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."
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.
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.
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 Century Memorial Fund plaque was also rescued from the ashes. A package of
Sunday School attendance cards was almost intact and perfectly legible.
Sunday School attendance cards was almost intact and perfectly legible.
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.
| © First United Methodist Church, Fulton, New York Web Design by Joe Abbate Contact Us at: umcfirst@alltel.net |
Please help support us. Your donations can help keep our Ministries strong. |
cross |
| How We Got Here (page two) |
Help support us by placing your business ad here. CONTACT US |
