Rome Daily Sentinel
September 29, 1919

(Post card photo courtesy of Kathy Last)

History of the Rome Church Prepared by Miss Emily M. Foot and Read on Sunday Evening at the Semi-Centennial Exercises Commemorating the Dedication of the Present Edifice

Rome Sentinel September 29, 1919

The following is taken from a history of the First M. E. Church written and read by Miss Emily M. Foot on Sunday evening in connection with the exercises which were carried out in observation of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the church:

One of Robert Louis Stevenson's pirates says, 'My philosophy, the extraordinary genius of our leader, and our valor would have proven magnificent without the divine blessing on our efforts, and how true it is, as the church tells us, that the truths of religion are after all quite applicable to daily affairs'.  This from the lips of a murderer, their, liar, the wickedest of the wicked.  No wonder our Lord says to his church, 'O, ye of little faith', and though they builded even better then they knew, yet God has been still better than all and has far exceeded the anticipations of the planners of our work.  Already our chapel is too small, and the last class formed was compelled to go into the audience room of the church for their lessons.

THE SOCIETY ORGANIZED

Nevertheless we love to look back on that little company about three miles away on the Turin road as in 1799 they organized the First Methodist Episcopal Society of Rome, N.Y.  Jonathan Newman, who no doubt organized this society, must have been a real evangelist, as he went up and down the Mohawk Valley organizing churches and preaching the word everywhere and anywhere.  The late Judge Hathaway speaks of him as preaching here as early as 1791.  Among the remembered names of those who preached about here occasionally were Lorenzo Dow, Charles Giles, Bishop Asbury, and Benjamin G. Paddock, the latter of whom some of us remember, as he spent his declining years in Rome and was a well known and welcome guest everywhere with his long, perfectly white and abundant hair reaching to his shoulders, and the long cloak wrapped about him, he was a graceful and pleasant figure on our streets that even the children admired and have not forgotten.  He was a contributor at the corner stone laying of the present edifice and, though feeble, offered prayer and pronounced the benediction.

1799 - Only 23 years after the declaration of American Independence, but 15 years after the organization of the M. E. Church, and but eight years after the death of John Wesley, Francis Asbury was the only bishop for though aged and worn, he tramped day and night throughout our country, performing the heavy duties laid upon him, and encouraging the groups of believers met to receive his ministrations.  This was also the year when some remarkable men were added to the church.  Jesse Loe also eventually became the bishop's traveling companion.  Lorenzo Dow, Joshua Soule, who later presided at Rome's first annual conference and Freeborn Garretson of nation reputation.

Who these few were that met in the little house on Turin road we have not been able to discover, but no doubt some of them were included in the later gathering at the Court House.  At this time the Ridge had become quite thickly populated on account of several manufactories becoming established there.  It expected to become the center of Oneida County, and this little company soon removed their society to a more convenient building there.

In the meantime a business man and one of wealth, Dominick Lynch, a name well remembered here, bought all the land hereabouts, laid out streets, started various industries, and had the canal route changed so that a nucleus began to gather about what we now call the busy corner.  The Court House was built in 1807, and 08.  In 1819 the village of Rome was incorporated and about this time the Methodist Society was removed from the Ridge to the Court House, where it met regularly for some years.  The village then had a population of about 300.

Prior to this, as early as 1800, the Presbyterian Church was organized and Joshua Hathaway is named as the first trustee and his wife as one of the first little group of members who called themselves the First Religious Society in the town of Rome, and this is still the corporate name.

NAME CHANGED

In January 1821, the Methodist Society changed its name and became a full fledged church.  We quote entire the first unique 'record' which has been preserved with great care, and is as easy to read as print.

