Yates County, New York

Churches in the Town of Milo

From the History of Yates County, NY

published 1892, by L.C. Aldrich

pgs. 288 - 291

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The first Baptist Church of Milo is the only religious society having an abiding place at Himrods.  The earlier meetings of this denomination in the locality commenced in the year 1803, and were conducted by Elder Simon SUTHERLAND at Nichols Corners and other places best suited to the convenience of the members.  In 1804 an organization was begun at the house of Thomas HOLLOWELL, and completed in 1805, march 13^th, at the Raplee schoolhouse at East Milo, then having a membership of twenty-nine persons. It was not until 1833 that the society had sufficient strength to erect a church home, but at the time named the edifice at Himrods was built at a cost of $1,400.  this house was used by the society until 1868 and then replaced by the present large and attractive church building.  As this is the only church building at Himrods, or in that immediate vicinity, its congregation is made up of church goers of various denominations as well as by the Baptist portion of the community.  The present membership reaches nearly 125.   Among the ministers of the First Baptist Church of Milo can be recalled the names of Revs. Simon SUTHERLAND, John B. CHASE.     B. R.  SWICK, Enos MARSHALL, Hezekiah WEST, James PEASE, J. BATCHELDER, A. WELLS, J. SABIN, A. W. SUNDERLIN, J. PARKER, A. B. DE GROAT, M. LIVERMORE, John ROONEY, W. W. HOLT, and others whose names have become lost. 

In the extreme south part of the town of Milo, about two or three miles west from Himrods, in the Goundry neighborhood, so-called, was built many years ago a Freewill Baptist Church.  The society was organized about or soon after 1838, the result of the labors of Stephen S. LANNING and Ezra F. CARNE, ministers of the Freewill Baptist faith.  Gilbert BAKER was one of the most prominent leaders of the society, and the own upon whom fell a burden of the society’s indebtedness.  The church was built at Baker’s Corners, on lot eight, at a cost of about $1,250.  The society was prospered for a time, but at length, fell into a decline with result in final dismemberment. 

The only public building at the village is the Milo Center Methodist church, a society having an incipient organization as early as 1797, and drawing its membership from throughout the entire township.  The pioneer meetings which resulted in the founding of the church, were conducted by William SMITH, a local preacher of some prominence.  Early meetings were held at the Spink schoolhouse, the log schoolhouse in the Friend’s settlement, and at William SMITH’s and Joseph HOLLOWELL’s residence.  In 1821, or about that time, the society became definitely organized, and in 1833 the articles of association were filed to make the organization perfect.  A lot was purchased from Isaac NICHOLS, upon which, at a cost of $2,000, the first church edifice was erected.  It was dedicated in September, 1833.  In 1862, substantial repairs were made, but in 1869 the building was remodeled and enlarged at an extreme expense of $4,000.  Among the early class leaders were Samuel KRESS Sr., Samuel CASTNER, Abraham PROSSER, William W. ASPELL, Thomas GOUNDRY, Benjamin B. SPOONER, M.D. JACKSON, John B. HOLLOWELL, Archibald STROBRIDGE, H. F. ANDERSON, P. J. SEELEY, Samuel DEPEW, H. T. ASPELL, William HOLLOWELL, L.M. MILLARD, S.C. HATMAKER and N.B. RAPLEE.

Second Milo is the name that has been applied to one of the hamlets of the town of Milo, but this name appears to have been given the only public building of the place, viz., the Second Milo Baptist Church.  Formerly and even to the present day, this particular locality has been know as Cat Head.  But Second Milo has never acquired much of a population; neither has it any important industries or business interests.  The erection of the meeting-house brought to the place whatever of importance it possesses.  The hamlet is situated in the central-western portion of the township, at the four corners made by the intersection of the telegraph road and the principal east and west thoroughfare of the town.

The Second Milo Baptist Church had its inception in the early meeting held by Elder Simon SUTHERLAND during the first years of the present century, although it was not until the years 1832 that the society was provided with a church home.  The first organization was effected in 1811 under the name of South Benton Baptist Church, for then Milo as a township, was unknown.  But when Milo was set off from Benton and formed into a township, the name became inappropriate.  There was already another Baptist society in the town, and for convenience and accurate designation the name of the society and church was changed to the Second Baptist Church.  The first church building of the society was erected in 1832 at the southwest corner of lot 21, at a cost of $1,200.  In 1851 a new meeting-house was built for the society on the same site at a cost of nearly $3,000.  Reuben P. LAMB was the first pastor of the society, he assuming the duties in 1830, and was ordained in 1831.  He resigned in 1836 and was succeeded by Elder a. W. SUNDERLIN, the latter remaining fourteen years.  Others in succession among the early pastors were Philander SHEDD, John SMITH, N. FERGUSON, George BALCOM, S. S. BIDWELL, William DUNBAR, Thomas ALLEN and Moses LIVERMORE.  The second Milo Baptist Church now numbers about 150 members.

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