HomeMy WebLinkAboutbaptist church history september pdf1
September 20, 2024
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ENFIELD CENTER
Written for and by the Church - 175th Anniversary 9/13/1992 – Jean Owens, used in part
for Chapter 12 Religion by Helen Smith and Sue Thompson Enfield New York Christian Hill to
Enfield Falls, The Town of. Enfield, NY. Enfield Historical Society and Sue Thompson 2002.
Updated Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian. September 2017
As Enfield was part of the town of
Ulysses until March 16, 1821, for a few
years the church was called the First
Ulysses Church. On April 5, 1817, a
meeting of Baptist brethren was held at
the home of Judah Baker. Elder John
Lewis was chosen moderator and
Chester Coburn, clerk. Other meetings
were held May 3, 1817 and May 17,
1817. A council met July 2, 1817, at the
home of Elder John Lewis. It voted into
membership the following people (See
People at end of document for more
history on these people):
Elder John Lewis, Isaac Beach,
Chester Coburn, Jonathan Rolfe, John
Hanford, Obadiah Baker, Stephen Mead,
Israel Mead, Foster Updike, William
Boughton, Susannah Lovell, Jerusha
Burgess, Poly Hanford Eliza Coburn, Nancy Updike
Hila Cuykendall, Olly Burgess, Rachael Osburn, Sally Burgess, Sally Putman, Mary
Cuykendall, Ada Sage, Lucinda Lewis, Betsy Beach, Anna Boughton, Sarah Lyon.
The church held its first covenant meeting July 5, 1817, and voted to adopt the
12th Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans as its church covenant. Chester Coburn was
elected clerk and John Lewis was invited to become the first Pastor.
It was voted that if any member failed to attend the covenant he should be dealt
with as a transgressor. The church met for communion service once every three months
and a covenant meeting was held the first Saturday in each month. A meeting was held
August 6, 1817, at the home of Jonathan Rolfe, when Isaac Beach and Chester Coburn
were elected Deacons.
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The church united with the Cayuga Association
in 1817. It united with the Seneca Association in
1824. The name of the church was changed
May 5, 1830, to the First Baptist Church of
Enfield.
In 1842 a comfortable house of worship was
completed in Enfield Center (174 Enfield Main
road) at a cost of $1,300.00.
The first church bell in the town of Enfield was
hung in the belfry in April 1870. The Church bell
was sold during the early 2000’s when the
church built a new church in 2000 at 162 Enfield
Main Road.
The parsonage was built in 1877 at an expense
of about $1,500.00 (144 Enfield Main Road). It
was sold in 1947.
In 1881, the church was moved across the road
and rebuilt where it now stands (174 Enfield
Main Road).
At a covenant meeting held on April 9, 1887, the
Reverend L.M. Gates was invited to become Pastor and it was reported that Brother
Brewer has come to terms with the new minister. The salary was to be $35.00 per month,
the use of the parsonage, a sociable for his benefit, and all the butter he needed for his
family use.
At the regular covenant meeting on January 11, 1902, there were just 11 present.
The meeting was one of unusual interest and spirituality, and throughout there was a
strong feeling of unity, although there were but eleven present." After the covenant
meeting there was held the annual business meeting. Deacon Whipple was elected
chairman and Edgar Brewer clerk. The treasurer reported taking in $13.55 from a special
entertainment (moving pictures). Later in the meeting, "After due deliberation it was
unanimously voted for the clerk to inform Brother Woodbury that it was the opinion and
the vote of the church that the present Pastorate cease at the close of the year--May 20,
1902, and that this action was taken not from any unfriendliness of the church toward him
but for the good of the cause. And that the action was taken thus early so as to give him
ample time to secure another field of labor."
During the monthly covenant meeting held August 8, 1914, the Ladies Missionary
Society was organized. It was noted, "Thanks be to God we are waking up to the
realization of our duty to our brother man whether he be in our church or community or
whether he or she is 10,000 miles away..."
