Churches - Town of Chemung, NY
Below is the history of the churches in the Town of Chemung and outlying areas, as I know them. Researched through history books and church records. Below you will read the article stating the early non-denominational church was the first to the Chemung County and the Lower Chemung River Valley, but I'm afraid this written record of history is not true.
In a letter to George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 15 August 1779, the written account of the New Chemung Iroquois/Delaware Village, known as the (War Village) gives us an insight into the history and past of the Town of Chemung.
From Major General John Sullivan:
"Teaoga [Tioga, N.Y.] August—15th 1779. Regarding the New Chemung Village (War Village) of the Iroquois/Delaware, he states: their Town; it was most beautifully situated, contained a chapel with between thirty and fourty other houses, many of them very large, and some tolerably well finished. There were fields of corn, the most extensive that ever I saw, with great quantities of pota⟨toes,⟩ pumpkins, squashes, and in short every other thing which any farms could produce."
So, now we know, there was a church in the Chemung River Valley, before the European Pioneer Settlers took up residence. At this time, denomination is yet to be determined. - Mary Ellen Kunst
In a letter to George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 15 August 1779, the written account of the New Chemung Iroquois/Delaware Village, known as the (War Village) gives us an insight into the history and past of the Town of Chemung.
From Major General John Sullivan:
"Teaoga [Tioga, N.Y.] August—15th 1779. Regarding the New Chemung Village (War Village) of the Iroquois/Delaware, he states: their Town; it was most beautifully situated, contained a chapel with between thirty and fourty other houses, many of them very large, and some tolerably well finished. There were fields of corn, the most extensive that ever I saw, with great quantities of pota⟨toes,⟩ pumpkins, squashes, and in short every other thing which any farms could produce."
So, now we know, there was a church in the Chemung River Valley, before the European Pioneer Settlers took up residence. At this time, denomination is yet to be determined. - Mary Ellen Kunst
- Churches bordering the Town of Chemung - click on the button below
Wellsburg Baptist-Chemung Marker
The Site of First Church of any Denomination in Chemung Valley
The Site of First Church of any Denomination in Chemung Valley
Records of the original church have survived, 1789 to 1834 and can be found on the website of Joyce Tice. With the link listed below. The original log cabin church was destroyed by flooding. It was located almost directly behind the marker, shown above and straight back to the tree line, next to the river.
===================================================================================== ================================
Baptist Church, Chemung, NY
The First Baptist Church of Chemung, which prior to their organization at Dry Brook, February 3, 1855, had been a branch of the FactoryVille church, first built a small church building at Dry Brook about the year 1848. Upon organization as an independent body the society embraced a membership of seventy-three persons, prominent among them being Phineas Rogers, Reuben R. Tooker, Stephen Vanderlip, William H. Bassett, William F. Rogers, Zelotus G. Carpenter, Samuel H. Rumsey, Stephen Hoover, Hawley B. Rogers, John H. Hicks, Samuel Carey, Abraham H. Knight, C. D. Hill, Ruth Rogers, Hulda Bowling, Emma M. Knight, Phebe H. Bennett, Mary A. Saunders, and others. After occupying the Dry Brook Church for more than a score of years the society in 1870 completed the present church edifice in the village. It cost $5,000 and will seat 400 people. Rev. J. M. Coley was the first pastor.
