Early History of the Presbyterian Church, to 1848,

in Wayne County, Ontario County, Seneca County, and Yates County, NY

Source: A History of the Purchase and Settlement of Western New York; and of the Rise, Progress and Present State of the Presbyterian Church in that Section, by Rev. James Harvey Hotchkin. New York: M. W. Dodd, Brick Church Chapel, 1848.

CHAPTER XXV.

Presbytery of Geneva :- Wolcott Second Church, Wolcott, Huron, Sodus, Wayne,Williamson, Pulteneyville, Ontario, Walworth, Marion, Rush, Savannah, Clyde, Lyons, Newark, Port Gibson, East Palmyra, Palmyra, Farmington, Vienna, Phelps, Junius, Tyre, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Canoga, Fayette, Geneva, Castleton, Hopewell, Chapinsville, Rushville, Gorham, Romulus, Ovid, West Dresden, Bellona, Pennyan, Branchport, Pontiac, Canandaigua.

In our progress westward, we now come to the mother of all the Presbyteries west of the Cayuga lake, and the oldest of all the Presbyteries in Western New York,

THE PRESBYTERY OF GENEVA.

Beginning at the north-eastern extremity of the territory embraced by this Presbytery, we meet with

Wolcott Second Church.- The time of the organization of this church is not known to the writer. It is found on the report of the Presbytery to the General Assembly for 1825. The writer supposes that this was soon after its organization It was then denominated Wolcott Third Church. It is often spoken of as the church of Red Creek, its location being in a small village known by that name. In 1826, it consisted of twenty-five members; in 1832 it reported forty-nine, sixteen having been received the year previous. In 1843, it reported eighty-four members. Till 1836, it was uniformly reported as vacant. Since that period Rev. Messrs. James T. Hough, William Clarke, Henry Boynton, and Alanson Scofield, have successively officiated as stated supplies for different terms of time. Mr. Scofield is supplying at the present time. The church has been aided in the support of its minsters by the American Home Missionary Society. While Mr. Boynton was officiating, a blessed revival was enjoyed, as the result of which the church more than doubled the number of its members. It has an appropriate house of worship. Its members are greatly intermixed with those of other denominations.

Wolcott.- The history of this church is involved with that of Huron, which was the original church of Wolcott, till its organization as a separate church. The author's correspondent says this was in 1827; but the records of the Presbytery of Geneva state, that it was received under the care of that Presbytery, September 1st, 1818. It was organized as a Presbyterian Church by a committee of the Presbytery, and consisted of twelve members taken from the original church of Wolcott. For a number of years it was known as the Second Presbyterian Church of Wolcott, but after the original church took the name of Port Bay, this church was denominated the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott. In 1825, this church reported twenty-nine members; in 1834, fifty-one; and in 1846, one hundred and forty-three. For a period of about eight years, Rev. Messrs. Chittenden, Powell, Chapin, Bogue, Clark, and Hopkins, officiated some part of the time as stated supplies. Rev. Nathaniel Merrill was installed as pastor of this church and that of Huron, in 1835, and sustained the relation till about the time of his death in 1839. Rev. Thomas Wright commenced preaching here, October, 1839, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church in August of the same year; he still retains the station. This church has been favored with several seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. One in 1833, when Mr. Hopkins was stated supply ; another in 1838, while Mr. Merrill was pastor; and another in 1811, since the installation of Mr. Wright. They have erected an appropriate house of worship, fifty-six feet in length and forty-six in breadth. They have received aid from the American Home Missionary Society, to the amount of about $200. There are intermingled with this church respectable churches of the Baptist and Methodist denominations, with appropriate houses of worship. There is also a small Society of Universalists.

Huron.- This town is a part of the original town of Wolcott, which in 1810 was set off from the north end of Junius, and included the present towns of Huron, Wolcott, Butler, and Rose. The town of Huron when first organized as a separate town, was named Port Bay. Afterwards it was changed to Huron. The settlement of the town commenced in 1807, by families from New Marlborough in Massachusetts, and New Hartford in Connecticut. In this wilderness they were soon visited with sickness to such an extent that those who were well were hardly sufficient to take care of the sick, but after a period the sickness abated, and health was restored. Having enjoyed the privileges of the gospel from their earliest years, they soon established religious order, and the observance of the Sabbath as a day of social worship. Missionaries occasionally visited them, But no church was organized till 1813. On the eighteenth day of July of that year, Rev. Henry Axtell, and Rev. Charles Mosher, organized a church consisting of twenty-three members, twenty of whom had previously been members of churches. The church was denominated "the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott," after the division of the town "Port Bay," and subsequently "Huron." This church at its organization included the professors of religion of the Presbyterian denomination throughout the original town of Wolcott, and it may be considered as the mother of the present churches of Wolcott first, and second, and Rose. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Sept. 22d, 1813. In 1825 it numbered sixty-three members; in 1845 one hundred and thirty-one. Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, then a licentiate, but for many years past a missionary to the Cherokees, under the patronage of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, labored here as a stated supply for about two years. Rev. William Clark was installed pastor of the church, Jan. 31st, 1816, and continued in that station till Sept. 3d, 1823, when he was dismissed. The labors of these men, and of some who followed them, for short periods were extended over the whole town. After the division of the church, Rev. Nathan Gillett supplied for a period of two years and a half. Rev. Publius V. Bogue was his successor, and after him Rev. Eli F. Adams; Rev. Jesse Townsend succeeded him for a season. Rev. Nathaniel Merrill was the next. He was installed pastor of this church in connexion with that of Wolcott First Church, as has already been stated, in 1835, and continued to officiate about one year and a half, till near the period of his death. After him Rev. Jacob Burbank officiated as stated supply for a season. Rev. Henry S. Redfield was ordained and installed pastor, Sept. 5th, 1839, and dismissed Sept. 3d, 1840. Rev. Edmund F. Waldo was ordained and installed as pastor of the church, Feb. 17th, 1842. He continued in this relation till May 27th, 1845, when he was dismissed. Since that period the church has had supplies of preaching, but no regular pastor.

This church has been favored with several seasons of revival. During the period of Mr. Gillett's labors an interesting work of grace was manifested, and twenty-six members were added to the church. The labors of Mr. Adams were much blessed to the building up of the church. Under the ministry of Mr. Burbank, twenty new members were added to the church, and sixty-eight during the ministry of Mr. Waldo. In the support of several of its ministers the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They have a house of worship, which is forty-six feet in length by thirty-eight in breadth. The territory occupied by this church is not large. Other denominations but little prevail, and the greater part of the community are attendants upon the Presbyterian church.

Sodus.- The settlement of the town of Sodus commenced at an early period. At what period public worship was instituted, is not known to the writer. A church of the Congregational order, consisting of fifteen members, was organized, Oct. 23d, 1812, by Rev. Messrs. David Tullar and Solomon Allen. Of the members, seven were males, and eight females; twelve had been previously members of churches, and three were received on profession. The next year the church adopted the Presbyterian form of organization, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, April 21st, 1813. In 1825, the church reported fifty-nine members; in 1829, one hundred and twenty-nine, and, in 1846, it consisted of one hundred and seventy-six members. What amount of ministerial aid the church enjoyed previous to 1827, is not known to the writer. In January of that year, Rev. Jesse Townsend commenced laboring with them as a stated supply, and continued four years. His ministry was attended by the power of the Holy Spirit, and an enlargement of the church. During the year 1828, more than forty members were added to the church by profession. Rev. Joseph Merrill officiated as stated supply for a season, and others have been employed at different times. In 1833, Rev. Conway P. Wing was ordained and installed pastor of the church, but was dismissed the following year. Rev. Charles Merwin was ordained and installed pastor, Feb. 17, 1842. He was dismissed Sept. 4th, 1814. Rev. Hosea Kittridge commenced laboring as a stated supply in May, 1844, and still remains in that capacity. This church has never since its organization been long at a time without the stated preaching of the gospel. In 1831-2 this church enjoyed a season of divine influence, which resulted in the addition of more than forty members to the church. They have received aid from the American Home Missionary Society, in the support of Messrs. Townsend, Wing, and Kittredge. They have an appropriate house of worship, forty-eight feet in length, and thirty-eight in width. The Methodists and Episcopalians have each a house of worship in the village. There are also in the town many Close Commnion (sic) Baptists, Free Will Baptists, German Lutherans, and German Methodists. The Episcopal Methodists are the most numerous denomination.

Wayne.- This church has its place of worship in the town of Sodus. Its members reside, some in the town of Sodus, and some in the town of Arcadia. It may be considered as occupying number 13 in the first range of townships in Phelps and Gorham's Purchase. This township began to be settled about the year 1806, but till 1845 no church of the Presbyterian denomination existed. The members of that denomination in the township were connected with the church of Sodus, or that of Arcadia. On the eighteenth day of March, 1845, a Presbyterian church, consisting of eighteen members, was constituted by a committee of the Presbytery of Geneva. Eleven of the members were taken from the church of Sodus, and five from the church of Newark, in the town of Arcadia, so that the church may be said to have been formed from those two churches. At the time of the organization of the church, and for a few weeks previous, Rev. James H. Hotchkin preached in the settlement, and assisted in the organization of the church. Soon afterwards he was engaged for two thirds of the time for one year, and fulfilled his engagement. Since Mr. Hotchkin left, Rev. George L. Haskins, residing in Marion, has supplied a part of the time, and some additions have been made to the church. But it remains small and feeble. Its house of worship is a large schoolhouse, not occupied by other denominations. The members of the church live intermixed with members of the Reformed Dutch, German Lutheran, German Methodist, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, and Free Will Baptist churches. The Methodists are by far the most numerous denomination.

