Presbyterian Churches
(taken from the Moriah-Olivet United Church Presbyterian Church Directory, 1988)

Transcribed by Gloria Reynolds



 Moriah Presyterian Church--Utica, NY
 
The Moriah Presbyterian Church came into existence in February 1830 as six couples transferred their membership from Utica's Welsh Congregational Church to the Penycareau Calvinistic Methodist Church near Remsen, the mother church in America for the denomination later known as Welsh Presbyterians.  A meeting of Four Calvinistic Methodist churches in the Remsen-Steuben area appointed the Reverend David Stephens to organize a Calvinistic Methodist Church in Utica and within a year the growing congregation erected its building on Seneca Street near the Erie Canal.  Membership rose rapidly and in 1847 reached 190 with another two hundred children in the Sunday School.
 
Utica prospered from the canal trade with the establishment of textile mills and attracted many immigrants from Ireland, the German States, and Wales.  The growing population kept moving south into the Cornhill area.  In 1882 the Calvinist Methodist congregation adopted the name of Moriah and constructed a new edifice on Park Avenue.  During the next decade membership doubled, then slackened in the 1890s, but continuted to grow during the first quarter of the twentieth century.  Immigrants arrived from both North Wales and from the slate district of Granville and southern Vermont.
 
In 1919 the Calvinistic Methodist denomination united with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., reflecting the Americanization of the Welsh population and their institutions.  During the early 1920s the congreation introduced English into its services in order to retain the second generation.  In 1923 Moriah Church erected a three-story addition for the use of the Sunday School, mid-week services, and choir rehearsals.  The outstanding feature of church services was four part congregational singing led by a choir of over forty voices.
 
The end of immigration, the Depression, World War I, and the movement of population after World War II to the suburbs led to a decline in membership.  A revitalzation took place after 1946 when Dr. R. Glynne Lloyd accepted a call.  In 1956 the congregration supported extensive changes in the sanctuary such as a divided chancel and a new organ.  In 1966 Dr. Lloyd resigned his position to teach at Utica College.
 
Membership which hovered between 450 and 500 in the early 1950s gradually declined in line with most Utica churches.  In 1982 Moriah agreed to share the ministry of C. Davis Robinson with Olivet Church.
 
Olivet Presbyterian Church--Utica, NY
 
The Olivet Presbyterian Church had its roots in the Westminister Presbyterian Church of Utica and was founded on January 28, 1887, but can trace its roots to the year 1876 when Westminister Church established a mission church school in the Cornhill area.  Two years before that a survey of the area near Johnson Square uncovered interest in having a church school in the area; but because of a lack of interest, the project was deferred.  The following year another canvass was made.  This time there were some 43 potential students.  Since no suitable place was found to meet, action was again deferred.
 
Then on February 17, 1876, at a teacher's meeting, it was announced space had been found in the Benedict House at Johnson Square.  There was to be no charge for their use.  This offer was immediately accepted.  One man gave a stove and a stove pipe; another contributed 50 hymn books.  A number of benches were moved from the Westminister Church to the new church school room.
 
On Sunday, February 27, 1876 at 3:00 P.M. about 150 people from the Westminister Church assembled to inaugurate the mission school.  Some 25 children attended that first Sunday and by the end of the month the enrollment had increased to some 66.  One boy brought 13 new members in the first month.  By April 26, 1876, 99 students were enrolled, and it became evident that new facilities would have to be found.  A chapel was erected on the southeast corner of Miller and Square Streets, and on June 11, 1876 this building was occupied for the first time.  During the following years, with ebbs and flows of success, its members grew to nearly 400 by the year 1879.
 
On January 28, 1887 a large number of people mostly members of Westminister, gathered at the chapel, and 45 subscribed to a paper agreeing to help and assist in the formation of a church.  On April 26, 1887 the Presbytery of Utica met and constituted the church.  Shortly thereafer it was evident that new accommodations were needed.  On July 1, 1889 contracts were signed and work was started on the building.  In a little less than two years the chuch was dedicated, the total cost being $20,804.35.
 
Through the years the church flourished having at one time the second largest church school in the city and a membership of more than 800.  Changes in the community surrounding the Olivet Church began to occur in the 1950s and these changes quickly affected the church.  Membership began to drop as well as church school enrollment.  Continued efforts were made to sustain the church.  It was during the time when the Rev. C. Davis Roinson was co-pastor of both congregations that a decision was made to consolidate the two churches into one.
 
Moriah-Olivet United Presbyterian Church--Utica, NY
 
On July 1, 1988 the Moriah-Olivet United Presbyterian Church came into existence as two churches, the Moriah Presbyterian Church and the Olivet Presbyterian Church, bound themselves together to become a people united in Christ for worship, fellowship, and service.  Each brough to this union rich traditions that should never be lost.
 
At its inception, the new congregation numbered 309 and had a church school enrollment of 44.