A History of the Valley and County of Chemung by Ausburn Towner, 1892
A History of the Valley and County of Chemung by Ausburn Towner, 1892
===================================================================================== ==============================
Methodist Church, United Methodist Church,
Methodist-Episcopal Church, Chemung,NY
Methodist-Episcopal Church, Chemung,NY
Chemung and Methodist Church History by historian, Elsie Thomas, 1984
chemung_and_methodist_church_history_by_elsie_thomas_1984.pdf | |
File Size: | 1421 kb |
File Type: |
The Methodist Church of Chemung had its origin during a religious revival in the year 1819. At that time the class contained some thirty members, among them being Jerry Holland and his wife, James Ribble and his wife, Epenetus Owen and his wife, Philip McConnell and his wife, William Kellogg and his wife, Stephen Vanderlip and his wife, Nancy Floyd, Julia Wynkoop, Katie Floyd, Betsey Swain, and Treadway Kellogg. Their first meeting was held in the old log school-house near Wynkoop Creek, Rev. Horace Agard being the presiding elder and Rev. Sophronus Stocking one of the first circuit preachers. The first resident pastor was Rev. William H. Pearne. Until 1838 the society had held their meetings in the school-house. In that year they built a small but modest church edifice a short distance east of Wynkopp Creek, in which meetings were hold for a space of about ten years. The Erie Railway's right of way passed through here in 1849 and the company bought the property of the church society, and the latter at once began the erection of the present church building in the village. It cost $1,500 and was completed in 185o. The church will accommodate 450 persons. The pastors of the church since 1864 have been : 1864-65, E. H. Cranmer; 1866-67, M. C. Dean; 1868-69, Harvey Lampkin; 1870, Uriah S. Hall; 1871-72, R. L. Stilwell ; 1873-74, C. M. Gardner; 1875-76, D. C. Dutcher ; 1877-79, Ira B. Hyde ; 1880-8 1, P. J. Bull; 1882-83, S. A. Chubbuck ; 1884-85, J. A. Roberts; 1886, C. E. Ferguson, of Elmira; 1887, 0. D. Davis; and 189o, H. A. Carpenter, who still fills the pastorate. The charge consists of Chemung village, Oak Hill, Williwanna, Pa., and Middle Chemung. The number of members on the whole charge is now about one hundred and at the village twenty-six. The Sunday school has fifty registered attendants.
A History of the Valley and County of Chemung by Ausburn Towner, 1892
A History of the Valley and County of Chemung by Ausburn Towner, 1892
===================================================================================== ==============================
Owens Mills, Methodist Episcopal Church 1919
Owens Mills, Methodist Church merger records with Chemung, 1987:
owens_mills_methodist_church_merger_with_chemung_-_1987.pdf | |
File Size: | 4532 kb |
File Type: |
===================================================================================== ================================
Dry Brook Community Church, Chemung, NY
Pastors of the Dry Brook Church (more will be added as they come available)
Rev. John C. Murphy
Rev. Lee Southard
Rev. Bill Doane
Rev. John C. Murphy
Rev. Lee Southard
Rev. Bill Doane
Dry Brook Church History 1847 to 1947
(Author - Berniece W. Paul
For the life of me I can’t remember the contributor which I am usually very careful to notate, and I will as soon as I remember!
Taken verbatum. There are several dates that I don’t think are correct and I notated them with a question mark.)
As the year 1947 completes one hundred years of progress for the Dry Brook Church, it seems a fitting tribute that it’s history be brought up to date and recorded in proper form.
The origin of the Baptist movement dates back to 1824. On June 12 of that year about sixteen people who were, as they called it “Living in circumstances of seclusion from church privileges”, met at Ulster, Pa., and formed a Church Order. Members of various churches presented letters of dismissal and recommendation from their former churches, and on confession of faith they were received as members, and formally organized as a Baptist Church, to be known as the Athens and Ulster Church. At this time the only Baptist Churches in or around this section were at Springfield, and Smithfield, Pa., and Tioga, N.Y., now the Tioga and Barton Church. One at Spencer organized in 1810 and one at Big Flats, organized in 1807. The records speak of the Chemung and Southport Church which is believed to be, what is now, the Wellsburg Church, organized in 1789. It is of interest to note that the first Church in Elmira was not organized until 1829, or five years later than ours. This was attributed to the fact that a greater majority of the people still lived in the outlying of forest sections.
At a meeting held in 1825, the first mention is made of Church Deacon, when Joseph Smith and Aaron Jackson were elected. Also Phineas Rogers and his wife, Ruth, who resided at what is now the Ernest Walker farm, were received, subject to Baptism.
