Early History of the Oxford United Methodist Church
From the Annals of Oxford, New York with illustrations & biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and early pioneers. Compiled, edited and published by Henry J. Galpin. Oxford, N. Y. Times Book and Job Printing House, 1906. Copyright 1906 by Henry J. Galpin. All rights reserved.

See the Gospel Church secure,
And founded on a Rock!
All her promises are sure;
Her bulwarks who can shock?
--- CHARLES WESLEY.

Methodist Episcopal Church.
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Methodism in Oxford sprung up as it as it did everywhere in those early days, probably through the efforts of the circuit rider. As near as can be learned its beginning in Oxford dates about the year 1815, and that two years later an organization was effected in what is now known as the VAN WAGENEN barn, and the building still remains on the premises of Mrs. Lemuel BOLLES on Albany street. In this building, and at the homes of the members of the society, they gathered for worship until the society was incorporated, September 24, 1831. The church records contain the following reference to the organization at that time.

"The male persons of full age belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church in the village of Oxford met at the Academy in said village, where they steadily attended for divine worship, … for the purpose of electing nine discreet persons as trustees, to take charge of the estate and property of the said church and to transact all affairs relating to the temporalities thereof."

The preacher in charge, Rev. James ATWELL, presided at the meeting, and was assisted by William E. CHAPMAN. Bliss WILLOUGHBY, Nathaniel WILLCOX, Caleb SEBURY, Everett JUDSON, Gardner B. LEWIS, Elias WIDGER, William E. CHAPMAN, George H. KING, and Daniel DUDLEY were elected trustees.

Shortly after they purchased the old Academy building on the corner of Merchant's (street) Row and Green street, long since destroyed by fire. They worshipped there until 1841, when the present edifice was erected under the pastorate of Rev. William P. PEARNE, brother of Mr. B. M. Pearne of this village. Its cost was approximately $3500. The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on June 24th of that year, and the church was formally dedicated to the service of Almighty God January 27, 1842.

The church building still stands, though many times remodeled. The edifice was repaired and improved under the pastorate of Rev. Hiram GEE, in 1856; also during the pastorate of Rev. S. F. BROWN, in 1872, when over $1100 was expended; in 1880, under the pastorate of Rev. L. W. PECK, D. D., when the basement and front was remolded. The front elevated entrance was removed and an inside vestibule built, with steps at either side leading to the auditorium. The cost at this time was about $1100. In 1886-7 the church was entirely remodeled. The exterior was modernized by the removal of the steeple and the erection of a spire and tower. The front entrance was made convenient and artistic. A side entrance was also made on the east side, through the east tower. The old galleries were removed from the interior, and the church otherwise re-arranged as it is to-day. The whole effect was to make it more convenient and to greatly improve the architectural beauty.

The beautiful cathedral glass windows are all memorials of those who have been identified with Oxford Methodism. They were made from designs specially made for this church. Entering the auditorium at the left the first window bears the name of Phebe A. ROOME and Margaret ROOME, the gift of Mr. Henry C. Roome of New York, in memory of his mother and sister. The next window was provided by Mr. and Mrs. W. J. MOSIER, and in addition to their own names it bears the names of two deceased sons. Since that time Mrs. Mosier has gone to her Heavenly home. The next bears the inscription, "In loving memory of Bliss WILLOUGHBY and his descendants." and was provided by Mr. W. D. Willoughby of Oxford. The last on the east side was given by Mr. George P. YORK of Westfield, N. Y., in memory of his grandparents, "Isaac J. STRATTON and Rachel, his wife." Passing across the room and returning toward the door, the first window is the gift of Mr. Charles B. DUDLEY of Altoona, Pa., in honor of his parents, Daniel and Maranda Dudley. The next bears the names of John and Mary E. LORD, and was the gift of Mrs. Irene Lord of Oxford. The next is a husband's tribute to the memory of his departed wife, and was the gift of Mr. George RECTOR of Blue Earth City, Minn., and bears the name of Sarah Rector. The last is in memory of the sainted colored sister, known as Aunt Sally SANNICK. It was provided for by the income of a bequest she made to the trustees of the society.