In 1917, the church entertained the Seneca Baptist Association to commemorate
its one hundredth anniversary. At the first annual meeting, January 17, 1917, the
following were elected to office:
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Trustees - Leon Tucker, Dana Tubbs, Frank Stevenson
Treasurer - Frank Stevenson
Clerk - Charles F. Smith
Organist - Mrs. Fred D. Rumsey
Chorister - Merill Curry
Deacons - E.C. Curry, Leon Tucker, Harvey Stevenson
Deaconesses - Mrs. Charles F. Smith, Mrs. Fred D. Rumsey
A significant measure that was adopted at this meeting was that of an associate
membership of the church. The church voted to accept a member from another
denomination into associate membership.
There were 59 members of the church in 1917.
In 1927, when Reverend Dutton S. Peterson1 was Pastor at
Enfield the Enfield Baptist and Methodist churches began
holding joint services, meeting six months of the year in each
church. These united services were held until 1960. Since
then separate services have been held, each church having
its own Pastor.
In 1928, during July and August, we cooperated with
some neighboring churches in putting on a series of vesper
meetings at the Enfield Falls State Park. The attendance
averaged over 1,000 per Sunday. The first Sunday after the
close of the services, the attendance both Methodist and
Baptist was over 100.
1 Peterson, of Odessa, was a New York assemblyman from 1937 to 1942 and a state senator
from 1952 to 1964. He was the only ordained minister to have served simultaneously in the
Senate. A Methodist minister, he served as president of the New York State Council of
Churches. In 1950, he was sent to visit Germany, Italy, and Austria as a representative of the
National Council of Churches and the International Refugee Organization of the United Nations.
He was a decorated U.S. Marine, receiving a Purple Heart. (Glenda Gephart covers southern and
western Schuyler County in her Seneca South column. Contact her at P.O. Box 65, Reading Center,
NY 14876 or glendagephart@htva.net.)
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5
Church Sheds located on the east side of the
road from the church
September 20, 2024
In 1942, the sheds for protection of horses and carriages which stood across the road and
also north of the church were removed. This was the church's 125th anniversary. The
officers were as follows:
Clerk - Pearl Rolfe
Treasurer - Harvey Stevenson
Financial Secretary - Thomas Brown
Missionary Treasurer - Irene Brown
Trustees - Frank Stevenson, A.G.
Boberg, Walter Griffen, John Hansen,
S.H. Stevenson
Deacons - Ward Spencer, Frank
Stevenson
Deaconesses - Cora Rumsey, Susie
Hansen
Finance Committee - Mazzare
Spencer, Harvey Stevenson, Gladys
Carpenter, Roger Brown, Tom Brown,
Warena Ramsey
The Reverend Crippen was Pastor.
The parsonage (144 Enfield Main Road) was sold in 1947 for $4,000.00 the total
net profit from the sale after expenses were taken out was $3,762.94.
In 1954, some of the money from the sale of the parsonage was used to modernize
the church. A new ceiling, hardwood floor, electricity and oil furnace improved the
6
First Baptist Church of Enfield Sesquicentennial
1817 – 1967 Committee (L-R) Jackie Collins,
Warena Ramsey, Roger Brown, Eva Krayniak,
Sarah Jane Michener
First Baptist Church of Enfield
Sesquicentennial 1817 – 1967 Chair, Pastor
and Wife (L – R) Eva, Andrew, Alan Krayniak,
Donald Michener, Jean Krayniak, Shawn
Lovelace, Rev. E.M. Husted, LaNetta Husted
September 20, 2024
appearance and made the church more
comfortable.
On October 2, 1960, the Enfield
Methodist Church sent a letter to the
Baptist Church announcing that they
once again becoming independent. The
letter was signed by Frances Knapp,
Harold Laue, and Jake Smithers, a
committee elected by the Methodist
congregation.
On October 16, 1960, the Baptists
called their first meeting since the
breakup. It was decided that Mrs.
Michener would see to the purchase of
25 hymnals and that she and Mrs.