It is to this same Phineas Rogers that we owe the ground on which this church stands. He was a deeply religious man and gave the ground for the sole purpose of a Meeting House, and according to the deed, “if the Dry Brook Religious Society should be disbanded that said property shall revert to the original owners or their heirs”. Later, however, during the Ministry of Reverend John C. Murphy, the deed to the land was presented to the Church trustees, by Clarence Wheaton. Prior to the building of the church, meetings were held in the Rogers’ carriage house. As was the custom, meetings opened with the reading of the Articles of Faith and the Covenant. Other meetings, in other localities, were held in log school houses. One of these was on, what is now Springs Corners. This particular spot is believed to have been so called, because of the Elder Spring, one of the Lay Elders who presided over meetings at that time. He lived in the house, which stood across the way from Milltown Bridge, which was known as Spring House, for years. In this school house, Elder Spring, who was also a Doctor and a school teacher, taught school on week days, and held church meetings evenings and Sundays. As was the practice at this time, the brethren sat on one side of the room and the sisters on the opposite side. This custom was observed in the Prayer Meetings in the Waverly churches as late as 1884.
In 1826, at a meeting held at the home of Aaron Jackson in Chemung, the church voted their approbation to the By Laws of the Chemung Association as follows: “Any member or members moving from any church into the bounds of any other church, and neglect their visible walk, it shall be the duty of the church, in whose bounds, such member of members shall come, to call and inquire the reason, for their neglect and if said member shall refuse such call, said church in which such member lives, shall admonish them, and upon their refusal, shall report them to the church from whence they came”. In this connection, the records show many interesting and to us, unique methods of dealing with the errors and shortcomings of their members.
In 1828, the center of church activity seems to have shifted from Milltown. Some of the members at Ulster were indifferent while there was a growing interest among those at Chemung. Until the church building was completed, sometimes our meetings were held in a log school house near Esquire Wynkoop’s farm. The school house was erected and located just off the Wyncoop Creek Road, on the Dry Brook Road, on some part of what is now the Balmer farm. From the beginning, Dry Brook Church, referred to in the old records as the Chemung Church, was affiliated with the Waverly or Factoryville Church. The growing feeling of interest and its increased wealth caused Dry Brook residents to believe that they could become an independent church and they separated from Factoryville, in 1855(?). A few years later, the costs of maintaining a Minister, the costs of maintaining a building, proved too much and a movement was begun to return to the protection of the larger church, although retaining the rights of hold their own communion, their own elections and the receiving and dismissal of members. One proposal followed another and it was actually voted, in 1859(?) to disband the Dry Brook Church, the members to return to Factoryville, or to another church of their choice. Feeling among some of the Dry Brook Residents was very strong.
They argued, “But we cannot go to Factoryville. Here are our homes. Our fathers and our husbands built them. Here they till the soil for the glory of God. Our children will inherit from us. Let us not deprive them of a place to worship”.
In 1827 it was voted that Brother Spring write a letter to the Baptist Missionary Board thanking them for the service of Elder Clark who had been the principal minister and worker in the Early Church. They voted to pay Elder Clark or the Board as each member desire for such service, the same to be done through Brother Jackson.
Payments were received as follows:
Br. Jackson – 2 Bu Wheat for us of the Board.
Br. Rogers – 2 Bu Wheat for use of the Board.
Sister Connel – 2 Bu Wheat for the use of the Board.
Sister Flora – 50 cents for Elder Clark’s personal use. 50 cents for use of the Board. Sister Davis – 12 ½ cents Elder Clark’s personal use.
In March of the same year it was voted that Elder John Sawyer preach as often as funds would permit and that a subscription paper be started for encouragement. Later it was decided to have him half of the time for one year. In May of the same year the Treasurer reported $9.14 in his hands. Voted Deacon Jackson procure two Communion Cups for the use of the church, also voted that the over plus of money should be put to usury, and that Brother Spring should have it to be at the call of the church. Here it is of interest to note the comparison with modern speech and value of dollars and cents over a period of years.
