MOUNT
PLEASANT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1870-1970
Town of Volney, NY
“A Brief History of the Community Church at
Mount Pleasant, New York 1870-1970”
(pic. The Rev. and Mrs. Donald Turk)
Many thanks to Aaron Howard for contributing
this wonderful and interesting history with so many names, on the MOUNT
PLEASANT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1870-1970 and to the individuals who put
this booklet together, as there is no author noted, and no Copyright.David
is unable for privacy reasons to include any photographs from the booklet.
Welcome news has been sent in by Aaron Howard that he now knows who
wrote this article on the Mt. Pleasant Church. "The author of this
booklet is Byron Rowlee, who served as Town of Volney Historian
as well as Town of Volney Clerk. Mr. Rowlee has done substantial
amounts of work to help anyone doing research on the history of the Town,
and it was a presentation that he gave to a class of mine that spurred
my interest in genealogy. Mr. Rowlee added the following comments:
'[I]t was I who had written [the booklet] and was able to have
it published where I worked as a photo-engraver in Syracuse. The
men in the plant donated their time to photograph, put together and print
and bind the booklet while I was working there at no cost to me except
having to pay the type setter for setting up the type for the printing.
One of the artist in the art department their did some of the drawings
for me, in fact with my help he put together the cover that I designed
for it. Most of those photographs were mine or some that I
had borrowed for use in the booklet.
I believe that in the picture of the Up to Date Club it should be Clarence
Howard, someone corrected me as to the names and I am not sure if I am
remembering it right that that is the one, it was so many years ago and
I did not correct my copy so as I say am not sure.
Also the memorial windows one got left out "In memory of the Distin
Family", which would have been Eli Delos Distin's family and I got reminded
of that whent he book came out by one of his daughter's.'"
Aaron’s great-great-grandfather, Samuel
Preston Howard is the one mentioned
as being honored with a stained glass window on the east side of the church.He
also states, “I would be very interested to connect with any of the Howard
descendants who come from his line
or that of his wifeLaney Myers Howard.
You may contact Aaron Howard at: "ahoward13212 @ yahoo.com".
Note:Also,
just to remind everyone, besides the search engine, you may already know,
but I think that it might be of interest to readers to know that they can
search the document for a specific name by using Edit|Find, or Ctrl+F to
access the Find feature if using MS Internet Explorer (versions 5 and up
anyway).Thank you for giving this
information Aaron.Makes it easier
to search right on the same page.
*****************
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MOUNT PLEASANT METHODIST
CHURCH
State of New York)
County of Oswego)ss
We, the undersigned, two of the members of the society
hereinafter mentioned, do certify that on the tenth day of January, 1870,
the male persons of full age belonging to a congregation in which divine
worship is celebrated according to the rites of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and not already incorporated, met at one of the places of worship
heretofore occupied by the said society in the town of Volney in said county
for the purpose of incorporating themselves; and did them and there elect
by plurality of voices Frederick Vant, Bradford P. Sanford, George W. Rowlee,
Joseph Wright, Joel P. Streeter, Peter P. Ward, and Charles W. Stewart
as trustees for the said Church and the said persons did them and there
also determine by the like plurality of voices that the said trustees and
their successors should forever hereafter be called and known by the name
and title of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church of Volney.Witness
our hands and seas this 10th day of January, 1870.
In presence of
Austin Wheeler, Chairman L.S.
William H. Clark,
Clerk or Secy. L.S.
DEED:
This indenture
made this twenty-second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and seventy, Between Nelson Sears and Amanda his wife o the
town of Volney, County of Oswego and State of New York of the first part
and Frederick Vant, Bradford P. Sanford, George W. Rowlee, Joseph Wright,
Joel P. Streeter, Peter P. Ward and Charles W. Stewart of the same place
aforesaid as trustees of the 2nd M.E. Church of Volney and their
successors in office of the second part witnesseth that the said party
of the first part in consideration of the sum of Fifty dollars to them
duly paid have sold and by these presents do grant and convey to the said
party of the second part successors as trustees, all that tract or parcel
of land situated in the town of Volney aforesaid known and described as
follows being on Lot sixty four (64) of the 15th township of
Scriba Patent, said parcel being in the northwest corner of said lot and
bounded on the North by the Road running from Hubbards corners west, Beginning
in the centre of the road at the N.W. corner of said lot and running thence
East along the centre of said Road six Rods, Thence South paralleled with
the West line of said lot seven roads and sixteen feet, thence West parallel
with the road six Rods, Thence North along the west line of said Lot to
the place of beginning.Said party
of the second part to build a good substantial fence around said described
premises and to keep the same in good repair.The
land above described is deeded for the purpose of building thereon a house
of religious worship which house must so be built thereon in order to make
this transfer valid.The M.E. Church
or society to have the first privilege of occupying said house when built.When
the house is no so occupied all other orthodox denominations shall have
the privilege of using the said house.When
the house is built the seats shall be free with the appurtenances and all
the estate title and interest therein of the said party of the first part
and the said Nelson Sears does hereby covenant and agree to and with the
said party of the second part their successors as trustees that the premises
thus conveyed in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of
the second part and their successors as trustees he will forever warrant
and defend against any person whomsoever lawfully claiming the same or
any part thereof.In witness whereof
the party of the First part has hereunto set hand and seal the say and
year first above written.
Parts of the
following history were taken from accounts written for the twenty-fifth
and the seventy-fifth anniversaries as well as from various other programs,
records and notes as they could be found.Some
were recorded from various stories told by people that have been a part
of the church life for many years.In
trying to cover a history of 100 years, it is very difficult to find information
that is of interest to all.It is
difficult to give credit to so many people that have given so much of themselves.It
is obvious that many things will be overlooked or missed and that many
individuals will be overlooked or missed and that many individuals that
have contributed much will not be recorded.This
was written as a kind of highlight of the activities over the years, with
a sincere effort to remember or locate as many important things as possible
to make a record of these for the future generations.
Our thanks to
all of the many people who have given so much of themselves, their time
and finances, to the support of our church over the years.Even
though your name may not be recorded in this history, without all of you
such a fine organization could not have existed for all the years.Our
hope and prayer is that it may continue and serve our people and our community.Truly,
this church is a community church and we Methodists owe much to others
for their support and help in assisting us to keep the church active in
our community.
If it were not
for the dedication and the support of these people, it would not be possible
to carry on our programs.
It is very difficult
to write a history of this charge, as the facts had to be gathered from
individuals since there was no competent record kept.