Lovelace would launch the Sunday
school. It was decided that although the
church worship and Sunday school were
going on their own, the young people should feel free to attend a joint youth group with the
Methodists and they should alternate
churches. The youth counsellors were Mr.
and Mrs. Krayniak from the Baptist Church
and Mr. and Mrs. Knapp from the Methodist
Church. The meeting was closed with Pearl
Rolfe reading a prayer and all joining in with
the Lord's Prayer.
In 1967 the church celebrated its
150th anniversary, the sesqui-centennial.
The church Service was led by the Reverend
Eddie Husted. He served as Pastor from
1966-1971 and again in 1972-1973. The
following served as officers:
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Sesquicentennial 1817 – 1967 Choir (L –
R) Eva Krayniak, Donald Michener,
Andrew, Alan and Jean Krayniak
September 20, 2024
Clerk - Pearl Rolfe
Treasurer - Harvey Stevenson
Financial Secretary - Warena Ramsey
Deacons - George Stark, Ward Spencer,
Roger Brown, Brian Towner, Reginald Collins
Deaconesses - Mildred Stark, SarahJane
Michener, Susie Hansen, Jacqueline Collins,
Pearl Rolfe
Trustees - George Stark, Leon Tucker,
Roger Brown, Ward Spencer, Harvey
Stevenson
Pianist - LaNetta Husted
Sunday School Superintendent - SarahJane
Michener
Secretary of Missions - Pearl Rolfe
The celebration was well attended with a
full church of members and friends. During
the service, those with special memories of
the church shared them. After the service a
dish-to-share was enjoyed at the nearby Grange Hall. Everyone interested came dressed
in 1817 costume.
At the quarterly business meeting of July 12, 1970, Gilbert Lee reported that the
bulletin board in the church yard had once again had the glass knocked out of it. He said
he'd heard that Corning Glass was now
making a clear glass that unbreakable.
Reverend Husted said he would check
into it.
In 1972 the church pews were
dipped and stripped at a business
owned by John Jackson located next to
the church. For several weeks
afterward the congregation held
worship services at Sarah Jane
Michener's home while the pews were
painted and varnished by church
members at the church building.
At a special congregational
meeting held June 10, 1973, proposed
that the James "chip" Willis memorial
funds be used to renovate the upstairs
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of the church, creating two rooms, was well as
making the upstairs safer (the flooring was in
danger of coming down under too much
weight). The work was done and two Sunday
school classes could use the upstairs at the
same time.
Harvey Stevenson was honored at a
special dinner at the Grange Hall celebrating
all the contributions he has made to the church
and the Enfield Community. At the July 31,
1977 meeting, it was decided to put up a sign
on the church itself out of funds from the Irene
Brown memorial fund instead of repairing the
bulletin board way-sign yet again.
In 1985, the emergency food distribution
held at the church had grown to the point of
serving 80 families regularly. Pastor Cynthia
Ikuta moved her from Ithaca home to one on
Bostwick Road. Many church members
furnished trucks and labors to help her move.
We all shared in a dish-to-pass on their new front lawn after the move was complete.
The food distribution moved out of the church to the nearby Enfield Community
Building (the former Firehouse) in 1990 when the number of families being served rose to
the level that 10,000 lbs of food was distributed to nearly 600 people per month.
The church incorporated, changing its name to "The First Baptist Church of Enfield
Center".
In 1992, the church has a lay minister appointed from our own congregation. Sue
Siegard is pastoring the church, including working with the teenagers in our congregation,
in Sunday school and youth activities. She also leads a Bible Study Group every
Wednesday evening. She and her husband Jim, have two children Gary and Tracy.
