Sandy Plains Methodist Church 50th Anniversary

Sandy Plains Methodist
Church

50th Anniversary
South Cairo, NY
1905-1955

Contributed by the Durham Center Museum and retyped by Arlene Goodwin

The Sandy Plains Church of South Cairo
Cairo Charge
Cairo—Round Top—Acra—South Cairo
Kingston District

New York Conference
Resident Bishop - -   - - - -Frederick Buckley Newell
District Superintendent - - -   -   - - D. George Davies
Minister - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ernest Mac Millan
Organists
Mrs. Peter Suttmeier—Mrs. Percy Lampman

Board of Trustees
Percy Lampman               Percy Duncan
Burr Jump                         Raymond Rouse
Ervine Lampman              Lamont Duncan, Jr.

Board of Stewards
Mrs. Raymond Rouse          Mrs. Burr Jump
Mrs. Arnole Schieren            Mrs. Percy Lampman
Mrs. Peter Suttmeier            Ms. Lamont Duncan, Jr.
Mrs. W. Darling                    Mr. Peter Suttmeier

Superintendent Sunday School
Ervine Lampman

                President W. S. C. S.                 Church Treasurer
             Mrs. Lamont Duncan, Jr.             Lamont Duncan, Jr.

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Fiftieth Anniversary Service
September 25, 1955 – 3:00 P. M.
Order of Worship

PRELUDE “Meditation” by Oberg

CALL TO WORSHIP

INVOCATION PRAYER

*HYME No. 533 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison; seated):

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy loving kindness; according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities and cleanse us from our sins. For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sins is ever before us. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

SILENT PRAYER

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

QUARTET “Take Time To Be Holy”

*RESPONSIVE READING: “The House of Prayer.” Page 590

*GLORIA PATRI

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostle’ Creed

SOLO: “He Smiled on Me” (O’Hara)

SCRIPTURE READING, Rev. Francis A. Potter

PRAYER, Rev. George A. Cole

QUARTET, “Dear Lord and Father of mankind”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERTORY SOLO: “Divine Redeemer” (Gounod)

PRESENTATION OF OFFERINS *DOXOLOGY

*HYMN No. 256 “Faith of Our Fathers”

SERMON: Dr. D. George Davies

PRAYER

HYMN No. 381 “The Church of One Foundation”

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE “souvenir” by DRDLA

*Congregation standing

GUESTS PARTICIPATING
IN OUR ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

SPEAKER: Dr. D. George Davies, District Superintendent, Kingston District, New York Conference

FORMER PASTORS:

                    Rev. Francis A. Potter, Greenville, N.Y.
                    Rev. George A. Cole, Ravena, N.Y
                    Rev. Doland Russet, Shrub Oak, N.Y.

ORGANIST: Miss Beverly Wendelken, Cairo, N.Y.

SOLOIST: Mrs. Robber H. Pixley, Kingston, N.Y.

SOLOIST’S ACCOMPANIST: Raymond C. Corey, Minister of Music, St. James Methodist Church, Kingston, N. Y.

QUARTET: Catskill Glee Club Quartet---Donald Fellows, Robert Hayes, Edward Terpening, Roland Heermance

OUR ANNIVERSARY COVENANT

“My church is the place where the word of God is preached, the power is felt, the spirit in God is manifested, the love of God is revealed, and the unity of God is perceived.

It is the home of my soul, the altar of my devotion, the hearth of my faith, and the center of my affections.

I have united with it in solemn covenant, pledging myself to attend its service, to pray for its members, to give to its support.

I owe to it my zeal, my benevolence, and my prayers. When I neglect its services, I injure its good name, I lessen its power, I discourage its members, and I chill my own soul.

I have solemnly promised, in the sight of God and men, to advance the interests of the church by my faithful attendance, by never neglecting its ordinances, by meeting with fellow members, by watching over their welfare, by joining with them, in prayer and praise and service; and that promise, I this day, renew before God, my Father, Christ, my Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, my Comforter.”

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

The Sandy Plains Methodist Church at South Cairo is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary. This week will be known as Anniversary Week with the conclusion on October 2^nd with Holy Communion and a Service of Re-Dedication. The Rev. Ernest F. Mac Millen presiding minister.

