Penn Yan, Yates County, New York:
 

• Danes began settling in Yates County as early as the 1860s.  They settled there primarily between the 1880's and 1920s.  They went there for the good farmland.  Many of them were from Vendsyssel, Denmark in northern Jutland, near the city of Hjorring.
• Churches:
• United Evangelical Lutheran Churches:
• Penn Yan, St. Paul, organized September 22, 1912, incorporated January 28, 1917, 135 Hamilton St., Penn Yan, NY 14527.

The first worship was conducted by Rev. Rasmus Anderson of Brooklyn when he visited Penn Yan in 1881. He returned at intervals until 1891.  Most of the Danes in this area came from Vendsyssel, Denmark in northern Jutland. The first pastor was Lewis C. Larsen, of Falmouth, Maine, in 1912. Eight years prior to 1917, the congregation held services in the First Presbyterian Church. Construction started on the church in 1917 and it was dedicated on May 5, 1918.  In 1928, a parsonage was built adjacent to the church.  Up until 1928, services were held in Danish. By 1942, all services were held in English.  The original church was demolished on June 18, 1970 and the newly built church was dedicated on December 13, 1970. (drawing of old church) (picture of new church)
• Danish Brotherhood in America Lodges:
• Penn Yan Lodge 71 Wendia, Penn Yan, New York (charter members from 1894)
• Danish Sisterhood of America Lodges:
• Penn Yan, New York, Lodge 173
• Books:
• Danes of Yates County, author: Varick A. Chittenden, copyright 1985 by Yates County Arts Council and Varick A. Chittenden.
• Aspiring Christians, Histories of Yates County Churches, Compiled by Linda J. Jackson, created for the 175th anniversary of Yates County
• Useful links:
• Yates County Office of Public History
• Yates County Genealogical and Historical Society - Oliver House Museum

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