Today (1992) the officers of the church are:
Moderator - Roger Brown
Clerk - Jean Owens
Treasurer - Gladys Willis
Assistant Treasurer - Eva Krayniak
Pianist - Jean Owens
Alternate Pianist - Eva Krayniak
Communications Coordinators - Gladys Willis, Eva Krayniak, Juanita Wojtanik
Church School Superintendent - Eva Krayniak
Trustees - David Owens, Roger Brown, Andrew Krayniak, Ward Spencer--life time
Deaconate - Rhonda Connors, Grace Henderson, Roger Brown, Andrew Krayniak, David
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Owens, Juanita Wojtanik
Building & Grounds (responsible to Trustees)
Cleaning - Juanita Wojtanik
Grounds - David Owens
Landscaping - Juanita Wojtanik, Marnie Kirchgessner
Maintenance & Bldg. Renov. - Calvin Criss
Pulpit Committee - Roger Brown, Rhonda Connors, Jean Owens
Missionary Coordinator - Jean Owens
Fellowship Coordinator - Greg Kirchgessner
Stewardship Coordinator - Jean Owens
On September 12 and 13th, 1992 The First Baptist Church celebrated their 175th
Anniversary. The event was held at the Baptist Church, 174 Enfield Main Road and in the
Grange (178 Enfield Main Road). There was a historical play, quilt auction, games and
chicken and dumplings were served. The quilt was made up of 15 inch square quilt
blocks with family names embroidered on the square. A special church service was held
on Sunday followed by a dish-to-pass dinner
.
New Baptist Church Notes (7/1996)
By Jean Owens, Church Clerk
The church has experienced an exciting revival in the past few years. Attendance
during morning worship service has climbed to average near 100 on Sundays with it not
unusual to have over 200 in attendance on special days.
To meet our growing needs, church member Helen Willis Jackson donated land
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nearby. The congregation’s dreams include the T. Roger Brown Fellowship Hall as well
as the potential possibility of moving the entire church building to the new location.
1996 Officers
Trustees: Brett Brown, Stanley Conroy, David Owens, Audrey Bostwick, Brad Connors,
Andrew Krayniak (lifetime).
Deaconate: Lanny Clark, Art Howser, Tammy Molivatis, Matthew Steel, David and Jean
Owens, Rhonda Connors, Helen Jackson, Grace Henderson, Andrew Krayniak (life time),
Eva Krayniak (life time).
Steve Messner is our present (1996) pastor. His
wife Susanna and two sons live on a working goat
farm where they produce goat cheese for sale.
Steve is also a civil engineer. Large attendance at
the church building itself was around 400 people.
Since the re-opening of the Baptismal in 1993 -
26 people have been baptized at church services.
The Baptismal was originally built in 1887 according
to the Baptist
Church Minutes of January 8, 1887. Brothers Robert
Whipple and Harrison Lanning were appointed to
supervise the building of the Baptistery.
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In 2000, the congregation embarked on a project to build a new church (162 Enfield
Main Road). With only a portion of the entire project's cost in the church's building fund,
members persevered so they could have a larger sanctuary, fellowship hall, cafeteria
and school. Although some areas of the church aren't finished, members - about 50
adults and 50 children - are already reaping the rewards of congregating in a new and
improved building. The church was built by members of the congregation, project was
funded by donations. The old church building is now "The Blessing Shop," a donation
center where people can get clothes and other items.
Summer 2001 The Enfield Baptist Church worked with Enfield Community
Council to build the Gerhardt Achilles Playground on church property, Enfield Main
Road. Church volunteers donated the money and labor to re-site our playground on a
different part of the church land for a community playground in Enfield.
In 2017 the “new church” building is now under the auspices of the Living Water
Christian Fellowship with Pastor Chris Lynch Sr.
May 2011 Baptist church (174 Enfield Main Road)
was sold. The owner kindly allowed the Enfield
Baptist Fellowship (Incorporated in 2003 and are
members of American Baptist Churches) to hold
church services there. Community square
dances are also held there. 2024 Church
services are no longer held there.
The First Baptist Church of Enfield Center will
celebrate its 200th Anniversary September 30,
2017. Historical displays, games, and food will
be the schedule of the day to be held at the
Enfield Grange Hall. On October 1, Reverend
James Kelsey, American Baptist Churches of
New York State Executive Minister, will be
present to lead the gathering in a renewal of the
church covenant adopted 200 years ago. A
fellowship meal will follow the service to be held
at the Enfield Valley Grange Hall.
