USA > New York > Steuben County > Bath > The official records of the centennial celebration, Bath, Steuben County, New York, June 4, 6, and 7, 1893 > Part 5
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It was in this persecuting soil that the Baptists of these United States had to plant their seed. Whatever may have been the faults of Baptists in the past, they have received much persecution, but have never perse- cuted.
The Baptist church has never sought popularity, has never been arro- gant, but has tenaciously held to the Bible as an infallible guide to faith and practice. Its growth has been against much opposition and prejudice in the past. Some of the commands of Christ have ever been mortifying to human nature, and Baptists, insisting upon these, have been at a disad- vantage with some, and at an advantage with others.
The great theological discussions of the past have disturbed the Bap- tists but little. It would be almost impossible to imagine a council of Bap- tists trying one of her sons for breaking her creed.
Some have said, "How is it that Baptists hold so solidly together as a denomination, without a creed ?" The truth is that our strength is found in the size and strength of our creed, which is no more nor less than the entire Word of God. Baptists have ever been afraid to formulate a creed outside of the Word of God.
So thoroughly do Baptists believe in certain things in the Bible, such as regeneration, and Scripture baptism, and so generally is this understood that but few ever seek her fellowship, who are not sincerely in sympathy with her principles ; when once within her fellowship, these find the great- est liberty in the exercise of their individuality, and in the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. Our people have insisted on a regenerate member- ship, knowing that if this be lacking, all compliances to creeds would fail to moralize the life, or prevent reproach to the cause. With Jesus Christ in the heart, men will not go very much amiss in the interpretation of the fundamentals of the Christian faith as presented in the Holy Scriptures.
Passing over the church at large, allow me to say that during the last half century our growth has been phenomenal, and that during the past decade it has surpassed that of any of our sisters. From the banishment of Williams and the " whipping post," we have grown to nearly 4,000,000. To-day finds us the most strongly identified with foreign missions of any denomination in the world, and with a great publishing house, and a large body of home missionaries ; also with over $22,000,000 invested in schools and colleges, more than have any two of our leading denominations put together.
It is not with a spirit of boasting that I say this, nor at the expense of others who have wrought so nobly ; but considering our early persecution and continued opposition, and even present day prejudices, if any class of
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HISTORICAL SERMON, BAPTIST CHURCH.
people may be justified in entertaining denominational pride, it is the Baptists.
We will now notice briefly our history as an individual church in this town, which has been one of ups and downs, with more downs than ups. Many opportunities have been thrown away because of unwise manage- ment and bad counsel, and also because of policy methods. I would to God that all of these mistakes of the past were of the past, and that the future may find this church enjoying the prosperity which ever follows obedience to doctrines which she holds so dear to her belief and polity. To-day finds us not numerically strong, neither financially ; but finds us never better united, with a goodly number of earnest young members, backed by the prayerful experience of many older ones who have rendered valuable service in the past.
Dear Brethren, you are permitted to start out on another century's work. You have a great Master to serve, the greatest of creeds, a great history behind you, mistakes to warn you, blessings and promises to prompt you, and a great eternity of rewards to await you ; with these, surely, you ought to do better in the future.
(Here Mr. Mather read the Covenant of the church, and spoke of the officers and deacons who had served the church.)
Statistically our history is as follows : On the 16th of March, 1842, a few brethren and sisters of the Baptist faith, living in Bath and vicinity, met in the Methodist meeting house, together with an ecclesiastical coun- cil, and were organized as "The Bath Village Baptist Church." The con- stituent members were twenty-one in number, as follows : Rev. M. Row- ley, S. Shattuck, C. Copeland, H. Vosburg, G. Williams, J. Hedges, J. Pike, H. Holliday, E. Frink, H. Lucas, Mary Robinson, Sarah Woodard, Phebe Vosburg, Mary Vosburg, Mrs. Frink, Mary Ann Smith, Lucy Lucas, Phehe Cooper, Polly Aber, Mr. Tarney and William Woodard.