'At a meeting of the male members of full age of the Methodist Religious Society of the village of Rome, on the 15th day of January, A. D., 1821, at the Court House in the village of Rome, being the place where they statedly attend for divine worship in pursuance of a notice which has been given for two successive Sabbaths, according to law in such cases made and provided for the purpose of electing trustees for said society.  After said meeting was opened by prayer, William White and Bernice West, being two of the members of the Methodist Church in said Rome, were nominated, and appointed by a majority of said meeting to preside at said election, receive the votes of the electors, be the judges of the qualifications of such electors, and the officers to return the names of the persons who by the plurality of voices should be elected to serve as trustees to said church.  Joshua Hathaway was chosen clerk.  The meeting thus organized proceeded to elect and did by a plurality of voices, the following persons as trustees of said Society, viz., Oliver Greenwood, Joshua Hathaway, George Walsworth, Preston H. Grover, Stephen White, Jeremiah Steve, and William Penfield.  A motion was made and carried by anamious vote that the name of the body corporate then organizing should be the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Rome.  The meeting then proceeded immediately to divide by for the said trustees into three classes, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, who, the understanding that those trustees who by lot draw No. 1 should hold this office of trustee but for the term of one year, No. 2 for two years, and No. 3 for three years, and thereupon the lot No. 1 fell upon George Walsworth and Jeremiah Steve; Lot. No. 2 fell upon Preston Grover and Joshua Hathaway, and Lot No. 3 fell upon Oliver Greenfield, Stephen White and William Penfield.

The certificate of each trustee was duly attested and recorded at the County Clerk's office, always accompanied by 75 cents.  The number of trustees was subsequently reduced to three.  The record does not say that the 75 cents was the cause.

Besides being trustee of both churches, the name of Joshua Hathaway is connected with many improvements and beginnings of good things generally.  He was the first postmaster, and the post office occupied part of his office, about opposite the sire of the present building.

FIRST STEEPLE ON AN M. E. CHURCH

The erection of the new church edifice was put off for a long time, principally because some wanted a steeple and some did not, but finally the steeple won out, and the honor of the first steeple on a Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States belongs to this church.  The building of the church home was a real struggle, but in 1824 it was begun and at last accomplished, and steeple and all dedicated on New Years Day 1829, Rev. Lyman Beach, a circuit rider in charge.  In about ten years this edifice proved too small and it was raised and a basement put beneath, which some remember.  This was made into a Sunday school room and class rooms, which were immediately put into constant use.  Here the M. E. Church society worshipped for forty years.  Some of the pastors during this period were Andrew Peck, Charles Giles, Nathaniel Salsbury, I. L. Hunt, W. W. Ninde, J. B. Foote, Wesley Mason, S. R. Fuller, and C. P. Hard, to the latter of whom we are incidentally indebted for our present church edifice.  Under all of these pastors the church progressed wonderfully, until at the coming of Mr. Hard, who though but a boy of nineteen, was full of enthusiasm, and during his stay of a few months, added over 100 members to the church.  This increase caused the official members of the church to contemplate building an entirely new structure.

Andrew Peck, the first regular pastor of the E. Court Street church, receiver, among others, on probation William McPhee, Lynden Abell, Morgan Brainerd and wife, Alexander Brainard and D. D. Wheden.  If this last were the only convert, it would be a great record, for there is now hardly a well regulated library without a copy of Wheedon's Commendaries.  Miss Anna Wheedon, a [illegible] lives in our city and can tell a host of interesting things in regard to her uncle.  Mrs. Morgan Brainerd was with us many years and for a long time was the oldest surviving member.

Nathaniel Salsbury lived and died with us, his son, M. F. Salsbury, being connected with our church officially many years, both as secretary and treasurer, faithful and true in everything he attempted.

William Ward Ninde, early crowned, but even so leaving a record that has ever been felt.  Bishop W. N. Ninde, and our own H. S. Ninde, have inherited the charm of eloquence, pathos, and vivid description that charactorized the father.

Then there was James Erwin, who swept people into the kingdom by the sweetness of his life.  He has a large church named for him in Syracuse, Erwin Memorial.

L. S. Bingham, the politician, who brought things to pass, secretary of the annual conference for 10 years and of the general conference for several years.  Among others he baptized John Rogers Foot, a child, Jane Cole, James J. Guernsey, Sarah Abell, Mary Elmer, Amelia Mudge, Louise Winton, William Ireland, Franklin Beers and Louise Sanford.

