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History of Our Buildings
Now that the Methodists were organized, they needed a meeting house. In 1825, Abraham Wagener deeded a lot on the north side of Church Street (now Chapel Street) to the new group for five dollars consideration so long as it was used for church purposes. The first Methodist meeting house was built in 1826 by Abraham Prosser. It was a frame construction 33 x 60 feet with a square tower and an octagonal belfry surrounded with balcony and rail above. An image representing Gabriel blowing a trumpet stood on the steeple.
The pulpit was in the east end, the choir occupied the balcony opposite, while side galleries ran between. Circumventing the elevated pulpit was an altar rail where the penitent might kneel. The walls were plastered and whitewashed, the small paned windows had no blinds, the floor no carpet, the pews no cushions, and the choir no musical instruments. There were wood stoves, the center chandelier used sperm oil lamps. The pews had strict backs and doors, and were stained dark red. Red drapery covered the front and sides of the pulpit, which was reached by climbing a flight of stairs on either side. The high pulpit, common t that time, made the occupant invisible when seated. The women were all seated on one side, the men on the other. When singing, the congregation would rise and turn their backs to the pulpit and the preacher, facing the choir; a practice which continued up to the early 1850s.
In 1849, the church was remodeled to provide Sunday School rooms and rooms for social gatherings. But even this expansion did not provide the necessary room for the growing congregation and a larger structure was sought. When the building ceased to be used for church purposes, it was used for a time as a school, and later moved from the property.
In 1857, after the slavery furor which had divided many churches died down, the First Free Congregational Church building was offered to the Methodists for $3,000, painted and refitted. The problem of raising funds was serious because of the financial panic that year, but the conditions were met and the church was officially dedicated on December 10, 1857.
In April of 1896, it was decided to erect a new church on the site of the old. A farewell service was held in August 1986. The official board authorized $30,000 for the construction of a new building. During construction, services were held in the County Courthouse. The new church building, costing almost $35,000 and built by Jacob Allington and Sons of Elmira, was dedicated on January 12, 1989.
The church was constructed of Ruddy-grey Medina sandstone. The two front entrances lead from Main Street through vestibules into the amphitheatral auditorium with the pulpit in the southwest corning, just in front of the choir loft and organ. The pews seat 450. The church was finished in red oak with hardwood floors. The doors and cushions were covered with plush of soft green tint, with draperies of the same material in harmony with the rich velvet on the aisles, chancel, and pulpit floors.
On the west side of the auditorium and opening into it by glazed sliding doors was the lecture room. It was surrounded on three sides by nine smaller classrooms. The north side entrance off Chapel Street led up into the lecture room and class rooms, and down into the kitchen and dining room. In 1941, the men of the church started removing dirt from beneath the auditorium to provide for more classrooms. This work had to be stopped after World War II began but was resumed in the fall of 1945.
In 1971, the school facilities on the rear of the church were demolished and the present educational wing was built. The addition encompasses 11,000 square feet of floor space with entrances from Chapel Street and thwere on the lower floor. The second floor provides eight church school rooms, a library, and a chapel.
A project was initiated in 1992 to address the condition of the almost 100 year old church building. This project included a complete repointing of the stone work on the exterior and roof repairs. The sanctuary renovation included new wiring, improved acoustics, new pew cushions, and carpet. When all the projects were completed, the total cost was $333,780.
The Memorial Building
The Memorial Building adjoins the church on the south-side and was purchased in 1958. While major remodeling was required, the building was sound and renovation was economically more feasible than replacement. The large rooms were well suited for church use. It presently houses the Pastor's study, church offices, staff offices, Sunday School rooms, a computer lab, and a kitchen, dining room, and parlor for receptions.
Parsonages
The early circuit riders boarded with members of the congregation when they were in Penn Yan. The first parsonage was purchased in 1848 for $1,500 and still stands today on the corner of Clinton and Benham Streets. The Reverend Alpha Wright and family were the first to occupy the new parsonage. The second parsonage was bequeathed to the church by Sarah H. Hollowell in 1917, her former home at 219 Main Street. This fine old house served until the current parsonage at 10 Rosewood Drive was purchased in 1962 for $25,000.
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