This littler church is the oldest organized Protestant church in Cairo Township. It had its beginning in 1791 where John Crawford was stationed at Coeymans.

The Sandy Plains Society was organized in 1835.

The first meeting place was at the home of Henry Weeks of Indian Ridge. The “Circuit rider” came around once every four weeks and preached on Wednesday evenings. At length the “Circuit” was divided and there was preaching every two weeks.

As the country became settled and the inhabitants more numerous, the meetings were held in the hay press, on the farm of John Pine. This press is still standing. The property is now owned by Mrs. Leona Simpson, formerly the Ira Vail property.

In 1837 the congregation erected a church on the Sandy Plains Road near the Four Corners. Services were held every Sunday morning by the ministers that preached in Catskill. In 1856 the Leeds Methodist Church was built and South Cairo and Leeds were united. The same minister preached in both places. The Leeds Methodist Church was closed a few years ago.

In 1905, the growth of the community made it seemingly necessary to build a new edifice nearer South Cairo. An eligible lot was donated by Mr. Herbert Duncan, a son of James Duncan, one of the officials of the church.

The plan of the new church was furnished by the Church Extension Society.

The six large cathedral stained glass windows were moved from the old church building to the present building.

Notable gifts at the time were: the pulpit Bible given by Prof. John Lind; the bell, given by Leroy Goodrich; the organ, given by Porter Jones; the carpet given by women of the church.

One hundred loads of stone were cut out from the quarry of Sanford Duncan and drawn by Nick Deyo.

At the time of dedication, this church was free of debt, with a surplus of $18 which was put in the treasury.

The trustees who planned and executed the construction of the building were: Dwight Mead, John Lind, Ira Vail and William N. Goodrich of Shady Plains who is the only surviving members of the board.

Miss Annie Pine of Catskill, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Owens of Coxsackie, Mrs. Justus Rouse and Mrs. Adeline Wetmore of Leeds are the oldest living members of the church.

The lovely old church was dedicated on Aug. 11, 1905 with the Rev. H. I. Hoag, presiding minister. The Rev. Joel Lincoln of Rifton, preaches the dedicatory sermon. Rev. Lincoln returned to South Cairo on a visit 40 years later and preached a Sunday sermon form the same pulpit.

The beautiful painting of “Christ Healing the Sick,” which hangs over the Sanctuary was painted and donated by the Rev. P. St. John Coleman, minister from 1907-1912.

Later gifts donated, were the Church Bulletin Board, made and donated by Louis J. Tressler, and the Hymn board donated by Mrs. Grace Schieren in memory of her mother Elizabeth Tressler. A pair of vases were donated by Wilfred and Thelma Adolphi in memory of Mrs. H. H. Montgomery. The piano was a gift from the Young Peoples Group. The cross was made and donated by Mrs. Weidemeer of Cornwallville, the candlesticks by Mrs. Weidemeer. The gas range was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Garcia.

The cornerstone was covered up when the need for a Sunday School room and a room for the social activities of the church became necessary. This addition was made in 1930, just 25 years ago.

This historic old church has drawn many people from neighboring towns to enjoy the fine suppers which the ladies of the church have put on through the years.

This church has been blessed many times with the singing and laughter of children, and the good fellowship of small community. The prayers of the faithful followers have brought this church and its members through 50 years of Christian Service.

May the Lord bless us and keep us, and make His Face to shine upon us. Bring us peace, that we may enjoy another 50 years in His Church.

(The history was complied by Mrs. V. B. Jump and Mrs. A. Ricci, from the existing records, that were diligently searched, and information supplied by some of our oldest members. If there are any discrepancies, or omission we truly regret it.)