J. B. Foote, an evangelist to the end of his days, Chaplain of the penitcutiary  at Syracuse when he was 82 years old.  He was secretary of the annual conference seven times.

S. R. Fuller, whom some now remember as the "only one" on account of uniting with the church during his administrations.  His beautiful wife and children have been a blessing to our church.  His oldest daughter is the wife of Bishop Leete.

Wesley Mason was drafted into the army of the Civil War, which now seems so far away.  Exemption was paid by the church, and he remained with us.  He left for his heavenly home but recently.  He lived a devoted and blessed life.

C. P. hard went to India as a missionary, and is now spending his declining years in the west, the only surviving pastor of that church which occupied the village green for so many years at the foot of E. Court street, and has been moved to an ignominious place on a back street and converted into a skating rink.

FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The first annual conference was in 1841, the pastor being Rev. I. L. Hunt, long remembered as putting life and action into everything he touched.

Bishop Soule, whom you will recall, was received into the church here presided.  The bishop and cabinet were entertained by George Walsworth, living about three miles distant, and they had interesting times riding back and forth in a lumber wagon with boards across for seats, which they insisted having instead of the carriages which we would have provided.  The full minutes of this conference were published on less than six pages and those of the last, 1919, took 150 pages.  There were then eight conferences, and now there are over 100.  Behold what God hath wrought.  Rev. I. L. Hunt, though feeble, was here at the 85th anniversary of Methodism in Rome and took part in the exercises.  Mr. Hunt's description of the church at the time he came to be its pastor is amusing.  It was in 1840.  He said "Rome was not a very enviable place at that time, and I was asked if I would be willing to be there.  I shall never forget my first Sunday.  Such a looking church auditorium.  The pews were taken from an old church in Utica and tacked down, the pulpit was between the outside doors, the stoves were in front, and one or two of the pews were used for wood boxes.  But the people that gathered here were men and women of rare quality.  We soon had the church fixed up and in good shape for the coming conference.  For many years, Lynden Abell was the leading member of the church and also a generous giver."  F. H. Stanton says of him "Brother Abell was one of my right hand men and I was ever welcomed by his beautiful daughters, the youngest of whom was the sweetest, and brightest thing I ever saw, always running to meet me and clasp my hand."  As Mrs. F. B. Beers, this youngest daughter, never grew tired of clasping the minister's hand and no doubt that is just what she is doing now.

WAYWARD MEMBERS EXPELLED

The wayward members were often expelled in those days.  In a list of members we noticed a page of 23 names, four of whom were expelled with no remarks as to why or wherefore.  After one name in one of the lists was written, "she did not go to Church'".  This was the worst crime we found recorded  It certainly seems that the policy used now is much more Christlike, viz., Not to let a member go out into the cold world until every trial has been made for his redemption, and everything done that can be.  Forgive 70 times 7 if need be, until the reprobate hasn't even a heavenly thought.

In 1858 we find a report of the Ladies Relief Society which later became the Ladies Improvement Society, the Debt Aid Society, and once when for a few moments we did not have any debt, the Ladies Aid Society, which we are glad to say was then as now not merely a name but a force that could not be gotten along without.  It was officered as follows:  President Mrs. W. W. Ninde, mother of the bishop and H. S. Ninde; vice president Mrs. G. W. Taft, a wonderful woman full of energy and as we would say now 'pep'; secretary, Mrs. N. B. Foot, always there, and ready to do her bit; treasurer, Mrs. L. S. Bingham, wife of the pastor.

There was no Anna Rosbrook at this time and this company of earnest workers did a vast amount of relief work among the poor families of the village.  This report says that during the year 403 garments were made and distributed, and that, it had been proven, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'.

The Young Peoples Prayer Meeting was a wonderful help to the young folks.  It met on Friday evening and you would always find Lou Baker, Dick Walker, Will Wright, Lizzie Beck, Mary Niece, Belle Halley, Mary Elmer, Jewett Guernsey and Jennie Scott there.  The attendance reached regularly into the twenties and these were very happy times until the cruel official board stopped it as they claimed the young folks neglected the prayer meeting on Thursday night.  This put a damper on the work of the young folks for some time and we doubt if it increased the attendance at the regular prayer meeting service.

