Jacksonville (NY) Community United Methodist Church history

Introduction page

An exciting and stressful day. Exciting because I finished transcribing and indexing my great-grandmother’s handwritten history of the Jacksonville, New York M.E. Church. Readers should note that the name of the church changed over time, and as I was finishing the project, I asked: What do I call this? I decided on the name the community is using now.

Next page with quote from an 1898 newspaper

While transcribing her diaries I learned in 1946 Jessie (Tucker) Agard was asked to write the history of the community church. In January 1947 she purchased a manuscript book for $10.00 at Miller’s Paper Store in Ithaca, New York. Every day that winter she noted, “worked on church history.” I was curious to see this book, but no one seemed to know where it was. Thanks to my cousin and former Jacksonville Town Historian, Nancy Dean, a copy of the handwritten pages were found.

Jessie’s history of the church starts in 1790 and continues with board of trustee minutes through 1946. I learned this spring that she was asked to continue, which she did until 1957 when Florence Graham took over. During our visit to Jacksonville this May I was able to hold the manuscript book that Jessie purchased and copied the history into.

The morning was stressful because I took five copies of the completed history to the UPS store to ship to the Bridgeport National Bindery in Agawam, MA—a good thing, but always wondering, did I get everything right? Are all the pages in order (even though I checked each one)? Murphy's Law?

Five copies prepped and ready to ship to Bridgeport National Bindery

 I look forward to holding the bound books in my hand, and then distributing them to the proper repositories.

This project is for you great-grandma Jessie Agard. 

Jacksonville M.E. Church History – Help Wanted

During our week in the Ithaca, New York area for my book tour, I was encouraged to continue transcribing my great-grandmother’s handwritten history of the Jacksonville M.E. Community Church. I was told that there are new people attending the church and they are interested in its history.

The hamlet of Jacksonville, New York had fallen on hard times about fifty years ago when the Mobile gas station at the center of the hamlet leaked huge amounts of gasoline into the groundwater destroying the town’s water supply. People left, and Mobile was forced to buy up the properties. Many houses were torn down.

Residents saved the old Methodist church from demolition. The building was moved in about 1897 from its location on Route 96 to 5020 Jacksonville Road. A graduate of Cornell’s School of Architecture recently purchased the old church building, and he plans to renovate it for living space and community use. To see the old church and the history surrounding it read the article here.

This is where I need help. When transcribing my great-grandmother’s church history I realized there is twenty-seven critical years missing from that document. It ends in 1888 and picks up again in 1915. There has to be documentation of discussions about moving the old church – a substantial building- off the site to its present location and then building the “new” church. So far the only information I’ve been able to find was on FultonHistory.com. An article in the Farmer Review December 3, 1898 tells of the dedication of the new church. In 1905 there are several articles in The Ithaca Daily News about the congregation suing David W. Lewis of Elmira for improper construction. The congregation won the case, and the new church was built without incurring any debt.

The Jacksonville M.E. Church has been and still is an important part of the hamlet. I believe the church’s history, transcribed and indexed, will also be important as the community is revitalized.

If any readers have information or know of anyone who had ancestors who attended this church and might have diaries, journals, or newspaper clippings, please let me know. I have more people and organizations to contact, but so far the history of Jacksonville, New York seems to be mostly non-existent.

Jacksonville Community Church 1945-46 Rehabilitation Project board members

The Building Committee

Harland Knight, Chairman

E. Delos Crumb                                                                                    Mrs. Esther Hopkins

Mrs. Mabel Carman                                                                             Floyd Parke

Mrs. Alice Hopkins                                                                                Arthur Moody

Trustees

Mrs. Mabel Carman, Chairman

E. Delos Crumb                                                                                    Alfred Graham

Hewart Heathwaite                                                                               Mrs. Hope Knight

Floyd Parke

The Finance Committee

Mrs. Winifred Baker, Chairman

Alfred Graham, Vice Chairman

Mrs. Maude Agard                                                                                    Miss Anna Mekeel

Francis Lueder                                                                                            Arthur Agard

Mrs. Elsie Vann                                                                                           Mrs. Esther Hopkins

Herman Davis                                                                                              Fay Stevens

The Official Board

Arthur Agard                                                                                                Hewart Heathwaite

William Agard                                                                                                Thomas Hopkins

Fred Baker                                                                                                       Esther Hopkins

Winifred Baker                                                                                               Harland Knight

Roger Brown                                                                                                   Hope Knight

C.O. Carman                                                                                                    Dr. Chas Lueder

Mabel Carman                                                                                                Julie Lueder

E. Delos Crumb                                                                                               Francis Lueder, Jr.

