The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 262
Early Settlements / Town of Sterling

is subject to frequent inundation from the backing of the lake water.

THE ASSOCIATED REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, the first church in the town, was organized at Sterling Valley in 1817 of '18, in the old log tavern kept by John Cooper, the most prominent ones then connected with it being David McFarland and Samuel King, Elders, and John and George Cooper, John and Hugh McFadden and Isaac Turner. Their church edifice was built in 1828, and an addition built to it some two years since. The first settled pastor was Rev. David Curry, who maintained pastoral relations with the Church for fifty years, and died in the town a short time since, having previously given up the ministry. He was succeeded by Rev. John Edgar, who remained about ten years, and gave place to the present pastor, Rev. Mr. Hume, who entered upon his duties about two years since. The Church is in a prosperous condition and has a membership of 150. It has a flourishing Sunday school, with an attendance of about 125.

THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STERLING CENTER, was organized about 1820, with some thirty members, among whom were Alex. Mc Crea, Alex. Mc Fadden, John Scott, Robt. M. Stewart, James Erwin, Thos. Cox, Samuel King and Andrew Galey. The organization was effected in a school-house which stood where the Methodist church now stands. The first meetings were held in 1815, in a school-house in Sterling Valley, and were conducted by Revs. Alex. Milligan, Cannon and others. Even after the organization the meetings were held in the valley for many years. Their first house of worship was built in 1828. It is now owned by "Big" Smith, and used as a dwelling-house. In 1851, the present house in Sterling Center was erected, at a cost of $1,600. It will seat 250 persons. The first settled pastor was Rev. Wm. L. Roberts, who previously supplied the pulpit at an early day. He was succeeded by Rev. Matthew Wilkin in 1856, having served a faithful pastorate of thirty years. He removed to Ohio, where he died. Wilkin remained about twelve years, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel R. Gilbreath, who remained only a year and a half, when he was appointed missionary to Assyria, where he died. The present pastor, Rev. J. T. Allen, succeeded him in the fall of 1876. The society numbers seventy; and the attendance at Sabbath-school is about seventy-five.

THE M. E. CHURCH OF MARTVILLE was organized about 1830, and built their house of worship about 1842. The latter was torn down in 1875 with a view to rebuilding, but no building has yet been erected. Meetings are held in the school-house. The present pastor lives in Bethel, in the town of Ira.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF STERLING, at Sterling Center, was organized October 2d, 1841, in the school-house in Sterling Center. A society known by the above name was organized several years previously, at the house of Joseph Bunnell,. one and one-half miles north-east of the Center, and a few years thereafter their place of meeting was changed to the town of Hannibal, after which it took the name of that town.

Forty-one members were dismissed from the church in Hannibal to form this. The first pastor was Rev. T. H. Green, who perfected the organization. During the first year of the existence of the society twenty-five were added to its membership by baptism, ten by letter, and one by experience. The building of their chuirch edifice was commenced in the spring of 1842, but owing to pecuniary embarrassments and the loss by fire of a quantity of lumber, which was a serious hindrance, it was not completed till 1845, the first meeting being held in it on the first Sabbath in April of that year. In January, 1845, the pastor was assisted by Revs. I. Lawton and D. Foot, in a series of revival meetings, which resulted in the addition of eleven by baptism and fifteen by letter. Elder Green closed his labors with the church May 26th, 1850, and was immediately succeeded by Rev. A. R. Palmer, who was granted a letter of dismission July 5th, 1851. During the remaining half of 1851, the church was ministered to by Elders M. Shaw, Plumb, Green and I. R. Nesbit, the latter from Rochester University. The pulpit was afterwards filled for a short time by Elder Peevit, who tendered his resignation March 6th, 1852. June 6th, 1852, a call was extended to Elder G. A. Ames, and September 12th, 1852, he commenced his labors among them. He was succeeded April 5th, 1856, by Elder Ira Dudley; and in August, 1858, by Rev. Samuel Smith. September 17th, 1859, a call was extended to Rev. Thomas H. Green; and in October, 1864, to

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