Around this time, from 1830 to 1847, plans were being made for a church to be erected in the village of Waverly. Several members who lived closer to town were interested in forming a church group of their own. However, this venture was not successful until 1843 when a brick Edifice was erected on Ithaca Street. Elder Stowell whose name is mentioned often and favorably in connection with the Early Church was a brick layer.
The records state he drew the brick with his own horse and wagon and laid the brick with his own hands. This was Waverly’s first real church building and was organized as the First Presbyterian Church of Factoryville in 1847. Soon after this the Erie Railroad was built and streets were opened up in Waverly and the town commenced to grow. The village was incorporated in 1854 and was named Waverly by popular vote. A few more votes would have given it the name of Loder. In 1847, the year the Dry Brook Church was built, the name was changed to the Factoryville and Chemung Baptist church.
The Dry Brook Church flourished and in 1856 our Sabbath School was instituted. The same summer we celebrated our first Baptism. Little Mary Albertson, twelve year old daughter of Daniel Albertson was baptised in the little stream that runs back of the church. Mary Albertson grew and married a Mr. Brewster. She spent her lifetime a devoted and earnest church worker, Christian in her attitude toward her fellow men.
For several years the Dry Brook Church prospered and the meetings were many and varied, and blessed by the presence of several different ministers. The cemetery lot was obtained, the old settlers felt that it was a fitting memorial to those who had given so much time, money and labor toward the maintenance of their house of worship.
In order to retain the independence of the Dry Brook Church, it seemed a good idea to have a daughter church erected in the village of Chemung, where many settlers were beginning to make their homes. This daughter church would help in the maintenance of a minister who should preach mornings in the village, and afternoons in Dry Brook. This was accomplished in 1870 all well until the village church became the more wealthy and powerful because of its prosperity. Then at a meeting where a few of the actual members were present, a decision was reached to sell the old Meeting House at Dry Brook at public auction, and maintain only the Village Church. Many of the residents were unaware of what had transpired until the notice of the auction appeared in an Elmira paper. Public opinion rose high. John Hicks, then Church Clerk, wrote a most appealing letter to the paper expressing the feeling of the Dry Brook people, as follows: “You would not sell the Lord’s House, where so many have found the sweets of a Savior’s pardoning love, and all that is mortal of some of its members who have fallen asleep repose in the Cemetery nearby. More will be coming, to be gathered with their Fathers in time to come, for this delightful valley is capable of sustaining a dense population in the future. Some who now look to this cemetery as a bright place in memory’s diadem”. The prayers of the righteous were answered, and donations were received outside communities and other larger, more prosperous churches which enabled us to keep our Meeting House.
The building as it is now is not, however, as it was originally built. In 1913 extensive repairs were made. The church was raised and the basement built. The old choir loft which reached almost to the ceiling, facing the altar, was torn down and space was used for what is now the entrance and supply room. The work was donated, as has been the custom down through the years, and I am told that the Rev. John C. Murphy, who was the pastor at that time, came faithfully every day with his hammer and saw and worked side by side, with the men of the community. There has also been many changes in the interior of the church, including the removal of the old chairs, and then the wooden benches, in favor of the present pews. The old oil lamps which, as a child, I remember, sputtered and fluttered and threatened to go out when ever a window was opened, were replaced by the more modern gasoline lights. They were wonderful in comparison and gave a bright and white light until the pressure would start to go down. Then the minister would frown and look at the offenders and say, “The Lord said let there be light and forth with two of the boys at the back would climb upon the chairs and pump them up again. Then came the Delco plant which was electricity supplied by a motor in the basement and finally just a year and a half ago, the Church was connected to the power line.