The first pastor was Rev. M. Rowley. He remained with the church from 1842 to 1845, and the others are as follows : Rev. H. Spencer, from 1845 to 1846 ; Rev. B. F. Balcom, from 1847 to 1848 ; Rev. B. R. Swick, from 1848 to 1851 ; Rev. J. Parker, from 1852 to 1853; Rev. E. C. Brown, from 1853 to 1855 ; Rev. P. Colgrove, from 1855 to 1858 ; Rev. E. F. Crane, from 1859 to 1860 ; Rev. D. B. Olney, from 1860 to 1861 ; Rev. E. J. Scott, from 1861 to 1862 ; Rev. J. D. Barnes, from 1862 to 1864 ; Rev. E. Savage, from 1864 to 1866; Rev. H. H. Cochrane, from 1866 to 1867; Rev. J. W. Taylor, from 1867 to 1870 ; Rev. I. W. Emery, from 1871 to 1881 ; Rev. J. C. Cubberly, from 1882 to 1885; Rev. P. S. Vreeland, from 1885 to 1890. The present pastor, Rev. V. P. Mather, settled with the church in 1890. Thus eighteen pastors in all have served the church ; the longest pastorate being that of Rev. I. W. Emery.
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THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH.
The first edifice of this church was built in 1844; it was enlarged in 1859 ; extensive repairs were made in 1870; it was destroyed by fire in 1887, and was rebuilt the same year at an expense of $12,000.
There have been added to the church by baptism, since its history, 601, and over 400 by letter, thus making over 1,000 members who have been identified with the church.
In 1877, its membership was 256 ; its present membership is 155. While its membership in the past has been larger, it is doubtful if the church has ever been in better condition for work, or ever had a better outlook. Con- sidering the peculiar organization of the town, this church is worthy of great credit for what it has wrought.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
SERMON BY REV. J. J. GLEASON,
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1893.
TEXT :- " Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat, and the body more than the raiment ? Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they ? And which of you by taking thought can add to his stature one cubit ? And for raiment why are you solicitous ? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow ; they labor not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of the field, which is to-day, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith ? Be not solicitous, therefore, saying : What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed ? For after all these things do the heathen seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God and his justice; and all these things shall be added unto you."-Matt. vi. 24-33. [Douay Version.]
BELOVED BRETHREN :- The providence of God spoken of in the text is aptly illustrated in the Columbian celebration of this year, and in the com- memoration among us of the Centennial of our pretty village. A grateful nation of freemen spreads a halo 'round the memory of a Christian hero who led the way for suffering man to a better land-a land flowing with the milk of civic liberty and the honey of religious tolerance. An aureole -all too late in its placing-encircles the brow of Moses-like Columbus. Four hundred years rounded their slowly-pacing footsteps adown the cor- ridors of time ere the fame of America's discoverer was wholly freed from the casings of degradation into which prejudice had thrust it. But now every true man who breathes this air of ours is proud, nay, is importunate, to do homage to him who sailed the unknown seas to have the gospel
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THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH.
preached to a benighted people who, his scientific researches taught him, inhabited the far-off, undiscovered land. We now recognize in him who planted the cross for the first time upon the sward of San Salvador, and there knelt in prayer of thanksgiving, whilst the first mass was being said upon these shores-we recognize in him a true instrument of Providence. We feel that the all-seeing eye of God had then mapped out a course which should lead our forefathers to this land, which we loveso well. We feel that Europe had become congested ; we feel that tyranny beyond the seas had become unbearable, and, kneeling before the omniscient throne, we praise the God of nations, who told by the lips of His Divine Son how He would have a care for His children. "And if the grass of the field, which is to-day, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe : how much more you, O ye of little faith."
It was three centuries after the first Catholic anthem was wafted heavenward on the western breeze, that our fathers here clustered 'neath the overlapping hills in the valley of the Conhocton to stand sponsors to the beauteous hamlet which we now occupy. Others will tell this week from the rostra of our village the story of its formation and dwell upon its growth. They will tell of its founders ; they will rehearse the biogra- phies of the noble and great men whom it sent to make the laws of the state and of the country. They will dwell upon the charitable, civil and military institutions of which it was the parent. It is mine to-day to speak, by request, upon the foundation and financial growth of St. Mary's parish. I believe I cannot do this pleasurable duty better than by giving you a succinct record of the church as it appears in the historical book kept by my predecessors. From it I take the following facts :
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St. Mary's church history dates back some years before 1846. At that time, Rev. Thomas McEvoy, who held the charge of the parish of Java Centre, Wyoming county, N. Y., visited Bath in the capacity of officiating priest. He found about ten families of the Catholic faith settled here- abouts.
