The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 318

the exception of a few months in the early part of 1835, when the Rev. Isaac Bliss performed the duties of that office, the church was without a pastor; but the pulpit was supplied by students from the Auburn Theological Seminary.

In 1833 the Society erected a new house where the Methodist church now stands; but late the following winter it was burned, when meetings were again held in the old church. Within two years from the dedication of the one burned, another was erected on its site and occupied. In the spring of 1837 Rev. James T. Hough, brother of Rev. Justus S. Hough, assumed the pastorate for one year, during which forty members were added. He was succeeded early in 1839 by Rev. John Gosman, D. D., of the Dutch Reformed Church, Classis of Philadelphia.

A few years previous to this many persons had been admitted to membership from the Dutch Reformed churches in Eastern New York, and while "they strengthened and built up the church of their adoption," they retained strong preferences for the "methods and associations" of the Reformed Church. This preference, which had hitherto been latent, this year developed an open and bitter opposition between them and the Presbyterians, resulting in the selection of Dr. Gosman; and ultimately in a division and exhausting litigation in the civil courts for the possession of the house of worship, which the Reformed party held. The Presbyterians chose Rev. D. C. Hopkins, of Brutus, for their pastor, and withdrew to the school-house then occupying the site of the old church in Nauvoo, which had burned down two years before, the Reformed party retaining the services of Dr. Gosman. The courts decided in favor of the Presbyterians, or new-school party, who, in July, 1842, were put in till their dissolution. This violent separation broke the rising strength of the new-school church and established the other under unfavorable circumstances. Mr. Hopkins' connection with the church was severed near the close of 1843, when Rev. Lemuel W. Hamlin became their pastor and remained about six months. During his brief pastorate thirty-three were added to the church on confession. For three years they were without a pastor. In 1846 Rev. Thomas M. Hodgeman began a pastorate of two years. He was the last minister whose stated services they enjoyed.

September 7th, 1850, their church building was sold to the Methodists, who still use it, having a few years since repaired and greatly improved it. May 24th, 1850, the society dissolved.

July 29th, 1840, the old-school party assumed the corporate name of the joint societies, and chose for their pastor Dr. Gosman, who secured his dismission from the Classis of Philadelphia, and was admitted to membership in the Presbytery. November 17th, 1841, they incorporated under the name previously assumed, and from this time till the dissolution of the other society, both organizations bore the same name. Dr. Gosman's pastorate was terminated at his request in February, 1842. When compelled to surrender their house to the other society, meetings were held temporarily in a public hall connected with the Eagle Hotel; and, notwithstanding their resources had been severely taxed by the litigation in which they were involved, measures were at once taken to purchase a site and erect an edifice which was dedicated August 17th, 1843.

Rev. Robert Finley, then a recent graduate from Princeton Theological Seminary, succeeded to the pastorate, and was installed this same year. August 17th, 1845, Mr. Finley was released from his charge by act of the Presbytery. September 9th, 1845, Rev. Wm. Theo. Van Doren, who had spent several years as missionary on the island of Java, accepted a call. The 11th of August, 1848, a joint request of the pastor and congregation was prepared asking for his release.

Geo. C. Heckman, who had just graduated from Princeton, was now recommended to the Church, and on the 23rd of October following, a unanimous call was extended him. His pastorate witnesses the liquidation of the remaining debt of $763 on the church building; the purchase from Archibald Green of the old parsonage near Masonic Hall, with its grounds outbuildings, for $1,600, and the extinguishment, April 26th, 1854, of the indebtedness thus incurred; the repairing and enlargement of the church edifice in 1855, at an expense of $1,800; and the addition of not less then 107 persons to the membership. He dissolved his relations in November, 1856, having accepted a call from the Church at Portage, Wisconsin. He was succeeded in July, 1857, by Rev. A. P. Botsford. April 23rd, 1861, he was released from his charge, and Rev. Franklin D. Harris was installed pastor.

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