Mercer County PAGenWeb


New Lebanon 

Methodist Episcopal Church

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized February 10, 1851, by Rev. John Abbott, with the following members: James Muse, Hannah Muse, A. Voorhies and wife, H. C. Jewel, Eli Cole and wife, E. C. Voorhies, Emaline Voorhies, John Smith and wife, A. Smith, Mrs. E. Moore, and Pelina Cole. At first the charge was the Cooperstown Charge, and then changed to that of New Lebanon. The first building was a frame structure, 40x45 feet. It was erected in the fall of 1851 and winter of 1852, and dedicated May 21, 1852. The aggregate cost was $809.87. The first trustees were A. Voorhies, Eli Cole, H. C. Jewell, James Muse and John Martin. To the number have since been added Abel Thompson, J. Smith and E. C. Voorhies. The list of preachers has embraced Revs. John Abbott, George Stocking, Robert Beatty, I. T. C. McClelland, A. L. Miller, J. C. Sullivan, N. C. Brown, K Smith, Sherwood, R. C. Smith, Robert Gray, J. Schofield, John Eckels, A. S. Goodrich, Robert Beatty, J. B. Wright, C. W. Foulk, J. A. Ward, J. F. Mendenhall, R. A. Buzza and W. A. Marriman. The building was removed from the old to the present [1888] site in 1875, and repaired at a cost of $1,000. The congregation is in a flourishing condition. 

Source: The History of Mercer County, 1888, page 482

 

As early as 1830 itinerant preachers of the Methodist Episcopal denomination had stopped in New Lebanon, and services were frequently held at the house of Abraham Van Voorhies, and others. In 1846, a Sabbath-school was commenced in an old log school-house, which stood on the west side of the present borough, and has been continued under the auspices of the Methodist Church ever since [1877].The present [1877] building was erected in 1853, is situated in the western part of the town, and is the most costly house in the plate. It is valued at $2,300; is elegantly finished—carpeted and grained, and furnished with costly chandeliers—and presents a fine appearance from without, being the first object seen as the place is approached. There are, at present [1877], about fifty members.

Source: The History of Mercer County, 1877, page 112 



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