The following year, the diocese of Buffalo was formed, and Rt. Rev. John Timon was consecrated its first Bishop. Bishop Timon placed Father Sheridan, then pastor of the Owego church, in charge of the Catholic families along the Conhocton river to Dansville. Father Sheridan offered up mass on several occasions in the different houses of the Catholics here, heard confessions, baptized and administered the other sacraments to the faithful.
In the year 1850, when the Erie road was built from Corning to Buf- falo, Rev. Edward O'Flaherty, who was stationed in Dansville, had added to his charge the congregation of Bath. All these years there was no church building. The priests who came to officiate usually read the divine service in the house of James Manley. Bath people well know the location
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HISTORICAL SERMON, ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
of the house, as it was situated on Washington street, then known as St. Patrick street, now occupied by Mr. B. McMenamin and family.
In 1850, Mr. Bartholomew Wilkes erected a building suitable for church purposes. A small payment was made on it by the Catholic congregation, and it was turned over to them, a mortgage being taken by Mr. Wilkes for the balance, to be paid in easy installments. The building was a commo- dious one for the then small number of Catholic families who assumed the debt. That structure was about 60x30 feet. It took years to liquidate the amount due on the mortgage, not to say anything of the interest.
From the years 1851 to 1855, different clergymen officiated in the new church, visiting here at regular intervals. In 1851, Rev. Charles Tierney was the visiting priest ; in 1852 and 1853, Rev. John Donnelly ; in 1854, Rev. Joseph McKenna. During these years, the principal families were those of Anthony Finnegan, since dead ; Thomas Collins, father of Martin, Samuel and Henry Collins and Mrs. B. McMenamin, all of Bath ; John Rafferty, John O'Loughlin, James Kavanaugh, Patrick Collins, Michael Tigue, Arthur McGuiggan, Patrick Howley, and some few others.
From 1854 to 1860, the mission of Bath was attended by Rev. T. Cun- ningham, then stationed at Corning. All the older people of this vicinity, Protestant as well as Catholic, remember and revere Father Cunningham. He died four years ago last February, at Elmira, where he was in charge of SS. Peter's and Paul's church. We quote from the Latin of the " Acta Romano Catholicae Congregationists, in Oppido, Bath," as penned by Rev. Michael Steger, in the year 1861. Speaking of Father Cunningham, he says : "He did wonders here for the good of the congregation ; he paid off a great deal of the debt on the sacred building in order that it might not be sold at sheriff's sale. But he did this with great hardship to him- self and at the sacrifice of his own personal effects. He had two col- leagues in the sacred ministry who in turn visited this place with him- Rev. Patrick Burns, born in Uruguay ; and Rev. John Castaldi, born in Italy."
In the year 1860, the first mission was given in the church of Bath ; the exercises were conducted by the O. M. I. Fathers. Rev. Michael Ste- ger was transferred, December, 1860, from the English speaking parish of Dansville to Bath, as the resident priest of this place. The congregation now had a clergyman of its own faith residing in its midst. It was a time' for even more energy and more religious enthusiasm than heretofore. Father Steger was given charge, also, of the missions of Hammondsport and Liberty (now Cohocton). The parochial residence was built in 1861. It was a one story building, cheaply constructed, and with few accommo- dations. But it was the best that could be erected with the limited re- sources at hand.
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THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH.
In 1862, the congregation tried the experiment of a Catholic school. Work was started in the basement of the church ; excavation was com- menced ; the walls and ceilings were plastered ; desks were put in place, and teaching was begun in 1863. About twenty-five children attended the school. The ladies who taught in the school were Misses Kate O'Loughlin, Ellen Kavanaugh, and others. The school in the basement was continued for about five years.
For the first time in the history of Bath, a Catholic Bishop visited the community in May, 1863. At that time, Rt. Rev. John Timon admin- istered confirmation to nineteen persons, and gave the people the Papal benediction. The census then taken shows the number of families to be fifty-four.