Williamson.- Respecting the settlement of this town, the writer has no definite information, nor does he know at what period the church was organized. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, February 3d, 1818. In 1825, it reported forty-one members belonging to the church. In 1832, it reported 112, having received on profession the year previous, sixty-nine. This is the last report found on record. Rev. Samuel White was ordained and installed pastor, February 24th, 1818, and was dismissed February 7th, 1828. Since the dismission of Mr. White they have never enjoyed the labors of a regularly settled pastor, and for a large portion of the time have been reported as a vacant church. As stated supplies, Rev. Messrs. Jacob Burbank, Daniel Washburn, John F. Bliss, James McMasters, H. B. Taylor, and Lyman Manly, have labored at different periods. In the support of several of these the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They have a house of worship which was built about the year 1828. The name of this church is not found in the reports of the Presbytery since 1837. The writer supposes that it has left its connexion with the Presbytery, and joined some Congregational body, or stands in an independent state.

Pulteneyville.- This village is situated, on the shore of Lake Ontario, in the town of Williamson. Its settlement began at a pretty early period. In 1832-33, a church was here organized consisting of fifty-one members, of whom forty-eight were taken, as the writer supposes, from the church of Williamson. It was taken the same year under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. Its name is found from year to year on the reports of the Presbytery, and it is uniformly reported as vacant. No report of the number of members is given. Though the church has been reported vacant it has not always been so; Rev. Messrs. John F. Bliss, Jacob Burbank, and Alfred C. Lathrop, have officiated as stated supplies under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. But the church has never been prosperous, and as a separate church has become extinct, and is merged in the church of Williamson.

Ontario.- The settlement of this town was probably coeval with that of the adjoining towns. A church of the Congregational order was organized, which was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, March 25th, 1817. It is supposed that it consisted of a small number of members, as in 1825 it consisted of seventeen only. Since that period its number has not been reported to the Presbytery. Its name is found on the annual reports of the Presbytery for the last time in 1831. The church has never been large, but its number of members is not known to the writer. It has never had a regularly installed pastor. As stated supplies, Rev. Messrs. John F. Bliss, Alfred Eddy, Jacob Burbank, and Lyman Manly, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, have at different periods officiated. During the year in which Mr. Eddy officiated, in 1838-9, the Spirit of God was poured out, and the church more than doubled the number of its members. For several years past, Rev. Lyman Manly has regularly supplied the congregation. They have a small but very neat house of worship, built of stone, and coated with pebbles from the lake shore. It was erected in 1841. Whether the church is independent, or connected with some Congregational judicatory, is not known to the writer.

Walworth.- The settlement of this town commenced about the year 1800, by emigrants mostly from Connecticut. For a number of years stated public worship was not enjoyed. A passing missionary occasionally preached a sermon or spent a Sabbath. About 1812, a Baptist clergyman by the name of Irons established stated preaching for a season. In the summer of 1817, Rev. Eleazer Fairbanks assisted in organizing a Congregational Church at the place now called "Walworth Corners." It consisted of about twenty members. The church, however, did not flourish. By deaths and removals its ranks were thinned, and the church became nearly extinct. In the month of November, 1832, a Presbyterian Church consisting of six members, was organized by Rev. Samuel W. Whelpley, Rev. Joseph K. Ware, and Rev. Daniel Johnson. This church was styled " The First Presbyterian Church of Walworth." Soon after this, the church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. No accessions were made to the church till June, 1834; but the church lay in almost a dormant state. About the time of this last named period, Rev. Joseph K. Ware became their stated supply and continued in this capacity for a period of three years. The church became fully organized by the election and designation to office as ruling elders of the church of John Stevens and Samuel Curtis. During the period of Mr. Ware's ministry forty members were added to the church, and they still worshipped in a school-house at Walworth Corners. In the month of October, 1837, Rev. Royal West took the spiritual oversight of the church as stated supply, and continued his ministry among them for four years. Mr. West's ministry was attended with spiritual blessings. During the year 1839, twenty-five members were added to the church ; in 1840, thirty-one, and in 1841, nine, making the church in October, 1841, to consist of seventy-six members. In November of that year, Rev. Francis E. Lord, then a licentiate preacher, commenced preaching to the congregation, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Sept. 28th, 1842. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge, August 12th, 1845, and was succeeded in November of that year by Rev. J. W. Fox as stated supply. During Mr. Lord's ministry nineteen members were added to the church by profession, and nine by letter. The church in 1845 numbered seventy-two members. In the support of Messrs. Ware, West, and Lord, the church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They now contribute to the treasury of that Society, and support their own minister. They have an appropriate house of worship, which was completed, and, on the thirtieth day of June, 1840, dedicated to the honor and worship of the triune God.

Marion.- This town, formerly a part of Williamson, began to be settled about the year 1800, by families from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. A church of the Congregational order, consisting of five men and three women, was organized, Nov. 1st, 1808, by Rev. Messrs. Oliver Ayer and James H. Hotchkin. With the organization of the church stated public worship commenced. The church at its organization, and for some time afterwards, was known as the Congregational church of Williamson. It became connected with the Ontario Association, June 13th, 1809, and continued in that connexion till the dissolution of t.he Association. In 1831 or 1832, the church made application to be received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, but the question of their reception was postponed on the ground that the church had adopted a new Confession of Faith, which, in the estimation of the Presbytery, was materially defective. The application was never prosecuted any further. Whether the church stands independent, or is connected with some Congregational body, is not known to the writer. The church has been furnished, from time to time, with ministerial aid. Rev. Howell R. Powell ministered for some time; Rev. Jacob Burbank four years, from the commencement of 1828; Rev. James Boyle two years; Rev. Messrs. Bronson, Merritt, Lee, and Mann; Rev. George L. Haskins in 1845 and 1846. An interesting revival of religion was enjoyed in 1826 and '7, under the labors of Mr. Burbank; also in 1839, under the ministry of Mr. Merritt, and in 1843, under the ministry of Mr. West. In 1830 and '31, under the ministry of Mr. Boyle, a high religious state of feeling was produced, a season of great excitement, and one hundred individuals said to be converted. It is believed, however, that many of these conversions proved in the issue to be spurious, though, no doubt, some of them were genuine. These revivals added considerable numbers to the church, which in 1846 consisted of one hundred and fourteen members. They have been aided by the American Home Missionary Society several times in the support of their ministers. They have an appropriate house of worship, fifty feet in length and thirty-six in breadth, erected in 1831. The congregation are intermixed with Baptists and Christians, each of which has a house of worship, and the three denominations are nearly equal in numbers and pecuniary ability.

Rose.- The town of Rose, it has already been stated, was formerly a part of the original town of Wolcott, and its early religious history is involved in that of Huron. The present town of Rose began to be settled about the year 1800, by emigrants from Connecticut and Massachusetts. A Presbyterian church, composed of eight members from the original church of Wolcott, was organized, Feb. 17th, 1825, by Rev. Messrs. Francis Pomeroy and Benjamin B. Stockton. The church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, probably in 1826, as in the spring of 1827, it is named in the report of the Presbytery, and then consisted of twenty-eight members. In 1832, it reported forty members, seventeen having been added by profession the preceding year. In 1846, seventy-six members were reported. The church has never had a regularly installed pastor. As stated supplies the following-named ministers have officiated:- Rev. Jonathan Hovey, one third part of the time from February, 1825, till his death, which occurred the following August- (he was aged seventy-two years); Rev. Nathan Gillett, one third of the time for two years from March, 1827; Rev. William Clark, a part of the time for near six years from June, 1829; Rev. Jesse Townsend, ten months in 1835 and '36; Rev. Daniel Waldo, for two years from April, 1837; and Rev. Beaufort Ladd, from April, 1840, to the present time. Several periods of revival have been enjoyed, but not extensive. In the support of Mr. Ladd, the church have been aided by the American Home Missionary Society in six years to the amount of $428, and in the same period they have contributed to the treasury of that Society $128.

In 1846, some of the members of the church being dissatisfied with the government of ruling elders, the church adopted the Congregational form of government, still retaining their connexion with the Presbytery. The church has an appropriate house of worship, forty feet in length and thirty-two in width, which was erected in 1833. For several years past the subject of abolition has to some extent agitated this church, and a number of the members have disorderly withdrawn from its fellowship, and organized themselves into an independent church, because the church would not adopt all their measures. The other religious denominations intermixed with the church are, the Baptist, Episcopal Methodist, Protestant Methodist, and True Wesleyan Methodist. The Methodists are the most numerous denomination, and possess the most wealth.

Savannah.- Of the settlement of this town the writer has no information. Respecting the church, its name is found in the reports of the Presbytery of Geneva for the years 1836, 1837, and 1840. Nothing is reported respecting it, except it was vacant in each instance. September 2d, 1841, the church gave notice of their withdrawal from the Presbytery. The reasons for this step are not known to the writer.

