The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 203

with them two years. His labors were blessed by another powerful revival, by which 95 were added by baptism. He was succeeded in the spring of 1843 by Elder J. S. Backus, whose pastorate covered a period of seven years, and was blessed with four seasons of revival and 86 baptisms. He left them in the spring of 1850, united and prosperous, having relieved them from heavy pecuniary embarrassments, and allayed the differences of opinion upon subjects connected with the labors of former pastors.

The next pastor was W. P. Pattison, who commenced his labors in 1851 and closed them in 1855, having received during his ministry, by profession of faith, 79. A. McGregor Hopper, who was a very acceptable preacher, and especially popular with the congregation, served them as pastor from 1857 to 1859, and added 82 to the membership. He was succeeded in 1861 by P. P. Bishop, who was a good scholar, a sound reasoner and acceptable pastor, and during whose seven years' ministry 75 were added.

Rev. Dr. W. H. Maynard was called to the pastorate in January, 1869, and served as such seven years. The addition to the church during his ministry was 124. A revival was enjoyed during the winter of 1874, and a series of meetings held for several weeks, the pastor being aided largely in the work by Rev. H. G. Dewitt, and evangelist. As a pastor and preacher few, if any, of his predecessors surpassed Dr. Maynard. As pastor he sought out the sick and afflicted and ministered to their wants; as preacher, his sermons were characterized by research in church and Biblical history. They were marked by original thought and enforced by original illustation, and were therefore instructing and edifying.

The present pastor, Rev. Willard H. Robinson, who graduated from Yale College in 1872, entered upon his pastoral relations with the church in June, 1876. This is his first pastorate, undertaken at the completion of a post-graduate year at Rochester Theological Seminary. Under his ministrations the church is united and prosperous.

Some six years ago their church edifice was thoroughly rejuvenated, at a cost of about $15,000; and in October, 1877, they paid off an indebtedness of $6,300, leaving the church entirely free of debt. The present house, a plain, substantial stone structure, erected in 1833-'34, stands on the south side of Genesse street, a little west of Mechanic street, and took the place of the first, a brick structure, erected in 1825, at the junction of South and Exchange streets, which was afterwards occupied by the Universalist Society, and at present by the furniture establishment of Messrs. D. C. & G. W. Richardson.

Since the organization of the church there has been expended in houses of worship about $50,000; for pastoral salary, $43,500. They have received by baptism, letter and experience 1698 members; dismissed, 881; excluded, 113; dropped, 41. The number who have died is 162. The present membership is 501.

The Sabbath School work connected with the church and society has received increased attention during the last few years. The school is in a flourishing condition, numbering in attendance 200 to 225. It is under the supervision of Messrs. O. F. Knapp and E. Stanton Perry, who are aided by an efficient corps of teachers. The Owasco Chapel School, sustained by this society, has a membership of 150, and an average attendance of 120. It is under the superintendance of Charles A. Cobb, and is doing a good work.

The following named persons have officiated in the church, viz: John Ward, John Jeffries,

______ Muier, ______ Randall, Dudley Everts, Gardiner Jeffries, George Covert, Freeman Richardson, Joseph Choate, Oliver Chappel, Abizur Pierce, Nelson Payne, Z. M. Mason, Samuel C. Lester, Paul D. Cornell, O. F. Knapp, T. B. Brown, S. B. Harlow, Jabez Whitnee, and John S. Bristol, as Deacons; and Nathaniel Garrow, David S. Sears, Henry Polhemus, Dudley Everts, Aurelius Wheeler, Russell Chappell, James E. Tyler, Daniel Woodworth, E. B. Cobb, Z. M. Mason, Harrison Hopkins, Edward Allen, Paul D. Cornell, Miles Perry, W. W. Payne, Henry S. Dunning, Wm. E. Vail, James M. Gale, Geo. S. Westlake, Joseph H. Dunning, S. E. Payne, John Choate, J. Y. Bettys, D. M. Hough, Dr. W. O. Luce, and H. J. Eddy, the last seven of whom, except Hough, are the present trustees.

Among the earliest members, in addition to those already named, are Seth Burgess and wife, Mrs. Hannah Wadsworth, Mrs. Cyria White, Mrs. Thankful Lewis, Mrs. Urania Catlin, Myron Strong, U. F. Doubleday, Peter Doty, Mrs. Susannah Culver, Jonathan and Martha Hawes,

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