There was a really wonderful choir in this old church.  Anyone who ever heard it can never forget the effect Ann Eliza and Eliza Ann Lawton, twins, occupied the center, one alto and the other soprano, and they looked so much alike that one felt as if seeing double, and even their respective beaus were mixed up and occasionally went home with the wrong girl.  Then there was John Phillips, Frank Midlam, Richard Putnam and Sara Abell, who sang happily together for years, and to the edification of the entire congregation.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

Two years before the dedication of the church on Court street, a Sunday school was started in a frame building on W. Dominick street not far from the American Corner in the home of Mr. Peter White.  Ascending the stairs on the outside one entered a large room in the second story known as Peter White's school room.  It is 9 o'clock in the morning and we find here Peter White, Alymer Keith, and three boys and seven girls, the regular apostolic number, 12.  Soon after the new church was finished the Sunday school was moved there and D. D. Wheedon, E. E. Shepherd, Lynden Abell, and Dr. Colburn were admitted as male teachers.  Catherine Gillett was the first one to offer her services as a female teacher.  Alymer Keith, who was the first superintendent, continued his work after the removed to the church.  Hiram Wheedon followed him.  Peter White became superintendent later.  Peter White was at this time the most influential member of the church and his book store was the meeting place of the Methodists round about.  In 1831 William McPhee, whom many remember, was elected secretary and served for many years.  In 1835 there is this entry: "Superintendent and all the male teachers away on journey (and no automobiles either) by far too little interest taken in Sunday school by our congregation."

1837 George Spink became superintendent, and things began to be more encouraging.  The year before, it is recorded, that the minister did not take any interest in the Sunday school and had not even visited it.  Now the minister seems to have taken a  lively interest in his work in general and over 100 souls were added to the church record.  About this time the verse a day system was instituted and the first chapter of St. John was the starting point.  Mrs. L. Brainerd's class recited 4, 269 verses, but the record does not say how long the scholars were in learning them.  Mr. Spink, who recently was translated, said "There never was time enough to recite the verses which the scholars learned."  Brother Spink was a fine singer and taught singing school for years, and while he was superintendent Bishop Hedding visited the school and Mr. Spink arranged a juvenile choir to add to the occasion.  They sang the old tune called  (illegible) which greatly delighted the bishop.  Mr. Spink was obliged to stand the children on stools to bring their heads about the gallery rail.  In 1840 there were about 50 scholars that could recite the first four books of the New Testament verbatium.

It was during Mr. Spink's Superintendency that the first Sunday school anniversary was held.  At this anniversary the famous dialogue between Elizabeth Peryn and Henry Ninde on the Certainty of Death was given.  If one had been allowed to guess who would be the first one to go up the shining road, probably Henry Ninde would have received a majority of votes, being a delicate thoughtful boy, but out of the 44 who took part in the services that night, all, with the possible exception of one other, are gone, and Mr. Ninde is left.

In 1844 Nathaniel Mudge was chosen superintendent, in 1847, C. W. Elmer, in 1849, Prof. Franklin Moore.  According to the record of the Sunday school anniversary of 1853 of the 53 who took part only Hattie Tryon, Louise Sanford and Lurita Davis are living.  Of the 76 people who took part in the anniversary exercises of 1856 only Jewett Guernsey, Amelia Mudge, Louise Sandford, Ada Button, Mary Niece and Louise Pierce are living.

In 1859 a Bible class was started by Mr. Sandford, and this was the beginning of adult Bible classes.  In 1860 the Sunday school prayer meeting and the annual picnic made their appearance.

After this there was hardly any record of anything until 1867, when the school was reorganized with H.  S. Ninde as superintendent, R. M. Bingham, Dr. R. F. Sutton and Mrs. N. B. Foot as assistants, S. E. Brown as secretary, F. B6. Beers as Librarian and R. A. Putnam as chorister.  The first missionary anniversary was held March 27, 1868.  In 1869, the last year in the old church,  A. Sandford was superintendent of the Sunday school.