Clyde.- This is a very respectable village situated on the Clyde river and Erie canal in the town of Galen. The place in the early period of the settlement was known by the appellation of "The Block House." It derived the name from a block house erected on the spot, during the war of the Revolution, by some Tories and smugglers, for the purpose of bringing goods and provisions from Canada, to trade with the Indians. This house was burned near the close of the war, and the place where it stood became overgrown with underbrush and trees. The first dwelling that was erected after the war of the Revolution, was a miserable shantee, erected by Jonathan Melvin, junr., on the northern bank of the river, about a mile west of the lock on the canal. This was in 1808.

The next year Mr. Melvin built a good substantial log-house on the south side of the river, on the site of the present village of Clyde. This was the first house erected in the village. Sodus Bay, at this period, was becoming a place of some notoriety, and large expectations were formed respecting its future importance in a commercial point of view. A considerable settlement was already formed at the Bay. A road from Seneca fort to Sodus Bay became an object of high importance to the community, and especially to the settlers in the town of Junius, which then included the present towns of Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Junius, Tyre, Savannah, Galen, Rose, Butler, Wolcott, and Huron. Accordingly, by the exertions of Willhelmus Mynderse, Jesse Southwick, and Jonathan Melvin, a road was constructed, and a bridge built across the river at the village of Clyde. This was effected in the year 1809, and it greatly facilitated the settlement of the village and its vicinity. The settlers were partly of Dutch origin, and partly emigrants from New England.

Occasional preaching by travelling missionaries and others was enjoyed from an early period, but no regular stated public worship until about the period of the organization of the church, which took place July 8th, 1814. The church in Presbyterian order was organized by Rev. Francis Pomeroy and Rev. Hippocrates Rowe, and it consisted of eight members, five of whom were males. It was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, August 9th, 1815, and was known as the church of Galen, on the reports of the Presbytery till 1840. It is now known as the church of Clyde. Though the church was small in the beginning, it has been a growing, prosperous church. In 1825, it reported fifty-four members; the next year one hundred and eight, having received sixty-one during the previous year; in 1832, two hundred and thirty-eight, seventy-five having been admitted by profession the year previous. Since that time the number has been less; but in January, 1846, it was one hundred and eighty-five. In 1819, Rev. Charles Mosher commenced preaching to the congregation. He was installed pastor July 13th, 1820, and dismissed December 12th, 1822. He was succeeded by Rev. Jabez Spicer, as stated supply, who continued two years. Rev. B. Foster Pratt commenced preaching in October 1825, was installed pastor in December following, and continued about four years. He was followed by Rev. Conrad Ten Eyck, who labored as stated supply two years, from October, 1830. About this time Rev. James Boyle preached and held meeting, more or less, for about three months. Rev. Maltby Gelston commenced labor in March, 1833, was installed pastor in the same year, and dismissed in February, 1836. Rev Josiah Fisher commenced preaching in February, 1836, was installed in September of the same year, and dismissed in April, 1840. Rev. John Gray and Rev. James Byrney officiated as stated supplies for short periods. Rev. Samuel J. M. Beebe commenced preaching in January, 1842, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church on the 9th day of November of the same year, and still retains his station.

A precious season of revival was enjoyed in 1825, adding to the church more than sixty members. In 1831-2, about one hundred members were added to the church by profession, mostly as the result of the meetings conducted by Mr. Boyle. This, however, it is thought, was more an increase of members than of strength to the church. Also, under the labors of the present pastor, in 1842- 3, a precious season of divine influence has been enjoyed, as the result of which thirty-three were added to the church on their profession of faith in Christ.

In the support of Mr. Spicer and Mr. Pratt, the church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They have a commodious house of worship, sixty feet in length, and forty-five in width, erected in 1829. The other denominations in the village and its vicinity are, Episcopal Methodists, Protestant Methodists, New School Baptists, Old School Baptists, Episcopalians, and Germans. There are also some Quakers, some Campbellites, and some Universalists. The Episcopal Methodists and the New School Baptists have flourishing churches, numbering more than one hundred members each. These, with the Episcopalians, have neat and commodious houses of worship.

Lyons.- The present town of Lyons was incorporated in 1811. Previous to this period it was a part of the town of Sodus. The permanent settlement of what is now the town of Lyons commenced about 1794, by immigrants from New Jersey and the south-eastern part of New York. The descendants of these and immigrants from New England and Germany constitute the present population of the town. The earliest public religious worship in the town was held by the Episcopal Methodists, and was commenced as early as 1797. Public worship was first set up by Presbyterians, in what is now the village of Lyons, in 1798. The first Presbyterian preaching was only occasional, and at irregular intervals, by itinerant missionaries. The Presbyterian church, consisting of twenty members, eleven males and nine females, was organized by Rev. John Lindsley, missionary, in 1809. It was called the "First Presbyterian Church of Sodus in the village of Lyons." It is now called the "First Presbyterian Church of Lyons," and is the only Presbyterian church in the town. It was composed of individuals who had been members of churches in the places from which they had emigrated. The church has remained unaltered in its ecclesiastical polity to the present time. It has increased in number continually till, in 1846, there were belonging to it three hundred and seventy members, about forty of whom were absent.

Rev. John Stuart was the first Presbyterian minister who preached regularly in this place. He was the stated supply for about two years, commencing early in 1810. Rev. Francis Pomeroy was the first pastor. He was installed June 29th, 1814, and continued in the pastoral office till Feb. 1st, 1825, when he was regularly dismissed. He was succeeded by Rev. Lucas Hubbell, who was installed Sept. 21st, 1825, and continued in the pastorate till Oct. 1st, 1839, when the relation was regularly dissolved. Rev. Ira Ingraham, the present pastor, was installed March 10th, 1840. There have been several seasons of special religious interest, in which the church has received numerous accessions. Such seasons were enjoyed in 1821-2 under the pastoral labors of Mr. Pomeroy, in 1831 and 1834 during the ministry of Mr. Hubbell, and in 1842-3 under the labors of Mr. Ingraham.

This church has always supported its own pastor without foreign aid. It has a good house of worship, sixty-eight feet in length by forty-eight in width, constructed of brick, and erected in 1825. It is thought that one fourth of those who attend worship anywhere in the town, meet with this church. There are five other regular congregations which meet for worship in the village of Lyons, viz.- Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Episcopal, German Lutheran, Baptist, and German Methodist. The order in which they are here named, is probably the order of their comparative numerical strength. Each of these denominations, the German Methodists excepted, has an appropriate house of worship.

Newark.- The village of Newark is situated on the Erie canal, in the town of Arcadia. Its rise is in consequence of the construction of the canal. The name of the Presbyterian Church is found on the reports of the Presbytery of Geneva for the first time in 1826. It was then reported as containing eighty-two members, and as vacant. In 1832, the number was two hundred and forty-four, one hundred and seventy-two having been added by profession the preceding year. In 1843, the whole number of members was one hundred and forty-two, and, in 1846, two hundred and fourteen. Rev. Alfred E. Campbell was the first pastor, and officiated two or three years. He received a commission to labor with this church, from the American Home Missionary Society, dated November, 1826, which was renewed the next year. He was succeeded by Rev. Peter Kanouse, who continued about two years. In the years 1831 and 1832, the church is reported as statedly supplied. Rev. James Boyle preached here a part of the time during that period. In 1833 and 1834, Rev. Joseph K. Ware officiated as stated supply. He was followed by Rev. George VV. Elliot as pastor, who continued but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. David Cushing, Who continued two or three years, and was dismissed, Oct. 6th, 1843. During the ministry of Mr. Campbell, a measure of the converting influences of the Holy Spirit was experienced, and considerable accessions made to the church. In 1831-2, under the preaching of Mr. Boyle, a very great excitement prevailed, and a great number of individuals were added to the church. No doubt many of these were truly converted, but it is noticeable that in one year from the period of their reception the number of members in the church was diminished more than forty, and the diminution continued from year to year till from two hundred and forty-four members, the number was reduced to one hundred and forty-two. During the ministry of Mr. Shumway, the Spirit has been poured out in his converting influences, and a goodly number have been added to the Lord and to the church.

This church has received aid from the Home Missionary Society in the support of Mr. Campbell, but in no other instance. They have, a commodious house of worship erected in 1828. The Methodist, the Baptist, and the Universalist denominations have each a house of worship in the village.

Port Gibson.- This is a small village on the Erie canal in the town of Manchester, and like most of the villages on the canal, of comparatively recent origin. The Presbyterian church was organized in 1832, consisting at the time of making its first report of forty-four members, of whom forty-one were received by letter and three by profession. The church soon after its organization was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. The village has not progressed in population like many other villages on the canal, and the Presbyterian church has not greatly progressed. In 1843, it reported fifty-eight members. Rev. Daniel Johnson, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, ministered here one year from June, 1832, and Rev. Jesse Townsend, under the same patronage, for a season in 1836. In 1847, it is reported as having a stated supply, but it has generally been reported as vacant, and is in a feeble state.

