Candle #1
Reverend Peter Fish,
Presbyterian, and Rev. Timothy M. Cooley, Congregationalist, in 1803, met with
a number of professing Christians in Hand’s Village. They voted to take the first steps to form a
Christian church, the First Congregational Society of Verona. A confession of Faith and Covenant was
adopted. There were twenty-two original
members. This small group of believers
began spreading the message Jesus had proclaimed, thus beginning the history of
Verona First Presbyterian.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 2.
Candle #2
In
1829 the current church was built. Mr. Dodge of
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 3.
Candle #3
In February 1830, a second
Congregational Society in the town of
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 4.
Candle #4
In 1840 or 1842 a bell was
provided for the church, which previously had none. The bell has the date 1839 casted on it and
the name W.H. Munger inside. Mr. Munger
was active in its purchase and the bell was most likely shipped to him. The bell was rung three times every day for
many years at
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 5.
Candle #5
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of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 6.
Candle #6
In 1866, $4,000 was spent on
renovations to the church. The main
alterations were moving the pulpit to the opposite end of the auditorium and
modern stained glass windows were installed.
In June of 1866, Rev. Abel Wood produced the first historical discourse
concerning our history. He delivered it
at the last service held in the not yet refurbished church. He chronicled the first 60 years, and
contemplated why so many revivals had taken place and why there were so many
different pastors in such a short time.
The church was rededicated in the winter of 1866-1867.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 7.
Candle #7
During the time period of
1852 to 1870 there were a several changes to the church. The first was the
purchase of a reed organ in the 1850’s. This was the organ used until 1873 when
a pipe organ was purchased for about $800. The pipe organ stood in the gallery
for about 10 years when it was moved to the side of the pulpit. The first tune
played on it was “Coronation.” In 1870, the church lawn was graded and
ornamental trees were set. In 1900, only one large elm tree remained. The
grounds were also enclosed with posts and ornamental chains.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 8.
Candle #8
Voted and passed (at the
annual meeting,
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of the bell.)
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number 9.
Candle #9
Much of the information we
have today about the history of our church comes from the writings of John
Wardell Dodge and son, Bert J. Dodge.
The first history was written in 1900 and covered the years
1803-1900. Four decades later, in 1940,
Bert J. wrote a continuation of the history, which covered the years 1901-1940.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle number
10.
Candle #10
In 1971, Verona
First was yoked with Cochran Memorial Presbyterian Church of Oneida Castle. The two churches would receive the services of Rev.
Stover until July 1973. This relationship lasted
until 1985. Later in August 1991, Verona First yoked with Mount Vernon
Presbyterian Church in
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 6
Candle #11
In 1930, during the pastorate
of Rev. Graham, when women did not serve as deacons, the Triple-G class
began. (The three Gs represented GRACE,
GRIT, AND GUMPTION). This organization
was more than a social club for women.
Members eventually met once a month, donated coinage for church dues,
and later, established a Blanket Club.
Within ten years of its inception, membership numbered in the twenties.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 12.
Candle #12
A passion play was
presented in the 1938 (135th) celebration depicting, up until then, the history
of VFP. It was a 3-act play, with many
members playing various historical characters.
Act one was the founding of the church society, Act Two was the
splintering of the first congregation society to another congregation society
and Act Three was the bonding together of the
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 13.
Candle #13
On
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of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 14.
Candle #14
As a result of the research
done, we discovered that there are FIVE, not just three, still surviving former
pastors: Rev. F. David Pudsell, Rev. John R. Paust, Rev. Robert Stover, Rev. P.
Arthur Brindisi, and Dr. Rev. Richard D. Will. Additionally, local Rev. John
Morris, a frequent stand in, is still with us.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 15.
The year of 1964 saw the
membership hit a modern high with a total of 200 members. This was largely in part due to the Rev. John
R. Paust. During the 200th celebration, he related how this
occurred. He stated that the church had
a member that worked in the
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 16.
Candle #16
During the 1960’s and
1970’s the church produced a monthly newsletter entitled the “The
Lamplighter”. The monthly newsletter
included items on the following:
information on members moving, deaths, graduations, etc., notes from
session, monthly budget statements, committee information, and various other
articles.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 17.
Candle #17
This year’s bicentennial
celebration was just one of numerous celebrations in our history. In 1903, the Centennial service was held at
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
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number 18.
Plans for a
Fellowship Hall were presented to the congregation and approved at a
congregational meeting following the worship service of
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 19
Candle #19
This entire year we have
been celebrating the 200th year of our church in various ways to
recognize the history of Verona First.
Each month we had a Bicentennial Sunday where we recognized a time
period in our church by reading the history, singing a song, putting up a
display, and sometimes people even dressing up.
Other events scattered throughout the year included a Nickel and Dime
dinner, worship services outside the church, participation in Verona Firemen’s
Parade, with culmination during the week of August 3. This was when we held a special service commemorating
our 200th year with three previous pastors. There was also an ice cream social and church
dinner during the bicentennial week.
(Please wait for the tolling
of the bell.)
We will now light candle
number 20.
Candle #20
God sent His only son, Jesus,
into the world so that we may live life more abundantly here, now, in Verona,
New York, in the year 2003; to teach us two important commands - to love God
with all our hearts and to treat each other, every neighbor, as one would want
to be treated. Jesus lived a human life, taught, performed miracles, was tried
by the world and subsequently crucified; he arose from the tomb, effectively
wiping clean our sins forever!