Ministers Deceased Since 1905

Rev. H. I. Hoag	Rev. J. H. Fyfe
Rev. St. John Coleman	Rev. John E. Parker
Rev. G. C. Morse	Rev. J. A. Hurn
Rev. J. E. Spence	Rev. M. H. Ryan

In Loving Memory
Gladys Irene Whetmore Duncan
Organist 1915-1954

Present Living Ministers

Rev. W. B. Chandler Hunter, N. Y.	Rev. George Cole Ravena, N. Y.
Rev. D. T. Keil	Rev. Francis A. Potter Greenville, N. Y.
Rev. G. A. Skaggs Indianapolis, Ind.	Rev. Dorland Russet Shrub Oak, N. Y.
Rev. H. Kishpaugh Olive Bridge, N. Y.	Col. John Fellows Newfoundland
Rev. Ernest Mac Millan

Oldest Living Members

William N. Goodrich	Miss Annie Pine, Catskill
Mrs. John Lind, Catskill	Mrs. Justus Rouse
Mrs. Adeline Whetmore	Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Owen, Coxsackie

Boosters

Mr. & Mrs. A. Alp	Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Flinn
Mrs. L. K. Angell	Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Garcia
Mr. & Mrs. Bart	Mrs. Bertha Geske
Mr. John Beers	Miss May Goodrich
Mr. & Mrs. G. P. Benedetto	Mr. William N. Goodrich
Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Brandow	Mr. & Mrs. William Griffith
Mr. & Mrs. Briggs	Mr. & Mrs. Max Hessel
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Byrne	Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hoch
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Campbell	Mr. & Mrs. Charles Holdridge
Mr. & Mrs. Mario Commetti	Mr. & Mrs. Earl Hotaling
Mr. & Edward Cone	Mr. & Mrs. George Jones
Mrs. Loretta Cusker	Mr. & Mrs. Burr Jump
Mr. & Mrs. Erling Dale	Mr. Claude Jump
Mrs. & Mrs. William Daring	Mr. & Mrs. William Kleeman
Mr. & Mrs. Sherman Drake	Mrs. Adelaide Kops
Mr. & Mrs. Clarence M. Duncan	Mr. & Mrs. Claude Lampman
Mr. & Mrs. Dean Duncan	Mr. Erwin Lampman
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Duncan Jr.	Mr. Ervine F. Lampman
Mr. Percy Duncan	Miss Patricia Lampman
Mr. & Mrs., V. Lamont Duncan Jr.	Mr. & Mrs. Percy Lampman
Mr. & Mrs. V. Lamont Duncan Sr.	Mr. & Mrs. D. S. Lampman (Ruth Jump)
Mr. & Mrs. August Essenwein	Mr. & Mrs. Lebenberger
Miss Susan Essenwein	Mr. & Mrs. W. Lester
Mr. & Mrs. George Essig	Mr. & Mrs. Fred Leute
Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Field	Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ludecker
Miss Ethel Fiero	Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Mac Donald
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Fisher	Mr. Thomas MacDonald
Mrs. Vera Marsh	Miss Julia Schuerman
Mr. & Mrs. Roland McLaren, Sr.	Mrs. Beulah Simpson In memory of mother, Elizabeth Jump
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Miller	Mrs. Clyde Simpson, Sr
Mr. & Mrs. Alex Morillion	Miss Norma Simpson
Mr. & Mrs. M. Morillion	Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Mortrensen	Mr. & Mrs. Howard Snyder
Mrs. Angelina Mowers	Mr. & Mrs. David Speenburg
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Nelson	Mr. & Mrs. Howard Stanley
Mr. & Mrs. A. Orin	Mr. & Mrs. Donald Stein
Mr. Donald Patterson	Mr. Ed Sullivan
Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Patterson	Mr. & Mrs. John Suttmeier
Miss Annie Pine	Mr. William Taggart
Mr. & Mrs. Priputen	Mr. & Mrs. George Taranto
Mrs. Beulah Burroughs Rouse	Mr. & Mrs. John Tressler
Mr. & Mrs. A. Ricci	Mr. Andrew Trevalle
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Rouse	Dr. & Mrs. E. B. V an Deusen
Mrs. Freda Russak	Mr. & Mrs. Vaselak
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Schieren	Mr. & Mrs. Waechter
Mr. & Mrs. Ferdinand Schieren	Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Waldron
Mr. & Mrs. H. Schlobohm	Mrs. Anna Rouse Warner
Mrs. Edith Sessa	Mrs. Emeline Weeks
Mr. Amos Shelley	Mrs. Adeline Whetmore
Mr. & Mrs. Fred ShelleyIn memory of first S. S. teacher, Mrs. Dusten	Miss Inez Whetmore
Mr. & Mrs. J. Winans	Mr. Otto Youmans

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