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church

First Congregational Church

of Wellsville, New York

In 1841 Angelica Presbytery appointed Revs. A. S. Allen of Andover, Benjamin Russell of Belmont and Elder Perry a committee charged with the special duty of organizing a Presbyterian church in Wellsville.  This committee met 17 professing Christians of Wellsville, July 6, 1841, in the schoolhouse standing on the corner of Mill and Broad streets.  These persons related their experience and became members:

The confession of faith of Phillipsville (Belmont) church was adopted. Prayer was offered by Rev. B. Russell. The “charge” was by Rev. A. S. Allen, and then “A resolution made them the first Presbyterian church of Wellsville.” James Dunham and Norman Perry were chosen elders, and Thomas Conklin clerk.

Members annexed by letter:

  • Mrs. Dwight Goodrich  (member in March 1895)
  • John F. Godart and wife
  • Josph Shaut and wife
  • Geo. F. Ely
  • Mrs. Hannah Purple
  • Mrs. Emaline HIlls
  • Mrs. Phoebe Taylor
  • Miss Anna Reynolds
  • Miss Margarette Pratt
  • Miss Nancy Cole
  • Mrs. Silas HIlls
  • Mrs. John Captenter  (member in March 1895)
  • Mrs. John Dayton
  • Mrs. Sarah Johnston
  • Julius Hoyt   (member in March 1895)
  • Henry Lewis  (member in March 1895)
  • Myron Fuller

First Communion:  Dec. 1842, Rev. Mr. Reynolds officating, when John F. Godard and wife united by letter.

First infant baptism:  John L., son of John F. Godard, administered by Rev. Mr. Reynolds.

First addition by profession of faith:  Myron Fuller

First death:  Polly Shingler

First preparatory lecture:  Nahaniel Hammond, 1847, when he became pastor.  He continued in this relation until Feb. 26, 1853, when he delivered his last preparatory lecture, and, on the Sunday following, administered the holy sacrament for the last time to this church.

After the close of Mr. Hammond's labors only 14 members could be found.  May 18, 1856, this small church invited Rev. Stewart Sheldon to preach in the Baptist church, and he became pastor May 25, 1856.  July 1, 1856, a meeting was held in Metropolitan Hall (corner of Pearl and Loder streets) to re-organize as a Congregational church.  Rev. Steward Sheldon was chosen chairman, and H. M. Sheerar secretary.  Of the members were James Dunham, Julius Hoyt, Joseph Shuat and Myron Fuller.  A resolution was passed bringing into existence the FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, and a constitution, articles of faith and covenant were adopted.

Charter Members:
  • Julius Hoyt
  • Myron Fuller, and wife
  • Mrs. John Dayton
  • Mrs. Silas Hills
  • Miss Nancy Cole
  • Joseph Shaut, and wife
  • Mrs. John Carpenter
  • Mrs. Sally Johnston
  • H. N. Lewis
  • Mr. and Mrs. James Dunham
  • Mrs. Dwight Goodrich

Services were held from April 28, 1856, until Nov. 7, 1857 Metropolitan Hall. A church was built on the left bank of the Genesee river and dedicated Nov. 10, 1857.





Pastors:
First Things:

Source:  John S. Minard, Allegany County and its People. A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany County, New York, W. A. Fergusson & Co., Alfred, N.Y., 1896, p. 354


Church Records of Allegany County




Wellsville




Allegany County, New York Table of Contents



Last updated on July 17, 2006
© copyright 1999, Vivian Karen Bush
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