THE PRESENT CHURCH

The committee appointed for the building of the present edifice was N. B. Foot, L. E. Elmer, A. H. Brainerd, A. Sandford, J. E. Ely, R. M. Bingham, C. W. Elmer, Wellington Dennison and Harlow Esselstyn, to which was added the pastor M. D. Kinney.  All are dead.  At first it was decided to build on the old site, but the lot at the corner of George and Embargo having been offered at a reasonable price, and land available for a parsonage later should they desire it, it was unanimously decided to move as the Court street site was altogether too small, with no means of extension.  One of the first entries is. "We build without a basement."  Also the slogan was universal "An auditorium large enough to hold all Rome."  After it was decided to build, the work went rapidly forward.  It was commenced in June 1868, and the church was dedicated in September, 1869, a marvelously short time, considering the great work.  Of the 400 people who made subscriptions there is but this little group left:  William H. lewis, H. S. Ninde, A. C. Kessinger, F. X. Greenis, H. W. Pell, F. M. Orton, N. P. Rudd, J. S. Baker, C. D. Bingham, J. J. Guernsey, Charle Tuttle, Emma Foot, Mary Neice, Etta Dennison, Belle Halley, Anna and Jennie Lanphier, Nellie Elmer, Louis H. Baker, H. G. Mitchell, Sara Steenberg, Eliza Tryon, C. W. Kroosz, Fred A. Kinney, Eddie Foot, Freddie Foot, Willie Foot, J. D. Mills, Frankie Mathews, Effie Marriott, Anna Ely, Mary Steinburg, Nellie Hatch and Nellie Wallace.  When the new church was started the trustees were Dr. M. C. West, H. S. Esselstyn, J. D. Ely, L. E. Elmer, R. A. Putnam, N. B. Foot, J. H. Searles, R. M. Bingham and A. Sandford, none of whom are living.  What memories each name brings up.  Wise and true men and devoted to the interest of the church.  Rarely is absent recorded after their names.  These held over after the removal.  At the next election the name of F. B. Beers appears, and from that time until the time of his recent death he made it a point to always attend the official meetings.

The corner stone was laid September 4, 1868.  A great crowd was present from Rome and surrounding towns.  Bishop Thompson preached the sermon.  The following articles were placed in the stone; Centenary of American Methodism, Methodist Discipline, Rome Directory, Methodist Almanac, New York Christian Advocate, Northern, Western, The Advocate (Buffalo), Pittsburgh Advocate, Zion's Herald, Sunday School Teachers Journal, Temperance Patriot, Utica Morning Herald and Utica Observer, Roman Citizen, Rome Sentinel, Visalia (Calif.) Weekly, Delta, New York Tribune, Herald World and Sun, names of the present members of the M. E. Church, list of the names of the board of trustees, stewards, and leaders, Sunday School pupils, officers and teachers, names of the subscribers to the new church, building committee, architect and builders, record of the Ladies Aid Society, its organization and objects, a Song of a Thousand Years by H. S. Ninde, program of the corner stone laying ceremonies.

On the last Sabbath in the Court Street Church, the pastor, Rev. M. D. Kinney, preached in the morning, Sunday School prayer meeting in the afternoon and love feast in the evening.  Record says "Wonderful day."  Here ended the life in the Court Street Church, but with joy intermingled with a sort of regret, we turned our steps in the new direction.

September 24, 1869, was a beautiful day.  The new church was crowded to its utmost capacity.  Dr. Jesse Peck, founder of Syracuse University, preached the sermon in the morning and later conducted the dedicatory ceremonies.  In the evening Dr. Cyrus D. Foss preached.  The secretary says "This day, with all its services can be put down as the most glorious and triumphant day for Methodism in this town and indeed in central New York.