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The People 2 3
Isaac and Betsy (Elizabeth) Ogden Beach
Isaac Beach was born March 24, 1773 in Wallingford, Connecticut. He married
Elizabeth Ogden 1782 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania – 1852 Enfield, NY [buried Enfield
Presbyterian Cemetery]. He died at the age of 73 years on July 13, 1846 in Enfield, NY.
He is buried in Enfield Presbyterian Cemetery, Enfield Center, and Enfield Main Road.
Their family was Ann J. (1821).
Obadiah Baker
Obadiah Baker was son of Judah and Lydia Chase Baker, first settlers in the town
of Enfield, NY. He was born 1797 in Phillipstown, NY. He married Rachel Rose Laycock
(1801 – 1894 in Enfield, NY buried at the Christian Cemetery, Enfield, NY) in 1817. He
died at the age of 70 on February 28, 1867 in Ingham, Michigan. He is buried in the
Maple Grove Cemetery, Mason, Michigan. Their family was Henry (1820), Ada (1923),
Ziliah Ann (1925), John Marvin (1831), Bradford (1833), Mary (1840), Regina (1945),
David (1828).
William and Malinda (Anna) Boughton
William Boughton, son of John Boughton and Currence Downs was born on
January 23, 1794 in Southbury, New Haven, Connecticut. He lived in Ulysses, Tompkins
County, New York 1820. He lived in Nunda, NY in 1830. He married Malinda Enose,
born 1796 in New York, in 1932 in Nunda, NY. He died October 1964 in Pipestone,
Michigan.1
Jerusha, Olly, and Sally Burgess – need more research
Chester and Phebe (Eliza) King Coburn
Chester Coburn was born in 1788 est. Delaware New York. He married Phebe
(Eliza?) King in Seneca County. He died on January 18, 1828 in Friendship, NY after a
long illness. Their family was Minor T. Coburn (1817), Emeline, Matilda, and Chester.
Hila and Mary Cuykendall - William Cuykendall listed in marks and strays 1821 of
Enfield NY – need for research
2 Family information researched through Ancestry.com
3 Ancestry.com. History of the Seneca Baptist Association: with sketches of churches
and pastors [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2005.
Original data: Halsey, Lewis, History of the Seneca Baptist Association: with sketches
of churches and pastors. Ithaca, N.Y.: Journal Association Book and Job Print., 1879.
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John and Poly Hanford – need more research
Elder John and Lucida Drake Lewis
John Lewis was born November 29, 1764 in Fairfield Connecticut. He married
Lucinda Drake (1775 Westerly, Rhode Island – 1810) in 1795 in Westerly, Rhode Island.
He died at the age of 66 years on April 9, 1827 in Saratoga Springs, New York Their
family was Justus H. (1800 Ballston Spa, NY – 1885 Trumansburg, NY), Lydia Drake
(1802 Saratoga, NY - 1890), John Lewis (1806 Saratoga, NY), and Lorenda (1810
Greenfield, NY - 1892).
Susannah Lovell
Susannah Baker Lovell was daughter of Judah and Lydia Chase Baker, first
settlers in the town of Enfield, NY. She was born 1791 in Phillipstown, NY. She married
Moses Lovell (1787 Byram, New Jersey – 1877 Newfane, New York). She died at the
age 34 years 1825 in Enfield, NY. Their family is Lucinda (1809), Eber (1811), Amy
(1813), Ezra (1816), Phoebe (1818), Emily (1820), Milo (1822), Susanna (1824).
Sarah Lyon – need more research
Stephen Mead4
Stephen and Israel Mead were sons of Michael and Martha Mead.
Stephen Mead was born April 4, 1797 in Dutchess County, NY. He died March
31, 1847 Seneca County, Ohio. He is buried in Green Springs, Ohio. He married
Jemima Newman in New York. They moved to Springfield, Ohio and sometime in the
1830’s moved to Green Springs, Ohio. Jemina was born March 14, 1795 in New York
State and died May 2, 188 in Damascus Ohio...
