Our Heritage
The following was taken from the One Hundredth Anniversary Booklet
written by Alice Locke and Ralph Vosburgh.
Founding
"In Otsego County, sometime between 1775-1776 were planted two centers of religious influence in the unbroken wilderness west of the Catskills. One was a single family of whites, the other Indians. In 1793, there were only three Baptist ministers west of Albany. By 1798, fifteen were laboring. Nearly all were connected with the Otsego Association, the mother of us all. Their work was of a missionary character. While others cleared away the forests, these men of Christ did a yet greater work, as many churches and the marvelous results of their labors furnish ample evidence. This work they did amid trials and self-denials to which we are strangers."
"The causes which led to the establishment of a Christian interest in Edmeston date back to the winter of 1845-46. At that time our brethren of the Methodist Church held a series of meetings which resulted in the conversion of many souls. Among these converts were some who felt that the ordinances and organization of the Methodist Church would not satisfy their consciences nor accord with their views of the Scripture teaching. Yet they desired a home among the people of God here in Edmeston; and felt reluctant to join churches so far removed as Taylor Hill (five miles) or Burlington (seven miles). (For some of us today it will be hard to visualize a time when there were no side-walks, hard roads, lights, oil lamps, bicycles, automobiles, radios, or airplanes, and no houses on North Street. There were just a few houses on the hill. Shoes were a rarity. The custom was to carry your shoes until you came in sight of the church, then wear them just for the church service. A calico dress was the Sunday best. Many had no underwear. The clothing was homespun from wool). After much prayer, yet with trembling, a little band of brethren decided to organize a church here and leave the results to the Great Shepherd. Accordingly, May 30, 1846, ten brethren and eleven sisters met at the Methodist Church and organized the Second Baptist Church in Edmeston, New York."
Pastors 1847 - Present
J. J.O. Noll
Sep 2002 - Jul 2006
J. Watson (Interim) Jun 2002 - Aug 2002
J. R. Buskey Mar 1995 - Nov 2001
J. A. BlackmanFeb 1964 - Sep 1994
J. E. Karenko Jan 1957 - Oct 1963
D. P. Benoit Dec 1951 - Oct 1956
R. W. Vosburgh Mar 1943 - Oct 1951
D. J. Dunbar Dec 1938 - Nov 1942
R. E. Snethen Nov 1934 - Nov 1938
J. F. Weinhauer Aug 1928 - Aug 1934
D. H. Woodward Sep 1921 - June 1928
O. A. Dike Nov 1918 - May 1921
L. A. Rowley May 1913 - Jul 1918
H. B. Killam Jul 1909 - Apr 1913
Enoch Powell Mar 1903 - Apr 1909
H. T. Stevenson Jan 1899 - Sep 1902
F. D. Proctor Jan 1898 - Sep 1898
J. W. Griffin Nov 1891 - Nov 1897
W. E. Howell Oct 1889 - Nov 1891
E. M. Jones Nov 1885 - Jul 1889
J. R. Simmons May 1884 -Aug 1885
L. L. Rury May 1881- Mar 1884
C. V. Patterson May 1879 - May 1881
L. Muzzy May 1874 - May 1879
"Father Chamberlain" Apr 1873 - Apr 1874
C. E. Flint Apr 1870 - Apr 1873
Israel Colgrove (supply) Oct 1869 - Apr 1870
G. A. Hogeboom Apr 1867 - Oct 1869
S. N. Westcott May 1863 - Apr 1867
Israel Colgrove (supply) Oct 1862 - May 1863
J. C. Foster Oct 1860 - Oct 1862
Hewett Fitch Mar 1851 - Apr 1860
J. H. Wells Aug 1847 - Dec 1850
What follows is a limited selection from our rich heritage.
May 30, 1846 - The Second Baptist Church of Edmeston was founded by 10 brothers and 11 sisters. L.B. Gregory was chosen as first deacon and Stanton Tefft as clerk.
June 11, 1846 - Church recognized by the Council of the Otsego Baptist Association.
June 30, 1846 - Eight came forward at first covenant meeting and were received for baptism.
August 29, 1847 - Elder J.H. Wells begins to preach having been chosen by a committee of three. Worship services held part time in the red school house and part time in the Universalist Society meeting house (South Street). Voted that each family of church deliver 1/2 a cord of wood.