This charge used
to be called the Volney charge, and was so entered in the Conference Minutes
and then it became known at Mount Pleasant.
This districts
not combined – that is school – districts were formerly a part of the Gilbert’s
Mills circuit.In 1863, the following
were formed into separate charges: Hubbards, Greenman, Weed, Hawk, Rowlee,
and Druce.The Rev. George Foster
was pastor at this time.
From 1864 to
1865, Burris Holmes was pastor, and was followed in 1865 by M. Thrasher.
George Foster
became pastor in 1866 and continued in charge for three years, 1866-1869.
For value received,
We, the Subscribers agree to pay to the order of the Trustees of the 2nd
M.E. Church of Volney (to be elected) the amount opposite our names respectively
for the purpose of building a Church, to be built on a site near Volney
Cheese Factory, to be paid in three equal installments unless sooner provided
for.
The first on
March 2, 1970, the second on the 1st of May, 1970, and the whole
when said Church is completed.
(Dated) Volney,
December 15th, 1869
The total of
said pledges amounted to $1,899.80.
The church was
completed and the dedication took place on February 24th, 1871.Elder
Ives dedicated it as the 2nd M.E. Church of Volney.Pledges
were taken at the morning and evening services of dedication, totaling
$2,633.13.The money for building
the church was spent as follows:
Builders$3,552.00
Foundation150.00
Stoves56.00
Lamps, etc.66.00
Furniture51.00
Organ175.00
Labor, as follows:
F. Vant30.00
Streeter20.00
Sears44.70
Markham42.00
And for the Fence20.00
From 1869-1871,
A.M. Roe was preacher in charge, and the church at Mount Pleasant was built
at a cost of $4,000.00.Elder Foster
acted as construction boss and some of the men who came to do the actual
construction resided with the Frederick Vant family.The
original church as it was constructed, had three rows of pews therein,
one on each side, and a row down the center.Each
pew was numbered and each family had a pew of their own.The
church was heated by two wood stoves, one in either corner of the sanctuary.There
were two entrance doors in the rear and also two entrances and stairs leading
to the balcony.In the early days
of the church when programs were presented, they would take planks and
build up the altar area to a higher leveland
use it for a stage.The original
lighting was done by kerosene lamps, that were suspended from the ceiling.The
Hubbard, Greenman, Weed, and Rowlee school districts banded together and
built the church and it was known as the Second M.E. Church of Volney.The
above classes joined together to consider the selection of a site on which
to build the church.George W. Rowlee,
Sr. had offered a pieve of ground on the corner of the Whitaker and Short
Cut Roads.Phineas Bartlett said
that he would like to see the church built on the hill at Mt. Pleasant,
this being known as Hubbards corners at this time.Even
if he had to build it himself, he felt that that was the proper place for
the church.Probably the fact that
there was already a cemetery located here helped to swing the others in
favor of this site.The Trustees
then proceeded to buy a piece of ground at our present location on which
to erect our church. Upon completion
of the building it was dedicated by Elder Ives.It
was known as the Community Church and was made up largely of Methodists,
but also had Congregationalists, Lutherans, Disciples, Baptists and Presbyterians.All
denominations were made welcome and made to feel at home.
Down through
the years the church has remained a community church and all worshippers
are made to feel welcome and at home.In
1939 the Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant and Methodist Episcopal
South joined together and for the Methodist Church.In
1968 it became known as the United Methodist Church when the Methodist
Church and the Evangelical United Bretheren Church united in convention
at Dallas, Texas.The Evangelical
United Church was formed in America by the Rev. Phillip Otterbein, who
was a very close friend of Francis Asbury, one of the leading Methodist
men in the early part of our American Methodism.There
were of German extraction and has been formed by the uniting of the United
Bretheren in Christ and the Evangelical Church in the year 1946.
The early school
districts used to have services alternately each Sunday.The
pastor would hold three services each Sunday – one in the morning, one
in the afternoon and one in the evening.In
this manner it was possible for each group to have a pastor every other
week.In the absence of the pastor,
the local class leaders were responsible for the worship services.
After the church
was built at Mt. Pleasant, the Druce and Hawk classes had separate preaching
places and alternated each week.The
charge thus organized as the Second M.E. Church of Volney was first served
by William Witham, who came in 1871 and remained for one year.He
was followed in 1872 by A.N. Balsley, who remained in charge for two years,
from 1872-74.While he was serving
the charge, he resided in the house now occupied by the Casphor Gibson
family.It is located on the northeast
corner of the Silk and Mt. Pleasant roads
near the old Hubbard School.
F. Pierce a Local
Gentleman was in charge from 1874-75.
E. J. Clemmens
was the pastor from 1875-76.It was
during this pastorate that the first record of baptisms appear in the church
record.B. F. Barker was here on
May 7, 1876 to administer the sacrament of baptism.
J. A. Cosgrove
followed and served a pastorate of two years, from 1876-78.While
serving here he lived in South Scriba.
H. Everett Chase
was pastor for one year, 1878-79.
A.M. Roe was appointed to his second pastorate
in April 1879 and served two years, residing in his home in Fulton during
this time.There were a few conversions
and additions to the church during these years, yet by far too little interest
and zeal wa apparent on the part of the church.It
was clearly indicated in the neglected social services, also by some a
continuous and inexcusable absence from the Sabbath Services which, of
course, not only served to discourage the pastor, but was pernicious in
its influence upon society as well.
Many
of the sheds that were built at the church for the parishoners to put their
horse and buggy in were built by the parishoners themselves.The
congregation as a whole built some, but by and large most were individually
built.They were built on the west
side of the church running north and south and there were some built in
the rear of the church and they ran east and west.Then
they were built in the shape of a T, as some were built south beyong the
west end of the shes in the rear of the church.
L.
Brown came to this charge by appointment in April, 1881 and again in 1882,
thus serving two years.
The
membership in 1878 was 171 members.The
salary of the pastor was $393.00.Conference
claiments were $5.00, Missions $16.00, Bible $1.00, Trust $1.00, S.S. Union
$1.00 and miscellaneous expenses were $60.00.
On
December 2, 1882 the trustees purchased from Almon and Mary Jane Beardsley,
for the sum of Twenty dollars a piece of ground 130 feet wide by 11 feet.
In
1883, J. R. Decker was appointed and served for one year.November
8, 1883 the trustees purchased the parsonage property consisting of one
acre of ground from James and Hannah Sears for the sum of Two Hundred and
Fifty dollars.They built a barn
during that year.It appears that
the barn was built on the parsonage property.