FIRST OFFICIAL MEETING IN NEW CHURCH

The first official meeting in the new church was held September 27, 1869, Rev. M. D. Kinney in the chair, Dr. R. E. Sutton secretary.  We copy the record, calling especial attention to the differences between this and the first record of the First Methodist Society of Rome.  W. R. Nichols was appointed organist, R. M. Bingham and A. Sandford committee on  church music, A. H. Brainerd, J. A. Cowles, W. A. Caswell, M. F. Salsbury, F. X. Greenia and H. W. Davison, ushers.  Only Mr. Greenia is living, almost as young and frisky as then.  A. Sandford to buy stoves and see to heating the rooms for social services, Dr. R. M. Bingham and H. S. Ninde to have charge of the building and general supervision of the premises.  Official meetings to be on the first Wednesday of each month, R. E. Sutton and H. S. Ninde to procure a substitute for fermented wine for use at the sacramental services (probably at the suggestion of the W. C. T. U.), That the sessions of this body not be held after 10 o'clock.  Dr. Sutton continued to be clerk until 1874.

An entry in 1870, "Harmony and brotherly love abound ." The superintendent of the Sunday School was Dr. R. E. Sutton, secretary, F. B. Beers, chorister, R. A. Putnam.  The annual conference met here in 1871 and a rare time it was.  Our present district superintendent, Rev. W. M. Caldwell, was admitted as a member.  The new church was lauded to the satisfaction of the building committee, headed by Mr. Beers, took delight in showing it off.  However, no praise could be greater than that given by our former pastor, Rev. E. B. Topping, on the evening of the burning of the mortgage.  "After 50 years of constant use" he said, "there was not another auditorium like it, so far as I know.  I at least have never seen one.  So easy to speak in that though I do not raise my voice I am sure it can be heard to the farthest corner of the room."

In 1872 G. H. Barton became the superintendent of the Sunday School.  In 1876 Dr. R. M. Bingham, in 1879, H. S. Esselstyn, in 1881 Dr. Edwin Evans, in 1884, Mrs. R. M. Bingham, the first and only woman general superintendent.

In 1889 the lot next to the church was bought looking toward a new chapel or parsonage, both of which were sorely needed.  In 1884 the 85th anniversary of Methodism in Rome, was celebrated.

In 1887 Dr. M. R. Webster became the pastor of the church, Rev. Mr. Sheperd having reached the time limit, three years.  In 1891 Rev. S. H. Adams came to us, Dr. Webster going to Rochester.  In April of that year Rev. D. F. Pierce became the pastor.

The centennial of American Methodism was celebrated on February 6, 1899.  In 1905, the Ushers' Association was organized.  The building of a new parsonage was recommended by the board of trustees that year.  The year 1906 saw the beginning of free seats.  In 1910 the new chapel was begun.  The next year it was completed and dedicated by Bishop Quale.

Great revivalists, besides those mentioned, have met within these doors and left their impress for good, among them the Praying Band, Dwight L. Moody, Hart & McGann, Professor Drumm, the Flying Squadren and others.  The evangelistic committee of about 20 men is branching out in the towns round about, holding religious services and doing untold good.

Boy Scouts are a great factor in church life now.  It used to be "those bad boys' when everything was found out of place and lots of mischief done.  Now if things are especially fine and the boys greet you with a touch of the hat - instead of running into you head first - you say "Boy Scout."

FAITHFUL WORK DONE

As we review the names of the past and call to memory the wonderful men who have made this church a great inheritance to their children and to every one who enters the church door, we can but feel that those who now live and work have an equal honor.  We could not mention a name but that all would recognize the faithful work now done by our official board and the innumerable societies that circle around our church home.  If we should name one, we could not stop without naming nearly every one.  One happy incident about our board is that the pastors have always felt that the board always stood strongly behind them in any advance, and with hardly an exception the return of the pastor has been unanimously asked for.  But such Pastors!  Was it ever permitted any congregation to listed to and be guided by such men as have occupied the pulpit of our beloved church?  It is getting to be quite a recognized fact that one has to get to Rome to get a D. D.  At least as fast as they get here they seem to carry the honor off.  And though we do not love them for their honors, we feel that too much honor can not possibly be given any one of them.  Rome should be a Heaven on earth with such ministers as each church has, including the Salvation Army.

"That the stone may not rise up in judgment and cry out against us" should be our prayer, "lest we forget" and fail to recognize a consecrated ministry.