Marilla
New York
Add an Article
Add an Event
Edit
Greenfield First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church History:
The origin of the Greenfield First Presbyterian Church can be traced to 1802 when the first church services in the vicinity were held by two itinerant Presbyterian ministers in the open on a Buckskin township farm.
For almost two decades, the faithful worshipped with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Hop Run, about a mile east of town. Doctrinal disputes erupted. Dissenters banded together and petitioned the Chillicothe Presbytery for their own congregation. Dr. Samuel Crothers, pastor of the Hop Run church (1811-1818), was invited to pastor the new congregation. He accepted, and on June 24, 1820 the First Presbyterian Church was organized with 60 charter members. I would not be until 1892 that the church was granted letters of incorporation by the state.
Construction of a new meeting house began immediately on the north end of the “Old Burial Ground.” The stone building, completed in 1821, was the first church building within the town limits. During construction, the congregation worshipped in a nearby open grove. In 1855 a new two story brick church building replaced the old one on the same site.
Dr. Crothers laid a firm religious foundation. He pastured the church with its many responsibilities, was active in the anti-slavery and prohibition movements, and trained young men for the ministry until his death in 1856. in 1863 his son, the Rev. Samuel Dickey Crothers, was installed as pastor. The Crothers pastured the church for a total of 72 years.
Presbyterians were required to walk a fin line during the nineteenth century. Offenses included over indulgence on “spirituous liquors”, “Sabbath desecration”, profanity, belonging to secret societies, and numerous other “sins.” Elders of the church met each Saturday with offenders whom they admonished for their sins. Offenders were required to confess publicly during worship service the following day. Failure to comply resulted in suspension from church privileges until they were redeemed by evidence of “contrite repentance.”
Growth of the congregation called for a larger and more centrally located meeting house. The present magnificent building (pictured), made of native Greenfield stone and Bedford rock, was opened on April 3, 1903 for a recital on the grand pipe organ. Priceless windows of Tiffany Favrile glass and a beautiful art glass skylight adorned the sanctuary.
Membership reached its peak in 1927 with an enrollment of 779, and a Sunday School of 378. Today there are about 160 “active” members and about 125 “inactive,” with about 70 in the Sunday School. The church has sent forth more than nineteen ministers and missionaries. Fourteen ministers (excluding “interims”) have pastored the church. Pastor Clinton W. Tolbert presently shepherds the flock.
Women have always had a central role even before the Women’s Missionary Society organized in 1873. Today Presbyterian Women continue to serve the church and give generously to mission projects. Women also lead the congregation as elders, deacons and teachers.
Youth groups, today known as “Kids for Christ,” have been active for more than a century. The church also ministers to Greenfield children through the First Presbyterian Nursery School.
The church serves the community by accommodating various religious and secular organizations and activities. In fact, the local Food Pantry originated in the church basement.
The origin of the Greenfield First Presbyterian Church can be traced to 1802 when the first church services in the vicinity were held by two itinerant Presbyterian ministers in the open on a Buckskin township farm.
For almost two decades, the faithful worshipped with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Hop Run, about a mile east of town. Doctrinal disputes erupted. Dissenters banded together and petitioned the Chillicothe Presbytery for their own congregation. Dr. Samuel Crothers, pastor of the Hop Run church (1811-1818), was invited to pastor the new congregation. He accepted, and on June 24, 1820 the First Presbyterian Church was organized with 60 charter members. I would not be until 1892 that the church was granted letters of incorporation by the state.
Construction of a new meeting house began immediately on the north end of the “Old Burial Ground.” The stone building, completed in 1821, was the first church building within the town limits. During construction, the congregation worshipped in a nearby open grove. In 1855 a new two story brick church building replaced the old one on the same site.
Dr. Crothers laid a firm religious foundation. He pastured the church with its many responsibilities, was active in the anti-slavery and prohibition movements, and trained young men for the ministry until his death in 1856. in 1863 his son, the Rev. Samuel Dickey Crothers, was installed as pastor. The Crothers pastured the church for a total of 72 years.
Presbyterians were required to walk a fin line during the nineteenth century. Offenses included over indulgence on “spirituous liquors”, “Sabbath desecration”, profanity, belonging to secret societies, and numerous other “sins.” Elders of the church met each Saturday with offenders whom they admonished for their sins. Offenders were required to confess publicly during worship service the following day. Failure to comply resulted in suspension from church privileges until they were redeemed by evidence of “contrite repentance.”
Growth of the congregation called for a larger and more centrally located meeting house. The present magnificent building (pictured), made of native Greenfield stone and Bedford rock, was opened on April 3, 1903 for a recital on the grand pipe organ. Priceless windows of Tiffany Favrile glass and a beautiful art glass skylight adorned the sanctuary.
Membership reached its peak in 1927 with an enrollment of 779, and a Sunday School of 378. Today there are about 160 “active” members and about 125 “inactive,” with about 70 in the Sunday School. The church has sent forth more than nineteen ministers and missionaries. Fourteen ministers (excluding “interims”) have pastored the church. Pastor Clinton W. Tolbert presently shepherds the flock.
Women have always had a central role even before the Women’s Missionary Society organized in 1873. Today Presbyterian Women continue to serve the church and give generously to mission projects. Women also lead the congregation as elders, deacons and teachers.
Youth groups, today known as “Kids for Christ,” have been active for more than a century. The church also ministers to Greenfield children through the First Presbyterian Nursery School.
The church serves the community by accommodating various religious and secular organizations and activities. In fact, the local Food Pantry originated in the church basement.