The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 319
Mr. Harris resigned his charge in the summer of 1866. Rev. A. C. Reed followed and infused into the languishing energies of the Church a new vitality. During his pastorate The Ladies' Christian Association of the Presbyterian Church of Port Byron was organized by his wife, with five members, November 27th, 1872, and "is still maintained with excellent results."
During the year ending April 7th, 1868, the old parsonage and its grounds were sold; and the eligible grounds now occupied were purchased of Ira Peck, and a new and commodious parsonage erected, the whole costing $4,500. In the autumn of 1871, the house of worship was repaired, altered and refurbished, at a cost of $4,329, only about $700 of which remains unpaid.
In the summer of 1873, Mr. Reed relinquished his charge, much to the regret of the people.
The present pastor, Rev. V. A. Lewis, commenced his pastoral labors near the close of 1873.
Mrs. C. B. Newton, a former member of this church, has now charge of a mission school at Lahore, North India.
The present membership of the church is 138. The number enrolled in the Sunday school and Bible classes at the last report to the Presbytery was 250. There are in the permanent church library eighty-five volumes; and in the Sunday school library, 300 volumes. The whole amount on record contributed by the church for foreign missions is $1,761.40; for home missions, $928.50.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN PORT BYRON was organized May 18th, 1830, with a membership of forty-eight; forty-one of whom were dismissed for the purpose from the church in Throopsville, and the other seven, as is supposed, for a like purpose, from other churches. Of the original members only three are living, viz: George W. Milliner and wife, Fanny, and Mrs. Caleb Wood, all in Port Byron. The first pastor was Elder John Jeffries, who continued his labors about two years. During the second year of his ministry forty-three were added to the membership. The second pastor was Elder Roswell Osburn, who took the pastoral care in 1832, and remained one year. He was succeeded by Elder Isaac Bucklin, either as pastor or temporary supply, probably the latter, as he was soon after excluded from the church in Sennett. In October, 1834, Elder T. H. Green assumed the pastoral relation, remaining one year. In this year a lot was purchased near the center of the village, and a brick edifice, 40 by 52 feet, was erected, at a cost of $2,806. In 1874 about $500 was spent in refitting and modernizing it. It will seat about 400 persons. Previous to this the meetings of the society were held in a building known as the "Old Boat House," situated in the west part of the village.
The next pastor was Elder L. J. Reynolds, who entered upon his labors in 1836, and remained till his death, nearly two years after. He was succeeded by Elder S. Knapp, who remained two years, and was followed in 1840 by Elder H. F. Davis, in the commencement of whose labors the church was blessed with a revival, by which fourteen were added by baptism and thirteen by letter. In 1842 Elder W. R. Webb became pastor. During his ministrations the membership was considerably increased by baptism and letter. Elder W. Frary succeeded him in 1843, and also remained one year. Under his labors the church experienced "the most extensive and powerful revival over enjoyed during any period of her history. Sixty-three were added by baptism and seventeen by letter."
In 1844 Elder John Jeffries entered upon a second pastorate, which he continued till death closed his labors in 1846. He was succeeded by Elder B. W. Capron, who remained about three years. After the departure of Mr. Capron, the services of Elder E. Dean were secured as temporary supply. About the last of February, 1850, Elder A. Russell Belden was called to aid in a series of meetings, which were continued about four weeks, resulting in about sixty expressing "a hope in the pardoning mercy of God." The next pastor was Elder V. B. Vrooman, who entered upon his labors about the 1st of April, 1850. Under his faithful and judicious labors the prosperity of the church was largely increased. He was succeeded in 1854 by Elder Wm. C. Phillips. Elder Israel Wilkinson was the pastor in 1857; Elder J. J. Grundy, in 1861; Elder John Reynolds, in 1864; and Elder J. A. Howd, in 1866. In 1868 and 1869 the church was without a pastor. Elder A. Maynard took the laboring oar in 1870, and continued that and the succeeding
|
Return to the Index of The History of Cayuga County
1789-1879 by Elliott Storke
Return to the Cayuga County NYGenWeb Project Home
Page