Israel Mead was born October 29, 1784 and died October 18, 1832 in Seneca
County Ohio. He was married to Elizabeth Gould Newman born November 14, 1787
she died in Plainville, Ohio on January 1, 1872. They first settled in Ulysses (now
Trumansburg), Tompkins County, New York, from Dutchess County, New York. They
soon sold their farm in Ulysses and moved to Bristol, Morgan County, Ohio, living there
a short time and then they moved to, and settled in Clarksfield, Huron County, Ohio as
early as 1826, living on a farm on the New London Rd. Israel and Elizabeth had six
children. Israel had been married once before his marriage to Elizabeth, and had a son
and a daughter by that marriage. By that marriage his son was Platt C. Mead and his
daughter was Lucy Caroline Mead, who is believed to have died very young. Israel was
a veteran of the War of 1812, serving as a Private in Captain Trowbridge’s Company of
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Bloom’s 88th Regiment, Cayuga County, New York State
Militia. Israel died from cholera on October 18, 1832. His son Platt C. Mead, his son
from his first marriage, died just one week later of cholera. In 1841, Elizabeth remarried
4 http://www.mead-family.net/histories/Mead_Family_Ancestry.pdf
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to Kiah Gould, a Free Will Baptist Minister. After 1846 they moved to Middlebury,
Elkhart County, Indiana.
Israel Mead - See Stephen Mead
Rachel Osburn – need more research
Sally Putman – need more research
Jonathan Rolfe
Jonathan Rolfe was born April 17, 1773 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He married
Susanna Ellison (1771 – Middlesex, NY – 1840 Enfield, NY buried in Rolfe Cemetery,
Enfield). He died at the age of 77 years on March 3, 1851 in Enfield NY. He is buried in
Rolfe Cemetery, Applegate Road, Enfield, NY. Their family was Reuben (1799), Sally
(1800), Mary (1802), Ephraim (1804), Samuel (1806), Joseph (1808), Jonathan (1811),
Nicholas (1812), Susan (1814).
Ada Sage 1830 census Enfield listed on line two below Judah baker. – need more
research.
Foster and Nancy Updike
Foster Updike was born August 8, 1778 near Princeton, N.J. Moved with father,
Jacob Updike to Tompkins County, NY. Foster's father Jacob Updike gave 100 acres of
'land in Tompkins County to each of his six sons. Foster sold his share about 1825 and
moved to Daggetts Mills, Tioga Co., Pa., where he bought a farm upon which were
several mill sites. He and his eldest son built three mills to manufacture the pine timber
for use, while the other sons were clearing the farm. Foster and his wife Nancy
Skellorn, born April 11, 1751, Princeton, New Jersey and died January 19, 1822, were
"exemplary Christian people, members of the Baptist Church, and brought up their
family to fear God." He was prominent in church matters, liberal in the support of the
gospel, and with feelings easily touched by appeals for private charity. Was very
outspoken for the right and against the wrong; a staunch Whig in politics. He died
October 3, 1845, Jobs Corners, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Whitney5
Daniel Whitney was born May 20, 1778 in Warwick, New York he died May 27,
1835 in Enfield, NY. He was married June 10, 1798 in Warwick, NY to Lydia Newbury,
daughter of Edie and Ruth Newbury of Warwick. She was born June 27, 1773, Warwick,
5 Stephen Whitney Phoenix, The Whitney family of Connecticut, and its affiliations;
being an attempt to trace the descendants, as well in the female as the male lines, of
Henry Whitney, from 1649 to 1878; to which is prefixed some account of the Whitney’s
of England. (New York: Priv. Print. [Bradford Press] 1878).
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and died December 23, 1876, Enfield, NY
Daniel was a weaver and farmer. They settled in Pawling, N. Y., and in October
1817, moved to Ulysses, now Enfield, N. Y., eight miles west of Ithaca. He was chosen
a deacon of the Christian Church at Enfield Centre, and served in that office till his
death, which took place at Enfield, 27 May 1835. He was buried at Enfield Centre. His
widow died 23 Dec. 1876, at Enfield, aged 103 years, 5 months, and 26 days, and was
buried there on Christmas.
