LeRay, Jefferson, NY

Churches, Part I

CHURCHES, PART I

LE RAY PRESBYTERIAN

On January 13, 1814, a meeting was held at the house of Elisha Schfield, at Ingerson's Corners, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational church society. This was the first attempt made for the organization of any religious society in the town of Le Ray. The meeting was presided over by Rev. Nathaniel Dutton, of Champion. The following-named persons were then organized into a visible church: Elisha Scofield, Abigail, his wife, Ruel Kimball, Hannah, his wife, Gersham Mattoon, Nancy, his wife, Ezra Sayer, Elizabeth S., his wife, Widow Mattoon, Mrs. Cheeseman, afterwards the wife of Joseph Tuttle, Abner Cheeseman, and Hannah Parker. Ruel Kimball was elected to the deaconate, and was chosen standing moderator and clerk.

Up to 1820 there had been no stated minister in charge. Regular meetings were conducted by Deacon Kimball, with exhortation and prayer. Occasionally, Rev. Mr. Dutton would attend, and administer the Lord's Supper. The place of the meeting was some time at Ingerson's Corners, but when a frame school-house was built at Evens' Mills, the church was removed to this building.

One day while Deacon Kimball was in the harvest-field, and while his wife was busily engaged with her household duties, a little three-year old boy suddenly disappeared. Search was made for him far and near, without success, till upon approaching an uncovered well, Mr. Kimball discovered the lifeless form of his little boy lying in the water. Notwithstanding the intensity of his grief he descended into the well and brought the body to the surface. Soon after this sad event he began studying for the ministry. He gave as his reason for this step that while in the well, with the body of his child in his arms, "The Spirit" said to him, "Preach the gospel,"--a call almost startling as that of St. Paul's. In the year 1820 he became the first pastor or regular minister of the church, and continued in charge for nearly four years, when failing health compelled him to resign.

During the ministry of Ruel Kimball the place of worship was changed from the old frame to the new stone school-house, then just completed on the spot where the school-house at Evens' Mills now stands. Soon after the coming of Mr. Finney a great season of revival commenced, and protracted preachings were held by him for several weeks, after which, upon one occasion finding that the desired result had not been attained, he put a test to his audience in the following words: "You have made up your minds to become Christians, and will give your pledge to make your peace with God immediately, rise up! And those of you who are resolved you will not become Christians, and who wish me to so understand it, and wish Christ so to understand it, keep your seats!" Certainly the test was not adroitly applied! Had he commanded the obdurate ones to rise and face his reproving glance, permitting the godly-minded to remain inactive and unobserved in their seats, the result would doubtless have been very different; as it was, none rose to the call though perhaps there were scores waiting only the example of a bold leader to do so. The Rev. Charles G. finney cast his eye over the abashed congregation for a few moments and said, "Then you are committed! You have taken your stand, and have rejected Christ and his gospel!" First the people were cowed; then they grew angry, and rose en masse to leave the school-house. As they passed out, he said, in tones that were audible through the room, "I am sorry for you, I pity you, and I will preach to you yet once more; to-morrow night, the Lord willing." The wrath of Mr. Finney's auditory was hot against him, and all through the succeeding day threats of personal violence, of tar embellished with feathers, were freely made against the reverend gentleman, who, it is said, was, during those exciting hours, engaged in prayer, in an adjoining grove, with Deacon Macomber, of the Baptist church. In the evening, "at early candle-light," the stone school-house was filled. Soon Mr. Finney appeared, and announced his text: "Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woo to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him." The extempore discourse which followed was so vividly, so startlingly drawn, that conversions immediately followed; the revival continued for months, and many were the souls which were gathered to the fold of Christ.

From the close of Mr. Finney's pastorate until 1831 the church was ministered to by special supplies, and during this interval (in 1826) a handsome and commodious stone house of worship was erected on a lot donated by Judge Evans, the same on which the present church stands. The cost of the edifice was $2600. Elisha Scofield, David Burhaus, Sylvester Kelsey, Samuel C. Kanady, Sylvanus Evans, Mr. Le Ray, and several others were very active and energetic in the erection of this edifice, giving liberally in money and labor to accomplish it. The contribution of Mr. Le Ray was $200. The dedication was conducted by Rev. Dr. Boardman.

The new church on Church street, Evans' Mills, the present place of worship, was erected during the pastorate of Rev. R. G. Keyes, and dedicated in June, 1869. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. J. J. Porter, and the other exercises were conducted by Revs. R. G. Keyes, E. Wood, and E. Pratt. The membership of the church at present (November 2, 2877) is sixty-nine. (Jefferson County History, L. H. Everts, 1878)

Transcribed by Holice B. Young

Html by Debbie

December 26, 1999

[Jefferson County ALHN][NY ALHN]