In
1884, C. E. Miller was appointed and served two years.The
church during this time was in excellent condition.Every
interest was looked after.A parsonage
was built at a cost of about $1,000.00, and at the Hawks there were gracious
revivals during the winter of 1885 and 1886 and some forty persons were
converted, many of whom remain faithful unto this day.May
God five this charge another such revival.
During
the pastorate of C. E. Miller the following were here at Mt. Pleasant to
administer the rites of baptism.February
1884 – G. M. Mead.Among the ones
in the group at that time was Jennie and George Peckham, also Ed. Grant.August
1884 – George W. Wood.In that group
was Truman Grant, Melvina Rowlee Ives and Shubal Williams.September
1885 – I. J. Nourse and Grace Looker Ebblie was baptized then.Novenber
8, 1885 - G. M. Mead was here for baptism and baptized 41 persons on that
day.Some of the baptisms on September
6, 1885 were by immersion.
There
were occasions when the baptism by immersion was held at Trask’s Pond.G.
M. Mead was also here for the baptism on January 17, 1886.
J.
F. Rathbun next served the charge three years.His
was a successful pastorage.Many
additions were made to the church.During
the first year, 1886, of Brother Rathbun’s pastoate a “session room” in
the basement of the church was built, at a cost of about $300.00.The
church was assisted in this enteprise by the Good Templars, who existed
at that time.After it was built
it was used by them for their meetings until they disorganized.
The
next pastor was the Rev. David Jackson.He
captivated the people from the first.He
had large congregations.He was
heard to remark that he would fill the church before long, and so he did,
but it was at his funeral.He died
very suddenly, Friday, July 5, 1889.Services
were at Mt. Pleasant, the church being crowded to its utmost and large
numbers were not able to get in at all.A
part of a lot was offered the relatives, but was declined as they wished
him to be buried near themselves.He
was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, New York.Simons
of Oswego, a local preacher, served the rest of the year.
In 1887, the
month of May, H.W. Danforth was here for baptism.In
February, 1888, W. Dempster Chase gave the baptism.
In the year 1890,
Edward Everett was appointed and served for two years.During
this pastorate the Weed and Rowlee classes were put with the Mount Pleasant
class, for while these members attended preaching at the church, they still
held their class meetings in their respective school houses.They
thus became Class No. 1, and meets at Mount Pleasant on the Sabbath after
the morning service.
During these
years 1890-91, the church was improved by putting a tin roof on and the
“Young People” also purchased an organ.Mrs.
James Manish got up a subscription paper and collected money by which the
society purchased a “Sacramental Service,” consisting of six pieces.Near
the close of the year 1891, the church edifice at Mt. Pleasant was nicely
decorated by Mr. C.B. Madden of Oswego.He
was assisted by Mr. Maurice Walsh of the same city.He
painted a “Perspective” behind the pulpit platform.At
the same time registers were put into the floor over the session room for
the purpose of ventilating it.
When the church
was first built, the chimney was placed on the east side of the church,
up near the front entrance.In this
place there was continual trouble with smoke and trying to obtain sufficient
draft to make the fire burn properly.The
members of the church board were gathered together insidethe
church discussing what action should be taken to improve matters.All
at once they heard a noise outside the church.When
they went outside to investigate where the noise was coming from, there
was Jasper Rowlee up on the roof tearing down the chimney.It
was them decided tomove it to the
south end of the church.
There has been
much discussion as to the wisdom of this move even to the present day.When
the congregation installed the stained glass windows, the center panel
of that fine scene was covered by the chimney and many people dislike this
and feel that the beauty of it has been spoiled.This
action must have taken place prior to 1893 because pictures of the church
with the old high steeple show the chimney being on the south end of the
church.
At the next conference,
B.G. Sanford was appointed and served the charge for three years.During
his pastorate there was a great revival.He
was assisted by the Evangelist Charles H. Ferguson.There
were a large number added to the church rools and on December 16, 1894
there were 26 baptized by Evangelist Ferguson.On
December 23, 1894, B. G. Sanford baptized 15 more.It
was during 1893 that the church was struck by lightning; the steeple was
hit and knocked from the building.The
portion of the church under the spire caught fire and V.V. Vant and his
hired men went up into the belfry among the flying embers and helped put
out the fire and save the church.Many
members of the community rallied to the church and formed a bucket brigade
and carried water to the church to put out the fire.Thanks
to Lewis H. Ives, Fred Bartlett and many others, the building was kept
from total destruction and the insurance was sufficient for the rebuilding.
When the new
spire was built, it was thought advisable by many to put in a bell.Mr.
Fred Vant collectyed money for this purpose, and the bell weighing 800
pounds and costing $135.00 was placed in the spire of the church.It
still may be heard ringing out over the countryside calling the faithful
to services on Sunday morning.For
many years the man that has run the bell has been Howard Ives, the son
of Lewis, who helped to save the church after the fire.
“The spire of
the M.E. Church at Mount Pleasant was struck by lightning last Saturday
evening and burned as far down as the roof of the tower, but the church
was save by the heroic efforts of the men who came to the rescue.Volkert
Vant andtwo of his hired men went
up into the tower and by throwing water and cutting timbers away with axes
and saws arrested the progress of the fire.The
spire, which was a solid post, burned slowly, and was destroyed.
The roof of the
tower is ruined, also the paper on the walls of the audience room.
The spire was
an addition which Mr. Vant was the means of procuring at the time the church
was finished; he taking a subscription paper and securing $75.00 extra
to defray the expense of its erection.It
has been a marked addition ot the appearance of the church, and has made
the building an object of observation for miles around.
The insurance
company appraisers were promptly on hand on Monday morning and the damage
adjusted.The church was insured
for $1,000.00 and the damage will not exceed $300.00.”
This article
appeared in the Fulton Patriot after the fire.
J.H. Buck was
the next pastor and spent three years on the charge.There
were some conversions and additions to the church.He
was greatly beloved by his people, but on account of advancing age and
infirmities, was not able to get around as much as he would have liked.Yet,
nothwithstanding this, the interests of the charge were attended to.At
the conference of 1898, he retired from the active work and went ot livei
n Fulton.May the mantle of these
beloved veterans fall on the younger members of our conference.And
may it be to him, “Light at Eventide.”
