or hunted; others visited or strolled about the woods or fields. Yet the people were generally upright and honest in their dealings with each other. Almost all the settlers were fond of whisky, which was considered at that time a necessary article by all classes of people; and I have thought the Scripture declaration, 'I will visit the iniquities of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth gen- crations,' has been strikingly fulfilled among us." We add here a fact from personal knowledge. In a school district near the corner of the town, a Sabbath school was established in the summer of 1832, and manned by teachers from the village. After a few weeks' peaceable occupation of the school-house, a few rowdy young men, encouraged by their seniors, disturbed the exercises of the school for several Sab- baths, and succeeded in breaking it up.
Our friend continues: "There has, however, been a great improvement since then. The first settlers in this part of the town are all gone. Some have moved away, but most of
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FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
them lie in the grave-yard on lot No. 2. Of the names of the early inhabitants, but one remains-that of two Warner brothers.
" Religion has shed its saving influence upon this neighbor- hood. The little Free-Will Baptist church, organized in 1833, has proved a savor of life unto life to many. The number of members at its organization was four. During the year 1834, there was a revival, and some thirty were added. Elder H. Jenkins was the officiating minister at that time, and may well be called its father. Emery D. Albro and Alden Keith were chosen deacons.
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