May 26, 1850 - Sabbath School organized. Lyman Gregory first superintendent.
1852 - 34 added to the church. "This blessing so quickened the zeal of the church and increased their number that it was determined to build a house of worship."
1853 - Church building erected with seating for 250 people at a cost of $1,600. This was a wooden structure 34' x 48' with a "tower and fine toned bell." Building began in May and dedicated "to the worship of Almighty God" in November.
1859 - Concert of Gladness and Glee - Admission 15 cents.
1861 - Purchased a bell and organ.
1862 - Built first parsonage at 10 North Street.
1867 - Church revived by an evangelistic service led by Brother Weeden. Church library started with 150 volumes.
1868 - Fire, limited damage to house of worship.
1871 - 25th Anniversary, 5 of the original 21 members of the founding of the church are present. Meeting House repaired. Meetings often record "We are United."
1872 - Present number of church 115. Church valued at $5,000. The Association report includes this statement: "The greater part of the time we have been favored with the services of a faithful and efficient choir."
1875 - Week of prayer for revival - 40 baptized. This revival continued for weeks. From the history of Otsego County we read, "The most remarkable and extended revival known in the congregation, or in this town, was enjoyed in the winter and spring of 1875, under the labors of their present pastor, Rev. L. Muzzy. Meetings were continued daily for three months. and were characterized by unusual solemnity, and striking exhibitions of divine power and grace. Over one hundred were hopefully converted. Some fifty were added to the church during that year. Their Sunday School is a present as well organized and as prosperous as any school in the county."
January 22, 1877 - Collection for raising money for contingent expenses: "Resolved that each male member be assessed one dollar a year commencing January 1st and each female member fifty cents."
1878 - Membership 130.
1880 - Wednesday evening prayer meeting well attended and considered to be of real
importance.
1881 - C.W. Hopkins authorized to let the meeting house for "entertainment's and collect pay."
February 22, 1882 - Dedication of new church building. The house was packed for this great event. The choir sang a dedicatory anthem, composed by Mr. Truman Bootman, the organist, for this special occasion. Rev. Muzzy returned from Pulaski to preach the dedicatory message. "The house itself is a gem of beauty 60 by 34 feet, has 53 pews, and a seating capacity of 350. It has a spacious lesson room, a ladies' parlor, a commodious vestibule, and an orchestra which is located on the right of the pulpit. The house is richly furnished and carpeted. The house has an elegant spire 100 feet high, a rich toned bell, and is in every way convenient and cozy. The building all told cost around $2,500. It is centrally located in a vigorous, growing, and enterprising village, and the Church Society is one of the strongest in this part of the State."
1883 - Women's Missionary Society, 12 charter members with a budget of $12.00
1886 - Founding of Christian Endeavor Society.
1887 - Nelson Green, the last constituent member died.
1896 - Union meeting with other churches in village.
1889 - Largest young men's Bible class in history organized in 1902 with 64 members. Home department added to Sunday School.
1900 - Membership 189, Sunday School 96.
August 5, 1901 - The Board of Trustees contracted with Mager Mitchell and Stephen C. Jackson to erect a parsonage on the northside of the church for a sum of $2,258.99.
1903 - Church building lifted 3 feet and the Baraca Annex erected.
1904 - Membership 214, Christian Endeavor 37. Church building remodeled and
dedicated.
1908 - Revival meetings - 40 members added.
1916 - 33 Baptized as result of evangelistic meetings.
1917 - Christian Endeavor raised money to buy a piano.
1920 - Raised $8.702.12 for New World Movement.
1922 - Electricity installed in church and parsonage.
July 9, 1926 - Certificate of Incorporation received.
1927- Baptistery painting by Frank Ladd.
1935 - New Hymnals dedicated. Church membership roll revised. Six weeks of School of Religion. (August attendance 189).
1939 - Junior Choir organized. Dedication of choir robes.
January 14, 1940 - New pipe organ dedicated.
1942 - Old church sheds torn down and removed. Missionary goal exceeded by one-fifth.
1944 - Missionary Quota exceeded and World Emergency Forward Fund doubled.
1945 - 21 in service. 310 letters written to service personnel.