The Rev. Harry
Idle was appointed in the year 1898.During
this conference year the “Young People” have put a new carpet in the church;
also new pulpit furniture.A new
driveway has been laid at the parsonage, and a sidewalk laid in the direction
of the church from the parsonage to the end of the cheese factory barn,
thus making a good walk from the parsonage to the church.The
quarterly conference at its last session passed resolution authoizing the
pastor and treasurer to issue a financial statement as to the receipts
and expenditures of the church.The
names of those who support the church, with what amount, will be issued
in the receipts, also in the expendituresto whom such moneys have been
paid along with the amounts.The
Sunday services during his pastorate were as follows:Mt.
Pleasant 11 A.M. and 8 P.M., North Volney and Hawks alternating each Sunday
at 2 P.M., on Monday evening at 7 P.M. at South Scriba, Tuesday evening
7 P.M., North Volney, Wednesday 7 P.M., Bible study and prayer at Hawks
and Thursday 7 P.M. at Mt. Pleasant Bible study and prayer meeting.
Some of the descendents
of the early church pioneers remain with us, others have taken their places.Shall
not we who remain see to it we do our duty, contribute to its support according
as God has given ability.That the
Sabbath services are maintained by our being in our place every Sabbath,
unless prevented by sickness or other unavoidable causes.By
standing by the pastor and various officers of the church, praying for
them, and in every way doing our best to lend every possible assistance.Inviting
others to our church, speaking to strangers who attend and by our kind
and courteous treatment inducing them to become regular worshippers with
us.In church, Sunday School, Class
Meetings, and Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, making the
wheel go so that at last the Master may say to each one of us, “Well done,
good and faithful servant; enter in the joy of the Lord.”
The Epworth League
of the Mt. Pleasant M.E. Church was organized September 13, 1903 by the
Rev. Wm. E. Greene.There were thirteen
members enrolled as charter members.The
following were the first officers elected: President – Mr. M. C. Graves,
1st Vice President – Mrs. Lewis Ives, 2nd Vice President
– Mrs. Will Percival, 3rd Vice President – Mrs. Arthur Lewis,
4th Vice President – Mrs. Deal DuBois, Treasurer – Earl Rowlee,
Secretary – Nellie Rowlee.The name
of the league was to be the Thoburn League No. 14537.
January 4, 1906
the trustees obtained a piece of ground from Almon Beardsley and wife,
from the southwest corner of the church, westerly 11 feet, south at right
angles to cemetery fence, easterly 11 feet and northerly to starting point.Consideration
was one dollar.They also purchased
on the same day for one dollar from Volkert V. Vant and Gertrude Vant a
piece of ground starting at a point 4 feet east of the northeast corner
of the church running south 172 feet to south side cemetary lot, west to
the boundary of the cemetery, north 40 feet then east to the southeast
corner of the original church lot.
In 1906 during
the pastorate of the Rev. and Mrs. William Pullen, the church spent $1400.00
renovating the church.Among some
of the improvements made at this time were new pews.They
are the pews that still serve the church.They
also removed the old wood stoves and placed a furnace in the basement to
heat the church.The Up to Date
Club was formed on October 13, 1904.The
first officers were President – Willis C. Streeter, 1st Vice
President – King …
(insert photo whose caption reads:
The Up-To-Date Club 1905:
Front l to r:Arthur
Lewis, Arthur Williams, Delos Rowlee, Howard Ives, Irving Bartlett, Frank
Howard, Leon Bartlett.
Second row:Erwin
Sanford, George Bartlett, Charles Green, Earl Rowlee, Byron Distin, Clarence
Trask.
Rear: Charles Osborne, Willis Streeter, Frank Earl,
King Sheffield, Rev. Wm. Pullen, Ben Cole, Erwin Osborne.)
…Sheffield, 2nd Vice President – Delos
Rowlee, Secretary – W. H. Pullen and Treasurer – Earl Rowlee.They
gathered regularly for meetings at which time they had study and debates.The
also had baseball games during the warm weather.This
group raised $200.00 and put the new steel ceiling on the sanctuary and
they also painted it.
In 1911 new cement
steps were made for the front of the church.When
they were being poured, there was a box containing mementoes placed in
the steps.It was during 1911 that
the people of the community raised the money to place stained glass windows
in the sanctuary.The front three
costing $152, were paid for by donations from all the community.Individual
windows costing $330 were purchased and placed by the following people:
In Memory of Washington and Jane Rowlee
In Memory of John and Rebecca Ives
In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. G.G. Ives
In Memory of George Sheffield
In Memory of George Peckham and S. P. Howard
In Memory of John W. and Harriet M. Distin
Streeter
Looker
In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Foster
In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Rockwood
In Memory of Henry A. Trask Co. D 147th
Rgt. N.Y. Vols.
In Memory of Rev. Loren Clark
Presented by Williams View Families
Presented by Rowlee Bartlee Families
Presented by Mothers Jewels
Presented by Home Guards
The year 1912
was the year that the Rev. Thomas J. Williams entered the ministry.During
that year and while finishing school, he served the church at New London.In
1913 he came to serve the charge here at Mt. Pleasant.This
was his first charge after he was ordained.It
was during his pastorate here that he was married and he and Mrs. Williams
are still living.They now make
their home in nearby Utica, N.Y.
November 1, 1921
a meeting was held to organize Camp Fire Council.The
first officers of the group were President George Paddock and Secretary-Treasurer
John Salisbury.This group continued
for about 25 years and they did much for the church.The
ladies of this group were known as the Torch Light Society.They
were instrumental in replacing the old kerosene lamps with a Delco lighting
system in 1923.Later on they were
responsible for having the electricity put in the church.The
Delco System which they purchased cost $400.00 and they spent $145.00 to
have the batteries repaired and renovated.Then
in 1930 they spent $42.00 to convert the church to the electric system.They
also raised the money to have the parsonage wired at a cost of $138.00.This
group of men and women helped to raise some of their money by putting on
plays as well as other activities.
Sometime before
1920 when the Rev. Howard Holmes was at State Street he used to come out
to the Luddington School and hold Sunday School and church services.Those
that went there were members of the State Street Church but were active
in the Mt. Pleasant church women’s organizations also.There
were also services held at the Pine Woods school during this time.During
the pastorate or William Lord, State Street abandoned those outlying schools
and they withdrew from the State Street Church.Those
people in the Luddington District joined the church at Mt. Pleasant in
1931.