Margaret Crumb                                                                                            Floyd Parke

Herman Davis                                                                                                Lillian Parke

Alfred Graham                                                                                               Frank Reynold

Clyde Gould                                                                                                    Willard Wilcox

William Vann

The Department Heads

Church School                                    Alice Hopkins, Acting Supt.

W.S.C.S.                                               Esther Hopkins, President

Young Adult Fellowship                    Winifred Baker

Youth Fellowship                               Carolyn Crumb, Chairman

Boy Scouts, Troop 22                        Prof. Harry Loberg

Scout Master                                      Hewart Heathwaite

Jacksonville Community Church Rehabilitation Project 1944-1946

The Rehabilitation Project

[As in the Dedication Souvenir Program]

Every pastor, since Floyd Morris and his faithful crew of laymen repaired and re-dedicated the “new basement” and hearth room with a little money and a lot of work, has wanted “to do something” about the condition of Jacksonville Church. But the job, once you looked at it, seemed endless. If you fixed the roof, what would you do with the chimney? If you tore out the chimney, what would happen to the heating plant and what would you do with the inside scars? It looked overwhelming.

Then two things happened in the summer of 1944. Arthur Moody was sent to Trumansburg and Jacksonville, some say “for just such a time as this.” He felt, as many of the “faithful” did, about the condition of the church building. After spending a morning alone in the church, thoughtfully and carefully going over the entire plant, he felt he had “assurance” that “something” could be done about it. So the next Sunday, July 9, a notice appeared in the Sunday Bulletin. “The Minister is looking for someone with $1,000 to challenge the church and community to match or double that gift to make the church a fitting expression of Christian faith."

The second “impetus” given was in a church school board meeting at the home of Alice Hopkins. Starting with the needs of the departments of the “Church School” housed in the damp and musty basement rooms. The discussion crystallized in the appointment of a “housing committee” to confer with the trustees on the matter of repairs. At the instigation of Alice Hopkins this committee met during the minister’s vacation, then met with the trustees and evolved a plan to “start somewhere” and do that job well. Just “one step” at a time with an “over-all” plan in view. The “League Room” was settled on as the first project. The first objective was raising $500.

The Young Adult Fellowship, organized during the pastorate of Chas. Tryon, took on this task. August 26 a meeting was held with some dozen YAF members and the minister at the Fred and Winnie Baker camp. The theme was “ways and means.” A plan was make, put in operation, $500 was raised and the work on the League Room was begun in September in charge of Leslie Hovencamp with Harland Knight as chairman of operations. It was completed and rededicated in November at a cost of about $410.

In the meantime, the “Crusade for Christ” was put on. Jacksonville was given a quote of $625 and was one of the first churches in the district to go over with a subscription of $678. Several persons felt the encouragement of this to think in terms of larger projects for the church.

January 7, 1945, the Official Board declared 1945 “Anniversary Year,” because the 150^th anniversary of the beginnings of the church in Jacksonville came that year. Likewise, several other anniversaries.

February 12, ten officials with the minister met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harland Knight to discuss possible further repairs on the church. On February 15 a series of weekly letters of “information” began to go out to some 200 families. With Sunday, February 18, the minister began a series of sermons preparatory to a “move ahead.”

February 19 was an important evening in Jacksonville Church history. Twenty-two officials met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Delos Crumb. They decided to raise $5,000 at least to repair the church inside and out. This work was to be made a community “Memorial” to the Youth in Service from Jacksonville community. March 12 the finance committee met at the home of the Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Moody to discuss final details of raising the fund with a goal of $5,500. The campaign was called, “The Crusade of the Cross.”

March 18, ninety-two people were present at the sun service and began to “lift that cross” with $1,200 subscribed. March 25, $750 more was subscribed, and when church was over April 1, $2,650 had been written in the “Book of Golden Memories.”

