One hundred years after Isaac Teller first happened
upon the two small settlements at the Oswego River falls, the
First Methodist Episcopal Church had a membership of 289, a
Sunday School of 280, and Epworth League of 75 and a church
property worth fully $30,000.
upon the two small settlements at the Oswego River falls, the
First Methodist Episcopal Church had a membership of 289, a
Sunday School of 280, and Epworth League of 75 and a church
property worth fully $30,000.
The next great anniversary observation at First Methodist
Episcopal Church, Fulton was the Centennial of the First
Methodist Episcopal Society of Fulton, 1926. The designated
dates of the celebration were April 15-18. This three day
celebration was filled with historical and fun-filled events from
a reunion with a song service to a historical review of the past
hundred years. Another feature of the day was the launching
of the drive for the Memorial Fund for which a nucleus of
$6,500 had already been secured.
Episcopal Church, Fulton was the Centennial of the First
Methodist Episcopal Society of Fulton, 1926. The designated
dates of the celebration were April 15-18. This three day
celebration was filled with historical and fun-filled events from
a reunion with a song service to a historical review of the past
hundred years. Another feature of the day was the launching
of the drive for the Memorial Fund for which a nucleus of
$6,500 had already been secured.
Another part of the Centennial observation was the ground-breaking for the Parish
House (later to be called the Century Church House). The Rev. A. E. Legg had
proposed the idea of a parish house that the church might better serve the
community.
House (later to be called the Century Church House). The Rev. A. E. Legg had
proposed the idea of a parish house that the church might better serve the
community.
In November of 1940 a great celebration was held when
Reverend Charles Bollinger announced that the balance of the
church mortgage had been paid by two dedicated members.
The church was now debt-free! In this same year, the three
branches of the national Methodist Church unified and our
corporate title was changed to "First Methodist Church of
Fulton, New York."
Reverend Charles Bollinger announced that the balance of the
church mortgage had been paid by two dedicated members.
The church was now debt-free! In this same year, the three
branches of the national Methodist Church unified and our
corporate title was changed to "First Methodist Church of
Fulton, New York."
In 1942 the congregation bade farewell to Rev. Bollinger and welcomed the
Reverend Webster Melcher. This was six months after Pearl Harbor and First
Methodist members helped with Red Cross work and assistance to local servicemen
and continuing the Scouting program.
Dr. Legg's vision of a parish/community house had been fulfilled when by 1951 the
following groups met there: The Red Cross Blood Bank came ten times a year, the
Rotarians and Kiwanians, and the Masons were among service groups holding
banquets there, the Garden Club's Annual Flower Show and speakers for large
groups.
Reverend Webster Melcher. This was six months after Pearl Harbor and First
Methodist members helped with Red Cross work and assistance to local servicemen
and continuing the Scouting program.
Dr. Legg's vision of a parish/community house had been fulfilled when by 1951 the
following groups met there: The Red Cross Blood Bank came ten times a year, the
Rotarians and Kiwanians, and the Masons were among service groups holding
banquets there, the Garden Club's Annual Flower Show and speakers for large
groups.
This accelerating rhythm continued until 1961. On
Sunday, August 6, 1961 the usual usual worship service
was held in the First Methodist Church sanctuary. It was
the last service held in the 1894 church. On the night of
August 10, 1961 the church building was entirely
destroyed by fire. Yet faith was not dead. Phoenix-like, it
stirred even that day.
Sunday, August 6, 1961 the usual usual worship service
was held in the First Methodist Church sanctuary. It was
the last service held in the 1894 church. On the night of
August 10, 1961 the church building was entirely
destroyed by fire. Yet faith was not dead. Phoenix-like, it
stirred even that day.
Members organized searches of the ashes and debris. They discovered the safe,
which had fallen into the basement. The records inside the safe were scorched
around the edges, but essentially intact.
which had fallen into the basement. The records inside the safe were scorched
around the edges, but essentially intact.
Homer Ludington searched through the debris until he unearthed a pair of bronze urns and Paul Driscoll, the custodian, found the 1877 church bell, cleaned it, and after nearly 100 years of service, it sits at the front entrance of our present church. |
The Ecumenical and surrounding community organizations pitched in as well.
Immaculate Conception offered to print our bulletins the next Sunday. Many
churches offered facilities, as did the Chamber of Commerce and the Polish Home.
The Polish Home facilities were used for our worship services for the next three
years, while weekday activities were held in other churches.
Immaculate Conception offered to print our bulletins the next Sunday. Many
churches offered facilities, as did the Chamber of Commerce and the Polish Home.
The Polish Home facilities were used for our worship services for the next three
years, while weekday activities were held in other churches.
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