One spring day in 1946, several men from this community repeated history and armed with hammer and saw, they came and tore down the unsightly old wagon shed and cleaned up the lawn. A subscription was taken around by Arthur Chandler of Chemung and $250.00 was raised for a new roof. A roofing bee was held and the roof put on. Mr. Ernest Walker drove past as the work was going on and offered to pay for the paint to do the exterior of the church. An offer which was gratefully and quickly accepted. Everett VanGaasbeck and Fred Blend gave freely of their time and effort and this undertaking also was completed.
And so the church stands today, still much in need of a new alter, modern kitchen facilities and numerous other repairs, but such if the written history of this from the beginning in 1824. Let us hope that the unwritten history as it transpires is of such value and interest, that it may be a shining tribute to it’s founding father’s joys and sorrows, and the burdens they bore in order that this small rural district could boast a Dry Brook Community Church. Once more, to quote John Hicks, “So the old sanctuary built at Dry Brook in 1847, repaired in 1866, rededicated to the Lord January 22, 1867, still remains like gold, tried in the fire, a rich inheritance in the midst of it’s many friends.
Today our youth are beginning to take up the worship taught to their parents by preceding generations. Let the young people show how the Prayers of the faithful reach out to them in their daily lives.
=====================================================================================
==============================
(Author - Berniece W. Paul
For the life of me I can’t remember the contributor which I am usually very careful to notate, and I will as soon as I remember!
Taken verbatum. There are several dates that I don’t think are correct and I notated them with a question mark.)
As the year 1947 completes one hundred years of progress for the Dry Brook Church, it seems a fitting tribute that it’s history be brought up to date and recorded in proper form.
The origin of the Baptist movement dates back to 1824. On June 12 of that year about sixteen people who were, as they called it “Living in circumstances of seclusion from church privileges”, met at Ulster, Pa., and formed a Church Order. Members of various churches presented letters of dismissal and recommendation from their former churches, and on confession of faith they were received as members, and formally organized as a Baptist Church, to be known as the Athens and Ulster Church. At this time the only Baptist Churches in or around this section were at Springfield, and Smithfield, Pa., and Tioga, N.Y., now the Tioga and Barton Church. One at Spencer organized in 1810 and one at Big Flats, organized in 1807. The records speak of the Chemung and Southport Church which is believed to be, what is now, the Wellsburg Church, organized in 1789. It is of interest to note that the first Church in Elmira was not organized until 1829, or five years later than ours. This was attributed to the fact that a greater majority of the people still lived in the outlying of forest sections.
At a meeting held in 1825, the first mention is made of Church Deacon, when Joseph Smith and Aaron Jackson were elected. Also Phineas Rogers and his wife, Ruth, who resided at what is now the Ernest Walker farm, were received, subject to Baptism.
It is to this same Phineas Rogers that we owe the ground on which this church stands. He was a deeply religious man and gave the ground for the sole purpose of a Meeting House, and according to the deed, “if the Dry Brook Religious Society should be disbanded that said property shall revert to the original owners or their heirs”. Later, however, during the Ministry of Reverend John C. Murphy, the deed to the land was presented to the Church trustees, by Clarence Wheaton. Prior to the building of the church, meetings were held in the Rogers’ carriage house. As was the custom, meetings opened with the reading of the Articles of Faith and the Covenant. Other meetings, in other localities, were held in log school houses. One of these was on, what is now Springs Corners. This particular spot is believed to have been so called, because of the Elder Spring, one of the Lay Elders who presided over meetings at that time. He lived in the house, which stood across the way from Milltown Bridge, which was known as Spring House, for years. In this school house, Elder Spring, who was also a Doctor and a school teacher, taught school on week days, and held church meetings evenings and Sundays. As was the practice at this time, the brethren sat on one side of the room and the sisters on the opposite side. This custom was observed in the Prayer Meetings in the Waverly churches as late as 1884.