The “Anniversary Year” had two objectives: 1) Fill the church by Easter, and 2) Fix the church this year. The church was filled Easter and the project began to “fix” the church April 1. April 13 Professor Walter Long of Auburn was retained as consulting architect.

The building committee under leadership of Harland Knight tackled an almost impossible job. Material was scarce, labor was scarcer. Winifred Baker, chair of the finance committee was taken sick, so Graham took over.

August 12 was celebrated as “Progress Sunday.” The work on the outside had been completed and the sum had mounted to $5,675. Rev. Floyd Morris, former pastor, was the speaker.

Then “post-war conditions” caused a series of delays. Many unexpected necessities for the building increased costs. The day of dedication was postponed from December 16, 1945 to March 31, 1946. Meanwhile, two $1,000 legacies had been left the church, “for just this time.” Another $1,000 was subscribed by the membership and friends. An unestimated number of hours of donated labor by many different people in addition has made possible final consummation of the work.

Architect, Professor Walter Long of Auburn; Contractors Van and Mac, Auburn; Heating, Herbert Haight, Trumansburg; Painting, Leslie Hovencamp, Jacksonville; Electrician, Chas Drummond, Jacksonville; Organ, Frederick Betts, Moravia.

Jacksonville Community Church History - Dedication 1946

Church Dedication – 1946

The community of Jacksonville and its minister, Rev. Arthur Moody realized a dream that they have had for more than a year when the new sanctuary and the repaired and redecorated church was dedicated Sunday, March 31, 1946. The dedication service was held at 10:30, conducted by Bishop W. Earl Pedden of Syracuse with Dr. Harold Stearns of Geneva District and Rev. Arthur Moody, assisting.

The bishop preached the sermon. Two choirs furnished the music. The Sanctuary Choir, directed by Herbert Haight (20 voices); the Chancel Choir (12 voices), directed by Charlotte Schubert, Mrs. Margaret Crumb, organist and Mrs. Hope Knight, pianist. Miss Jane Dillingham of Binghamton, violinist.

Dinner was served at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Carman to the Building Committee trustees, finance committee, official board and their husbands and wives. Between 40 and 50 attended.

Bishop and Mrs. Sedden and Dr. Harold and Mrs. Stearns and all officers sat down to a fine dinner.

After dinner, the Carmans held “open house” to all the friends of the church and community.

Dr. and Mrs. Rowe came for p.m. and stayed to lunch.

The evening service was held at 7:30 at the church. Dr. Benjamin Rowe of Newark, former District Superintendent of Elmira District preached. The sanctuary choir furnished the music. The churches of the vicinity were invited to the service.

Rev. Richard Henderson, rector of the Church of the Epiphany, brought greetings from the neighboring congregation. There was a full house both morning and evening.

Jacksonville Community Church - History 1852-1858

During my Finger Lakes Book Tour this week I realized I should continue the transcription of my great-grandmother Jessie (Tucker) Agard's handwritten history of the Jacksonville Community Church. I was told there are many new members of this church and that they are interested in its history. Since I have a long way to go on this project, I thought I would post sections of it to help anyone researching ancestors in the Jacksonville, Ulysses area of Tompkins County, New York. 

One alteration I decided to make in Grandma's listing of names was to list them last name first for easier identification. It will also make it easier to develop an index. 

If anyone is searching for an ancestor during the 1842 - 1946 time frame, which I believe this history covers, please send me an email and I will look through the manuscript. I did this for the Smith family, which is listed on this blog. 

Transcription of handwritten history:

Dec. 4, 1852            Resolution

Bro. Robinson, pastor, empowered to make arrangements to preach at other appointments.

Resolved that we make Bro. Robinson a donation.

1853            Donation for Bro. Robinson.

March 3, 1855              Resolved by this Quarterly Conference that a subscription be taken immediately for remodeling the present “House of Worship” in classrooms below and an audience room above upon the second floor with an addition in front for a belfry or steeple.  Carried unanimously, William Farrington, R.S.

1856            The bell was purchased in 1856 and transferred to the new church in 1998 at the time of the dedication.

Names of Members:

H.F. Giles – Preacher in Charge – Leader

Farrington, Catherine                                         Bogardus, John C.

