Overview
This page presents the History Timeline of the Big Flats First Presbyterian Church, thoughtfully compiled by Kim Wilsoncroft in 2013. We also have a digital reproduction of a wonderful hard-copy edition from 1960, available at this link or by clicking the icon above. Please feel free to share with us any information you may have that could help us fill the gaps or simply add interest to these volumes.
History of our Church
Sept 27, 1827 – First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats organized. 1827 – Rev.Rouse. 20 Members of Bath Presbytery. Services & Sunday School in Robt. Miller’s barn.
1829 – Church building was erected with horse and buggy stalls adjoining. Cost: $1,178.00.
1830 – Money raising- pews (slips) numbered. Center pews:$75.00 – Side Pews $85.00. Members chose pews and were responsible for raising dollars.
1836 – Affiliated with newly formed Chemung Presbytery. 1836 – Rev. David L. Perry.
1841-1842 – Rev. F.L. Whiting
1843~1845 Rev George W. Seaman
Dec. 18, 1854 – Original Manse purchased. $1,075 for house and lot – 1850 – Rev. J.N. Hurd.
1860 – Pulpit moved from South to North end of sanctuary. 1860-1864 Rev. F. Harrington. Pews were turned around to face pulpit.
1866~1867 Rev. E.S. Wilson (SS)
1870 – First attempt at ecumenical mid-week services with Methodists.
Baptist church members declined. 1867-1877 Rev. William Atwood.
1879 – Women’s Missionary Society organized. 30 to 40 members. 1878-1890 Rev. Stanley D. Jewell.
1880 – Period of great growth – Rev. S.D. Jewell: Sunday School: 95 average attendance, Morning Church service: 160, Evening Church service: 70. Prayer meeting during the week: 25. Organization of the church – Young People’s Society – Women’s Missionary Society. Girl’s Organization – “Willing Workers” group.
1886 – Church Choir participated in Music Festival in Elmira. 1890-1897 Rev. Henry J. Scholl.
1898 ~ 1900 Rev. Thomas Kerr.
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1900 – Church building – some remodeling & repairs, 2 balcony classrooms setup.
1901~1903 Rev. William C. McCormack P.D.,DD
1906 – First woman elected as a Trustee. 1903-1910 Rev. H.B. Williams.
1912 – Fund drive for new manse – $4,353.00 raised. 1910-1913 Rev. H.J. Vail, Home is still at 403 Main Street.
1910~1913 Rev. Albert T. Vail. Home is still at 41 Main Street.
1914~1922 Rev. William D. Hansom, DD
1922~1925 Rev. William H. Chapman (SS)
1925~1926 Rev. Devello S. Haynes
1926~1928 Rev. John Knox, DD (SS)
1930 – Renovation of existing Church building: $2,400.00 1929-1930 Rev. S.D. Angell.
1931~1940 Rev. William Henry Chapman
1940 – First woman pastor to function in Presbyterian Church. 1940-1943 Mrs. L.H. Chapman. Conscientious Objectors in Big Flats Camp were welcomed at services in the church. $1,600.00 was raised for the Restoration Fund as requested by the Presbytery. Good Will Class (young adults) raised money to insulate northwest sides of church bldg. and painted.
1944,1949 Rev. Elmer J. Stuart, DD
1948 – Plans revived and approved to build an addition consisting of classrooms, church parlors, etc. Good Will Class to raise money and draw up specific plans for project.
1945-1949 Rev. H.E. Mallick.
1950 – New addition built – cost $17,284.00. Completely paid off in 3 yrs. Consisted of large auditorium for meetings, suppers, Sunday School classrooms, stage, sizeable – equipped kitchen and restrooms. Named: “Presbyterian House”. Manse remodeling & repairs were made. Sanctuary – steeples & roof repaired, interior refurbished. Parking lot black-topped.
1950-1960 Rev B. Klauser.
1954 – Purchase of Baldwin Electronic Organ (Model 46). Cost – $3,000.00.
1956 – Rotary system adopted for elders.
1957 – First woman elder elected.
1958 – Degan chimes and 2 additional tone cabinets added to the organ. “United Presbyterian Women” formed – formerly the Women’s Missionary Society & Ladies Benevolent Society.
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1961~1963 Rev. John H. Williams
1964 – Gift of Austin Pipe Organ – 12 ranks – from the Endicott Presbyterian Church.
1964-1985 Rev. M. Punnet.
1965 – Unicameral System adopted. Elders & Trustees to make-up the sessions – Manse garage erected.
1966 – Double Sunday Services commenced on trial basis.
1967 – Ecumenical growth: Presbyterian, Methodists, Episcopalians & Roman Catholic – 50 million Fund Drive. Big Flats Presbyterian church pledged $9,150.00.
1968 – 6 new Sunday School rooms added in Church House by using removable partition walls.
1972 – 100 yrs. flood (June) 8 feet of water in Sanctuary & church house. Great damage. Worship service held in church 1972&3.
1973 – October 4, 1973 Rededication of Church Building.
1974 – By Dec. 31, 1974 $93,600.00 was spent on flood reconstruction.
