Mary L. "Mate" Reasor (Fuller)

METHODIST CHURCH

By Lyda Quackenbush Foshay

The Big Flats Methodist Church

On a quiet street in our little town

Stands an old white church of no great renown.

For a century it has braved the changing scenes of life,

Times of plenty, times of peace, and times of strife.

We love the old bell, the old pews, and the old steeple,

They bring memories of joy and of grief to many people.

We thank Thee God, of Thy servants, staunch and true,

Who have brought the message of Salvation and filled our hears anew.

And for the faithful band which met a hundred years ago,

To worship and praise Thy name because they loved You so.

Some day a new church will take its place,

May it proclaim Thy great Love and Thy Redeeming Grace.

Lyda Quackenbush Foshay

The history of Methodism in Big Flats dates back more than a century. The following facts have been taken from old histories, old records and the memories of friends.

The history of all the churches in the community is closely related. Each one during the century has provided a place of worship for another sect during a time of need.

There was a Methodist Class formed in 1825 about the time the Presbyterian Church was organized. Rev. Edward T. Gilbert was the pastor. The Society had a feeble existence for several years being supplied with Circuit Preachers.

In 1853 through the influence of Dr. and Mrs. W. T. Read who had resided in the town about a year and the efforts of Rev. John Nevin a church organization was effected under Rev. John Parker as Presiding Elder. There were 12 members. The first pastor was Rev. Isaac Ketchum, who was appointed by the Annual Conference.

For several years services were held in the Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon, also in Tuttle’s Hall and the old schoolhouse.

There is a Certificate of Organization dated Nov. 14, 1853 and recorded Dec. 16, 1853 which reads: Recites that a meeting of The First Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of Big Flats certain persons were elected trustees; and the said trustees and their successors in office are forever hereafter to be called and known by the name and title of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of the Town of Big Flats.

Following Rev. Ketchum were Rev. George Wilkinson, Rev. F. Kent, and Rev. W. E. Pindar.

During Rev. Pindar’s pastorate, the old parsonage was started between 1856-1858. A warranty deed of the Parsonage lot was given Sept. 2, 1858 by Mr. John Hagerty and Mr. Nicholas Mundy. It was recorded Sept. 27, 1858.

There is a Certificate of Organization dated Aug. 2, 1858, and recorded Aug. 9, 1858, which reads: Recites that the Society was duly organized under the name and title of the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Town of Big Flats.

During Rev. Stathan’s ministry in 1864, the church edifice was started.

Rev. A. T. West was pastor in 1866. On Jan. 18, 1866, a deed to the lot on which the church now stands was given to the trustees of the Church. The land was purchased from David and Theodosia Churcher for $150. The trustees were David Churcher, Jackson K. Knight, Joseph Bradshaw, Godfrey Rhinesmith, and Conrad Gardner. The deed was recorded May 14, 1866. William Reasor, grandfather of Mr. Grant Reasor of Quackenbush Hill gave logs which were sawed in lumber and used in building the church.

Rev. G. J. Dubois was pastor from 1866-1868. During his pastorate the church was dedicated.

Rev. N. A. Depew served from Oct. 1885 to Oct. 1889. During this period the church was carpeted anew and the pipe organ purchased. This was the pride of the church. It was pumped by hand, usually by a young lad who sat behind a screen. Occasionally the congregation was very amused when it was necessary for the preacher to step down from his platform to arouse the pumper who had fallen asleep during the long sermon, so that the closing hymn could be sung.

Rev. C. E. Figles served from 1897-1899. During his pastorate the old parsonage was sold and moved to a lot nearly opposite the present Erie Freight Station. It burned a few years later. Rev. Figles built the present parsonage at a cost of $800.

The name of the Young People’s Society was changed from Christian Endeavor to Epworth League. A group meeting and Young People’s Rally was held and attended by the Presiding Elder and several ministers from the District. The Epworth League had a large place in the history of the Church because of its spiritual uplift. This Society is now called "Youth Fellowship".

Rev. Douglas Bayliss served as pastor from 1912-1914. During the pastorate of Rev. Bayliss, the mortgage on the parsonage was burned at a Prayer Meeting held in the parsonage. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bradshaw gave the last $100.

In 1922, many members had passed away and others had moved away. There were only 20 members left. It was decided to close the church. The Baptist and Presbyterian Churches welcomed all who desired to worship with them.

In January 1924, a meeting was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Foshay. It was decided at that meeting to open the church for evening services.

In Jan. 1932 a Sunday School was organized with a large membership and morning services were restored. The baptismal font and alter cloth were presented to the church by Mrs. Frank Reasor as a gift from the Episcopal Church which had been closed.

Rev. O. J. Steverson served from 1936-1939. During his pastorate the church annex was built at an approximate cost of $2,000.

The annex was rented to the trustees of the Big Flats Union School for school purposes which helped in reducing the debt on the annex.

In 1951 the members of the church decided that a full time minister was needed. That year the trustees purchased 20 feet of land on the south side of the church from Mrs. Nellis Knettles in memory of her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Fremont Fulkerson.

Much credit is due to the different organizations of the church which have had a great part in the growth of the church.

The Ladies Aid Society, now called the W.S.C.S., has been a great help to the advancement of the church socially, spiritually and financially.

Much credit is due to the members of committees and the trustees who have been given so generously of their time and money.

Inevitably came the time when the church structure could no longer properly fulfill the needs of the congregation.

In 1959 at the suggestion of Rev. Paul J. H. Zelinka, the Board of Trustees under chairmanship of Merrill Robinson began an investigation of possible sites for a new church building. Resultantly three building lots in Green Acres and directly adjacent to the parsonage were deemed most suitable and were purchased.

In the fall of 1961 building plans discussion became active. A good friend of the church offered considerable financial support. This impetus "started the ball rolling". The Bishop’s Thousand Builders and the Central New York Conference Board of Missions also offered financial support.

Plans for a new building were placed before the congregation and the congregation voiced approval. Dr. Dwight Woodworth supervised a successful financial campaign. A goal of $30,000 was set. Gifts and pledges at the end of the campaign totaled $81,000. Building plans were finalized and building contractors were contacted. The Houghton Construction Comapany was chosen to erect the church building.

As a result of faith and the combined efforts of this group, November 4, 1962 a new building was dedicated.