The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 210
City of Auburn

shoot, and Harvey Wilson and Wm. Lamey were elected wardens, and Wm. F. Gibbs, John M. Hurd, Rufus Sargent, Henry Hall, Edward C. Marvine, Isaac L. Scovill, Charles M. Knight and George F. Brown, vestrymen.

Previous to this, in 1854, efforts were made at the instigation of Rev. E. H. Cressy, then rector of St. Peter's Church, to establish a church of this denomination in the eastern part of the city. Rev. John M. Guion, relying for a portion of his support upon the chaplaincy in Auburn prison, which Mr. Cressy was able to obtain for him, came to Auburn and conducted services some five months in a large room over Kerr & Devitt's store, the rent of which was paid by Mr. Cressy and A. Hamilton Burt; but he removed to a more promising field of usefulness, and the project was, for the time being, relinquished.

Their first pastor was Rev. James Stoddard, who commenced his labors with them in October, 1868, and remained till February, 1869, services having previously been held, until Mr. Stoddard took charge, and conducted by Mr. Brainard, rector of St. Peter's. In 1869, their house of worship was erected at a cost of about $2,200, and was first occupied in December of that year. The lot on which it stand, 200 feet on East Genesee street, and 110 on Fulton street, was donated to the society, June 1st, 1868, by Gen. John H. Chedell, who also bequeathed them $10,000 for the erection of a new church edifice, which has already been begun, on the site of the present structure, the estimated cost of which is $17,000. It is to be built of stone, 84 by 52 feet, and when completed will be a sightly structure.

Rev. Charles R. Hale succeeded Mr. Stoddard in the rectorship in October, 1870, and officiated in that capacity till October, 1873. Rev. E. B. Tuttle commenced his labors with them the following November, and continued them till October, 1876. Rev. W. H. Lord, the present pastor, entered upon his labors as rector in Auguse, 1877, having previously supplied the pulpit five months. The church is in a prosperous condition. The congregation has doubled within a year; and the membership, which now comprises eighty-five communicants, has largely increased under Mr. Lord's pastorate. The average attendance at the Sabbath School is about 100 with 140 scholars enrolled.

CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY---This society was organized in 1861. It was an offshoot of the Second Presbyterian Society of Auburn, then under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Fowler. Mr. Fowler was an earnest and forcible advocate of the freedom of the slaves, and in his pulpit ministrations gave frequent and full expression to his convictions. It was a time of intense excitement, when armed rebellion confronted the nation and when party lines were tightly drawn, producing wide division in churches as well as in secular organizations. With the anti-slavery views of the pastor the great majority of the congregation participated, resulting in the seccession of the colony that formed the Central Presbyterian Society.

The first organization comprised the following officers: Elders, Lewis Seymour, Peter Burgess, and Josiah P. Bailey; and the first Trustees were: D. M. Osborne, E. G. Storke, H. W. Dwight, Rufus Sargent, Charles P. Wood, D. T. Fowler and David P. Wallis.

The first meetings of the society were held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, then on Genesee street, where they worshiped until their chapel was erected on West Genesee street, costing about $5.000. The purpose had been to carry up the walls of the chapel as means to do so could be secured; but in 1869 the plan was changed, the property sold, a lot procured on William street, and the present church edifice erected. The corner stone was laid August 12th, 1869, and the church was dedicated October 24th, 1870. The cost of the building and grounds was about $40,000, and of the organ $5,000.

Rev. Henry Fowler retained the pastoral care of this church about ten years, when his failing health compelled him to resign, which he did October 31st, 1871. Rev. Henry F. Hickok, of Orange, N. J., was the next pastor, installed October 12th, 1872. He occupied the pulpit with great acceptance until June 30th, 1875, when he resigned and resumed the pastorate of his society in Orange. Rev. Samuel W. Duffield was chosen acting pastor November 1st, 1876, and continued until May, 1878, when Rev. C. C. Hemenway, a licentiate of the Auburn Theological Seminary, was called to the pulpit, and is the present pastor.

The present membership of the church is 331;

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