In 1928 a spacious
annex of 30 by 40 was constructed on the west side of the original church
buildings.The upper floor of this
annex is used for Sunday School rooms.This
addition was built under the leadership of the Rev. William Lord.The
people of the community gave of their money and time to make this project
a reality.At the time of the discussion
on the plans and whether or not the money could be raised to carry it out,
the question was raised as to whether or not the church might not be able
to receive some assistance from the conference.
The feeling was that they could do this without the
help of the conference.If the people
of the community were behind this project and wanted it bad enough, they
would be able to raise the needed funds and wouldn’t need to ask the conference
for help in doing it.Jim Foster
was hired to direct the workers in the building of the annex and a great
many of those who had made pledges worked them out by helping the construction
of the addition.Not having to hire
laborers, they were able to accomplish this project at a very reasonable
cost.The upstairs rooms were divided
from the sanctuary by folding doors that can be opened as needed to provide
additional seating capacity.The
downstairs was made into a combination dining room and gymnasium.Thus
it is possible to have suppers, socials, entertainment and sports such
as basketball.A modern kitchen was
added to complete the project.Total
cost of the project was $8,000.It
was during this time, shortly after the annex was completed that the Mt.
Pleasant Church had one of the finest basketball teams in the area.They
were known at the Mt. Pleasant Aggies.The
team was made up of Maxwell Lord, Emerson and Milton Distin, Carl Lewis,
Oron, George and Willard Rowlee, Wallace Crouch, Amos Baldwin, Casphor
Gibson, Amost and Lewis Ives.The
Rev. William Lord was their coach.
(inset photo whose caption reads:
Seated l to r: Emerson Distin, Maxwell Lord, Carl
Lewis, Oron Rowlee, Milton Distin.Standing:
Willard Rowlee, Casphor Gibson, Amos Ives, Amos Baldwin, Wallace Crouch,
George Rowlee, Lewis Ives.)
The following
item was taken from the official minutes of the N.N.Y. conference 1928:
“An outstanding
rural achievement has taken place at Mount Pleasant, which is an open country
church with no village near.A two
story ell, thirty by forty feet, has been started and almost complete within
the year.It contains a recreational
hall, kitchen, large Sunday School room and four additional class rooms.Without
seeking or receiving any missionary aid, nearly $7,000.00 has been expended,
of which all by $1,700.00 has been paid.Good
pledges cover the balance.”
The Quarterly
conference at Mt. Pleasant for many years sponsored the licenses of R.
Burr and Evelyn Howard to preach and they served the church at Bundyville
for many years.In 1962 Charles Austin
and his wife went into the full time ministery and Turin, Constableville
and Glenfield.
March 22, 1929
Mt. Pleasant Grange No. 349 and the trustees of the church entered into
a partnership agreement of a parcel of land 80 by 50 on which to build
an ew community barn.This was built
to replace the old horse sheds that were in bad repair and an eyesore.There
was sopme concern as to the wisdom of building a barn to put horses in
as it didn’t seem that there were that many people coming to church by
horse and buggy.
The first winter
after the new barn was erected by the church and the grange it received
considerable use as the weather that winter was extremely bad.In
order for the people to attend church, they had to come by horse and cutter
or sleights.After the towns and
county snow equipment became better, the need for the barn decreased to
where it was not used for anything except storage.It
did serve one large function for a week end.All
the 4-H clubs in the county gathered at Mt. Pleasant for a meeting and
the interior of the barn was set up with chairs and a platform.There
was a very enjoyablt program presented here at that time.
There was talk
of foxing the barn up and providing rollor skating facilities for the young
people, but they never felt that the results would justify the expense
involved.
The Town of Volney
offered to buy the barn in 1936, but when they finally got down to figures
the Town Board did not accept the proposition.There
has been talk at other times of selling it, but as of this time it still
stands and is still jointly owned by the Grange and the church.
The Grange and
the church deeded a right of way to each other for entrances.In
the even either organization shall cease ot exist, the property will go
to the surviving organization.
During the year
1936-37, during the pastorate of the Rev. and Mrs. George A. Foote, the
church adopted the envelope system.Those
who made regular contributions to the church were given a box of envelopes.Thus
by having their own envelopes at home it was easier for the people to assume
their share of the church budget.This
also made it easier for the financial secretary to keep proper records
for the church.
(inset picture, whose caption reads:
L to r: Orlon Taft, Robert Taft, Reuben Birdsell,
Byron Rowlee, Charles Austin, Byron Grant.)
During the late
1930s a Boy Scout troop was organized at Mt. Pleasant.Mr.
Amos Ives was the first Scoutmaster.During
these years the scout troop had a basketball team, however, it was not
as famous as the Aggies were in their day, but they had a good time and
managed to win a few ball games.It
was during this time that the trustees voted to put wood siding on the
walls of the gymnasium and thus help make it a bit warmer for activities.In
discussing the possibilities as to how to fasten the siding on, Charles
Parker said it would be very easy to drive nails into the concrete wall
and thus fasten it that way.
But, when they went down and tried nailing, they found
that it was just about impossible to drive nails so another way had to
be found.Willis Streeter, George
and Charles Parker were doing the work.The
scouts had scheduled a game during this remodeling and so went over in
the evening and moved out the stove they were using to heat the gymnasium
with and also moved and mixed up the lumber they had out to use the next
day.About the time they were ready
to play, Willis and Charles came over and saw what was done and were pretty
upset with the boys.They were going
to put a stop to their using the gymnasium for basketball.Fortunately
for the Scouts, the sentiment of the remainder of the trustees was different
and thanks to Howard Ives, Byron Distin, Charles Denniston and the Rev.
George Foote things were straightened out to the satisfaction of all concerned.During
the year of 1938, a new floor was installed in the gymnasium as well as
the new sidewalls and a new ceiling.
During the pastorate
of the Rev. and Mrs. Walter J. Suits the church had a policy of giving
a shower for the young couples of the community when they were married.IT
was during this time and on the 15th of September, 1941 that
the first wedding was performed in the church.Marjorie
Paddock and Ralph Berning were united in marriage.
During November
of 1942 the people of the community gathered at the church and cemetery
to dedicate the new flag and flag pole.This
was made possible by contributions from the public.It
was more or less a memorial to those serving our country during the Second
World War.There were over one hundred
of our young people from the community who served in the armed services
during this time; five of them gave their lives.
During the rededication
of the church on November 21, 1943 at which time they were rededicating
the church after having redone the sanctuary, they had three church services
for the celebration.At each of these
services the choir of fifty years ago sang.This
group consisted of George, Grace and Jennie Peckham, Charles and Rhoda
Rowlee and Lula Trask Hoff accompanied by Ruth Streeter Bartlett on the
piano.This was the first time this
group had sung together since 1895.
