The Uniondale M. E. Church, now united with the Dundaff M. E. Church and known
as the UnionDale and Dundaff Charge originated as follows; The Revd J.
P. Chynoweth who was pastor of the Herrick Centre charge in the Year of 1877
came over to preach at Uniondale for a short period of about Two Months.
during which time he met with considerable annoyancies which indicated that
Methodist Episcopal services in Uniondale were Not looked upon with favor by
some persons.
At the close of Bro.Chynoweths pastoral term in the Herrick charge the Revd.
S. Wood was appointed to succeed him, April 1878. Bro. Wood came over to
Uniondale & preached a few times in the Public School house, but finally
concluded that the other points of his charge would not allow him to give
attention to Uniondale, consequently, the appointment was given up. In 1878 a
short time after the session of the Wyoming Conference, Bro. P.J. Gates, a
Local preacher again commenced preaching and his service were much appreciated
by the people. Bro Gates closed his labor in the fall, leaving a little hanful
(sic) of Members Numbering about Eleven, whose Membership was nominally
with the Herrick Centre charge, but who were, at the close of Bro. Gates
labors, left as Sheep without a Shepherd.
In the following Spring, April 1879, the Revd. Robt. P. Christopher
who had for many years been engaged in Pastoral work within the limits of New
York East Conference moved into the Village of Dundaff, at which time he was
appointed to commence Pastoral work at Uniondale under the presiding Elder,
the Revd. A. J. Vancleft. God's blessing abundantly attended this
arrangement. Preaching at first in the New School House every Sabbath Morning
at 10 1/2 O clock. It now became evident that the people loved to hear the
Gospel of the Grace of God preached., and in a very little time the School
house became filled with anxious & inquiring hearers. On Sabbath, June
15th, 1879, Special services were held for the purpose of Reorganizing a
Methodist Episcopal Church in Uniondale, at which time there was added to the
little Nucleus of Eleven. Bro. Israel Rounds.Sister Emaline Rounds.Sister
Belle Roberts by letter, and Bro. Jerome Curtis.Martha Curtis and
Phoebe Westgate were recd as full members, their probationary term
being expired. Making the Membership up to the above date 17 in number -.
Realizing the necessity of a Church Edifice to worship in, the present Church
building which was formerly a School House was purchased and placed upon its
present site and after being remodeled & fitted up for Church purpose was
Dedicated as the Uniondale M. E. Church . September 10th, 1879 .
by the Revd. A. J. Vancleft presiding Elder of the Honesdale Dist..
This occasion was one of Interest and Influence which will not be Forgotten by
the present generation in Uniondale. On the day of its Dedication . and
during several weeks protracted Meetings . God poured out His Spirit
and Uniondale was favored with a blessed Pentecost. On the Sabbath, October
12th, which will ever be remembered as a Glorious day in Uniondale Methodism.
Notwithstanding the opposition which showed itself on the part of Several
belonging to other Denominations. 46 were taken into the Church on
Probation. who had professed convertion(sic) around the Alter of the Newly
Dedicated Church.(Most of which were Heads of Families) 23 of which
were Baptised by Sprinkling & 10 by Immersion. Since that time up
to the present, the Church has been steadily growing. Her (illegible)
strengthening .borders extending & converts Multiplied. At the
Meeting of the Wyoming Confce held in Scranton April 14, 1880 .the
Uniondale Charge was thrown in with the Clifford Charge.and was to be
known hereafter as the Clifford and Uniondale Circuit-.Geo. M. Peck and
R. P. Christopher being appointed as Pastors.but, at the 1st Quarterly
conference held at Clifford May 20th, 1880.it was decided to divide the
Charge, setting off the Uniondale Church and Dundaff Church as a separate and
distinct charge from the Clifford Charge.G. M. Peck being Pastor of Clifford
& R. P. Christopher Pastor of Unuiondale & Dundaff under the presiding
elder- this action constitutes the Origin of the Uniondale
& Dundaff Charge. The Writer of this Historic Acct is
now closing up his labors on this charge.with gratitude to God for his
abundant blessings upon his labors. "May God bless whoever shall come to
be the Under Shepard of the Sheep and Lambs upon this Charge".and
Make him even more successful in Winning souls.Is the Earnest
prayer of the outgoing Pastor.
Dundaff, April 4th, 1882. Robt. P. Christopher.
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