A brief history of

First United Methodist Church

Greene, Chenango County, New York, U.S.A.

Methodism began in the Town of Greene when a Class Meeting was formed in 1814 at the house of Benjamin Townsend, about four miles below the village. In 1817 the place of holding meetings was changed to the house of Abel Norton, two miles below the village, near the Genegantslet bridge.

On July 7, 1827, a subscription paper was started reading as follows:

"Whereas, the Methodist Episcopal Society in the town of Greene and its vicinity propose to erect a meetinghouse or church in the village of Greene, therefore we whose names are hereunto subscribed agree to pay to the trustees of said society the several sums by us subscribed, one half of which shall be payable when the house is raised and enclosed, and the remaining half when it shall be completed and painted. The house to be the usual size for a country church, with a suitable tower, or steeple." Many of the subscriptions were to be paid in work, stone, lumber, grain, and stock. On September 25, 1827, the society met at the house of Benjamin Jackson for the purpose of incorporating. The corporate name of the society is "The First Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of Greene."

    This first building was built in 1828 and was the first church structure erected in the Town of Greene.

    It was twice repaired, the last time in 1873. Over the process of time this building became somewhat dilapidated.

    The 1828 building was replaced in 1891-92, at a cost of $4,200. The church was dedicated Thursday, April 14, 1892, with sermons by Revs. E.B. Olmstead and L.M. Vernon, D.D.

    One significant feature of the present structure is the existence of the original 1828 post-and-beam 'box' forming the frame of the current sanctuary. The original 1828 slate roof is still present beneath the current roof.

    In 1962 major renovations included a building addition which allowed greater Sunday School space on the second floor, and the remodeling and expansion of the social room on the sanctuary level.

    In mid-1975 the sanctuary was renovated, with the addition of an expanded Narthex and new stairway to the second floor Sunday School/ meetings rooms.

    In 1997 there was a major renovation of the second floor Sunday School / meeting rooms and Church Office. This renovation updated and moved the Nursery to the beginning of the hallway, updated and moved the church office to make it more accessible, established 'youth' rooms and renovated each of the other Sunday School / meeting rooms.

The preceding includes material adapted from
The Centennialan: 100 Years of Service 1828-1928

    The First United Methodist Church in Greene continues to be a vital part of the Wyoming Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. United Methodism is a Protestant denomination with its roots in the Anglican tradition of the Church of England.

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Last Updated: July 15, 2006