History of the Vernon United Methodist Church

History of Methodism in Vernon

History of the Vernon United Methodist Church

The Vernon United Methodist Church was built in 1892, and formally opened by Bishop Andrews on March 2, 1893. The church had several distinctive features when it was built, including a skylight in the sanctuary, one large steeple with a bell tower, and two smaller towers offsetting the larger one. The church also had intricate woodwork which was brought out by three-color paint scheme.

In 1948 the church underwent a drastic overhaul. Additional space was added on the north side of the church, including a new kitchen, two bathrooms, and the Torrey Room downstairs, and Sunday School rooms and an additional bathroom upstairs. The two smaller towers were removed, and one entrance closed up to create office space. The skylight was closed off, and white aluminum siding was installed over the fancy woodwork, to give the entire building a more unified and streamlined look.

The church's appearance stayed pretty much the same until the early 1990s when a new entrance and wheelchair accessible ramp were added on the east side, facing the parking lot. Since the mid-1990s we have embarked on a project of historical renovation. Begun under the guidance of Rev. Robert Wollaber, much has been done to restore the architectural beauty of the church possessed when it opened in 1893. The white siding was removed and paint samples were taken to determine the original hues in the three toned color scheme. The entrance that was closed has been added back in, and the interior of the church has also been redecorated. Matching antique chandeliers now provide the lighting in the sanctuary, aided by a stained glass window that was installed where the skylight used to be. The church has now been listed in the National Register of Historic Places-the plaque commemorating this listing is next to the new entrance.

Any church is more than just a building. Despite all the physical changes that the building has undergone, what really counts is the ministry and community that is found inside. Through the pastoral care of all the ministers we have had through the years and the dedication and commitment of members and the congregation, our primary goal is to share God's love and messgage of salvation with each other and our community. At the present time, under the guidance of Rev. Frank Loan, there are several avenues through which this worship takes place. We have a bell choir and an adult choir who provide a ministry of music at Sunday services and in the community. Our various committees, including the Finance Committee, Trustees, Ad Council, Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, and the United Methodist Women work together to keep things running smoothly. We also have a very active Sunday School which keeps us hopeful that ministry at the United Methodist Church of Vernon can continue for many years to come.

History of Methodism in Vernon

Welcome to the page on our website that offers a sense of the Vernon UMC history as a church in this community of central New York State. The following are excerpts from historical data, writings and anecdotal sharing. Please feel welcomed to join us in worship or in mission to become a part of our history, present and future! A Sketch of Vernon Methodism by Rev. William Holmes Bradley, 1932

(Let it be noted the patriarchal language used in the story is taken precisely from the records kept; it is not a reflection of a currently understood method of communication; we do not exclude women from the use of their own names, voices or votes, but rather affirm their leadership in the present day church).

In the search for the beginning of Methodism in Vernon, we must go back to our ecclesiastical mother, the Westmoreland Circuit.

That was, at first, a large territory without center of circumference, like all Methodist circuits of those times. As new settlements were made ad populations increased, new appointments followed and new 'preaching places' as the fathers called them, were established.

When organized, the Westmoreland Circuit had only 152 members. It was first in the Philadelphia Conference, and then in the New York Conference.

The Westmoreland Circuit existed when neither Oneida, Rome nor Utica was mentioned in the records of Methodism. Eventually, Utica became an elder sister of Vernon coming into being in 1812 with 220 members.

In 1827-28, the Vernon charge was formed. There is a lack of clear-ness in the relations of Vernon and Vernon Center, for much of the work was in common, and the preachers were the same until 1839.

When the Vernon Center Society was formed in 1828 the name adopted was "The Vernon Methodist Episcopal Society"; and the first trustees were Josiah Eaton, Daniel Pettibone Hr., and Gideon Todd. They went before the clerk of the country, Jared C. Pettibone, who acknowledged their signatures as officers of the Society.

It is certain that Vernon was a 'preaching place" before 1828. Meetings were held in the Barber school house, and some effort was made to build church in that neighborhood.

