Town of Jewett Churches
As Identified in J.B. Beers' History of Greene County, published in 1884
Retyped by Arlene Goodwin
The Presbyterian Church
The first building at
this place used exclusively for church purposes, was built about the year 1800,
neat the present residence of D. Noble Chase. Before it was finished, it was
sold at auction to Elisha Thompson for $50. He then presented the meeting-house
to the society, by whom it was used for only a short time. In 1804, another
church edifice was commenced on the site of the present church, but remained
unfinished for a number of years. The present building was erected in the year
1848. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Stimpson; the present pastor is Rev. William
S. Long. When the American Board of Foreign Missions had been formed in 1810,
and called for aid to send out its first missionaries, Mr. Stimpson caught the
spirit, and infused it into the hearts of the members of his congregation. But
little money was to be found in this community, however, and instead, Mr.
Stimpson solicited from each a sheep or lamb. He gathered together a flock of
about 30, and with the help of a boy, started for Catskill, 30 miles distant.
The flock was sold for $1 per head, and the money was given to the missionary
society. This was the first offering from this congregation for the conversion
of heathen in foreign lands. Since then, the offerings of the church to the
cause of missions, etc., have been stated and frequent, and according to the
means of the donors, often liberal. This church and Sunday-school are prospering
finely.
Methodist Episcopal
Church, Jewett Heights
Prior to the building
of a church edifice at this place, the members of the Methodist society held
their meetings in the upper room of the old academy building. The present church
was built in 1848, and cost $1,100. The site was given to the Methodist
Episcopal society by the Presbyterian society, through the influence of Mr.
Isaac Hinman.
During the winter of
1879-1880, this church was remodelled and materially improved. Rev. William B.
Mitchell was the first pastor of this church, and Rev. William A. Dalton is the
present pastor. The church numbers 60 members.
Methodist Episcopal
Church, South Jewett
The first organized
religious society of South Jewett held its meetings in the house of John Artman,
a Revolutionary patriot, who emigrated to this place in 1804. In course of time,
a log building was erected, where the meetings of this society were held till
1833, when Samuel Goodsell and Charles Chase were elected trustees. The
following year these gentlemen bought a site, on which to build a church. Under
the pastorate of Rev. William D. Fero, in 1860 the present church was built. The
society has a membership of 40. Among those who were prominent in the history of
this church, was Rev. Justus Artman. He took a leading part in its affairs,
having held the offices of trustee, steward, class leader, and exhorter, and
from 1835 till his death, a period of over 40 years, that of a local preacher.
He was succeeded by his son, Charles Artman, who now holds the same relation to
the church.
Methodist Episcopal
Church, East Kill
This first church built
at this place was about 1833, and it was located where the present church
stands. The lumber for the building of this church was brought from Preston
Hollow, Albany county, and the edifice was built by men from that place. The present
church was rebuilt about nine years ago, and is, in both its interior and
exterior, the finest Methodist Episcopal church in town. Rev. George Barber is
the present pastor.