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By 1809, land grants to discharged Revolutionary War soldiers,
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!
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 men
met to form the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal to be the
first in Oswego County for the Methodist denomination, Church of
Volney." The land for the first church building, believed was given
by Norman Hubbard with the stipulation that it always be used for
church purposes. Land was broken in 1928.
men met to form the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal men
met to form the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal to be the
first in Oswego County for the Methodist denomination, Church of
Volney." The land for the first church building, believed 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.
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.
In 1893, 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.
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.
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.
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."
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)
who gave $1,500 on condition the balance of the purchase price
should be raised and paid in cash." (The Fulton Times)
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."
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."
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.
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 designated dates of the celebration were April 15-18. This three day 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.
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.
In November of 1940 a great celebration was held when the
church mortgage had been paid by two dedicated 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.”
church mortgage had been paid by two dedicated 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.”
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.
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.
| How We Got Here |
The next great anniversary observation at First Methodist
Episcopal Church, Fulton was the Centennial of the First
Methodist Episcopal Society of Fulton, 1926.
Episcopal Church, Fulton was the Centennial of the First
Methodist Episcopal Society of Fulton, 1926.
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
church.
In addition, graduations from Falley Seminary, a Presbyterian Seminary until
1849 when it was run by the Methodist Conference, were held in the
church.
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.
the church might better serve the community.
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