In June, 1864, Father Steger was transferred to another charge, and Rev. J. M. McGlew attended to the spiritual wants of the people until No- vember, of the same year. November 9, 1864, Rev. P. Mazuret was sent to take charge of the parish. He remained here until August, 1868. Dur- ing his time, what is known as the Catholic cemetery was bought of Hon. Robert Campbell. It consisted of four acres. The first body interred in the plot was that of the mother of John O'Loughlin, of this place.
From August to December of 1868, Rev. L. Vanderpool, now of LeRoy, N. Y., presided over the parish as its pastor. During that time a small school building, about 14x20 feet was erected, and the scholars were trans- ferred from the basement of the church to the new structure. In this school the teachers were the late Mrs. Hassett and Mrs. Wolf. About January 1, 1869, Rev. M. Darcy took charge of St. Mary's church, Father Vanderpool having been promoted to a larger sphere of labor in the parish of LeRoy, N. Y. In May, 1872, the mission of Campbell was added to that of Bath, and in the same year the people of Campbell commenced the erection of the very neat little church which adorns that village to-day. The church building cost in the neighborhood of four thousand dollars. The presbytery here was considerably enlarged in 1872, the roof being raised and the house being made into a two-story building.
Rev. M. Darcy was transferred to Lockport, N. Y., June 6, 1874. Rev. J. J. Baxter, then pastor of Jamestown, succeeded him here. Father Baxter labored zealously for nearly fifteen years among the people in Bath. Whatever debt there was on the church of Campbell was wiped out, and the floating debt of some $350 on the Bath congregation was paid. The old church was enlarged some fifteen feet in lengthi, and a new iron ceil- ing was placed in the church at Campbell, and the presbytery of Bath some- what extended. August 1, 1886, the property adjoining the church estate at Bath was purchased of Hon. W. B. Ruggles, for a consideration of $3,- 300. A payment of six hundred dollars was made upon the same, and the
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HISTORICAL SERMON, ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
church congregation assumed a mortgage for the balance. During Father Baxter's pastorate, $2,200 of the $3,300 were paid to Mr. Ruggles.
February 24, 1889, Rev. J. J. Baxter was transferred to the Church of the Annunciation in Buffalo. He was succeeded here by the Rev. J. J. Gleason, the present incumbent.
In the spring of 1889 the presbytery was refitted and refurnished at a cost of $350. In the summer of 1890, the cemetery was laid out, roads and paths formed, a new survey made, all at a cost of some $600. In January, 1891, the balance of the mortgage on the Ruggles property, $1,100, with interest on same, was liquidated. The debt outstanding against the iron ceiling in the Campbell church was paid in 1890, and in 1891 the church was painted and the interior frescoed.
In the summer of 1891, the Bath congregation held several meetings to devise means for building a more commodious temple. There was some difference of opinion as to the site to be selected, but the majority ruled for the placing of the new structure on the Ruggles site.
You will remember, beloved Brethren, the rejoicings in the parish when our new church was opened for divine service, on last St. Patrick's Day. At that time the Advocate, of this village, printed the following anent the occasion :
"St. Patrick's Day, 1893, will be a memorable one for the Roman Catholics of Bath and vicinity. And well it may. A new church, some- thing which has been a necessity for that congregation for many months, is now a present reality, and its many attendants and our people in general are glad at its completion. That such a sentiment prevails in the town was shown by the many, not members of the church, who attended the services last Friday as an attestation to their interest in the advancement of church work in our vicinity.
"October 11, 1891, ground was broken for the new church and the work commenced, in accordance with the plans prepared by Thomas Fogarty, one of the members of the church, and a capable architect and builder. The contract for enclosing the building was let to the Davison Brothers. The corner stone was laid Sunday, May 8, 1892. From that time the work has been steadily going on until now the church edifice is ready to lend its aid in the good work which the parish has been carrying on for more than forty years.
"This building, which is 48x96 feet, is built of brick and stone, and supports a tower on the northeast corner over 100 feet in height. The building is well back from the street, and has three front entrances which open into the roomy vestibule. From this, access is had to the body of the church and also to the gallery.