No church is
complete without the rich deep tones of an organ to lead in its worship.The
need for such an organ had long been felt in our church.Before
the war, members of the Mary Martha Class launched an organ fund.This
was at a standstill for the duration, but as soon as it seemed advisable,
the Fund was revived and a new organ committee appointed.The
committee was made up of Medora Denniston, Chairman; Naomi Clark, Treasurer;
Beryl Osborne, Ruth Streeter Bartlett, Carrie and Eleanor Wright, Georgia
Ives, Lucille Burdick, Elliott Wright and the Pastor.An
order was placed with the Clark Music Co. of Syracuse for a Hammond electric
organ with the full approval of the Board of Trustees of the church.The
organ was delivered in November and was used for the first time on Thanksgiving
Sunday.The cost of the organ was
$2,090.00. On Sunday, December
21, 1947 a service of dedication was held with Bishop W. Earl Ledden and
the Rev. Barber L. Waters being present to help with the dedication.Peggy
Kimball from radio station W.F.B.L. was present and gave an organ recital
for all those present.The Rev. Stanley
Smith was the pastor of the church at this time.
After the Rev.
Stanley Smith left in January of 1948, there was some discussion as to
whether the church should remain Methodist or become affiliated with the
Church of God.There was much discussion,
including a meeting with the District Superintendent, Barber L. Waters.He
said he could find nothing in our deeds and charter which would hinder
us from doing this provided a majority of those present and voting so decided.After
much pro and con on the matter, it was brought to a vote and it was decided
that the best interests of all concerned could best be served by continuning
to be known as a Methodist Church.Much
of the thinking in favor being brought about by the inability of the other
group being unable to guarantee to furnish a pastor to fill the pulpit.
The Sunday School
rooms were redecorated in 1940 and again in the year 1959.During
the fall of 1943 the sanctuary was beautifully redecorated at a cost of
about $550.During 1962 the sanctuary
was again redecorated and the folding doors between the sanctuary and the
Sunday School rooms were cleaned and refinished.
January 10, 1923
Lucy Osborne petitioned the trustees for permission to purchase a cottage
at the Dempster Camp Grounds.It
was to be held in the name of the Mt. Pleasant Church and under the charge
of the pastor of said church.She
was granted that permission.Over
the years thereafter many groups from the church went there for services.The
fact that we owned our own cottage probided living accommodations for those
staying.Many of the young people
went there and spent a week of fine fellowship and religious experience.Many
of the older people used to go and spend time there during the special
services that were held each year.During
the year 1948 the Women’s Society sold it for $150.
During August
1952 George Paddock refinished the floor in the sanctuary at a cost of
$60.He was generous enough to donate
his time for this project as well as having donated it for many other of
the projects at the church and parsonage.Many
of the building and refinishing projects in the church and parsonage were
done by him at no cost to the church.
During
1952-53
the old wood furnace and the woodstoves were replaced with three new furnace
units.These were oil buring in and
this have helped considerably in the car and maintenance of the church.It
certainly is much easier to heat the building and any of those people that
served as janitors appreciate the fact that it no longer a necessity o
have tocarry wood upstairs into the Sunday school rooms to heaty it.Even
though the very fine wood box that they had with the wheels under it helped
save some of the carrying, it was still necessary to bring it up the stairs
to the sanctuary and then you could roll it the rest of the way into the
Sunday School department.This also
relieved the necessity of putting up and taking down the stove in the gymnasium
and carrying wood from the furnace room down there to fire the stoves with.The
cost of these united was $1,968.00.
In 1957, 24 storm
windows were purchased for the church.Geore
Paddock also made storm windows to be placed over the stained glass windows
in the sanctuary.
The Women’s Society
purchased 6 folding tables in 1950, 8 in 1955 and 8 more in 1956 for use
in the dining room.These were to
replace the wooden tables that were made by the local people when the addition
was built on the church in 1927.There
were metal folding chairs purchased for the church in 1949 and 1960.During
1956 the Couples Club insulated the ceiling over the sanctuary.In
1960 the Couples Club and others purchased about 100 folding metal chairs
for use in the church.The trustees
had a well dug on the church grounds at this time thus it was no longer
necessary to draw water from the spring at the store.Much
of this work was accomplished during the pastorates of the Revs. Joseph
and Edna Elkins.Rev. Joseph B. Elkins
passed away August 12, 1952.
In 1962 the people
of the church undertook the project of placing restroomsin
the furnace room of the church.The
fact that we now had our own water supply made this prject possible and
feasible.Thanks to the cooperation
and donations of the people this was able to be accomplished.The
cost of this undertaking was about $2,600.00.This
was one of the many undertakings accomplished during the pastorate of the
Rev. and Mrs. Harold Pennock.It
was also during his pastorate that the every member visitation was inaugurated.This
helped to underwrite the budget for the coming year and helped eliminate
having to make a special call on the people just before conference to help
pay the bills.Many years before
this had been done by donations fro mthe Women’s Society.This
calling has helped
considerably in the financing of the church budget.Needless
to say we still have some problems raising enough money, but by and large
we have been much more successful in meeting our need.
During the pastorate
of the Rev. and Mrs. Stanley Vollmer the church purchased robes for the
choir and the choir directorate at a cost $232.Paul
Kimball installed flood lights on the exterior of the church to light the
steeple on the church at night.In
1965 we ordered 125 of the new Methodist hymnal that was being published.These
were subscribed for as memorials or to honor people.The
Senowen Club ordered 20 more in 1966 for the use of the choir.These
were purple rather than the red that was ordered for the pews.
The year of 1963
was the year that the trustees converted one of the rooms in the Sunday
School department into an office at the cost of $250.This
was done in order to make it possible for the pastor to study and counsil
without being interrupted by anyone.This
also makes a convenient arrangement at the present time as our present
pastor does not occupy the parsonage.A
telephone has been installed in the study and an extension placed in the
kitchen.
In 1964 a new
acoustical ceiling and modern lighting system were placed in the sanctuary.Part
of the money for this project came from the Willis C. Streeter estate.The
lighting system was placed as a memorial to the Streeter family.Willis
was the secretary of the Board of Trustees for over forty years as well
as serving as recording secretary of the Official Board for many years.The
ceiling that was installed was a drop ceiling and lowered the existing
ceiling somewhat.The cost of the
ceiling was $1,080.00. The cost of the lighting system was $1,255.00.