Establishment of Church Scholarship Assistance fund: $1,000.00. Maximum interest free loan to needy students, administered by Board of Deacons.
1976 – 150th Anniversary of congregation. 1978 – Boy Scout Troop #87 sponsored by the church (17 members).
1978 ~ Boy Scout Troop #87 sponsored by the church (17 members).
1979 – Major Mission Pledge $17,890.00 (3yr.period) Total collected was $15,856.84.
1980 – Church undertakes to sponsor a political Refugee from Rumania.
1982 – “Raise the Roof” drive: Cost $13,750.00 Pledged $13,289.00.
1983 – Establishment of Big Flats Community Food Pantry.
1985~1986 Rev. Linda Slamon (Interim)
1986 – Decision to purchase Allen ADC 6000 organ. Cost $31,000.00 plus $15,000.00 installation fee.
1987 – 160th Anniversary of church.
1987-1990 Rev. Linda J. Slamon.
1988 – Sanctuary remodeled with installation of new organ.
1989 Kitchen in Church House remodeled.
1990~1991 Rev. Dr. Nelson O. Horner (Interim)
1992~2016 Rev. Richard A. Price
1991 ~ Donated trees from the Rotary Club planted on church grounds. “Raise the Roof” Drive raised $6900. Roof and side door awning repaired. Steeple repaired and painted. Women’s Association and youth group gives $1,000.00 towards building repairs; Thanksgiving breakfast prepared by men of the church (Hank Schurr’s eggs) with special music by Paul Holland; this tradition continues as of 2012. Boy Scouts donate to building fund. New church brochure created.
1992 ~ New water softener installed; Nursery Committee formed; Alan Landon retires as choir director Christmas Eve; Linda Allyn becomes choir director January 1, 1993; Mother and Daughter Tea; 1992~ Rev. Richard A. Price
1993~ Memorial Fund purchased new Bibles; Donation of wall hanging and wool hand-embroidered cloth from an Equador trip. Two new Advent banners made by Georgianna (Gigi) Price; Food Pantry Kettle responsibilities at Miniers prior to Christmas; $311.00 raised for Crop Walk; Board of Deacons had supportive role with the church, pastor and community(grants for needs, monies donated to Meals on Wheels), etc. Minor and major repair projects were completed by the Property Committee. December 5, worship time changed from 11:00am to 10:30am.
1994 ~ New porch built on the Church Street entrance; Heating controls updated, thermostats installed in the office area and Church House; New Membership Directory with photos and short informational section. All women who attend our church are part of the Women’s Association with Prayer Group meeting each week, projects of rummage sales; silent auction which benefits the community Food Pantry; Winter soup sales; scholarships for children to attend Camp Whitman and a Bible story book to each newly baptized child; receptions and dinners for funerals and special events.
1995 ~ Roof installed ($150.00) over kitchen door by volunteers; Red Door Newsletter policy established; Fund Raising policy approved; $374.00 raised for Hunger Walk credited to Mission; “Souper Bowl” Sunday with a donation of a can of soup or money to be collected for the Food Pantry during Children’s Time; Averaged 56 people per service in the first half of the year, 47 over the summer and 73 during the fall; Interior and exterior repairs or replacements and new construction of the portico over the kitchen door and new light and shelf in the office. Boy Scout Troop #87 had active year.
1996 ~ New oak front doors installed $4,223.98; Speaker system in Nursery and Church $1294.92; New copier for office $3765.00; Envelopes for children’s money.
1997 ~ Averaged 73 people per service the first half of the year, 45 over the summer and 78 during the fall; broke the 100 mark three times; 135 for Easter, 100 for Homecoming Sunday in October and 117 for the Christmas Eve service. Barbara Gilbert sewed banners for the Community Days float and Homecoming celebration; $206.96 collected for the Chemung County Habitat for Humanity from the Sunday school children (Pennies from Heaven). $350 collected for the Korean Starvation Fund.
1998 ~ Sunday school children visited a house in the early stages of construction and again when nearly complete for Habitat for Humanity. This enabled them to visualize where the Pennies from Heaven contributions are going.
1999 ~ Coffee mugs and Christmas ornaments made with the Church’s picture to be sold as a fundraiser. Display cabinets for sanctuary constructed and mounted; shelves installed in safe; heat control for study; Church House roof replaced; Kitchen and rest room roof repaired. Painting of church steeple; Repairs to hot water heater vent; Installation of new fire alarm system, monitored by ADT; painted walls of Sunday school room; Finished installation of under counter lights in kitchen; “Dutched” the kitchen doors.
2000 ~ New portable piano purchased ($1700.00) as a memorial. Installation of an exhaust fan in kitchen; Redecorating the Nursery; Painting; Cleaning carpets; Lawn care; Installation of cords for displaying banners in front of sanctuary; Installation of new hot water heater; Replacement of part of roof drain system in women’s restroom and repair of ceiling; Installation of expansion tank in water system and Installation of new iron railing along front inclined walk.
