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The Methodist Churches in Potsdam
Methodism in Potsdam dates to the formal organization of a Methodist Society on November 12, 1820. Potsdam Methodists have since worshiped in three church buildings.
"The White Church" was built shortly after organization. It sat at the corner of Main and Park (the present firehouse site). Pictures show it as a small simple building, but it was host to the Black River Conference sessions in 1837, 1844, and 1857.
By 1840 Methodism was the largest dnomination in the US. It grew rapidly in Potsdam as well. As such, it outgrew "The White Church". Thus in 1860, a large new brick church building was built at the other end of the block: the cornor of Main and Union. "The Brick Church" hosted conference sessions in 1865 (Black River) and 1867 (Northern New York).
Early in the 20th Century, the congregation decided that an even newer building was needed. On August 21, 1903, Rev. John N. Miller and the congregation laid the cornerstone of our present building. The congregation continued to worship in the "Brick Church" while the new church, made of granite (Gouverneur marble), was being built behind it. Worship in the completed "Sunday School Room" (now the Fellowship Hall) began July 10, 1904.
The sanctuary was dedicted March 22, 1908. The first services in it were held that day. Rev. Jabez Stallwood arranged for guest speakers for the three services.
The present building hosted annual conference sessions in 1909, 1933, and 1967 annual conferences -Northern New York Conference (Potsdam United Methodist Bulletin, March 23, 2008).
View photos of 3/23/08 Centennial service and artifact display
Sanctuary's Second Century Commences
On March 22, 1908, after a few years of worshiping in what is now called Fellowship Hall, The Potsdam Methodist Episcopal Church held its first service in its new "auditorium" or "sanctuary".
Throughout the years, the church's name has changed twice. Both changes were because the denomination changed its name. In 1939 the church became the Potsdam Methodist Church. In 1968 we became the Potsdam United Methodist Church.
However, that sanctuary continued to be home to the hymns, prayers, and sacraments of generations of Potsdam residents and the place where 21 different pastors have attempted - admittedly with varying degrees of success - to inspire those generations. Thus, this Easter (2008) marks the 100th anniversary of the sanctuary and as such is the beginning of the second century of worship services in it! (The Trumpeter, Volume 188, Issue 9, March 2008)
A Century of Pastors 1908 - 2008
1896 - 1905 John N. Miller*
1905 - 1906 John Briggs*
1906 - 1912 Jabez Stallwood
1912 - 1915 Stephen T. Dribble
1915 - 1918 Fred R. Griffiths
1918 - 1925 Matthew Sill
1925 - 1931 Roy Sheffield
1931 - 1934 John Redmond
1934 - 1942 Dean Richardson
1942 - 1943 Howard Moses
1943 - 1948 Paul Roy
1948 - 1953 Wendell Carter
1953 - 1955 Robert Jones
1955 - 1961 Merle O. Brown
1961 - 1976 William Caldwell
1976 - 1978 Donald Robinson
1978 - 1983 Paul Mills
1983 - 1989 W. Russell Clark
1989 - 1999 Samuel K. Davis
1999 - 2004 Gary Rhodehamel
2004 - 2007 Mary Guy
2007 - 20-- James E. Barnes II
* Rev. Miller served at the time construction began and when worship began in the Sunday School Room (now Fellowship Hall). Rev. Briggs also served during construction of the present day Potsdam United Methodist Church.
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