Notes on Pastors
Many important items of historical interest are entirely omitted in the church records. It is
even contrary to rule to find a notice of the time when a pastor begins or ends his term of
service.
Elder Job Leach6 is said to have labored faithfully for two years. He afterward removed to
Pennsylvania where he died. Elder J.P. Woodworth was for nearly nine years an earnest
worker in this field Elder J.F. Stark preached with real and earnestness, and was not
without his reward. Elder F. Dusenberry seems to have won the confidence and regard of
all his people. The last pastor, Rev. A.D. Abbott has labored earnestly to obtain a church
and to secure and fit up the pleasant parsonage. It is unfortunate that the records of the
church are so imperfect, and it is still more to be regretted that many of the pastorates
were so short that they seemed to yield no results deserving of record.
During part of the year 1872 the pulpit was very acceptably supplied by Henry Talmadge,
a grade of Cornell University. Before the church settled its last pastor, Deacon Munson
Potter, licentiate supplied the desk to the general satisfaction of the congregation.
Officers.
The following list includes first pastors with date of settlement second licentiates with date
of license third deacons with date of election fourth, clerks with date of first election.
Pastors – Note that some of the names listed were only other Brothers of the Church not
listed as Pastors or Reverends.
John Lewis, 1817; Chester Coburn, 1820; John Bloomer, 1823; Jonathan P. Woodworth,
1828; J.F. Stark, 1836; J. Leach, 1840; J.J. Fuller, 1842; A. Lawton, 1843; J.F. Stark,
second settlement, 1844; C. Nelson, 1847; John Gray, 1852; S.S. Tucker, 1852; Wm.
Everett 1853; Moses Arkills, 1859; D.C. Marshall, 1864; S. A. Beaman, 1870 – 1871,
1879; Enos Perry, 1872; Henry Talamage 1872; Enos Perry, 1873; A. Lanning, 1873;
Francisco Dusenberry, 1874-1876; A.D. Abbott, 1877; 1877-1879 Munson Potter;
Francisco Dusenberry, 1879
1880 – Munson Potter
1881 – Rev. E.J. Lewis
6 Seneca Baptist Association
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1882 – 1887 - Rev. L.M. Gates
1888 – 1890 – R. A. Tilden
1891 – F. Seamon
1892 – 1896 - F.F. Broderick
1902 Reverend James Shoesmith
1927 – 1935 - Rev. Dutton S. Peterson
1935 – 1937 – Rev. J... Foster Hamilton
1937 – 1940 – Rev. Luman Cockerill
1940 – 1941 - Rev. Pierce
1941 – 1948 - Rev. Ford Crippen
1948 – 1951 - Rev. Charles Ackley
1951 – 1953 – Rev. Hoy Rogers
1953 – 1956 – Rev. Rolland Campbell
1956 – 1957 – Rev. Ford Crippen
1957 – 1960 – Rev. Louis Hewitt
1960 - Rev. Paul Heckert
1960 – 1962 – Rev. James Skaine
1962 – 1963 – Rev. Robert Rodgers
1963 – 1966 – Rev. Erwin Towner
1966 – 1973 – Rev. Eddie Husted
1971 – 1972 – Rev. Christian Jenson
1975 – 1979 - Rev. Charles Schwartz
1979 - 1980 - Bernard VanScoter
1980 – 1980 – Kenneth Hoover
1980 – 1981 – James Turturo
1983 – 1989 – Rev. Cynthia Ikuta
1989 – 1992 – Rev. Wilson Small
1992 – Sue Siegard
1993 – Reverend Michael Krembs
1996 - Steve Messner
1998 – 2001 – Jack Osburn
Licentiates: Chester Coburn, Aug. 7, 1819; Solon P. Sackett, Dec. 10, 1853; S.A.