2001 ~ Christian Education and Youth Committee requested the Doxology by sung with children present so they can learn it. Blanket Sunday rose over $200.00; Polish Dinner fed over 300 people led by Ann Slowik; “Shower for Mary” project with baby gifts going to the women’s shelter for battered women. Some of the Property Committee and outside resources completed projects include: Replacement of parking lot $11,698.60; Repaired water softener; Replacement of vestibule roof; Installation of new ceiling fan in sanctuary; Installation of handicapped commode and hand rails; Painted classrooms.
2002 ~ The Presbyterian Church Library of Big Flats was dedicated on October 27th, with funds given to the church in memory of Samuel Minier. Major improvements included church roof replacement, foundation repair and stained glass window repair, exterior painting of the Church House; New landscaping on east side of Church House; Installed bookcases for new library. To help celebrate the 175th anniversary of our church in October, the children prepared a time capsule which was “buried” in our church basement. They also created a new banner declaring faith in our future.
2003 ~ Gigi Price forms volleyball for adults (starting July 10) to be played in the field across the street, to be informal and for fun and fellowship. 6th Annual Music Extravaganza held in May; The Red Door new website formed by Bill Howells and Zach Price. Major improvement project was the design and construction of sloped metal roof on the east side of the Church House.
2004 ~ The Big Flats Community Food Pantry serves 1,141 households and 2,981 individuals, with overall donations totaling $7,109.56. Since 1989, the Reserve Fund has contributed $82,453.00 to the church treasury to balance each year’s budget.
2005 ~ Installation of new street light by the back door and office windows; Steinway piano re-dedicated on November 13 with restoration costs generously pledged and paid my members of our congregation and friends of our church.
2006 ~ Pennies From heaven collects $1,140.86; Special coffee hour celebration of Glen Bates’ 90th birthday (Glen joined this church at the age of 10). Extensive roofing work on the steeple; partition built to add an additional classroom in the upstairs Sunday School area; addition to storage building; Three new energy efficient windows installed in the church library.
2007 ~ New Director of Music, Nancy Compton started June 17. The Memory Library inventory includes 345 books. Painting of church steeple completed in October. Red Door published 10 times per year with Editor Bill Howells;
2008 ~ Several delicious luncheons prepared by Ann Slowik. First annual Hobby Show. “Praising Voices” children’s choir with Director Mary Ellen Rudnick. Coffee hour coffee made by Duane Welsh. First annual Talent Show; Church website developed by John and Benjamin Farr.
2009 ~ The Red Door newsletter goes electronic; St. Pauly shed set on church property; Garden Club meets throughout the summer; Garden plots given with rules and code of conduct, including recommendation to donate one tenth of produce to the food pantry. Steeple chimes destroyed by an electrical storm (replaced with digital chime system). Our church float won a $50.00 prize in the Big Flats Community Days parade.
2010 ~ During the summer, Office renovation completed; New lights installed; The Down Syndrome Buddy Walk was a success; Bell to the chimes installed; Care Posters led by Peg Halm a success; Doorbell installed at kitchen door; Attendance at worship averaged 66 and 37 during the summer months; “Souper Bowl Sunday” benefit for the Big Flats Food Pantry; Blanket Sunday in February; Annual outdoor worship service/picnic held at Wells land across from church; October celebrated World Communion with breads for different countries; “Shower for Mary” headed by the Tom Rhodes family was a huge success; Electronic organ for the Church House given by the Sahlberg Family; E-mail proved to be a major communication vehicle for the First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats where Bill Howells serves as the editor of The Red Door and Duane Welch and Neal Gummoe are responsible for the duplication and distribution by mail; Third annual Talent Show theme “A Night on Broadway.”; Repaired church steeple; Refinished front door and changed color to traditional red;
2011 ~ New refrigerator purchased for kitchen; Narthax, church house and library painted; Children collected $400 for the Children’s Miracle Network in October; Jenny Dean organized public Pancake Breakfasts held once a month from November through April with help from several volunteers in the church house; Spring rummage sale netted $1950; New guest book purchased; Garden Club continuing to grow; Painted church house and Sunday School room led by Pat Seem; Initiated a “Helping Hands” program to provide advice and assistance to members and friends of the church family; Maintenance of exterior grounds with help from Scott and Sheila French, Bill Howells, Sam Dean, Brett Buffington, Skip and Priscilla Smith, Bill Powell and Tom Rhodes, chairperson of Property Committee.
2012 ~ Historic display table set up, period costumes worn, mugs sold, ice cream social held and children play “period games” on September 30th celebrating the church in 185th anniversary; The First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats is the oldest active “continuous use as a church building” in Chemung County, New York. “Capital Improvements Project” of siding, windows, septic, electrical system and sidewalk total $64,000 with an $11,000 pledge donation; Pancake breakfast for public another big success; $1500 raised for Habitat for Humanity; Installed letters above the archway at the front of the sanctuary to recognize our church’s foundation date 1827.
2013 ~ Rev. Price serves on the following (but not limited to) Ecumenical Council, Arnot Ogden Chaplain, Presbytery Nominating Committee, Council and World Committee, Pastor Care, Preaching and Clergy Support Group, Leads Confirmation classes, Home visits; February “Valentine’s Visits” to shut-ins and gave cards made by Sunday School children; Stained glass window repair.