What life was in the early days of the society is best described by Sister Eliza P. EATON, the oldest member in both actual years of membership as well as age. Mrs. Eaton is now about eighty-eight years of age, but her memory retains a strong grasp upon the events relating to the church in the period when she joined, about 1838. She said the Methodist revival meetings were usually dubbed "the crazy meetings." Owing to the strong antipathy her friends had to these meetings, she and her friends would steal into them. In this way she became converted and finally joined the church. In those days there were times of trouble with ministers. One instance was that of Rev. John BAILEY, who while preacher in charge of this church was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in Greene. Sectarian lines were very closely drawn in those days, and the discovery that the pastor was sureptitiously (sic) preparing for the Protestant Episcopal ministry caused a sensation. He was speedily discharged from his duties on the advise of Rev. Leonard BOWDISH, pastor of the church at Norwich. Another pastor had certain eccentricities, which at times gave the female members of the congregation much concern.

One of the ablest men who had presided over the church was Rev. William WYATT, pastor in 1847. Rev. Mr. Wyatt, in his memoirs, discourses interestingly about his experiences in Oxford. The most important incident was the conversion of Judge McKOON. The incident is best related in Mr. Wyatt's own words:

"Judge McKoon, one of the best and most prominent lawyers in the place, had formerly attended the Episcopal Church, of which his wife was a member. He now came to our church. One evening after preaching we gave an invitation to any who wanted religion to come to the altar for prayers. Five or six little boys came out and occupied the seat; no one else came. The Judge was in the congregation and deeply penitent. He had made up his mind to go forward that night and seek the Lord, but when he saw those little children take the place his resolution well nigh failed him. It was a matter of surprise and talk among all the people that he should leave the Episcopalians and join himself to the Methodists; it drew the attention of the whole community. He said to himself: 'An ex-judge of the county, where I have presided for a long time, a prominent lawyer at the bar, a man full fifty years old, and go forward and seek God with those little children.' This caused a great struggle. He had tried many causes, given judgment in intricate and difficult cases, but a case so difficult, yet so important in its findings and issues had never been brought before him. He stood on trial before the bar of his own conscience. It was to him not a matter of dollars and cent to be estimated by the usual standard of loss and gain, but a matter of life and death. … Judge McKoon went forward that night, found the Lord, and became a power in the church."

Mr. Wyatt, in his book, referred to Oxford as a village with one hundred and seventy dwellings, but they were eastern people brought up in the land of steady habits and all taught to go to church, which most of them did. The churches were all filled every Lord's day with a very intelligent and well disposed people. He also preached at a place called "South Woods" (now South Oxford, or the Basswood Meeting House), and at "Norwich Hill" (now called North Guilford). Several young men were sent out from this church to preach the gospel, among whom were Otis KNIGHT and Orville MEAD, the latter being a grandson of Everett JUDSON, one of the first trustees of the church.

The following list includes all the pastors of the church since 1827: Henry PECK, 1828; --- MANSFIELD, 1829; John SNYDER, 1830: James ATWELL, 1831; William BOWDISH and --- STOWELL, 1832; Henry HALSTEAD, who was the first stationed pastor, 1833-4; John BAILEY, 1835; Lyman SPERRY, 1836-7; George HARMON, an eccentric yet powerful man, 1838-9; Jared C. RANSOM, a great revivalist in his day, 1839-40; William H. PEARNE, D. D., 1841-2; Lyman SPERRY, 1843-4; William BIXBY, 1844-5; L. L. KNOX, 1846; William WYATT, 1847-8; Bostwick HAWLEY, D. D., 1849; Zechariah PADDOCK, D. D., 1850; Solon STOCKING, 1851-2; A. S. GRAVES, 1852-3; J. T. WRIGHT, 1854; Hiram GEE, 1855-6; L. H. STANLEY, 1857; A. T. MATTISON, 1858-60; William R. COBB, 1860-1; Dwight WILLIAMS, 1862-3; William C. BOWEN, 1864-5; William G. QUEAL, 1866-7; T. P. HALSTEAD, son of Henry Halstead, a former pastor, 1868-70; S. G. BROWN, 1871-2; F. L. HILLER, 1873; H. V. TALBOT, 1874-6; J. K. PECK, A. B., 1876-8; S. C. FULTON, Ph. B., 1878-9; L. W. PECK, D. D., 1880-2; J. W. MEVIS, 1883-5; A. W. COOPER, 1886-91; William G. SIMPSON, William C. FRISBIE, A. H. LITTELL, Henry KILPATRICK, I. N. SHIPMAN, and Frederick A. LENDRUM have been pastors since 1891, in the order named.

The church benefited from time to time from several bequests, from those who had prized it as a church home, and desired to perpetuate its power and influence.

Perhaps it would not be amiss to insert here a reference to the pure life and holy character of the colored sister, Aunt Sally SANNICK. Although a former slave, she was one of the most devout and self-sacrificing members. She was one of the earliest members and died in 1882.