Cooper, Jeremiah                                                Earl, Charilla

Cooper, Lydia                                                        Earl, Sarah

Cooper, Helen                                                       Earl, Polly

Dean, Sally                                                            Caroline Mack

Ferris, Julia                                                            VanOrder, Elizabeth

Dean, Harriet E.                                                   Baker, Emily

VanOrder, Adam                                                  Dean, Julia

VanOrder, Maria                                                   Mattison, Eliza

Hartupe, Sally                                                        VanOrder, Eliza

Vanbuskirk, Sarah                                                Wilcox, Hannah

Shaw, J                                                                    Dean, Emily

Shaw, Eliza                                                            Baker, Asenith

Colegrove, Nancy                                                Gale, Catherine

Wilcox, Leonard                                                   Wilcox, Polly

Wilcox, Hester A.                                                  Babcock, Tompkins

Babcock, Margaret                                                Mandaville, Betsy

1856-57            Class No. 2            William Farrington, Leader

Stout, Joseph                                                          Lanning, Caroline

Stout, Maria                                                            Follett, Silas

Wilcox, Elisha                                                         Follett, Nancy

Earl, Mehitable                                                      Smith, Emeline

Smith, Clement                                                     Curry, Nancy

Smith, Lucy                                                            Smith, Peter

King, Asaph (local preacher)                              Smith, Rhoda

King, Jane                                                              Thompson, Catherine

Wheelock, Lydia                                                   Rightmire, John

Smith, Robert                                                        Rightmire, Amy

Smith, Hannah                                                      Rightmire, Anna M.

Ganoung, Joseph                                                  Dickens, Hannah

Ganoung, Amelia                                                  Richey, Russell

Norton, Smith                                                        Thomas, Emily

Norton, Abigail                                                      Lambert, Henry

Taylor, Mary                                                          Ganoung, Tamor

Ganoung, Ursula                                                   Mack, Maria

Smith, Jehiel                                                          Woodworth, Fanny

Smith, Melissa                                                        Lambert, Sarah

Smith, Abigail                                                         Follett, Phoebe

Norton, Cl. Statia                                                   Norton, Jehiel

Pierson, Albert                                                       Norton, Lufanny

Pierson, Mary                                                         Williams, Mary

Darrah, Jane                                                           Van, Mary Jane

1858             Mack Settlement – New Organization – James Huson, Leader

Huson, Fanny                                                            Follett, Henrietta

Lambert, Joseph                                                       Follett, Elmina

Woodworth, David                                                   Huson, Ellen

Minier, Abram                                                            Fergurson, Louisa

Rightmire, Lyman                                                     Richards, Emeline

Rightmire, Mary                                                        Dickenson, Catherine

Fergurson, John J.                                                    Smith, Sylvester

Fergurson, Deborah                                                Corben, Jane E.

Trotter, Ab. M.                                                          Rightmire, Addison

Wilson, Oscar                                                            Mott, Mrs. (old lady)

Fowler, Alvah

Fowler, Melissa

Sullivan, Eli S.

Sullivan, Susan

Sullivan, Benj. F.

Luckey, Henry

Luckey, Susan

Pinckney, Harriet

Smith, Alonzo

Huson, Fenton

Pinckney, Owen

Dubois, Antoinette

Westervelt, Peter

Sullivan, Sophronia

52 Ancestors – Week 2 – Favorite Photo

Jessie (Tucker) Agard and Arthur Agard

This prompt was much harder. As many favorite photos popped into my head, I realized I had already posted them on this blog. But I knew the person I wanted to honor. That person is my great-grandmother Jessie (Tucker) Agard. I have written a few posts about Jessie, so readers may remember that she was Ulysses (NY) Town Historian for over twenty years. That was before my time of understanding what that meant. I now realize my desire to preserve history and to document my ancestors probably comes from her genetic influence.

I am the lucky recipient of Jessie’s diaries, started in 1944 up to her death in 1973, as well as her handwritten history of the Jacksonville Community Church, listing its pastors, boards, and members, and a copy of the handwritten and transcribed journal of her grandmother, Adeline Cleveland Hosner who was born in Jacksonville, NY in 1809. Adeline’s journals were edited and published as The Pioneer Clevelands. Jessie’s family can be traced back to the Rev. John Lowthropp. The Rev Lowthropp arrived Boston 18 September 1634, and eventually moved his congregation to Barnstable, MA.