East Palmyra.- The town of Palmyra including, as it formerly did, the town of Macedon, comprising Nos. 12 in the second and third Ranges in Phelps and Gorham's purchase, was purchased of Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, by Genl. John Swift and John Jenkins, July 3d, 1789. In 1791, a company on Long Island formed for the purpose of making a purchase in the wilderness, and hearing of the "Genesee Country," so called, sent out as their agents Elias Reeves and Abraham Foster, who came to Palmyra and made a purchase of 5,500 acres of land in the north-eastern corner of the town. In the spring of 1792, the company moved on to their purchase. In that company were five persons who were members of the Presbyterian Church in Southampton on Long Island, and two of them, Stephen Reeves and David H. Foster, sustained the office of ruling-elder in the church. They arrived on the second day of May at their new residence, and the next Lord's day commenced public worship. From that period public worship has been regularly maintained every Sabbath to the present time. The meetings at first were held in a private dwelling; but in the autumn of 1793, they were moved to a school-house which had been erected that summer. Under the means of grace which had been enjoyed a few individuals had been hopefully converted unto God, and it was thought expedient that a church should be organized. This was effected in the year 1793, by the assistance of Rev. Ira Condict, a missionary under an appointment of the General Assembly. The church adopted the Congregational form of church government, and some years afterwards was connected with the Ontario Association. This was the first instance of the organization of a Congregational Church which remained permanent in the Genesee country, and the first in Western New York, if we except the church of Windsor. It is doubtful which of these churches has the priority. They were both constituted in 1793, but the precise date of the organization of the church of Palmyra is not known. The records for the first twenty years of its existence are mostly lost. Neither can it now be ascertained what was the number of members at the time of organization. In 1807, the church adopted the Presbyterian form of church government, and became connected with the Presbytery of Geneva.

After the organization of the church, it was occasionally visited and assisted by itinerating missionaries. In 1795 a Mr. Johnson was employed for a season to preach to the people. In 1800 Rev. Eleazar Fairbanks had charge of the congregation, and continued his services with them two or three years. After him a Mr. Lane, an Englishman, who had received a license to preach in the Wesleyan connexion in England, but who had no connexion with any ecclesiastical body in this country, was employed to preach for a season. In 1807 Rev. Benjamin Bell was employed to preach to the congregation, and continued for some time. He was ministering here in the latter part of the year 1808. In 1811 or '12, Rev. Hippocrates Rowe was engaged as a supply, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church, July 8th, 1813. He was dismissed May 2d, 1816. Up to this period the preacher or pastor had preached, alternately in the east and west parts of the town, and the parish was considered as including in its limits the whole town, embracing what is now the town of Macedon. Mr. Rowe was succeeded by Mr. Stephen M. Wheelock, a licentiate preacher, who officiated as stated supply.

Feb. 13th, 1817, in accordance with the request of the church, the Presbytery divided it into two separate churches, the eastern one to be called the Presbyterian church of East Palmyra. As the original church was organized within the limits of this, and as it retained the church records, so far as any existed, it is proper that it be considered as the original church of Palmyra continued. Of what number of members the church was composed at the time of the division is not known to the writer. In 1825 the number reported was one hundred and six, but the next year it was diminished to eighty. In 1833 the number reported was only thirty-three. In 1846 it had increased to ninety-two. If those reports were correctly stated the author knows not how to account for the great diminution of members at times, unless on the supposition that other churches in the neighborhood were formed from this. For a short period after the division of the church Mr. Daniel S. Butrick, then a licentiate, now. and for many years past, a faithful missionary among the Cherokee Indians, supplied the pulpit of this church. On the seventeenth day of August, 1817, Rev. Benjamin Baily was installed pastor, and sustained that relation till Sept. 5th, 1821, when he was dismissed. The next pastor was Rev. Francis Pomeroy. At what time he commenced his ministry is not known to the writer. He was pastor in 1825, and was reported as such for the last time in 1831. From 1832 to 1837, inclusive, the church was reported as vacant. In 1839 Rev. Benjamin B. Smith officiated as stated supply, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. For several years past Rev. Eliphalet A. Platt has officiated as stated supply, and under his ministry the church seems to be rising from her state of depression to a more prosperous condition. They have a house of worship which was erected in 1807. At a meeting of the Ontario Association, held in a school-house within the bounds of this congregation, June 9th, 1802, Rev. Daniel W. Eastman, a licentiate from Upper Canada, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. The ministers officiating in the ordination were Rev. Joseph Grover, Rev. Reuben Parmele, and Rev. Eleazar Fairbanks. The writer, then a licensed preacher, was present on the occasion. This was the second ordination that bad ever taken place in the Genesee country in the Congregational denomination, and years before any had taken place in the Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Eastman was a native of New Jersey, and had received a license to preach from the Morris County Associated Presbytery. There was no ecclesiastical body in Upper Canada to which he could apply for ordination. His location was in the vicinity of the Falls of Niagara. A few years since he was, and, for aught the writer knows, still is, laboring in his Master's service in that field.

Palmyra.- We have already, in the preceding article, noticed the purchase of the town of Palmyra, in 1789, by General John Swift and John Jenkins. The settlement of the western part of the town commenced the same summer by Gen. Swift. He was originally from the State of Connecticut, but immediately from Wyoming, in Pennsylvania. The next year several families moved in from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The commencement of religious worship, the organization of a church, and its history down to the time of its division by the Presbytery, Feb. 26th, 1817, have been already narrated in the preceding article. The portion of the church constituting the western division, were assisted in completing their organization by Rev. Francis Pomeroy, and were denominated the "Western Presbyterian Church of Palmyra." On the reports of the Presbytery since 1825, it has been designated the church of "Palmyra." The church, at the period of its organization as a separate church, consisted of fifty-six members. In April, 1847, it enumerated three hundred and twenty members, of whom about fifty were non-resident. After the division, Mr. Stephen M. Wheelock, a licentiate preacher, supplied the congregation for a season. The first pastor was Rev. Jesse Townsend, who was installed August 29th, 1817. He continued about three years. In January, 1822, Rev. Daniel C. Hopkins became their staled supply, and continued two years. Feb. 18th, 1824, Rev. Benjamin B. Stockton was installed pastor of the church, and continued nearly four years. In October, 1827, Rev. Stephen Porter was employed as a stated supply, and remained nearly one year. In November, 1828, Rev. Alfred E. Campbell was called to be their pastor, and continued with them two years arid eight months. In Sept. 1831, Rev. Samuel W. Whelpley was called to the pastorate, and continued in the station three years and three months. He was succeeded in December, 1834, by Rev. George R. H. Shumway, who was soon after ordained and installed as pastor, and continued his labors till Oct. 14th, 1841, when he was dismissed. Rev. Nathaniel W. Fisher succeeded, and was installed pastor, July 7th, 1842. He has within a short period been dismissed.

Several seasons of refreshing have been enjoyed by this church. In the year 1799, known for many years afterwards as the year of the "Great Revival," the extensive work of grace which prevailed under the labors of Messrs. Williston, Bushnell, and others, commenced in this church. In 1817, under the labors of Mr. Wheelock, the congregation was visited by one of the most powerful revivals ever known in the town. Another copious shower of grace passed over this region in 1824, under the labors of Mr. Stockton, and a large number were gathered into the church, some of whom are now pillars in Christ's house. A precious revival, also, was enjoyed under the ministry of Mr. Campbell, in 1829. During the pastorate of Mr. Shumway there were two seasons of refreshing: one in the first year of his ministry, when about thirty were gathered into the church; the other towards the close of his labors in 1831, as the result of which about one hundred were added to the church. During the winter and spring of 1843, the Spirit of God again watered this vine, in connexion with the labors of the late pastor, and about sixty persons were added to the communion of the church.

This church has always supported its own minister without foreign aid. The first house of worship erected by this congregation was in 1811. It was fifty feet in length, and forty in width, with a steeple. After standing several years, it was accidentally burnt to the ground. In 1832, the magnificent brick edifice in which the congregation now worship, was erected, at an expense of fourteen thousand dollars. It is eighty-two feet in length, and fifty-two in breadth, with a steeple and bell. About one thousand souls are connected with this congregation. The Baptists, Methodists, and Episcopalians, have each a house of worship in the village. The Presbyterian congregation is by far the largest, and the Episcopalian the smallest in the village.

Farmington.- This town formerly included Manchester. It was settled at an early period, mostly by Quakers. A church of the Presbyterian denomination was formed in the town as early as 1817, which was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Aug. 13th, of that year. In 1825 it was reported as consisting of eighteen members. Its name is uniformly found on the annual reports of the Presbytery to 1831. After that period it is not to be found. In every instance, with one exception, it is reported as vacant. Whether it has become extinct, is merged in some other church, or has changed its ecclesiastical connexion, is not known to the author.

Vienna.- The village of Vienna is in the town of Phelps, and the history of the church is embraced in that of the church of Phelps till the period of its separate organization. It was organized May 10th, 1831, by an act of the Presbytery, consisting of sixty members taken from the church of Phelps. Soon after the organization, forty members more were added. Rev. Levi Griswold was employed as stated supply, and officiated as such about two years, when he left, on account of ill health. During his ministry, God graciously poured out his Spirit upon the congregation, and, as the result, eighty-eight persons were added to the church, on profession of their faith. Rev. Samuel A. Allen was ordained and installed pastor of the church in the year 1832. His ministry closed with this church in less than two years. He was succeeded by Rev. William L. Strong, who was installed pastor of the church, June 3d, 1835. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge in September, 1839. Rev. Lucas Hubbell was his successor. He was installed in the pastoral office, April 15th, 1840, and continued to sustain the relation, and faithfully to perform its duties till his death, which occurred in a very sudden manner, in 1846. Mr. Hubbell was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Temple, formerly a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, who was installed pastor of the church, June 24th, 1847. During the ministry of Mr. Hubbell, about fifty members were received on their profession of faith. The whole number of members in June 1846, was one hundred and fifty-one, of whom thirty-eight were non-residents. This church has ever supported its own minister without foreign aid. The congregation have an appropriate house of worship, erected several years since.

