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Tri-Counties Genealogy &
History by Joyce M. Tice
Churches of the Tri-Counties
Area
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Bradford County PA
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Chemung County NY
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Tioga County PA
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| Elmira Wesleyan Church, Town
of Southport, Chemung County NY |
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250 pages of Church Records and Histories on the site by using the
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HAPPY 80TH ANNIVERSARY – ELMIRA WESLEYAN CHURCH
The Elmira Wesleyan Church celebrated their 80th Anniversary,
Saturday, November 19, 2005 with a Celebration theme of H.Y.M.N.S. (Harvesting
Youth
Missionaries,
Neighbors,
and Souls for Christ.) Dawn Weiskopff and Rita Stucky co-chaired
the Celebration. Former pastor Rev. Paul Larson (1964-1968) led the opening
prayer, special music was by Rev. Lynn Ensign, Dan Eskesen, Pastor Janice
Jackson and a special tape was played in remembrance of Rev. I .Lesley
Conley (1954-1964) who along with his daughter Joy, sang "How Great Thou
Art". A power point presentation of "days gone by" was nicely put together
and wonderfully received. Rev. Wager, the District Superintendent spoke
on "keeping the church young". Living members were honored for their years
at Elmira Wesleyan, the oldest being Eleanor & Eldon Young with 60
and 59 years respectively. Light refreshments were served along with a
spirit of fellowship and renewing old acquaintances.
The church dates its earliest beginnings to February 1924, when a public
Prayer Meeting was held in a private home in Elmira Heights with Rev. M.D.
Warburton (1924-1926) in charge. A very appropriate scripture, "Fear not
little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom"
was used at this meeting. Later, services were conducted in a small room
in the Federation Building; on January 21, 1925, a church was organized
with seventeen Charter members.
Rev. Adolph Makler (1926-1927) and Rev. J.S. French (1927-1928) were
the succeeding pastors, and on November 13, 1927 ground was broken for
a new church at 1100 S. Main Street. For a time the services were held
in the basement structure, until the building was completed and dedicated
July 8, 1928.
About this time, a parsonage was purchased. Rev. E.E. Look (1928-1930)
served as pastor, succeeded by Rev. David Rees (1930-1940). During these
years God had continued his blessing upon the "Little flock" and the church
grew spiritually and numerically as well as financially. Many improvements
were made on the church property, including the construction of a recreation
building.
Rev. I. Lesley Conley, (1954-1964) pastored for 10 years. Community
interest and attendance were on the increase, with a Sunday School attendance
averaging 200.
Other pastors who have served our church are: Rev. Paul Larson (1964-1968);
Rev. Donald Rossiter (1968-1970); Rev. Everett Elliott (1970-1973); Rev.
Floyd Freiheit (1973); Rev. Melvin Connell. Since 1989, the Lord has blessed
us with Rev. Edward Crandall and his wife Lois.
The church has remained on the corner of Federal and S. Main Street
as a "beacon light" welcoming the neighboring residents into their doors.
Article by: Virginia R. McElroy, Town Historian and member of the Elmira
Wesleyan Church; history from the church records. 11/21/05
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Bradford County PA
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Chemung County NY
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Tioga County PA
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Published On Tri-Counties Site On 11 DEC 2005
By Joyce M. Tice
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