The first Methodist preaching in Vernon was in the old Odd Fellows Hall - a brick building use then as a school house, located on Mill Street near Br., Elmer's home. This was prior to 1832. The earliest entry of church business in any book is to be found in an old trustees' book dated 1832. The following is the heading of the page: "Henry James Dr. to the Methodist Society for money received on subscription for building a meeting house in the village of Vernon, for said Society." This is additional evidence that a society existed previous to this date and that a church was needed or its accommodation. The amount of subscription collected appears to be $851.75. Evidently this money was used in a building meeting house on the site where Lyle Adams now lives.

When the village of Vernon was planned, the street which extends from Mill Street, just west of the Baptist parsonage, to Main Street at the point where Mr. Edick's residence now stands, was intended o form a square. A part of the building, located on the Norwest corner of this prospective spare, was later moved to Scondondoa Street and forms a part of the home now occupied by Wilfred Brown.

Mr. Ambrose Wright, father of Mrs. Clinch, and formerly well known here, lived in this place and vouched for this fact.

The earliest list of trustees found on record is dated 1835. The following names are given: William Garton, Il J. Dudley, C. Ten Eyck, Henry Hanes, and Myron Jewell. This list of trustees is continued for three or four years; and some of them were on the Board when the present site was bought.

In 1839 there most have been a reorganization of the Society, and it is probably that Vernon became a separate charge at that time. Up to 1839 the list of preachers was the same for Vernon Center and Vernon, but after that, that date it has varied. An unbroken live of pastor has been preserved.

The close association between Vernon and Vernon Center has always been realized, especially as regards the Quarterly Meeting according to the arrangement of the Conference;

At a meeting of the stewards in 1846 it was resolved:

That we meet alternately at the Center for Quarterly Meeting according to the arrangement of the Conference;
That the preaching be kept up at Oneida Castle every other Sabbath evening;
That there be a special collection to defray the expenses of weed and oil for the church;
That we furnish wood to the preacher by a bee;
That Brother Ten Eyck and Brother F. Smith be a committee to see that the wood is furnished;
That the salary of the preacher be ... $216.00
House rent ... $40.00
Travel and moving ... $25.00
Table expenses by donation ... ------
Total: $218.00

In 1850, at a meeting of the estimating committee they allowed:

Table expenses ... $75.00
Fuel .. $18.00
Travel ... $25.00
Total: $118.00

Additional grants were allowed for each child, ranging from $16.00 to $22.00 apiece.

It has been said, that many time the wood was so green that, when it burned at one end of the stick, water ran from the other.

The earliest records show that purchase of candles for lighting the church.

To emphasize the rapid change which takes place in all the way of life, it is only necessary to study these early annals of the Church and note some of the items of expense and some of the methods employed in order to pay the pastor.

In 1841 by purchase form William Garton and Martha, his wife, and in consideration of the sum of $400.00 to them in hand paid, the Society secured the present site. The original lot extended from the corner of land owned and occupied by Luke Hitchcock - eastward 89 feet on Seneca Street. AT that time, there was not North Scondondoa, Street, and 25 feet were taken off to contribute to that street, a record of 1847 also shows that a portion of this lot6 was sold to Thomas Williams.

To quote: "At a meeting of the make member of the M.E. Church, held June 28, 1847, the following resolution was adopted: That trustees we be appointed to sell such part of the Church lot on the east side to Thomas Williams, Jr., as they shall deem best, and upon such terms as they can agree, so as not to render the front of the lot narrower than the part of the lot immediately in front of the Church. On motion the trustees are desired to build a fence in front or to repair the old fence as they may deem best."

Myron Jewell was appointed burying ground trustee.

The deed, dated November 8, 1841, requires that the number of trustees be maintained a five forever: that they must be twenty-one years old, and have been members of the church for one year; also, that the property shall be used by members of the Methodist Church, under the direction of the Conference of said Church.

Soon after this purchase, the church was moved from its first location to the present site. This site, which all admit to be a commanding one, is however the only feature in which the old church property resembled our present church home.

Many can remember the church lines of the old church with several steps leading up to a large front platform, each end serving as a horseblock for arriving and departing attendants. From the center of the front rose a small tower crowned with four points. The church was painted white, with green blinds.