In 1826, at a meeting held at the home of Aaron Jackson in Chemung, the church voted their approbation to the By Laws of the Chemung Association as follows: “Any member or members moving from any church into the bounds of any other church, and neglect their visible walk, it shall be the duty of the church, in whose bounds, such member of members shall come, to call and inquire the reason, for their neglect and if said member shall refuse such call, said church in which such member lives, shall admonish them, and upon their refusal, shall report them to the church from whence they came”. In this connection, the records show many interesting and to us, unique methods of dealing with the errors and shortcomings of their members.
In 1828, the center of church activity seems to have shifted from Milltown. Some of the members at Ulster were indifferent while there was a growing interest among those at Chemung. Until the church building was completed, sometimes our meetings were held in a log school house near Esquire Wynkoop’s farm. The school house was erected and located just off the Wyncoop Creek Road, on the Dry Brook Road, on some part of what is now the Balmer farm. From the beginning, Dry Brook Church, referred to in the old records as the Chemung Church, was affiliated with the Waverly or Factoryville Church. The growing feeling of interest and its increased wealth caused Dry Brook residents to believe that they could become an independent church and they separated from Factoryville, in 1855(?). A few years later, the costs of maintaining a Minister, the costs of maintaining a building, proved too much and a movement was begun to return to the protection of the larger church, although retaining the rights of hold their own communion, their own elections and the receiving and dismissal of members. One proposal followed another and it was actually voted, in 1859(?) to disband the Dry Brook Church, the members to return to Factoryville, or to another church of their choice. Feeling among some of the Dry Brook Residents was very strong.
They argued, “But we cannot go to Factoryville. Here are our homes. Our fathers and our husbands built them. Here they till the soil for the glory of God. Our children will inherit from us. Let us not deprive them of a place to worship”.
In 1827 it was voted that Brother Spring write a letter to the Baptist Missionary Board thanking them for the service of Elder Clark who had been the principal minister and worker in the Early Church. They voted to pay Elder Clark or the Board as each member desire for such service, the same to be done through Brother Jackson.
Payments were received as follows:
Br. Jackson – 2 Bu Wheat for us of the Board.
Br. Rogers – 2 Bu Wheat for use of the Board.
Sister Connel – 2 Bu Wheat for the use of the Board.
Sister Flora – 50 cents for Elder Clark’s personal use. 50 cents for use of the Board. Sister Davis – 12 ½ cents Elder Clark’s personal use.
In March of the same year it was voted that Elder John Sawyer preach as often as funds would permit and that a subscription paper be started for encouragement. Later it was decided to have him half of the time for one year. In May of the same year the Treasurer reported $9.14 in his hands. Voted Deacon Jackson procure two Communion Cups for the use of the church, also voted that the over plus of money should be put to usury, and that Brother Spring should have it to be at the call of the church. Here it is of interest to note the comparison with modern speech and value of dollars and cents over a period of years.
Around this time, from 1830 to 1847, plans were being made for a church to be erected in the village of Waverly. Several members who lived closer to town were interested in forming a church group of their own. However, this venture was not successful until 1843 when a brick Edifice was erected on Ithaca Street. Elder Stowell whose name is mentioned often and favorably in connection with the Early Church was a brick layer.
The records state he drew the brick with his own horse and wagon and laid the brick with his own hands. This was Waverly’s first real church building and was organized as the First Presbyterian Church of Factoryville in 1847. Soon after this the Erie Railroad was built and streets were opened up in Waverly and the town commenced to grow. The village was incorporated in 1854 and was named Waverly by popular vote. A few more votes would have given it the name of Loder. In 1847, the year the Dry Brook Church was built, the name was changed to the Factoryville and Chemung Baptist church.
The Dry Brook Church flourished and in 1856 our Sabbath School was instituted. The same summer we celebrated our first Baptism. Little Mary Albertson, twelve year old daughter of Daniel Albertson was baptised in the little stream that runs back of the church. Mary Albertson grew and married a Mr. Brewster. She spent her lifetime a devoted and earnest church worker, Christian in her attitude toward her fellow men.