During the year
of 1965 a new entrance was constructed on the front of the church.In
place of the old double doors that were there, one large door was used
and around this were windows; this helped to make our vestibule much lighter.The
cost of this was $580.00 and it was dedicated as a memorial to Nicholas
Mansfield.
During the pastorate
of the Rev. and Mrs. A. Howard Gabriel, a drive was started to do something
about the kitchen facilities.A Committee
consisting of Lina Stevens, Ruth Rockwood, Louise Ives, Fred Spink, Jr.,
Donald Kitts and Paul Kimball was named to explore the possible answers
as to what could be done and obtain some kind of an estimate as to the
cost.After a successful fund drive,
it was considered possible to add a new building on the west side of the
present building.The committee let
a contact for $4,800.00 to construct a shell 15 by 30 feet.This
was done and then our own people began the work of completing the inside.A
concrete floor was laid and the inside was divided into three separate
rooms.One half was used for the
kitchen and the remaining half was divided again to make an entryway and
place to hang clothes.The furnace
was moved down from the stage into the remaining room.The
water pump and water heater were installed in this room also and thus it
has been much easier to heatthe
gymnasium for activities.New equipment
was added to the kitchen and a new tile floor, and wall paneling around
the base of the walls make these rooms very attractive as well as useful.The
cost of completing the inside work on the kitchen was $2,300.00Due
to the generous help of our own people, much labor was donated and thus
we were again able to save considerable on cost of construction.The
steeple on the church was repaired, a new roof added and the outside of
the steeple were painted at cost of $2,780.00.The
repairs on the steeple were completed in 1966.A
new roof was put on the east side of the church during the same year at
a cost $1,475.00.
In November,
1968 the Rev. and Mrs. Donald Turk were assigned to preach at Mt. Pleasant.In
1969 new carpeting was purchased for the auditorium and the vestibule at
a cost of $965.00.The money for
this was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Denniston and the Couples Club.A
new piano was purchased for use with the organ during the worship services.The
cost of this piano was $795.00.As
there has been considerable trouble with the floor in the gymnasium over
the years, the trustees voted to replace the wooden floor wit ha new concrete
floor.This was done at a cost of
$900.00.
At the end of
1969 and early in the year 1970 the Sunday School room downstairs on the
stage were being redone with new lights, new tile ceiling and wood paneling
on the walls.This was made possible
by contributions made in memory of Louise Osborne who died as a result
of an automobile accident near Allentown, Pennsylvania in November 1969.She
was 16 years old and a high school senior.
The parsonage
was built in1884 at a cost of $1,000.00.Running
water was installed in 1939 by means of an electric pump.A
line was laid across the road to a spring owned by Ernest Gibson.In
1960 a well was dug at the church and shortly thereafter the parsonage
was connected to this well.In 1940
a sun porch was built on the front of the parsonage with the labor being
donated by the Revs. Lord and Suits.In
1943 the parsonage was insulated and during the summer of 1944 the exterior
was painted.During 1945 a new bathroom
was constructed on the west side of the parsonage.In
1953 a new oil furnace was installed at a cost of $825.00.In
1964 the trustees had the exterior of the parsonage resided with wood shingles
at a cost of $975.00.
Charles Parker
was the superintendent of the Sunday School during the year of 1935 and
at this time Mabel L. Grant was selected to take charge of the young people’s
department as their counselor.She
formed new classes in that department and laong with thos in the other
two departments, the Sunday School was expanded to sixteen classes, this
being the highest number ever for the Sunday School.She
along with the various classes raised the money to purchase much of the
equipment in use in the church and parsonage.Evenings
and Sarudays, after her day of teaching at Fairgrieve Junior High School,
she would use her car and along with the help of the young people would
go out and collect old newspapers to sell and raise money.The
department raised over $1,000.00 in this way towards paying for equipment.She
organized a sample fair to raise money, there were plays, socials, and
skating parties and many other activities to raise funds.The
young people’s department was responsible for the addition put on the parsonage
in 1948.They spent nearly $1,000.00
to build the addition and equip it as a bathroom for the use of the parsonage
family.Ray Dunsmoor was very helpful
in completing the project.
During her time
as counselor,the Sunday School classes
used to have contests to increase attendance.Anna
Paddock and Jim Bartlett captained teams known as the blue and the red.The
losers were to provide a dinner for the winner.The
average attendance during the year 1935 rose to 105, this was the highest
on record.
During the year
1939 Lulu Bellinger used to have a Sunday School class which met in her
home, thus she reached many of the children in her neighborhood which were
not being reached by the church.Berly
Osborne started working in the Sunday School in the year 1916 and worked
there until 1956.Many years she
worked with the young people leading and directing rally day and children’s
day programs.She worked with the
choir for many years.It was said
that she would walk from her home over to the church many rimes in order
that she could practice the piano as well as the organ after that has been
purchased.
The first records
of the attendance in the Sunday School date from the year 1911.At
that time there were six classes and the teachers were E.D. Distin, Mrs.
Jasper Rowlee, Mrs. Duane Streeter, Mrs. Albert Paddock, Grace Rowlee,
and Lavantia Osborne.The superintendent
was Albert Paddock and Helen Howard and secretary-treasurer.Mrs.
Cassie Osborne began working with the Sunday School in September, 1936
and has continued to the present time.Miss
Alice Johnson was elected as the secretary of the Sunday School in 1937
and except for a few months has held that office to the present.
The Mary Martha
Class was formed in 1932 with Ruth Rockwood as the first teacher.Florence
Distin and Mabel Grant taught the class for a time and then Lizzie Skeel
took over as teacher of the class and she remained leader of the group
until she passed away in 1969.This
group has been very active over
(inset photo whose caption reads:
1934 Mary Martha Class:
Left to right:Nettie
Baldwin, Serena Distin, Florence Distin, Teacher, Ruth Spink, Shirley Osborne,
Beatrice Johnson, Eleanor Wright, Carmen Lord, Doris Rice holding Willis
Rice and Naomi Clark holding Fern Rice Parsons.)
the years and helped the church in many ways.They
have contributed towards the expenses of young people that have gone to
Camp Aldersgate.During the years
that they have been organized, they have raised $2,569.80 for the work
of the church and the missions.