Beaman, June 12, 1870; William E. Gould, March 9, 1872; Peter Wicks, Aug. 19, 1873;
Munson Potter, March 29, 1874.
Deacons: Chester Coburn, 1817; Isaac Beach, 1817; Daniel Whitney 1817**; Stephen
Mead, 1820; Joel Bassett, 1830; Reuben Rolfe, 1836; Stephen Gould, 1844; Abraham
Zerphas, 1844; Harry Wilcox, 1852; Amos V. Lanning, 1862; Munson Potter, 1864; J.M.
Lanning, 1873; Minor T Rolfe, 1878; Chas. J. Whitney, 1878.
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Clerks; Chester Coburn, 1817; John Hanford, 1818; James Tracy, 1819; Whitney Denton,
1824; Chas. Woodward, 1830; B.V. Gould, 1836; A. Zerphas, 1837; W.H. Bradley, 1841;
S.P. Sackett, 1843; D.L. Cooper, 1844; H.S.B. Ackley, 1844; H. Rockwell, 1849; T.
Wallenbeck, 1857; J. Wallenbeck, 1861, A.V. Lanning, 1862; O. Dearborn, 1867; Frank
Aiken, 1875; W.E. Gould, 1876; J.C. Haworth, 1878.
Remarkable Terms of Office7:
Treasurer – Harvey Stevenson 1929 – 1973; Gladys Willis – 1973 – 1992
Financial Secretary – Warena Ramsey 1959-1973
Clerk – Beverly Brown – 1967-1985
S.S. Superintendent – Mazzare Spencer 1938-1960; SarahJane Michener 1960-1980
Deaconate – Daniel Griffen 191-1951; Lettie Griffen 1918-1945;Susie Hansen 1926-
1968; Cora Rumsey 1917-1962; Frank Stevenson 1931-1060; Ward Spencer 1938-1972;
Pearl Rolfe 1951-1971; Eva Krayniak 1959-1992
Trustee – Harvey Stevenson 1918-1973; Ward Spencer 1950 - ; Leon Tucker 1957 –
7 The First Baptist Church of Enfield Center. 175 th Anniversary 1817 – 1992. Enfield
Town Historians Collection. Enfield Town Clerk Office 168 Enfield Main Road.
1
100 Year Old Quilt Comes Home Sue Thompson, Enfield Town Historian – April 2013
In 1902 Reverend James Shoesmith accepted the call as pastor for the Enfield, New
York, Baptist Church. His wife Adelaide (Addie) came with him and became involved in
the Ladies Aid Society. They had three daughters, Bertha, Lena, and Rosa. He stayed
until May, 1904 and then moved on to a Baptist church near Albany, NY. In 1903, the
Ladies Aid Society presented the Reverend with a hand pieced, embroidered Crazy
Quilt. This quilt included over 200 names of residents of the Town of Enfield.
Descendants of many of the residents named on the quilt still live in the area. The
Reverend and his wife Adelaide traveled to many New York State towns throughout
their ministry. He died from pneumonia and Bright’s disease on July 6, 1914 at the age
of 55. He is buried in Wilna, Jefferson County New York. Adelaide lived with her
daughter Rosa Harrington in Syracuse after the Reverend died. She died July 31, 1924
and is buried next to her husband. Somewhere between 1925 and 1930 Rosa and her
husband Ralph Harrington moved to Huntington Park, Los Angeles, California. Ralph
worked in the Rubber manufacturing area and Rosa was manager of an apartment
house. By 1965 both Rosa and Ralph had died in California. In 2004 this crazy quilt
found its way back to Enfield from California. It was purchased from a site on e-bay
and is now owned, by the Enfield Baptist Fellowship and several Enfield residents. The
Shoesmith/Harrington family story, may explain how the 1903 Enfield quilt was located
in California. One could assume that Rosa inherited the quilt after her mother died in
1924 and the quilt traveled with Rosa and Ralph to California.
18
September 20, 2024
1990
Pianist – Jean Owens 1973-present