In the spring of 1840, after the dismission of Mr. Strong, twenty members of this church, on the plea of difference in doctrinal belief, seceded from their brethren without asking for letters of dismission, were constituted a church by the Old School Presbytery of Caledonia, and were taken under the care of that body. On the division of that Presbytery at a subsequent period, this church was assigned to the Presbytery of Steuben. In May, 1846, this church consisted of forty members, and had for its pastor Rev. Edwin H. Reinhart. It has an appropriate house of worship. The Methodist denomination have also a house of worship in the village.

Phelps.- The settlement of the town of Phelps commenced at a very early period, by emigrants principally from Massachusetts and Vermont, but some from States further south. At a very early period a religious society, organized according to the provisions of the law of the State, was formed and, in June, 1803, this society, in connexion with one at Lyons, gave a call to Rev. John Lindsley to be their pastor. Mr. Lindsley declined the call. The next year, on the second day of December, Rev. Jedidiah Chapman organized a Presbyterian church, consisting of fourteen members, who engaged to set up public worship on the Sabbath. In what part of the town this organization took place is not known to the writer. It never flourished, and the church soon became extinct. In 1806, Rev. Howell R. Powell, a clergyman from Wales, was employed by the inhabitants of the place to preach to them. A blessing seemed to attend his preaching, and a church consisting of seventeen members was organized by him, August 7th, 1806. This church was formed on the Congregational plan, arid all of its members, with one exception, were received on their profession of faith in Christ. The church became connected with the Ontario Association, June 13th, 1809. In 1813, the church adopted the Presbyterian form of church government, and was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, April 21st of that year. In three years from its organization it numbered forty-four members; in 1825, one hundred and eighty-seven; and near this number it remained till 1833, at which period it reported eighty, the diminution having been caused by the organization of the church of Vienna. In 1846 it reported sixty-seven members. Mr. Powell continued with the church as stated supply a number of years, and was succeeded by Rev. Ambrose Porter, who continued till 1816. The first pastor regularly inducted was Rev. Charles Mosher, who was installed Sept. 12th, 1916, and dismissed Sept. 20th, 1819. In December of that year, Rev. Samuel W. Brace was ordained and installed pastor oft he church, and continued until Feb. 8th, 1824. He was followed by Rev. Henry P. Strong, who was installed Nov. 10th, 1824, and sustained the relation of pastor till May 10th, 1831. Rev. William R. S. Betts commenced laboring in this congregation in November, 1831, was installed in February following, and continued till April, 1834. His successor was Rev. Ezra Scoville, who was installed Feb. 26th, 1838. He was dismissed, Sept. 7th, 1840, and followed by Rev. Ebenezer Everett, who was installed Feb. 15th, 1842, and dismissed Sept. 6th, 1843. Since Mr. Everett's dismission the church has been supplied by Rev. John R. Moser. Under the ministry of Mr. Brace, in 1820, '21, a powerful work of the Holy Spirit was witnessed, as the result of which sixty-two individuals united with the church. Several other seasons of refreshing have been enjoyed, under the ministry of Messrs. Strong, Betts, and Scoville.

This church was assisted by the American Home Missionary Society in the support of Mr. Crabb. They have a house of worship, sixty feet by fifty in size, with a steeple, which was erected in 1804, previous to the organization of any church. It has undergone one or two alterations, and is now a very convenient edifice for the worship of God.

It is thought that about one fourth part of the population of this part of the town attend worship with the Presbyterian Church. There are about twenty individuals who are members of the Baptist church, and about sixteen who belong to the Methodist Church. A very large proportion of the community attend no public worship.

Junius.- The town of Junius, as has been stated in a preceding article, originally comprehended a large portion of the present counties of Seneca and Wayne. It is now of small extent. The settlement was begun somewhat prior to the year 1805 by three brothers of the name of Southwick. These were followed by Heman Swift, J. Hopkins, John Dryer, Luther Redfield, Nathaniel French, and others, "a mixture," says a correspondent, "I should judge of religious and irreligious men, though generally moral." The church was organized in the Congregational form, in the autumn of 1811, by Rev. Howell R. Powell, and consisted of twenty-two members. In the spring of 1814, with the assistance of Rev. Henry Axtell, it was re-organized on the Presbyterian plan, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, April 20th, 1814. It was denominated the " Second Presbyterian Church of Junius," that at Seneca Falls being the first. In 1825, the church reported seventy-four members; in 1834, one hundred, having admitted by profession the year previous, twenty-two. In 1846, the whole number was seventy-three.

In the early period of the history of this church, Rev. William Stone supplied the pulpit two years; Rev. Francis Pomeroy one fourth of the time for about five years; and Rev. John C. Morgan one year in 1825 and 1826. Rev. Joseph Merrill took charge of the church and congregation in the autumn of 1827, and was installed as pastor February 20th, 1828. The pastoral relation was dissolved in the spring of 1837. For two years afterwards the pulpit was supplied in part by Rev. Miles P. Squier, and partly by a licentiate of the name of Gibbs. Mr. Merrill was again employed in the spring of 1839, and continued to officiate as stated supply till the spring of 1843. Rev. George W. Gridley commenced preaching to the congregation at the close of Mr. Merrill's labors, and was ordained and installed pastor, February 29th, 1844. His labors were terminated by death 1847. A season of revival was enjoyed under the ministry of Mr. Pomeroy; also under the ministry of Mr. Merrill in 1831, and again in the winter of 1842-3; again in the winter of 1837-8, in connexion with the labors of Drs. Lansing and Hopkins of Auburn. The church were aided two years in the support of Mr. Merrill by the American Home Missionary Society. They have a comfortable house of worship, fifty feet in length and thirty-five in breadth, erected in 1824. A considerable proportion of the inhabitants of the town are not in the habit of attending worship very regularly, though the greater part meet occasionally at least with some denomination of professing Christians. The Presbyterian Church is intermixed with Methodists, Baptists, and some Quakers. In one part of the town infidelity has a considerable foothold. The Presbyterian denomination is probably as numerous as any other single denomination in the town.

Tyre.- This town was originally a part of the town of Junius, and its settlement commenced as early as 1805, by three brothers of the name of Crane. Of its religious history the writer knows nothing, except that a church did exist, which, in 1837, consisted of thirty-one members. It was reported by the Presbytery of Geneva as under their care in 1836 and 1837. Since that period the writer finds no notice of it. Rev. Merritt S. Platt was commissioned by the American Home Missionary Society to labor with this church one year from Nov. 25th, 1835. Whether the church has seceded from the Presbytery or become extinct is not known to the writer.

Seneca Falls.- This town was originally a part of the town of Junius, the part first settled and where the business of the town was transacted. The settlement was commenced at the falls which now give name to the town and village, at a very early period, by Col. Willhelmus Mynderse, and others from New Jersey. At a very early day Col. Mynderse erected a flouring establishment, and the place, from the color of the buildings, was known by the appellation of the "Red Mills." At what period the Presbyterian Church was organized is not definitely known to the writer. It is apparent that it was under the care of the Presbytery of Oneida, and transferred to the Geneva Presbytery on the organization of that body in 1805. It was originally denominated the "First Presbyterian Church of Junius." In 1825, it consisted of eighty-four members. In 1832, it numbered two hundred and forty-three, and in 1846, one hundred and ninety-six. It was probably organized by Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, and for some years received a share of his services as a missionary. Rev. John Stuart was ordained and installed as pastor to the church, August 24th, 1808. He was deposed from the office of the ministry, September 22d, 1813. Whether he continued as pastor to the period of his deposition is not recollected by the writer. He was followed by Rev. Shipley Wells as stated supply for a year or two. June 30th, 1819, Rev. William Bacon was installed pastor of this church and that of Cayuga village. He was dismissed February 6th, 1821. Rev. Azariah G. Orton commenced labor with this church, as the writer believes, in 1823, and though he was not installed, continued to labor as a stated supply till 1834 or 1835. Rev. Wm. Gray succeeded him, and was installed as pastor of the church, and dismissed, October 2d, 1838. Rev. Herman L. Vail was installed pastor; October 28th, 1840, and dismissed April 16th, 1843. He was succeeded by Rev. Horace P. Bogue, as stated supply, who still officiates in that capacity. During the ministry of Mr. Bacon in 1819-20, a pleasing revival was experienced, and about thirty members were added to the church. In the year 1828, twenty were reported as added to the church the preceding year on profession. In 1831, forty-seven, and in 1832, thirty-two are similarly reported. These years under the ministry of Mr. Orton, seem to have been peculiarly years of the right hand of the Most High. In the year 1840, twenty-two are reported as having united with the church by profession, indicating that the preceding year had been one of revival.

This church has never required foreign aid to support its minister. It has a house of worship built many years since. About the year 1832 or 1833, a number of the members of this church were dismissed or withdrew, and formed a Congregational Church; but what has been its destiny is not known to the writer. The Presbyterian Church has for many years been a strong, able church, though somewhat disturbed by the conflicting sentiments of the day. Besides the Presbyterians, the Episcopalians, the Methodists, and the Baptists, have each a house of worship. The Roman Catholics have also a mass-house for their meetings.

