The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
200 years of worship
First Congregational Church invites public to celebrate milestone Sunday
MUNNSVILLE, N.Y. >> For the past 200 years, the First Congregational Church of Munnsville has been a place of community, communion, and faith.
First built in the town of Stockbridge byNative Americans in 1798 at Valley Mills, the Rev. Samuel Kirkland and John Sargent, both missionaries, preached there. Parishioners included tribal
members from Stockbridge, Mass., the Oneidas, the Tuscaroras, and a few Brothertown, according to church historians.
The edifice was eventually sold to the Baptist Society, whose first pastor was Ebenizer Hanney.
The Presby ter i an Church of New Stockbridge was organized Oct. 20, 1818, with 21 members. Public worship was first held alternately at Deacon Goodrich’s, at the school house on Stockbridge West Hill, and later at a house built by Chief Jacob Konkerpot. Following the formation of a committee to erect a house of worship, a site was chosen in the most convenient place nearest the geographical center of the town, on the road running north and south on the west side of Oneida Creek. The first house of worship was erected in 1833.
On July 15, 1836, parishioners unanimously unanimously agreed to give up the Presbyterian form of government and become The Congregational Church of Munnsville.
Several repairs were made to the church in 1868, and the building was rededicated on Nov. 12, 1868, at which time Mandana Barber presented the church with a bell.
On April 1, 1888, the Rev. C.C. Johnson was engaged as pastor for one year at a salary of $600. The Annual Report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1888, recorded a membership of 22 males, 39 females; baptisms of three adults; 139 Sunday School members; and an average attendance of 72. The church and land was valued at $3000, while the parsonage was valued at $,1200. The last entry in the ledger was made on Oct. 2, 1892.
Tragedy struck the church the morning of Nov. 27, 1910, when the community awoke to the ringing of the school bell, andword soon spread that the Congregational Church had burned to the ground. The cause of the fire was unknown. Because it was kept at the home of the church clerk, the newly purchased individual communion service was saved. Within two days, plans were made to raise funds to build a new church.
On May 15, 1911, work on the foundation walls of the new church building began. Services for the laying of the cornerstone were held on June 4 at 7 p.m. A tin box was deposited under the cornerstone with several items pertaining to the church. The dedication service was led by the Rev. J.S. Mitchell.
On Oct. 9, 1918, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. It was a small celebration because of the flu epidemic, and several officials were unable to come.
Throughout the decades, the church has been an active member of the community. Under the leadership of the Rev. Tom Davies, the congregation hosts “The Garden of Goodness” food pantry to serve those in need in the Munnsville area. The pantry is open the third Monday evening of every month from 6-7 p.m.
Church members also collect “Beany Babies” all year. In early December, they deliver them to the Madison County Department of Social Services to give to children of broken families. They are small, easy to carry with them wherever they go and provide comfort to these children at a traumatic time in their lives. The church also gives to the Stockbridge Outreach Committee to put into their Christmas baskets along with monetary donations for needy families in the area.
The First Congregational Church invites the public to celebrate its 200th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 2-4 p.m. There will be tours of the church, located at 6137 Williams Road, as well as refreshments.