"The main body of the church has been provided with seats for 400, and 100 more could easily be accommodated when the growth of the church
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THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH.
demands more sittings. The center aisle is seven feet wide, affording an easy passage for the many funeral processions which enter and leave the church. The side aisles, too, are broad, and the seats are cushioned and separated by comfortable distances. The pews are of black walnut. The gallery will easily accommodate 100 people. The ceiling is of hard wood, and from it are suspended elaborate brass fixtures for both gas and electric lighting.
" The plastered side walls are elaborately frescoed in a pleasing and artistic manner, and correspond beautifully with the coloring of the windows, which deserve more than passing notice. These windows are all of stained glass from Davis' Sons, of Utica, N. Y. Some of them are appropriate memorials of dear ones gone before, while all are the gifts of members of the church. The most striking window is the large one in the gallery, which portrays in beautiful coloring Christ's gift to St. Peter of the keys of the church. This window was given by the members of the New York State Soldiers' and Sailors' Home. The large window in the south end, over the Altar, is the gift of Mrs. Mary E. Moran, and is a representation of the Virgin Mary. The other large windows in the center on either side were presented by John Hoffman and Miss Mary Bigelow. The former shows St. Joseph and the Christ child ; the latter is symbolical of the resurrection.
"The smaller windows were presented by the Altar Society of the parish, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, Mrs. Bridget Collins, Rev. J. J. Gleason, Rev. James O'Loughlin, of Hornellsville, Rev. J. C. O'Reilley, of Buffalo, R. R. Flynn ; and memorial windows for William Delaney, Miss Louise Futherer, Margaret O'Neil, John Fitzpatrick, Anthony Finnigan.
" The chancel is spacious, and the velvet carpet of green sets off the altar in a striking manner. It can be reached from the vestry rooms on either side.
"The church, as it stands to-day, cost nearly $15,000, of which about $13,000 has been already raised. Since the commencement of Father Gleason's pastorate, about three years ago, two very successful church fairs have been held, which have furnished $4,000. The remaining $9,000 has been raised by private subscriptions, both in and out of the church."
Now, beloved Brethren, kneeling here before the holy of holies in our new and spacious temple, let our hearts beat fast with love for the God who has watched over His church. Let our minds bear us back to the past, to give our meed of gratitude to those who were the pioneers of our faith in the valley of the Conhocton. Pray God that He may bless this land of ours, and pour His benediction upon our village and its inhabitants. Ask the Paraclete to keep the whole Church from out the hands of her enemies and deign to look with favor upon our humble efforts here. Remember the words of the text-whatever may befall in church or state, whatever
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HISTORICAL SERMON, ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
trials may be gone through, whatever tempests surge against the rock of Peter, or whatever storms threaten this land of religious liberty-remember, "Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all things shall be added unto you."
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
SERMON BY REV. B. W. SWAIN.
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1893.
TEXT :- " Princes shall come out of Egypt ; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God."-Psalms Ixviii. 31.
CHRISTIAN FRIENDS :- We have assembled here this morning, after the lapse of years of joy and sorrow, seasons of peace and happiness, coupled with grief and lamentation, to begin the celebration of Bath's first Cen- tennial. We cannot say that through these years there has not arisen any- thing to mar our happiness ; and yet when we reflect upon the past achievements of our town, the patriotism of her sons, her loyalty to what is right, pure and good, her boldness to condemn what is wrong and sus- tain what is right, we must, to a degree, be filled with holy animation.
We, as a people, have much to praise our Maker for ; in a retrospec- tive view we see the hand of Providence has been working for us.
The history of Bath had nothing to mar its beauty previous to the year 1803. The struggle for liberty from British tyranny was over ; peace and happiness reigned supreme ; and not a human slave could be found in the township of Bath, then embracing all the territory now included in the towns of Urbana, Pulteney, Prattsburgh, Wheeler and Avoca. The illus- trious and sagacious Charles Williamson, Thomas Rees, John Johnston, Hector Mckenzie, William McCartney, Charles Cameron, and many others, too numerous to mention now, were settled here, and a beautiful town had been surveyed in the center of a wilderness, comprising nine hundred thousand (900,000) acres of land. These first settlers were thriving, ener- getic, far-seeing nen-men who did not disdain the idea of being pioneers, breaking their way into the wilderness, cutting timbers, building houses, clearing lands-earning their bread by the sweat of their own brows.
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