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| The Lintel Stone |
This Lintel Stone (right) depicts an important time
in our congregation's history. The stone was
located over the double entrance the original
church property, located at the corner of Oneida
in our congregation's history. The stone was
located over the double entrance the original
church property, located at the corner of Oneida
On June 9, 1915, the Official Board of the First
Methodist Episcopal congregation accepted an
offer to purchase the Marsh were also allocated
to raise the house, grade and beautify the site.
Methodist Episcopal congregation accepted an
offer to purchase the Marsh were also allocated
to raise the house, grade and beautify the site.
The new site had popular support to be used for a
Boy's Club. Following the successful conclusion
Boy's Club. Following the successful conclusion
In June of 1923, a Parish House planning committee was formed. At the dedication of the Century House
in 1926, the fund showed a substantial surplus. This surplus was used as seed to start the present
Century Memorial fund, that 1961, when a new building fund was organized.
in 1926, the fund showed a substantial surplus. This surplus was used as seed to start the present
Century Memorial fund, that 1961, when a new building fund was organized.
The earnings from the Century Memorial Fund are presently a large part of our budget each year, an
important gift from that early congregation. April 15th through April 18th of 1926 was designated as
the Centennial observation of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Fulton.
important gift from that early congregation. April 15th through April 18th of 1926 was designated as
the Centennial observation of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Fulton.
House, 1826-1926. The Century House was added to the west wall of the church - that
portion of the west side which lay north of the parsonage. Thus, the Century House ran
along the rear of the parsonage, extending several yards west of, and behind the
parsonage.
portion of the west side which lay north of the parsonage. Thus, the Century House ran
along the rear of the parsonage, extending several yards west of, and behind the
parsonage.
The Reverend A. E. Legg had proposed the idea of a parish house that the church might better serve
the community. As we have seen, the members readily accepted his suggestion and the community
quickly put the newly-built Century House to use.
the community. As we have seen, the members readily accepted his suggestion and the community
quickly put the newly-built Century House to use.
entirely destroyed by fire. As August 11th dawned hot and
bright, the smoldering ruins of First Methodist Church On
the night of August 10, 1961, the church sanctuary was
were as dark and dreary as the spirits of its members. Yet
faith was not dead. Phoenix-like, it stirred even that day.
bright, the smoldering ruins of First Methodist Church On
the night of August 10, 1961, the church sanctuary was
were as dark and dreary as the spirits of its members. Yet
faith was not dead. Phoenix-like, it stirred even that day.
Paul Driscoll, the custodian, found the 1877 church bell,
cleaned it, and, after nearly a hundred years of service, it
now sits at the front entrance of our present church. The
Century Memorial Fund plaque, which now hangs in the
church, was also rescued from the ashes.
cleaned it, and, after nearly a hundred years of service, it
now sits at the front entrance of our present church. The
Century Memorial Fund plaque, which now hangs in the
church, was also rescued from the ashes.
He unearthed the pair of bronze urns given by Imogene Paddock in memory of her mother, Mary
Weeks Paddock. That fire-blackened pair of urns are often in use on the altar or on the re-table.
Weeks Paddock. That fire-blackened pair of urns are often in use on the altar or on the re-table.
were present - Mrs. J. H. Howe, Miss Maybelle Hodges and Miss Florence Distin. The contents were
badly damaged by the corrosion of time; some papers were indecipherable while others had crumbled
to dust. A small bible seemed intact but was ready to crumble, too. A package of Sunday School
attendance cards was almost intact and perfectly legible.
badly damaged by the corrosion of time; some papers were indecipherable while others had crumbled
to dust. A small bible seemed intact but was ready to crumble, too. A package of Sunday School
attendance cards was almost intact and perfectly legible.
The Syracuse Herald Journal wrote of these days: "The great tower of the First Methodist Church is
down and traffic is moving freely. Great masses of rubble mount against remaining walls of the
church and over sidewalks, and soon the historic landmark, dedicated in December 1894, will be
erased as completely as if it had never existed."
down and traffic is moving freely. Great masses of rubble mount against remaining walls of the
church and over sidewalks, and soon the historic landmark, dedicated in December 1894, will be
erased as completely as if it had never existed."
In May 1963, the Official Board of the First Methodist Episcopal Church voted to sell the property and
remaining buildings on the corner of Oneida and East Third Street to the newly formed and church
sponsored Y. M. C. A. for a sum of $12,000.
remaining buildings on the corner of Oneida and East Third Street to the newly formed and church
sponsored Y. M. C. A. for a sum of $12,000.
The newly formed Y. M. C. A. replaced the portion of building destroyed in the fire of 1961 with a new
building housing a swimming pool, offices and locker rooms. During the Y. M. C. A. construction, the
Lintel Stone was cut through to accommodate a new support beam.
building housing a swimming pool, offices and locker rooms. During the Y. M. C. A. construction, the
Lintel Stone was cut through to accommodate a new support beam.
In the 1990's, the Y. M. C. A. moved to a new location and the once beautiful church building
deteriorated through disuse and became a blight in the neighborhood.
deteriorated through disuse and became a blight in the neighborhood.
of a 3-year sale of shares, the church established the Centenary Fund, which was fully supported by our
1918 congregation, and had a steady growth.
1918 congregation, and had a steady growth.
A sidewalk running between the west wall of the church and the east wall of the
parsonage led to the Century House's large double doors. Very busy doors were
there, with a large stage including dressing rooms. In addition, there was also a
commercial kitchen, fully furnished, and a full-size basketball court.
parsonage led to the Century House's large double doors. Very busy doors were
there, with a large stage including dressing rooms. In addition, there was also a
commercial kitchen, fully furnished, and a full-size basketball court.
The Red Cross Blood Bank came ten times a year. Rotarians and Kiwanians, also the Masons were
ample space it provided. Speakers came when they needed to seat a large audience or feed a large
group. Feeding three hundred was it simply meant more W. S. C. S. members were asked to work.
ample space it provided. Speakers came when they needed to seat a large audience or feed a large
group. Feeding three hundred was it simply meant more W. S. C. S. members were asked to work.
1997 the buildings were demolished to make room for the new
headquarters for Oswego County Opportunities. During demolition,
the Lintel Stone was discovered by the Rowlee Construction Company
and returned to our church.
headquarters for Oswego County Opportunities. During demolition,
the Lintel Stone was discovered by the Rowlee Construction Company
and returned to our church.
| The stone can be seen in our church today! |
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