02/12/06

Picture: Ladies Aid Meeting, about 1914.  For full sized image and other pictures, click here.

History:
     "Methodists at North Gainesville first erected a church on lot 31, on lands owned by Hastings J. Jenison, around 1840.  The church was incorporated February 12, 1844, as the First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Gainesville at a meeting held in the church.  Reuben Jenison, Peter Jenison, and Daniel Olds were the original trustees of this property.  What became of the original church is not known, but the Silver Lake Sun reported the dedication August 27, 1873, of a new church erected on the west side of the road, opposite and somewhat  to the south of the first building.  Rev. C. G. Stevens was then pastor, the sermon was given by the Rev. George P. Porter while the dedicatory service was conducted by the presiding elder, the Rev. E. L. Newman.  Than, as in recent times, the Gainesville pastor has been assigned to this charge.   On March 19, 1906, the church was destroyed by fire.  It had just been newly painted inside, and paper hangers were at work when a piece of ceiling paper fell across a hot stovepipe and the flames spread rapidly.  Much of the furniture was removed, but the loss was $3,000.  The congregation worshiped for a time in the Rock Glen building until completion of the present building which was erected nearly on the site of the burned edifice."
- Historical Wyoming, July 1955, Harry Douglas

     Original Trustees named on the 1906 Deed: Edwin R. Pierce, Herbert Hatch Jr., Milo Hawley,
Alonzo Hatch, Oziah D. Clark, and Lenper A. Gates.  Property purchased from John Williams Lakas.

		Dear Co-Worker: -     We have spent one year of service together trying to advance the work of God.  We have tried to help the Lord answer the prayer, "Thy Kingdom Come, and Thy Will Be Done in Earth as it is in Heaven."  In a measure we have accomplished that wherefore we have labored.  We look back of the year's work and we see much more that we might have done had we not been wrapped up in our own interests, as to forget the interests of our Master and His Kingdom.  As we look back and see our mistakes may we all firmly resolve and vow to God that we will do better the coming year.      I shall ever look back to my pastorate on North Gainesville Charge as a green spot in my Christian experience.  As I have gone in and out of your homes I have felt your hearty hospitality and warm Christian fellowship.      In the words of Brother Paul "I commend you to God, and to the word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified." Your Pastor, Anson H. Bell - Picture and text from a 3"X4" pamphlet, not dated.
North Gainesville closed 1977, then re-opened 12 years later. "Three former members, Harriet Smith (Draper), Jane Flint and Onalee Sweet, were visiting and Mrs. Flint mentioned how it was too bad the church was sitting idle.  "Let's try (to reopen it),"  said Mrs. Sweet.  "I think we can do it" - Western New Yorker This is a beautiful church that has experienced a rebirth, due to the commitment of several past members.
Members -			Western New Yorker Dec. 17, 1986 Front Page Click on the image for full sized view
For privacy, only members who joined before about 1938 or known to be deceased are included. Note: State - S=Single, M=Married, W=Widowed
Family Name Abbey Abbey Anderson Anderson Bailor Blowers Blowers Blowers Blowers Blowers Bush -Robb Cancey Carney Davis Davis Davis DeLain Dixon Draper Dudley Dudley Dumbleton Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Evans Fettes Filtis Fisher Fisher Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Gates Gates Grasby Grasby Grasby Hatch Hatch Hatch Hawley Hayward Heubusch Hubbell Lindsley Lord Lord Luther McChessney Miller Miller Peterson Platt Plummer Satter Satter Satter Schneckenburger Schneckenburger Sheffield Smith Smith Stamp Stamp Studley Tibbitts Waite Webster Wheeler Wickwire Wickwire Wilson Wilson Wiseman Wiseman Woodworth Woodworth	Christian Name Edward Mrs. Edwards Gertie Mrs. H. J. Jennie Belle Blaunche Alice Floyd Mila Vernon Viola Donna John Elsie Archie Bernice Bernie Grace Hawley H. Irene Ivan H. Mary D. T. Franklin Marion Charles Lily Miss Alice Mrs. Leon Mrs. Merten Pearl Wheeler Kate Mae Lester Onalee Belle Bert Eleanor Lola Niver Pearlena Amy John Richard Fred Hasel? Simmons James Clarence Cora Francis Howard Rose Neva Elizabeth Harry G. Clayton Forest Mattie Jennie Nettie Mae H. Elsie William Robert Herman D. Frank Emma Jacob Melvin Edith Ruth Elizabeth Arthur Henry Floyd Grace Hawley Evelyn Chas Miles B. Emery Gladys Frank Walter Ella Minnie Lois Smith Lola Harry G. Pearl	State M M M M M M M S S M M M M M M M M M S M M M M M M M M M M S M M M M M W M M M M S M M M S M M S M M S S M S M M M M M W M M M S M M M M M		Residence Warsaw Warsaw Warsaw Warsaw Silver Springs Silver Springs Silver Springs Silver Springs Castile Leroy Rochester Wethersfield Wethersfield Rochester Rock Glen Rock Glen Castile Oakfield E. Aurora Buffalo Leroy Leroy Warsaw Leroy Wethersfield Kenmore Warsaw Warsaw Warsaw Silver Springs Rock Glen Rock Glen Rock Glen N. Gainesville Rochester Hornell Hornell Gainesville Hill Gainesville Hill Rochester N. Gainesville Castile Rock Glen Dunkirk? Ohio Rochester N. Gainesville Warsaw Warsaw	Received 16-Mar-02 14-Jun-31 23-Apr-16 23-Apr-16 1909 23-Feb-54 07-May-37 28-Jul-07 10-Sep-05 1905 27-Nov-60 1953 1953 01-May-34 07-Sep-24 1961 1908 23-Mar-18 1909 1905 12-Dec-16 27-Jun-20 07-Sep-08 23-Apr-16 21-Jun-31 14-Jun-31 21-Jun-31 23-May-16 1908 1923 02-May-09 27-Sep-08 Jun 63 10-Jun-34 29-May-55 29-Sep-35 14-Jun-31 Jan. 1901 09-Sep-06 1971 09-Apr-44 07-Apr-63 07-May-37 12-Sep-23 09-Sep-06 14-Jun-31 21-Aug-18 21-Aug-18 1934 06-Oct-37 21-Sep-19 1902 09-Sep-06 16-Mar-02 14-Jun-31 21-Apr-16 09-Apr-06 29-Sep-08	Transfer from Rushford Rushford from Probation from Probation from Probation from Probation Richmond Ave., Buffalo Tabor, NJ Tabor, NJ from Probation Warsaw Perry Batavia Wesleyan Eagle Harbor Rochester Warsaw Bap.		Deceased Deceased Deceased 1945 Deceased Deceased Deceased 1967 To Florida 16-Sep-46 26-Jun-63 Deceased Deceased 01-Apr-74 Deceased Deceased Deceased 10-Nov-76 18-Mar-51 Deceased Deceased Deceased 1955 20-Jan-46 Deceased 28-Dec-76 1972 02-Feb-46 Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased 1972 May 1974 23-Feb-86 1963 Deceased Deceased Deceased Deceased
Deaths -
Deaths here are more recent than those recorded in the members rolls above.