1946 - M&M Insurance & Pension granted to pastor. Baptistery repaired.
June 2, 1946 - 100th Anniversary celebrated with three services, 275 in attendance.
September 28, 1947 - Church badly damaged by fire forcing the congregation to meet in the Masonic Temple for worship. Renovation cost approximately $35,000. This project included repair of the fire damage, remodeling of the balcony, extension of the annex to include a kitchen and dining room.
June 13, 1948 - Dedication of renovated church with nearly 300 people in attendance.
1951 - Nursery and Junior Church established.
October 7, 1954 - Cathedral chimes installed in the church and in November an amplifier was installed to broadcast from the church steeple.
1955 - Director of Religious Education hired.
1957 - History of Church put into pamphlet. Welch home (6 North Street) bequeathed to the church.
1959 - Three day missionary conference proved helpful and inspiring.
1961 - New choir robes purchased.
1964 - Holy Week Service for all students. Proposed Budget of $19,542 (Benevolence $3,275).
1965 - July 4 - 10, camping program with First Baptist Church of Owego. Directory of Services for Edmeston-Burlington Area published and distributed to the community. Family Talent Night.
1966 - Re-establishment of the church library. Missionary Conference with speakers from Haiti and Zaire. Little Choir sings for Christmas.
1967 - Purchase of a Jeep for native pastor Neptune Daniels for his work in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Youth Missionary Rally. Mother-Daughter Banquet.
1968 - Established telephone prayer circle. Youth trip to Maine. Organization of Senior Citizens. Bus trip to Billy Graham Rally in New York City.
1969 - Palm Sunday Cantata - "No Greater Love."
1970 - Lay School of Theology and Home Discussions. Al Crocker Evangelistic Crusade.
1971 - 125th Anniversary and Homecoming. Family dinner in honor of the choir.
1972 - Crusade for Christ with the Rev. Jake Boggs. Operation Rebuild-assisted Mr. & Mrs. Henry Welshan of Elmira after flood of "72". Publishing of Church Family Directory.
1973 - Exchange of pastorate with the Rev. Brian Oman of Edenbridge, Kent, England.
1975 - Homecoming observed with a weekend celebration.
1976 - Cantata "I Love America." Church kitchen remodeled.
1978 - Otsego Baptist Association Fall Rally in Edmeston. Macedonian Ministry
Weekend.
1979 - Church sided and insulated. Dozen Mothers Group support 3 Indian children.
1981 - Share-a-Spoon program instituted. Shared with Area Council in " Know Your Neighbor" program. New carpet placed in the sanctuary.
1982 - Caring Community Visitation.
1983 - Men's Fellowship at Arnold's Sugar House.
1984 - Parsonage kitchen remodeled. Replacement of church roof. Published 2nd Church Family Directory.
1985 - Family Forum - Discussion of Living Wills & Estate Planning. Young People's Rock-a-thon for toy project. Homecoming "86" celebration of 140 years of standing firm in the faith. Siding of the parsonage.
1987 - Deeper Life Conference. DVBS Closing program, release of balloons. Attendance 130.
1988 - Jane Johansson Concert. Begin additional Youth Group for grades 4 - 6.
1989 - Theme for the year - Philippians 2:15-16.
1990 - Father-Son Breakfast. Youth Cantata.
1991 - August Homecoming under tent. Seminar on grief. "Special Friends" - cookout.
1992 - School of Missions, Dorothy Noyes of Japan suggests youth exchange. Adult Retreat with Methodists at Sky Lake. "Vision 2000" formed.
1993 - Host Mayu Adachi from Japan for a year. New foyer doors installed. DVBS project "cow for India."
1994 - July 19th, ground breaking for renovation project. Church schools rooms redecorated. New sign board and landscaping in place.
1994 - September - Jacqueline Mayne honored for 36 years of service as church secretary.
1994 - October 2 - New addition dedicated to John and Dottie Blackman for 30 years of loving ministry.
1995 - Proposed Budget: Benevolence: $11,850 and Local Programs: $72,350.
1995 - March 19 - The Rev. John R. Buskey began his ministry as the 30th pastor of the Second Baptist Church.
1996 - May 30-June 2 - The 150th Anniversary celebration.