Waterloo.- This town was originally a part of the town of Junius. At an early period a settlement was commenced by John Green, afterwards called the Trip Settlement, at the place now known as Lundy's Corners. A small settlement also was made on the south side of the Seneca river named Scawas, which now constitutes a part of the village of Waterloo. The early religious history of this place is identified with that of Seneca Falls. A separate Presbyterian Church was organized in Waterloo in 1817: the writer believes that it was composed principally of those who had been members of the church of Seneca Falls. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, August 13th, 1817. In 1825, it numbered 110 members; in 1832, 270; in 1840, 310; and in 1846, 227. Rev. Aaron D. Lane was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 21st, 1821. He continued in this station till 1834 or 1835, and after a short interval, was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. Samuel H. Gridley, the present pastor of the church. This church has been much favored with the dews of heaven since its organization. An addition of thirty-eight members was reported for the year 1825, but whether the result of a revival, or of the increase of the population of the village, is not known to the writer. In 1829, twenty-seven were reported as having been added by profession the preceding year, and in 1832, 117 were so reported. These were the fruits of revivals enjoyed in the congregation. This church has always supported its own minister without foreign aid. They have an appropriate, and very respectable house of worship, which was erected in the early period of the history of the church. There are also in the village appropriate houses of worship for the Episcopalians, the Methodists, and the Baptists.

Canoga.- The village of Canoga is situated in the eastern part of the town of Fayette, near the Cayuga lake. A small Presbyterian church was organized here about the year 1825, and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1828, it reported thirty-five members; in 1832, forty-eight; in 1840, ninety-five; and in 1846, 101. Rev. Richard Williams acted as stated supply one or two years, about the period of 1831 and 1832. With this exception, the church has uniformly been reported as vacant till after 1837. In 1840, Rev. Charles N. Mattoon is reported as pastor. He was dismissed May 6th, 1841. In the following year, Mr. Chauncey W. Cherry, a licentiate preacher, commenced laboring here, and, on the 12th day of July, 1842, was ordained and installed as pastor, in which relation he still remains. During the first year of his ministry with the church, he was under the patronage of the Home Missionary Society. God blessed his labors; a revival was enjoyed, bringing into the fold of Christ between forty and fifty hopeful converts, which strengthened the church to such a degree that they were able to support their pastor without foreign aid. They have an appropriate house of worship. This church was known a number of years as Fayette Second Church.

Fayette.- This town was originally called Washington, but in 1808 the name was changed to Fayette. Its settlement commenced in 1789. A large proportion of the inhabitants are Germans, emigrants from Pennsylvania. These generally have their own religious organizations, and to a great degree constitute a community by themselves. The other early inhabitants were mostly from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the southern counties of New York. A Presbyterian church was organized and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, probably in 1824. It is reported for the first time in 1825. It was then reported as vacant. No report of the number of members was made till 1826. It then numbered sixty-one members, thirty-seven having been received within the year. In 1828 it reported eighty members. From that period the number diminished, and in 1846 the whole number was only fifty-two. In 1825, or the beginning of the next year, Rev. Isaac Flagler was constituted pastor of the church, and remained such about three years. During his ministry the church was considerably increased in the number of its members, nearly sixty being added. How large a proportion' of these were received on profession is, not known. From the period of Mr. Flagler's dismission till 1834 the church is uniformly reported vacant, although several ministers preached in the congregation for short periods. Near the commencement of the year 1834, Rev. Adams W. Platt was engaged as stated supply, and continued about two years and a half. After him Rev. Oren Catlin supplied for a season. Rev. Alanson Scofield commenced preaching to the congregation towards the latter part of the year 1837, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 7th, 1838. He was dismissed Sept. 3d, 1845. In the support of Messrs. Flagler, Platt, and Scofield, the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They have an appropriate house of worship, which was erected some years since. In the annual reports of the Presbytery, this church is sometimes denominated Fayette, sometimes Fayette first church, and sometimes West Fayette.

Geneva.- Of the early settlement of the village of Geneva, we have spoken in another place. The mass of the first inhabitants of - this village were not distinguished for a regard for religion and its institutions, but the contrary. Many vices predominated to a very great extent, yet in 1798, on the sixteenth day of July, a religious Society under the general law of the State was formed by the adult male inhabitants of the village and the vicinity. This was the first religious society formed in the place, and was designed to be connected with a church of the Presbyterian order. The trustees elected for the Society were Oliver Whitmore, Elijah Wilder, Septimus Evans, Ezra Patterson, Samuel Latta, William Smith, Jun., and Polydore B. Wisner, none of whom are now living. At this period the population of the village, probably, did not exceed thirty families. In 1800, Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, under an appointment from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, located his family in the village of Geneva, and was employed by the inhabitants to labor with them one half of the time, while the remaining half was employed in missionary service in the destitute places around. The same year Mr. Chapman organized a Presbyterian church in the village. As the original records are lost, it is not known of what number of members the church was composed. It is supposed, however, that the number was less than twenty, and several of these lived at a considerable distance from the village. Oliver Whitmore, Elijah Wilder, and Seth Stanley, were constituted ruling elders. This church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Oneida, and on the division of that body was assigned to the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1806 the church was reported as vacant and unable to support a pastor. In 1825 the church numbered two hundred and seventy-two members, and the next year four hundred and seven. In 1831 the number was five hundred and sixty-seven; in 1843, six hundred and fifty-two; and in 1846, six hundred and five.

After the organization of the church about twelve years elapsed before a regular pastor was called. For a large proportion of this period Mr. Chapman occupied the pulpit one half of the time, and employed in missionary labor the other part. On the 12th of July, 1812, Mr. Chapman was installed pastor of this church, and at the same time Rev. Henry Axtell was ordained and installed co-pastor with him. Mr. Chapman died May 22d, 1813, after a life of much usefulness, and greatly beloved and respected. He was at the time of his death in the 73d year of his age. Dr. Axtell continued pastor of the congregation until his death, which occurred Feb. 11th, 1829, when he was forty-five years of age. During the sixteen years of his ministry, there were two special seasons of revival; the first in 1819, when nearly one hundred were added to the church; the other in 1825, when a still larger number took the vows of God upon them. Rev. Eliakim Phelps, D.D., the successor of Dr. Axtell, was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 11th, 1830, and was dismissed, Sept. 15th, 1835. During his ministry there was one powerful revival of religion, as the result of which more than one hundred members were added to the church, and the whole number added during his ministry was three hundred and twenty-seven, of whom two hundred were by examination. Rev. Philip C. Hay, D.D., was installed pastor, Feb. 3d, 1836, and was dismissed, April 9th, 1846. During his ministry up to February, 1846, the additions to the church were five hundred and thirty-eight, of which two hundred and seventy-six were received on their profession of faith. Rev. William Hogarth was installed pastor of this church, Dec. 3d, 1846, and is the present pastor.

This congregation erected a house of worship previous to the settlement of the first pastors, which, at that period, was considered large and elegant. It has since been removed, and replaced by their present spacious, commodious, and elegant edifice. This church may be considered as the parent of several others. The Presbyterian Church of Castleton was derived from it. The Reformed Dutch Church of Geneva was to a considerable extent constituted of members of this church, and at a later period a Congregational Church has been organized from it. The Episcopalians have a magnificent house of worship in this village. The Reformed Dutch and the. Methodist denominations have houses which are large and elegant. The Associate Reformed, the Baptist, and the African Baptist churches, have houses which are appropriate and commodious. Besides these the Universalists have a house for meeting, and the Roman Catholics have a mass-house.

Castleton.- This village is situated in the town of Seneca, and derives its name from an Indian-fortification located on the ground in former time, from which the place, by the early white inhabitants, was denominated the Old Castle, now Castleton. It was settled contemporaneously with the other parts of the town of Seneca. Its religious history is involved in that of Geneva until 1828. Several of the original members of the Church of Geneva, and two of its three elders, resided in this place. In 1828, a Presbyterian Church consisting of nineteen members was organized here. The most of these were taken from the church of Geneva. The church, soon after its organization, was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1829, it reported thirty members; in 1832, one hundred and forty-six; and in 1843, one hundred and seven. Rev. Stephen Porter, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, commenced laboring here in the month of August, 1828, previous to the organization of the church. His labors as stated supply were continued for five years. In 1831-2, a blessed work of the Spirit was wrought, as the result of which about one hundred members were added to the church by profession. Rev. Oren Catlin succeeded Mr. Porter, and was installed as pastor of the church, and continued two or three years, after which Mr. Porter was again employed as stated supply one or two years. He was succeeded by Rev. George C. Hyde, and he by Rev. Benjamin Russell, who yet remains. The Church were aided by the American Home Missionary Society in the support of Mr. Porter five years; since that period they have supported their own minister without foreign aid. They have an appropriate house of worship, which was erected in 1829 or 1830.

