Lorraine, Jefferson, NY

Churches

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES

Nearly all the religious interest of the town are centered in the societies worshipping at Lorraine village. There are a number of Adventists in the southern part of the town, connected with the church at Mannsville; and other creeds have their adherents, though without any regular organizations.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF LORRAINE

The Baptist church of Lorraine was formed in 1806, with a membership of thirteen, and had the Rev. Amos Lamson as pastor, who was ordained October 7, 1806, and who was succeeded in1815, by Solomon Johnson. Rev. Benjamin W. Capron was employed in 1819, and in May, 1824, Parley Brown was ordained, and labored until 1830, when he was succeeded by John F. Bishop, who served one year. Charles R. Taylor was next called to the pastorate for three years; and in 1837 Henry Ward commenced a three years’ connection. In 1840, Elisha Robbins was employed, and, in one year, Luther Humphrey, who, in July, 1842 was ordained, and continued three years. He was succeeded, in 1845, by O. L. Crittenden, who remained one year. The church was without a pastor until 1851, when J. F. bishop was called. He remained one year, and was succeeded by Philander Persons, whose pastorate was continued several years. In 1859, L. P. Day was called, and remained with the church two or three years. Then followed an interval when the church was without a pastor until 1864, when L. G. Brown came and remained three years. W. H. Taylor became pastor in 1870, and in 1871 E. G. Blount followed him, remaining fifteen months. There was no regular pastor until 1875, when E. H. Lovett came, and remained with the church two years. At present (1877), the church is without a pastor. The frequent pastorate changes have not been favorable to the interests of the church. The membership has been greatly diminished, until at present it numbers only 42.

Until 1829 the church did not have its own house of worship. On December 23 of that year, a society was formed, with Aaron Brown, Jr., John Fasset, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr., and James Gifford, Jr., trustees. A church was erected, in 1830, at a cost of $1200. It is a plain frame of respectable size, and was repaired in 1868.

In 1854 the society was reorganized and incorporated, under the laws of the State, as "The First Baptist Church and Society of Lorraine," and, August 22 of that year, J. F. Robinson, Judie Lamson, M. F. Cole, A. S. Gillet, Aaron Brown, and L. D. Reed elected trustees. The present board consists of Gilbert Perdy, Samuel Gardner, A. S. Gillet, B. B. Brown, Wm. R. Steele, and P. M. Brown, trustees, and J. B. Wilcox, Clerk.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LORRAINE

The Congregational Church of Lorraine had its origins at an early day. About 1807Elder Bliss settled in the town, and held occasional service, which a few years later was changed to regular preaching by himself, Elder Spear, and others. But no society was formed until Dec. 3, 1829, when a meeting was held for this purpose, and Silas Lyman, William Carruth, and Alfred Webb were elected trustees of the society which was formed. In 1830 a small frame church was erected in the southern part of the village, which was used by the society as long as it had an existence. The church having become so feeble, owing to the removal of many of its members, services were discontinued about 1850, and in1858, the building was conveyed to the town for a public hall, but with a provision that it might be used for religious meetings. Among those who had the pastoral care of the church were reverends Higley, Moreton, and Tremaine, while among the most prominent official members were Deacons Lyman, Pitkin, and others, none of whom remain in the town.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

There wre members of this faith in the town from its first settlement, and soon after had so much increased in numbers that religious meetings were held by them in the school-houses and other suitable places. For many years the classes were connected with Adams and other circuits; but about 1853, the classes at Lorraine and Worth became a separate charge, called Lorraine circuit, Isaac Hall, pastor. A board of trustees, consisting of Joseph Grimshaw, James Gifford, Daniel Caulkins, Sardis Abbey, Daniel Wise, Elijah R. Fox, and John Fasset, was selected, and measures were taken to build a church. In 1856 Joseph Grimshaw, Sardis Abbey, and Daniel Caulkins were appointed a building committee, and proceeded to erect a near frame church, surmounted by a spire, in the northern part of the village. The house was formally dedicated in Jan.1858. The present trustees are J. M. Fox, B. A. Caulkins, A. Caulkins, Daniel Wise, L. C. Taylor, and Joseph Grimshaw. The following have been pastors since 1855: 1856-6, I. L. Hunt; 1858-9, William B. Joice; 1860-1, Gideon P, Jones; 1862-3, Samuel M. Warne; 1864-6, S. C. Goodell; 1867, A. McLaren; 1868, W. W. Hunt; 1869-70, A. S. Barter; 1871-2, M. T. Hill; 1873-4, James Stowell; 1875-6, N. E. Bush; 1877, Daniel Fulford. The membership is 65, and Lafayette Caulkins is the class-leader.

A Sabbath-school, which was reorganized in may, 1877, is connected with the church. It has seventy-five members, and sustains a small library. John Pitkin is the superintendent. (Jefferson County History, L. H. Everts, 1878)

Transcribed by Holice B.Young

Html by Debbie

December 26, 1999

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