The photo is of Jessie and her husband Arthur Agard on her 90^th birthday, January 2, 1966. The photo was taken at a family dinner at her son, Merritt's home on Route 89, Trumansburg, New York, overlooking Cayuga Lake. Merritt and Maude returned from their winter in Florida just for this occasion.

In Jessie’s own words, here is what she wrote in her diary for January 2, 1966:

“This is my Birthday [90 years] Snowing. We are invited to Merritt’s for 5 o’clock dinner, Bill’s family too, and we went with them. Ethel, Margaret, Ken, Millie, Skip, Dianne, Nancy, Martha and Laura H. Merritt and Maude came from Florida to be here for my 90^th Birthday.”

The hutch shown in the background of this photo now resides in our home, as does the dishes that are displayed. This photo and Jessie's journal entry brings a lot of memories. Only two of those listed are still alive.

Jacksonville NY Methodism - an early history

In the year 1790 a Methodist family, Samuel Weyburn, wife and four children, settled at what was later known as Goodwin’s Point, now Taughannock. Four years later two brothers, also Methodists, named Richard and Benjamin Goodwin, settled at the same place.

In the year 1795, three Methodist preachers, Reverends Valentine Cook, Thornton and Fleming were preaching in this territory. It was a usual custom when two or more Methodist families settled near each other to form a class. Often these classes were permanent and a church organization thus started. These three preachers labored unceasingly and when a young preacher, William Colbert, who was sent on a tour of exploration through the then western wilds of New York on his return gave a most glowing report of the work, that Bishop Asbury formed a circuit from the immense tract. The circuit was from Wilkes Barre to Niagara.  Valentine Cook was appointed presiding elder.

In 1801 David James of the Seneca Circuit was preaching at Jacksonville and Goodwin’s Point. In 1808 Sunday preaching was first commenced and a camp meeting was held the same year on the J.M. Stout farm. The original Stout farm included the F.A. Lueder farm and the land on both sides of the road extending to Jane Kraft’s.  It is believed that the camp meeting grounds was in the woods on the Kraft Road.

In this year, 1808, Rev. Gideon Draper, who had charge of the Canaan Circuit, Susquehanna District, Philadelphia Conference, came through here and preached at Trumansburg. A descendant with the same name, Gideon Draper, is now in Japan (1934) and holds a relationship with this conference.

Up to 1810 all these circuit preachers belonged to the Philadelphia Conference, but this year the Genesee Conference was erected. Gideon Draper was chosen first presiding elder and held the position for many years. Anning Owen was another presiding elder who did noble work, lived a part of his life in this town, died here and was buried just outside of Ithaca. His grave was visited at the time of the Methodist pilgrimage (December 1934) and a tribute paid to his life and work. These men worked under the supervision of Bishop Francis Asbury, who was sent here by John Wesley.

The first class at Jacksonville was formed in 1803 with Richard Goodwin as leader and their meetings were held at Goodwin’s Point.

In 1804 another class was formed at Jacksonville with Benjamin Lanning as leader. After 1815 a class was formed at Mack Settlement with Elias Lanning as leader, and about 1825 a church was erected, 25 x 34 feet. This church stood on the corner in the field now owned by Charles Chadwick at Steven’s Corners.  The membership at one time numbered 100. The building was sold and now is part of the barn on the David Colegrove farm on Taughannock Boulevard.

These classes were under the leadership of the class leaders, and local preachers with the circuit preachers coming sometimes once a month, sometimes once in three months.

There is on file in the office of the “Northern Christian Advocate” in Syracuse, an article dated 1860 written by the Rev. Gideon Lanning. He was the son of Benjamin Lanning and was born 23 March 1792. The Lannings came to Jacksonville in 1801 and settled on the Trumbull Farm. The Rev. Gideon Lanning is the author of a number of historic papers on the early life of this section of the state.

In this article he states that a class was formed by Richard Goodwin, Sr. in 1795 and that in 1805 the society dedicated its first church edifice in Jacksonville. These meetings were held at Goodwin’s Point.[1]

[This information from the Jacksonville Church History written by Jessie Tucker Agard.]

---

[1] Methodist Episcopal Church History of Jacksonville. Revised from old records by Jesse Mullette, Pastor, April 1916.