H I S T O R Y THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SKANEATELES, NEW YORK Although many Methodists gathered in various places in the Town of Skaneateles prior to the actual formation of the Methodist Church, the first church was erected in 1832 and finished and dedicated in 1833. It was located on Genesee Street where the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is presently. In 1853, Deacon David Hall, a well known figure in the vicinity, gave the Methodists their present building on Jordan Street. He insisted that there be no pew rental, and so put a "FREE SEATS" plaque on the front. With his permission, pews were rented about 1861 for a short time, but ever since 1908 they have been free. The tower was added to the structure in 1868; a balcony and bright colored stain glass windows were also an addition. The year 1957 was a big time for the renovation of the sanctuary and additional church school rooms added where a two story gymnasium had been. In 1960 the top of the tower was removed because it was in need of repair and a danger to people below in high winds. In 1976 the antique pews were reupholstered to celebrate the Bicentennial of the United States. As a celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Village of Skaneateles, in 1983 the congregation and friends of the church contributed funds for the completion of the new tower, which resembled in part the old tower, having four windows facing, north, south, east, and west. In 1996 new front doors, crafted by David Lee, were given in memory of Rob Nichols and other loved ones. We are beginning a capital funds drive which will provide financing for building renovations and improvements. The stewardship of the building continues to be one of the ways this congregation responds to God's call. OUR PASTORAL MINISTRY 1833 Lyman Redding 1834 Jesse T. Peck 1835 Selah Stoking 1836 I. Hutchinson 1836 Joseph Cross 1837 C. W. Harris 1838-39 Vincent Coryell 1840 John E. Robie 1841 Walter Han 1842 Thomas Peaune 1843-44 Isaac Parks 1845-46 John Mitchell 1847-48 Charles D. Burrett 1849 Joseph Hartwell 1850-51 William N. Cobb 1852-53 Oliver Hessler 1854 S. H. Brown 1855-56 E. N. Cuykendall 1857 William Miller 1858-59 Isaac Foster 1860-61 William Searls 1862-63 William N. Burr 1864 William Bixby 1865-66 Mervin S. Wells 1867-69 Thomas J. Bissell 1870-72 William Reddy 1873-75 Richard Redhead 1876-78 George S. White 1879-80 Loren Eastwood 1881-83 Andrew Row 1884 Edward J. Hermens 1885-1887 Rueben C. Fox 1888-92 WesleyMason 1893-94 S. Edson Rhodes 1895-96 W. S. H. Hermanns 1897-00 Lyford S. Boyd 1901-05 Calvin L. Cornell 1906-08 James V. Benham 1909-13 Howard R. Rixon 1914-15 John C. Nichols 1915-18 Cassius Myers 1918 Listen Pearce 1918-21 Alfred Taylor 1921-24 Harold Steams 1924-27 Thomas W Williams 1927-30 George W. Hiney 1930-34 Fredrick W. Williams 1934-38 Harold E. Steer 1938-40 Harry Stubbs 1940-45 C. Philip Torrence 1945-47 Raymond H. Huse 1947-49 Howard Buies 1949-52 George Dolch 1952-59 Cuthbert R. Rowe 1959-65 John W. Annas* 1965-69 Donald L. Roe 1969-76 Voigt n. Archer 1976-84 Samuel K. Davis 1984-88 Wenona C. Homer 1988-92 Deborah L. Pritts 1992-95 Mardean K. Moyer 1995-01 Carol A. Keller 2001-present Natalie Scholl *Pastor Emeritus | Home Page | Ministerial Staff | Church History | Church News | Copyright © by The Skaneateles United Methodist Church. Email To: Pastor The space for this Web Site has been provided courtesy of The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church.