By 1809, land grants to discharged Revolutionary War
soldiers, water power, the famed eel fisheries, and lumbering
had made settlement along the east bank of the Oswego River
desirable. The Reverend Isaac Teller, a Methodist circuit rider
from the Cortland circuit, discovered Fredericksburgh (as
Fulton was then called) and, finding his words well-received,
made several return trips.
In 1818, two circuit riders began a powerful revival in this
growing area. By 1820, the revival had spent itself, perhaps
because of a total of 400 souls had been converted and they
had run out of people!
soldiers, water power, the famed eel fisheries, and lumbering
had made settlement along the east bank of the Oswego River
desirable. The Reverend Isaac Teller, a Methodist circuit rider
from the Cortland circuit, discovered Fredericksburgh (as
Fulton was then called) and, finding his words well-received,
made several return trips.
In 1818, two circuit riders began a powerful revival in this
growing area. By 1820, the revival had spent itself, perhaps
because of a total of 400 souls had been converted and they
had run out of people!
It was in April of 1826 when "Agreeable to previous notice, nine men met to form the
First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Volney." The land for the first
church building, believed to be the first in Oswego County for the Methodist
denomination, was given by Norman Hubbard with the stipulation that it always be
used for church purposes. Land was broken in 1928.
First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Volney." The land for the first
church building, believed to be the first in Oswego County for the Methodist
denomination, was given by Norman Hubbard with the stipulation that it always be
used for church purposes. Land was broken in 1928.
It was in 1826 also, that the cornerstone for the first lock
for the Oswego Canal was and the importance of Fulton's
now becoming part of the Erie Canal System meant that
Fulton had a steadily growing population needed to meet
the demands of this increasing commerce.
As early as 1838, our church hosted the Methodist Black
River Conference.
In addition, graduations from Falley Seminary, a
Presbyterian Seminary until 1849 when it was run by the
Methodist Conference, were held in the Methodist
Church. Other events such as musicals were also held in
our church.
In 1893 a group broke from the First Methodist Episcopal Church to establish
another congregation in the southern part of the village. The State Street
Methodist Episcopal Church was built on the northwest corner of South Fourth and
State Streets, where it flourishes and serves today.
another congregation in the southern part of the village. The State Street
Methodist Episcopal Church was built on the northwest corner of South Fourth and
State Streets, where it flourishes and serves today.
In 1983, Dr. Daniel Lake, a devoted and faithful servant of his church, offered to
exchange his home, which occupied the northwest corner of North Third and Oneida
Streets for a "commodious parsonage." Dr. Lake's generosity meant that First
Church now owned the corner property plus the adjacent original property given by
Norman Hubbard.
The May 15, 1894 cornerstone-laying ceremonies also saw the origin of a collection
to build a parsonage on the site of the original church which was to be torn down.
The new church would have frontage on Third Street of 80 feet and 104 feet on
Oneida Street. But a parsonage was only one project of First Methodist Episcopal
Church during the first decade of the 1900's.
exchange his home, which occupied the northwest corner of North Third and Oneida
Streets for a "commodious parsonage." Dr. Lake's generosity meant that First
Church now owned the corner property plus the adjacent original property given by
Norman Hubbard.
The May 15, 1894 cornerstone-laying ceremonies also saw the origin of a collection
to build a parsonage on the site of the original church which was to be torn down.
The new church would have frontage on Third Street of 80 feet and 104 feet on
Oneida Street. But a parsonage was only one project of First Methodist Episcopal
Church during the first decade of the 1900's.
In 1903, the church received its first scholarship to Syracuse
University. Said scholarship was to be awarded each year at a
regular meeting of our Board of Trustees "to that member of
the Sunday School in good standing who shall seem most
deserving of the honor."
The following year (in 1904) a pipe organ was installed in the
First Methodist Episcopal Church. "The cost of the superb
instrument and its installation will probably not exceed $6,000.
University. Said scholarship was to be awarded each year at a
regular meeting of our Board of Trustees "to that member of
the Sunday School in good standing who shall seem most
deserving of the honor."
The following year (in 1904) a pipe organ was installed in the
First Methodist Episcopal Church. "The cost of the superb
instrument and its installation will probably not exceed $6,000.
It was made possible by the generous offer of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, who gave
$1,500 on condition the balance of the purchase price should be raised and paid in
cash." (The Fulton Times)
$1,500 on condition the balance of the purchase price should be raised and paid in
cash." (The Fulton Times)
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