Hopewell.- The present towns of Hopewell and Gorham were, in 1801, organized as a town by the name of Easton. In 1806, the name was changed to Lincoln, and in 1807 to Gorham. In 1824 or '25 the town was divided, and the northern section named Hopewell. The settlement of this town commenced at a very early period, and a Presbyterian church was organized at an early date, probably by Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, soon after his establishment at Geneva. In his journal under date of August 7th, 1803; he speaks of administering the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the church in this place. The church must have been connected with the Presbytery of Oneida, as on the organization of the Presbytery of Geneva, it appears, without any act of reception, to have belonged to that body. At the time of the organization the number of members was small. In 1825, it had increased to one hundred; in 1828, it reported one hundred and eight; and the next year, only forty-four. This change was in consequence of a division of the church by the organization of a separate one in Gorham. In 1832, the church reported sixty-four members added "within a year by profession, making the whole number one hundred and four. Two years afterwards the whole number was one hundred and thirty-four, forty-three more having been added by profession. Since that period the number has diminished, so that, m 1846, it was only ninety-two. For some years after the organization of the church it did not enjoy stated preaching. The labor of Mr. Chapman, or some other missionary, for an occasional Sabbath, was nearly the amount of ministerial help experienced. Still the writer believes that stated public worship on the Sabbath was maintained. In 1804, Rev. Samuel Leacock came into the town, and was engaged as a stated supply for one year, but previous to the expiration of the year his labors were terminated by his decease. Rev. Eliphalet B. Coleman, then a licentiate, officiated as stated supply for a season, in 1807. Rev. Joseph Merrill commenced ministering to this church in connexion with that of Rushville the latter part of the year 1808, and in June of the next year was installed as pastor of the two churches. Mr. Merrill officiated as pastor of both churches till May 1st, 1821, when he was dismissed from his charge of the church in Middlesex, and devoted his whole labors to the church in Hopewell, till 1827, when he was dismissed from his pastoral charge. Soon after Mr. Merrill's dismission the church was divided, and thereby the church of Hopewell was considerably weakened. Rev. Isaac Flagler was employed as a stated supply in the latter part of the year 1828, and in this relation he continued about three years. After his departure for a period the church was supplied irregularly for some time, and then enjoyed for a season the labors of Rev. Samuel Howe, as pastor. In 1837 and 1840, it is reported as vacant, and in 1843, as supplied by Rev. John W. Wood. In August, 1844, Rev. Isaac Flagler commenced ministering to the church, and was installed as pastor, April 16th, 1845. In this relation he still continues.

During the period of Mr. Merrill's ministry there was a gradual increase in the number of the members of the church from year to year, and at one time at least a considerable revival. The years 1831 and '32 were years in which the greatest accessions were made to the church. These were the result of the labors of evangelists connected with protracted meetings, and about one hundred were added to the church.

This church has been assisted by the American Home Missionary Society in the support of Mr. Flagler, both when he officiated some years since as a stated supply, and since his installation as pastor of the church. They have an appropriate house of worship.

Chapinsville.- This is a small village on the outlet of the Canandaigua lake, in the town of Hopewell, near its north-west corner. At an early period of the history of the Genesee country, the Messrs. Chapin of Canandaigua erected mills on this spot, it being the nearest place to Canandaigua where a sufficient water-power existed. Hence the place was formerly known by the appellation of Chapins' Mills. Latterly it has been called Chapinsville. In consequence of the water-power there existing, a considerable village has grown up. A small church of the Congregational order, as the writer believes, was formed here a number of years since. It would seem that it has been connected with the Presbytery of Geneva, as its name is found in their reports to the General Assembly for 1836 and 1837. Why it is not found in later reports, is not known to the writer. In 1837 it consisted of forty-eight members. What ministerial aid was enjoyed by the church previous to 1833, the writer knows not. In February of that year, Rev. Isaac Flagler was employed as a stated laborer among them, and continued four years. He was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Crabb, who continued two or three years. In 1841, Rev. G. W. Lane labored with them for a season, and in November was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Wilson, who continued two years. In the support of these ministers the church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society. In their reports to the Society, some of them at times speak of hopeful conversions, but of no extensive revival. The history of the church since 1842 is wholly unknown to the writer. They have an appropriate house of worship, erected a number of years since.

Rushville.- This village is situated partly in the town of Gorham, and partly in the town of Middlesex. The latter town, including also the town of Potter, was originally named Augusta. The name was changed to Middlesex in 1808. It was settled at an early period by emigrants mostly from Massachusetts, but some from Rhode Island and Connecticut. Deacons Loomis and French, still living, were among the early settlers. Public worship on the Sabbath was set up very soon after the settlement commenced, in a log school-house, where the people assembled and worshipped God, by prayer and singing, reading the word of God and printed sermons. They were occasionally visited by a missionary. A church, of the Congregational order, consisting of fifteen members, was organized by Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, Nov. 28th, 1802, and was denominated the "First Congregational Church of Augusta and Gorham." The church became connected with the Ontario Association, June 14th, 1803, and continued in this connexion till the dissolution of the Association in 1813. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, on what was denominated the accommodating plan, April 19th, 1814. In this connexion it still continues. This church has been a highly favored church. In 1825, it numbered one hundred and sixty-two members; in 1834, two hundred and fifteen; and, in 1846, two hundred and fifty-two. The members of the church and congregation reside, some in the town of Gorham, some in the town of Middlesex, and some in the town of Potter. All the original members had previously been members of churches in the places from which they emigrated. Soon after the organization of the church, Rev. Abijah Warren commenced laboring with them as a stated supply, and continued nearly one year. After him, Rev. Reuben Parmele labored for a season. Rev. Joseph Merrill was installed, by an ecclesiastical council, pastor of this church and that of Hopewell, July 9th, 1809, and continued in the pastorate of both churches till 1821. At that period each church felt itself able to support a minister for the whole of the time. Each wished to retain Mr. Merrill, and, though each was equally dear to him, yet some circumstances determined him to continue with the church of Hopewell. Accordingly, on the first day of May, 1821, his pastoral relation to the church of Rushville was dissolved, and the next day Rev. David Page was ordained and installed pastor in his stead. Mr. Page continued about four years, and was dismissed on his own request. Rev. Joseph Brackett soon after became the pastor of the church, and continued as such till his death, which occurred Sept. 24th, 1832. Rev. Henry P. Strong succeeded him as pastor, and continued with them a little more than two years, when death removed him from his pastoral charge. Rev. Maltby Gelston was his successor. He was installed in the month of May, 1836, and still continues in the pastoral office.

The church has been blessed under all its pastors, with revivals of religion to some extent. There was one revival of great power and extent in Mr. Merrill's day, as the fruits of which one hundred or more united with the church, and nearly all remained steadfast in their profession. Under Mr. Page's ministry there was a season of religious interest, in which numbers were brought into the church, but time has shown that many of these supposed conversions were spurious. Under Mr. Brackett there was a revival of considerable interest, and frequent seasons when some few were gathered into the church. Under Mr. Strong's ministry, there was a season of revival and ingathering into the kingdom. Under the labors of Mr. Gelston, there has been, at different times, some interest on the subject of the soul's salvation, and a few gathered into the church. There has also been one general revival, as the fruits of which more than forty were added to the church.

This church has a house of worship, a brick edifice, sixty-four feet in length, and forty-four in width, erected in 1817. The Methodist denomination have a house of worship, and constitute a body of considerable strength. It is thought that two-thirds of the population attend on a preached gospel, of whom the largest part in the village attend with the Presbyterian church.

Gorham.- This church has its present location in the village of Bethel, which is situated on Flint Creek, in the town of Gorham, near its eastern line. The Presbyterian church was organized Feb. 26th, 1828, by Rev. Messrs. Henry Axtell, Henry P. Strong, and Ansel D. Eddy. It was composed of twenty-four members, taken from the church of Hopewell for the purpose, of whom eight were males and sixteen females. The church, soon after its organization, was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1832, it consisted of one hundred and two members; in 1836, it numbered one hundred and twenty-eight; and in 1846, sixty-eight. From the period of its organization till 1830, the church was temporarily supplied by different individuals. Rev. Chester Hinman supplied one year under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. From the beginning of 1830 to the close of 1839, Rev. Flavel S. Gaylord was pastor. From July, 1841, Rev. Hosea Kittredge supplied about one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Alva Lilly, for two years, who was followed by Rev. Charles Merwin, who was installed pastor of the church, April 16th, 1845, and dismissed from his charge, May 6th, 1846. Rev. Robert Finley succeeded Mr. Merwin as a stated supply for one year, and was followed by Rev. William Rowlatt, for a short season. The church has been aided in the support of most of its ministers, by the American Home Missionary Society. In 1831, under the ministry of Mr. Gaylord, a revival was enjoyed, as the fruits of which about forty individuals were added to the church. A house of worship was built some years since, about four miles distant from the village of Bethel, in a north-westerly direction. In 1843, a new edifice was erected in the village, to which the meetings were removed. This removal was dissatisfactory to a part of the church and congregation, who withdrew, and were organized as a separate church and congregation, on the Reformed Dutch platform, and erected for themselves a house of worship at a place called Reed's Corners, in the north-western part of the town of Gorham. This circumstance considerably diminished the number of members in the church, and detracted from its ability to support the stated ministry of the gospel. But a small proportion of the population attend worship with the Presbyterian church. Its members live intermixed with those of the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Reformed Dutch, and Associate Reformed churches. The Baptists and Methodists have appropriate houses of worship in the village.