The Couples Club
was formed on November 14, 1947 by combining the Willing Workers and Volunteer
Sunday School classes. These
classes were taught by Charles and Medora Denniston and when the club was
organized, the Dennistons were made honorary members of the club.This
club held their first chicken barbeque on June 19, 1954.Ove
the years this group and the old Sunday School classes that made up this
group have raised over $5,500.00, to use for various projects in the church.They
also have five3n financial support to the Kentucky Bible Crusade.This
group and others in the Sunday School supported a Chinese girl for many
years until the Communists took over China.The
Couples Club has helped the church budget many times and they paid the
Camp Aldersgate asking for building the new camping facilities; this amount
being several hundred dollars.The
Couples Club was instrumental in providing the space under the stage un
which the tables and chairs could be stored, thus making it easier to clean
and also provide clear space for sports.
The Senowen Club
was organized in 1963 by the younger couples of fthe church.They
have been very active since formoing and have been responsible for many
of the projects that the church has undertaken in the past few years.They
are taking over much ffo the work and expense that some of the older organizations
are no longer able to do.
Under the guidance
of urging of Nicholas Mansfield a Men’s Club formed in 1964 and was very
active until it disbanded in 1968.One
of their projects was installing a new ceiling in the gymnasium at a cost
of $231.00.They also contributed
money and labor toward the new kitchen annex.
Sometime during
the thirteen years that Evelyn Howard was president of the Ladies Aid the
circles of the church was formed.The
names of the circles at that time were usually the same as the leaders
and thus they were the White Circle, the Durfey Circle, the Wm. Rath Circle,
the Pollock Circle, the Mt. Pleasant Circle, the Balcom and the Graves
Circle were discussing merger in 1920.At
the election of the delegate for the Annual conference in 1920 to be held
in Malone in April, Lewis H. Ives was elected and Wm. West was elected
as alternate.
(inset photo whose caption reads:
1921 Harmony Circle l to r: Flora MacDougall, Kate
Fleming, Aletha Bartlett, Julia DuBois, Nora Hall, Harriet Sheffield, Mrs.
Finter, Mrs. Greenwood, Samantha Wood, Mellie Ives, Carrie Taplin, Ruth
DuBois, Lula Bellinger.)
When the Methodist
Church was formed by merger in 1939 the Ladies Aid Society was reorganized
and became the Women’s Society of Christian Service.They
had a charter membership of 81.They
have always carried more than their share of the load of the church.In
yhe years when the church budget was running out, they came to the rescue
many a time and helped see that the conference year was ended with all
the bills paid. For many years
they have paid the cost of the heating expenses of the church and for many
years they paid for the janitor services.
There have been
many memorials and memorial gifts made to our church over the years.It
would be impossible to list all of them but those who are interested may
find most of them listed in a memorial book that is kept in a desk in the
rear of the sanctuary.Thedesk
was made by George Paddock and that and the book are a memorial to Elsie
Sheldon.George also made the Baptismal
Font that is a memorial to Medora Denniston.
Febrary
2, 1947 the following articles were dedicated as memorials:
The Altar Table given by
Mrs. Emma Shaut, Mrs. Betty Ives Bartholomew and Mr. Robert G. Ives inscribed
“In Loving Memory of Those We Hold Dear But Have Lost Awhile”; the Altar
scarf by the Good Luck circle in memory of Mr. and Mrs. E. Delos Distin;
the Brass Cross and Candlesticks by the Willing Workers and Volunteer classes
in honor of those from the community who served in World War II; a Pulpit
Bible, King James Version, in memory of Mrs. Anna Paddock by her husband,
family and friends; a Pulpit by the Birthday, Friendship and Welcome Circles;
a Bible bookmark, in memory of Anna B. Paddock by her father nad mother,Mr.
and Mrs. W.A. Baldwin, her brother and family, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Baldwin;
Pulpit Light by the Fellowship, Sunbeam and Live Wire classes of the Sunday
School; an Electric Clock by John Wise.
After Mr. Joseph
Elkin passed away in 1952, the Women’s Society purchased the altar carpet
and dedicated it as a memorial to him.Mr.
and Mrs. Horace Ottman purchased kneeling pads as a memorial to the Rev.
Joseph Elkin.The Altar Vases were
placed as a memorial to Elsie Simmons and Lucy Osborne by family and friends.The
present flag set was purchased as a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fairbanks,
Mr. and Mrs. Willis Clark and Irwin Clark by Naomi Clark.Donald
Kitts built a lectern for the Sunday School rooms as a memorial to Mrs.
Gertrude Taft.Some of the kitchen
equipment has been purchased with money left as memorials to people that
have passed away.The mirror in the
vestibule is a memorial to Eleanor Balcom by her family.The
new Revised Standard Pulpit Bible is a memorial to Elsie Bush by Gloyd
Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bush.The
Silver Tea Service is a memorial to Lizzie Skeel by Mr. and Mrs. Victor
Simons.The new carpeting in the
sanctuary was dedicated as a memorial to Medora Denniston and John B. Howard.A
set of Liturgical colored altar hangings in memory of James M. Bartlett.A
Candlelighter in memory of Mildred Smith.A
roaster oven is a memorial to Ruth Streeter Bartlett by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence
Gick.
Over the years
some of our people have remembered the Mt. Pleasant Church in their wills.The
church has a Trust Fund established by Mrs. Elsie Simons in 1962.The
interest from this fund is to be used each year toward the church budget.In
1967 the Grant family established a Student Loan Fund in memory of Ernest
Grant.This fund may be added to
by anyone who wishes to make a memorial contribution.This
fund is available on a loan bases at a very low interest rateto
any studen in our community that wishes to further his education beyond
high school.
The program of
the recongnition dinner was begun in 1960.The
people of the community gather together for a dinner and program to honor
those selected for their service to their church and community.
1960Beatrice
Johnson, Delos D. Rowlee
1962Alice
Johnson, Willis Streeter
1963Mabel
Grant, George Paddock
1964Lizzie
Hunn, Charles Denniston
1965Leta
and Walter Youngs, Lizzie Skeel, Margaret Spink and Howard Ives
1966Bernice
and James Bartlett, Marion Mansfield and Ruth Grant
1967Ruth
and Erwin Rockwood, Aleze Ives and Maud Parker
1968Ernestine
and George Bartlett, Hannah and Ralph Balcom
1969Freda
and Victor Simons, Merle Bartlett and Maud Looker
1970Susie
Hubbard, Cassie and Homer Osborne
The present leaders of the
choir are Fern Parsons and Janet Osborne and the organist is Elliott Wright.
The present membership
of the church is 236.
Trustees: