Our Past Heritage

A Brief History of our Church --

There is some evidence that a Methodist Society exisited in Unadilla prior to 1854. According to Chaffee's "History of the Wyoming Conference," Unadilla was a part of the Otego Circuit and before that of the Otsego Circuit. Other records speak of the Tioga-Unadilla Circuit as being one of eleven in the Albany District back in 1802, when the Methodist Episcopal Church was divided into Conferences. Undoubtedly, this refers to the Unadilla Valley, for we recall that the early settlers made their homes along the rivers and waterways as these were then the only logical methods of transportation.

In April 1832, Moses B. Maxwell leased to the Trustees of the Unadilla Central Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church 76 1/2 rods of land. The yearly rental of this property was one peppercorn. Sometime prior to the building of the Church, services were held in the east end of the dwelling house of G. W. Hardy on Main St. Slab benches were constructed for seating the people. This building was erected by Judge Page and used as a store, and is as of writing of this history the property owned by Larry and Harriet Henchey.

The Trustees were incorporated on December 6, 1854, with Solon P. Hubbel and Samuel G. Cleveland presiding. On December 29, 1856, Christopher D. Fellows and his wife deeded the site for the Church for $350.00 and the Church was then in the process of erection. It cost $2,700.00 and was dedicated by Bishop Janes on January 27, 1857. On February 15, 1885, after spending $6,000.00 remodeling the building, the Church was rededicated. The bell was purchased at a cost of $500.00 in 1881 and the pipe organ, ata a cost of $600.00 in 1900.

In 1928, an extensive remodeling program was undertaken and fully paid for ($20,000.00 was expended); the large two story addition housing a new kitchen, dining room facilities, Sunday School rooms, etc. was added; the interior redecorated, new pews to take the place of the old theatre type wooden seats, new lighting fixtures, etc. were purchased. At this time, the organ was electrified. In 1950 the organ was enlarged. In 1954, various improvements were made, including a much needed modern heating system.

In October, 1967, a Unadilla Methodist Progress and Growth Crusade was undertaken and pledges totaling over $42,000.00 over a 3-year period were realized. This amount was spent in rennovations throughout the Church, the most notable being in the kitchen and dining areas and downstairs Sunday School rooms.

The parsonage, next to the church property, was purchased in 1867 and this too has been remodeled at several different dates as needs have arisen, the last time being a modern kitchen finished in 1952.

The Unadilla Church has been particularly honored in General Conference delegates. John W. VanCott was a delegate to the Conference in 1908, a great honor to have a representative from a rural church such as Unadilla. Walter L. Hunt was elected a delegate to the Conference in Columbus, Ohio in 1936 and  has attended as a delegate from the laymen of Wyoming Conference many times since that date, including the Uniting Conference at Kansas City in 1939. He has been president of the Laymen's Association of the Wyoming Conference for more than 30 years. He has also been a delegate to each of the Jurisdictional Conferences and chairman of the program committee for the last tow quadrenniums. Mr. Hunt has had many honors and usual experiences for a layman from a rural community.

This history was at the time of our 125th Anniversary Celebration 25+ years ago. 

In June 2006, our church basement was flooded beyond repair.  During the period of rebuilding when our church family joined with Sidney Center and the Unadilla Presbyterians for worship, a redecoration project was completed in our church sanctuary.  This restoration included implementing several improvements in our organ. The workings of the organ were moved into the Sanctuary behind the altar wall and the pipes were stenciled in the pattern of photos from the early 1900's.  Floors were refinished, sanctuary walls and ceiling were repaired and painted. New fixture glass was installed and new fans and entrance lighting fixtures were also installed.  Rededication of the redecorated sanctuary and organ was held on December 23, 2007, 150 years after the original dedication.  Pastor Earl W. Roberts III was Pastor for this celebration.  Caputo Bros. of Norwich did most of the contracing, while Sidney Chase of Worcester did the Organ and Pipe restoration.

"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain."  Psalm 127:1 

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