Romulus.- This town was settled at an early period by emigrants, mostly from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, numbers of whom were of German and Low Dutch origin. At what period the Presbyterian church was organized is not knows to the writer. Rev. Jedidiah Chapman in his missionary journal, under date of August 20th, 1803, speaks of preaching in this place, and assisting the Session in examining candidates for admission to the church. It is probable that the church was organized a short season previous to this date by Mr. Chapman. Of what number of members it was composed at any period prior to 1825, the writer is ignorant. At that date it numbered two hundred and thirty-eight members. In 1832 it was increased to three hundred and thirty-six, and in 1843 had fallen to two hundred and sixty-nine. This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva,, at the first meeting of that body, Sept. 17th, 1805. Rev. Charles Mosher was ordained and installed pastor of the church, August 19th, 1807. He continued in this relation somewhat more than seven years, and was dismissed, Oct. 17th, 1814. Rev. Moses Young succeeded him in the pastoral office, and was ordained and installed, March 8th, 1815. In the faithful and successful performance of the duties of his office Mr. Young continued till death closed his labors in 1824 or '5. Rev. Morris Barton was the next pastor of the church. He was ordained and installed in a short period after the death of Mr. Young, and continued until Feb. 4th, 1846, a period of about twenty years. Rev. Edward Lord was ordained and installed as his successor in the pastoral office in October, 1847. This church has repeatedly been visited with the showers of the Holy Spirit. In 1816 and in 1823, under the ministry of Mr. Young, blessed seasons of revival were enjoyed. In the latter instance, between eighty and ninety were added to the church. Under the ministry of Mr. Barton several such seasons were experienced. For several successive years in the early period of his ministry, there were frequent accessions to the church from the world. In 1832, eighty-nine were reported as added to the church on their profession of faith, and in 1837, fifty-eight were thus added.

This church has ever supported its own ministers without foreign aid. A house of worship was erected many years ago, which some years since was abandoned, and a new and commodious one erected in a more eligible location.

Ovid.- The town of Ovid formerly included the present town of that name, together with Lodi and Covert. The settlement of it commenced about the year 1790 or '91, by immigrants from New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania adjacent to New Jersey. Many of them were of Dutch origin. After a season they became somewhat intermixed with immigrants from the Eastern States and Eastern New York. How soon the public worship of God was established, and at what period a Presbyterian church was organized, are circumstances not known to the writer. In the year 1800, Rev. John Lindsley was appointed by the General Assembly a missionary for four months, with special directions to visit the town of Ovid. It is not improbable that a church was organized by him on this mission, which subsequently became connected with the Presbytery of Oneida, and afterwards was transferred to the Presbytery of Geneva. Mr. Lindsley became pastor of this church, but at what period is not known to the writer. He was dismissed Nov. 5th, 1805. The church, on its request, was dismissed from its connexion with the Presbytery of Geneva, to join the Classis of the Reformed Dutch Church. This was the original Presbyterian church of Ovid. The author believes that its general place of meeting and centre of operation was at or near the place of. worship in the present town of Covert, of the church which styles itself the "True Reformed Dutch Church," and that the original church has succession in this church.

The present "First Presbyterian Church of Ovid," is of later origin. At a meeting of the Presbytery of Oneida, held at Geneva, June 28th, 1803, an application was made to the Presbytery for a commission to form a new church in the north-western part of the town of Ovid, a Society organized according to the civil law being then already constituted. The Presbytery appointed Rev. Jedidiah Chapman to go to Ovid and organize the church. Accordingly on the tenth day of July, 1803, Mr. Chapman organized a Presbyterian church consisting of twenty members, most of whom, if not all, were taken from the original church of Ovid. This church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Oneida, and at the division of that Presbytery was assigned to the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1810 the number of members had increased from twenty to seventy-three. In 1825 it numbered one hundred and seventy-one; in 1832, two hundred and twenty; in 1843, two hundred and eighty-three ; and in 1846, two hundred and seventy-nine. The church at its organization was denominated the Seneca Church, and by that appellation it was known for a number of years. In 1817 it adopted the style of the "First Presbyterian Church of Ovid." What ministerial assistance this church enjoyed previous to 1811, is not known to the writer. On the seventeenth day of April, of that year, Rev. William Clark was installed pastor of this church, in connexion with that of Hector, with the understanding that three quarters of his time was to be devoted to Ovid, and one quarter to Hector. Mr. Clark was dismissed from Ovid August 9th, 1815, and soon after from Hector. Rev. Stephen Porter was installed pastor of the two churches Sept. 10th, 1816, to divide his labors between them in the same proportion as Mr. Clark had done. He was dismissed from his charge of the church of Hector Sept. 6th, 1820, and from that period tul Sept. 5th, 1822, his whole time was devoted to the church of Ovid. At the last mentioned date, the relation between him and the church was dissolved. After an interval of about one year, Rev. Thomas Lounsbury, D.D., was ordained and installed pastor of this church, and has sustained the relation to the present time, during a period of more than twenty-four years, a very unusual circumstance in the history of Western New York.

During the ministry of Messrs. Clark and Porter, it is not known to the writer that any extensive work of grace was wrought. There were seasons of more than special interest, in which souls were converted and additions made to the church. The number of members at the period of Mr. Porter's dismission, was 141. Under the ministry of Dr. Lounsbury the church has enjoyed several very precious seasons of revival, as in 1824, '27, '30, '31, '32, '36, and 42. During these seasons of visitation, from ten to more than fifty were added to the church. This church has always supported its own pastor without foreign aid.

While Mr. Porter was pastor, the congregation built a house of worship, which at the time was considered superior to any in the region, but which of late years has become considerably dilapidated, and not being in a proper location, the congregation have the year past (1847) erected anew, spacious, and elegant one in a very commanding location.

There are now within the proper limits of this congregation, four Christian churches: the First Presbyterian Church of Ovid,- the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ovid,- the Methodist Episcopal Church of Sheldrake,- and the Baptist Church of Scott's Corners. Intermingled with the dwellers in Ovid proper, are many members of the Reformed Dutch Churches of Lodi and Farmerville, and of the old, or as they call themselves, the True Dutch Church, which is located about equi-distant between Lodi and Farmerville.

West Dresden.- This village is situated on the western bank of the Seneca lake, at the mouth of the outlet of the Crooked lake, in the town of Benton. A Presbyterian Church consisting of eight members taken from the church of Benton, was organized here in 1830, and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. In 1843, it consisted of fifty-eight members. Since that period it has declined. Several ministers have labored here under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, the church never having been able to support a minister without aid. Rev. William Todd, at the time of the organization of the church, and for a year or two afterwards, labored as a stated supply, and left the place to go on a foreign mission. Under his labors, some measure of divine influence was enjoyed, and an accession made to the church. Rev. Linus W. Billington, Rev. William B. Worden, and Rev. George T. Everest, have severally been stated supplies. Under Mr. Everest's ministry, a measure of revival was felt, and a small number were added to the church. But adverse influences have operated, and the church has been for several years without any stated preaching, and is reduced to a very low state. They have a house of worship which was erected in 1834.

Pontiac.- This church has its location in the State of Michigan. The town of Pontiac was settled, in a considerable degree, by emigrants from Western New York, particularly from the town of Ovid and its vicinity. A number of them were members of Presbyterian churches in New York. A Presbyterian church was soon organized after their arrival in Michigan, and as no Presbytery was as yet organized in the State of Michigan, the church put themselves under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. This occurred, probably, in 1824. In 1825, the church is reported as consisting of twenty-nine members. In 1827, it consisted of fifty-four. About this period it was dismissed from the Presbytery, of Geneva to unite with a Presbytery in the State of Michigan. In 1846, it was connected with the Presbytery of Detroit, consisted of one hundred and sixty-six members, and had Rev. Nathaniel West for its pastor.

Canandaigua.- Of the settlement of this place, the organization of a Congregational church, the ordination and installation of Rev. Timothy Field as its pastor, and his dismission June 12th, 1805, we have spoken in a former chapter. The church was, for a season, connected with the Ontario Association, but, in 1810, gave notice of its secession, and declared itself independent of all human jurisdiction, and, as an independent Congregational church, it has continued to the present time. In 1829, it numbered two hundred and sixty members; in 1833, three hundred and ten; and in 1846, two hundred and nineteen. For some time after the dismission of Mr. Field, the church had no regularly settled pastor, but was furnished with stated supplies. Of these, Rev. Messrs. Channing and Torrey were the most conspicuous. They were gentlemen of extensive erudition and respectable talents, but had embraced the sentiments of the New England Unitarians. Mr. Torrey, it is said, previously to his leaving Canandaigua, had entirely changed his views respecting the person, character, and mediatorial work of the Lord Jesus Christ, embraced the orthodox sentiment, and professed a hope of salvation only through the atonement of Christ. This change in the views of Mr. Torrey, probably, prevented the establishment of Unitarianism in Western New York. Soon after the departure of Mr. Torrey, Rev. Evan Johns was installed pastor of the church. He was succeeded by Rev. Ansel D. Eddy (now Dr. Eddy of Newark, N. J.) in 1823 or '24, who continued in the pastorate about ten years, and was succeeded by Rev. Matthew L. R. P. Thompson. Mr. Thompson officiated in the pastoral office several years, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Daggett, the present pastor. Messrs. Johns, Eddy, and Thompson, were members of the Presbytery of Geneva. During the ministry of Dr. Eddy several very extensive revivals of religion were enjoyed, as the result of which large accessions were made to the church, and the standard of morals in the community considerably elevated.

This church, in a pecuniary point of view, has always been strong, and has never needed foreign assistance in supporting the ministry, but has been able to do much to assist those that were needy. In the infancy of the church and for a number of years, public worship was held in the old court-house, but for many years past the church has had a large, elegant, and commodious house, in which the worship of God has been maintained. The Methodists, the Episcopalians, and the Baptists, have respectable congregations in the village of Canandaigua, and each denomination has an appropriate house of worship.

Although some of the spellings are incorrect, for historical accuracy, spellings have been transcribed exactly as given in the original resource.

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