Entering through the vestibule to the auditorium, one was greeted by the warmth of a large stove on either side; and these corners were poplar lingering places after a cold walk or ride.

At the pulpit end, on each side, was a large square pew - the left one being devoted to the choir. It was from this corner, one Sunday morning, October 23, 1864, that two of the singers stepped quietly out before the preacher and were made man and wife. They were Mr. and Mrs. George D. Torrey.

Previous to the year 1863, the society did not have a parsonage. In that year, a house was bought. It was located on Verona Street, on the site now occupied by the residence of Miss Alice Sherman. From here the building was moved and can now be seen at the food of Scondondoa Street facing Front Street. On Verona Street it was occupied by all the succeeding pastors until 1885, when it was sold and the proceeds, together with added subscriptions, were applied to the purchase of the present site on South Sconondoa Street, and in the building thereon of a comfortable and conveniently arranged parsonage. This residence was occupied the spring following and is a valuable addition to the church property.

The old church structure had long been inadequate to afford the comfort and accommodation which the church member ship required. The vision of a new church edifice first appreared to a group of young women, known as the Young Women's Improvement Society, who toiled untiringly to make their vision come true. Comfortables were tied, lecture and high-grade entertainments were given; and some still remember how arts ached from turning ice cream freezers twice a week to serve appreciative crowds, who gathered in the rented parlors located where the Steel Block now stands - this being the only place in Vernon where ice cream could be purchased in those days. The first money for the new church was earned by these young women.

The older member of the church, at first amused, gradually became interested. When George Gary, the strong man of Vernon Methodism, was called home, he bequeathed the sum of $3,000.00 for a new church, provided that an additional $4,000.00 be secured by individual subscription. With this encouragement, the decision to rebuild was made.

George Gary was the son of Dr. George Gary, of pioneer fame. It may be of interest to recall that this Dr. George Gary was of outstanding character in the annals of early Methodism. Dr. Dempster, of Garrett Biblical Institute refers to him as entering the itinerant ministry at an early age and receiving ordination at the hands of the venerable Bishop Frances Asbury. He was gifted with a rare and pleasing eloquence which he used most effectively in his Master's service. It is recorded by numerous writer of early Methodism that he often held vast audiences spellbound under the ardor of his messages. He was elected a delegate to General Conference on many occasions, and at the last General Conference he attended he received a large support for the off ice of Bishop. He as for a time Presiding Elder (as the District Superintendents were then called), of the old Oneida District, and of interest to many Vernon people in the fact that in the Gary home two mile south of Vernon, Bishop Elijah Hedding baptized and named Frances Asbury Torrey, brother of George Torrey. In 1891, Rev. W. F. Purington, experienced in church building, took up the task of raising the necessary money. Due to his enthusiastic energy, assisted by the hearty cooperation of the members and friends of the church went forward to completion.

The architect's plans were faithfully carried out by the contractor and builder, James M. Brown, to whom great credit is due, not only for out beautiful church but for may other attractive buildings in Vernon.

The new church was formally opened by Bishop Andrews, who said he was glad to be there and to speak, because in his youth, he was the companion and playmate of him whose liberality had made possible the building of the church. By his venerable father, the Rev. Dr. George Gary, the Bishop had been baptized. One of his earliest recollections was of going on Christmas Day to the Gary home, where he spent the afternoon in watching the horses treading out grain on the barn floor.

The Bishop took for his text the wonderful growth of the grain of the mustard seed. He sketched briefly the condition of Christianity at the time when Columbus discovered America, and by contrasting it with its present condition showed that its growth had been even more wonderful than that of the mustard seed.

After the address by Bishop Andrews came the singing of the dedication hymn. This feature was especially enjoyed as the hymn was written by a native of the village, Miss Clara E. Ward, and the music for it was arranged by another native, Mrs. F. D. Walter, both of whom were at that time attending Syracuse University.

In 1998 the church became a 'Historic Registry Building" and its maintenance is, the beauty to glorify God, is a part of our ministry. Be sure to visit the About UMC part of the website that is devoted to the symbols in our sanctuary. Praise be to God!