For several years the Dry Brook Church prospered and the meetings were many and varied, and blessed by the presence of several different ministers. The cemetery lot was obtained, the old settlers felt that it was a fitting memorial to those who had given so much time, money and labor toward the maintenance of their house of worship.
In order to retain the independence of the Dry Brook Church, it seemed a good idea to have a daughter church erected in the village of Chemung, where many settlers were beginning to make their homes. This daughter church would help in the maintenance of a minister who should preach mornings in the village, and afternoons in Dry Brook. This was accomplished in 1870 all well until the village church became the more wealthy and powerful because of its prosperity. Then at a meeting where a few of the actual members were present, a decision was reached to sell the old Meeting House at Dry Brook at public auction, and maintain only the Village Church. Many of the residents were unaware of what had transpired until the notice of the auction appeared in an Elmira paper. Public opinion rose high. John Hicks, then Church Clerk, wrote a most appealing letter to the paper expressing the feeling of the Dry Brook people, as follows: “You would not sell the Lord’s House, where so many have found the sweets of a Savior’s pardoning love, and all that is mortal of some of its members who have fallen asleep repose in the Cemetery nearby. More will be coming, to be gathered with their Fathers in time to come, for this delightful valley is capable of sustaining a dense population in the future. Some who now look to this cemetery as a bright place in memory’s diadem”. The prayers of the righteous were answered, and donations were received outside communities and other larger, more prosperous churches which enabled us to keep our Meeting House.
The building as it is now is not, however, as it was originally built. In 1913 extensive repairs were made. The church was raised and the basement built. The old choir loft which reached almost to the ceiling, facing the altar, was torn down and space was used for what is now the entrance and supply room. The work was donated, as has been the custom down through the years, and I am told that the Rev. John C. Murphy, who was the pastor at that time, came faithfully every day with his hammer and saw and worked side by side, with the men of the community. There has also been many changes in the interior of the church, including the removal of the old chairs, and then the wooden benches, in favor of the present pews. The old oil lamps which, as a child, I remember, sputtered and fluttered and threatened to go out when ever a window was opened, were replaced by the more modern gasoline lights. They were wonderful in comparison and gave a bright and white light until the pressure would start to go down. Then the minister would frown and look at the offenders and say, “The Lord said let there be light and forth with two of the boys at the back would climb upon the chairs and pump them up again. Then came the Delco plant which was electricity supplied by a motor in the basement and finally just a year and a half ago, the Church was connected to the power line.
One spring day in 1946, several men from this community repeated history and armed with hammer and saw, they came and tore down the unsightly old wagon shed and cleaned up the lawn. A subscription was taken around by Arthur Chandler of Chemung and $250.00 was raised for a new roof. A roofing bee was held and the roof put on. Mr. Ernest Walker drove past as the work was going on and offered to pay for the paint to do the exterior of the church. An offer which was gratefully and quickly accepted. Everett VanGaasbeck and Fred Blend gave freely of their time and effort and this undertaking also was completed.
And so the church stands today, still much in need of a new alter, modern kitchen facilities and numerous other repairs, but such if the written history of this from the beginning in 1824. Let us hope that the unwritten history as it transpires is of such value and interest, that it may be a shining tribute to it’s founding father’s joys and sorrows, and the burdens they bore in order that this small rural district could boast a Dry Brook Community Church. Once more, to quote John Hicks, “So the old sanctuary built at Dry Brook in 1847, repaired in 1866, rededicated to the Lord January 22, 1867, still remains like gold, tried in the fire, a rich inheritance in the midst of it’s many friends.
Today our youth are beginning to take up the worship taught to their parents by preceding generations. Let the young people show how the Prayers of the faithful reach out to them in their daily lives.
=====================================================================================
==============================
Former, United Methodist Church, hamlet of Lowman, Town of Chemung, NY (County Route 60)
===================================================================================== =============================