First Presbyterian Church
Olean NY

We seek to be a faith centered community where everyone is welcomed affirmed and accepted. In our life together we try to live out the commands of Jesus to love our God and love our neighbor. When you join us in worship you will experience a traditional service with a smile.

 

https://oleanfirstpresbyterian.com/  

 

The First Presbyterian Church of Olean was founded in 1822 under the Presbytery of Bath and led by Rev. William Stone with services held in the homes of various members. In 1837, a transformed wagon shop became the first church on the site of the current building, but records note that no amount of renovation could prevent local animals from continuing to use it as a roosting site!

Incorporated on December 9, 1841 the history of the church in the 19th Century was filled with new growth, membership that fluctuated with the erratic population of the area, an apparent feud that ended up at the Presbytery level and three ‘Great Revivals’ led by Rev. Samuel Orton, a recurring name in Southern Tier religious circles.

The Women’s Rights movement at the end of the century was mirrored in the church with the formation of the Women’s Missionary society in 1882. This group raised funds for national and overseas projects, led women’s Bible classes and worked during wartime to create a Red Cross workroom and soup kitchen for area workers.

The original brownstone church was finished with the cornerstone, which is still in place, being dedicated on October 12,1912. The early 20th century history included a five day centennial celebration in 1922, and the arrival of Rev. John Duffield in 1933. Rev. Duffield oversaw the church’s re-organization, recorded in a pageant depicting scenes from early history which can still be found in our archives. Rev. Duffield loved working with children and youth and upon his death in 1939, the Duffield Summer Conference for Young People was established nearby in Delevan, NY as a living memorial to him. The church supported troops and stateside efforts during WWII including sponsoring refugees from England.

Following the war, the nationwide religious trends were reflected in Olean with growth and outreach programs including the founding of an outreach church for the Seneca Nation of Indians at nearby Jimersontown, multiple mission trips and pilgrimages, sponsorship of refugees from Israel and southeast Asia, interdenominational collaborations with Greater Olean Association of Churches, and we opened our space to the newly formed Olean Child Day Care Center.

On January 28, 1978, Dr. John Kipp announced he was leaving. The following Saturday, on the evening of February 4, the church burned, sparing only two partial walls of the brown sandstone sanctuary, and the educational wing. Although devastated, the congregation gathered the morning following the fire (in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church) to seek comfort and plan their re-birth as a congregation in massive transition. Rev. Gary Larson was called as pastor on January 29, 1979 and served as pastor until May of 2006. The end of the twentieth century saw changes in membership, transitions in staffing, and changes in the community. Throughout the time, the congregation remained faithful to promoting the spiritual health of the congregation, strengthening community outreach and supporting education programs that promoted global awareness for all ages.

The storied history of the church and its community ministry is reflected in the history of nurturing those entering the field of ministry. Between 1970 and 2007, Olean First Presbyterian worked with four seminarians for extended internship and part-time positions. Four youth served with the PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer programs nationally and internationally. Six were called into ministry (Rev. Nancy Bassett, Rev. Linda Burger, Rev. Ben Larson, Rev. Jesse Larson, Rev. Matthew Lang and Rev. Jason Cashing). We continue to hold them all in prayer and are humbled by their service across the country.

On August 6, 2014 we were blessed with the installation of Rev.Dr. S. Bruce Levine as our pastor. Together we are working to continue our process of education, introspection, discovery and growth, built on the faith journeys of the ’great cloud of witnesses’ started so long ago by the prayers and faith of Rev. William Stone in 1822.

DATE EVENT

1803 Major Adam Hoops purchased 20,000 acres purchased from Holland Land Company 1804 Major Hoops send brother, Robert, as his land agent. Olean’s selling point was its position on the Allegheny River as a jumping off point for people moving west 1809 John Spencer of CN starts making missionary visits to Olean Point 1820 Mr. Josiah Tracy starts conducting as Sunday school (1st religious group on record)

Anson King, 34, wrote former pastor (Rev. Julius Steels of the Congregational Church of East Bloomfield, NJ) for advice on founding a church (“if practicable, let the plan, by all means, be Presbyterian”

Rev. Wm. Stone (probably a relative of Mrs. King) delivered advice and letter of dismissal for Mr. and Mrs. King

1st church service held by Rev. Stone at current site of Methodist Church (1962) 1822 Approx. 1,000 inhabitants in Olean Point; mostly transients heading west; approx. 3,000 went down Allegheny River from Olean Point yearly

Church organized under Presbytery of Bath in store of Hoyt Webb (Kresge Dollar Store, 1962); members- Cornelius Brooks, John Boardman, Anson and Sophia King, Norman and Abigail Smith, Abijah and Bathsheba Warren

Original members accepted the following: 1) Westminster Confession of Faith, 2) the Larger and Shorter Catechism and 3) a Solemn Covenant:

“We do now solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, to be our God, professing a cordial reliance on His grace, through Jesus Christ for the pardon and eternal life.”

“Unreservedly devoting ourselves to His service and glory: Resolving, the assistance of Divine Grace, that we will live in His fear, walk in His ways, and keep his commandments with our households. That we will forsake all our sins, turn to righteousness and cleave unto Christ as our only Savior.”

Thus, in the sight of all-seeing ti sanctify the Lord’s day and dedicate our children to God in Baptism.”

King, Warren and Smith (clerk) were first elders; Rev. Stone continued as pastor; Smith was first physician in area; King would read sermons, hymns and psalms when no preacher available 1824 Rev. John T. Hubbard becomes pastor (continues until 1829) 1830 All elders had died or moved; services discontinued 1836

Ep. 1 Judge Quintus Flaminius Atkins invited Rev. Sylvester Cowles to come to Olean

March 25: new church organized; Judge Atkins and Henry Dusenbury elected elders; services held in Atkins home led by Rev. Ralph Willoughby 1837

Ep. 2 Wagon shop bought for $200; cost shared by Wm. F. Wheeler, Henry Dusenbury and J. G. Johnson; Norman Birge brought wood for fire each week; shop was raised above ground, a gallery for choir arranged, boards for pews; animals would roost under floor 1839 Rev. Charles Heqquenburgh named paster (nervous, eccentric, passed out from heat)

Replaced by Rev. John J. Aiken 6-months later- required several businessmen to sign a bond insuring his support (1962- “a person around who storms raged”); when he heard church law allowed every member the right to vote and speak on church matters, unsuccessfully tried to limit rights to men only 1841 December 9- incorporated and a day set apart by Gov.Seward for Thanksgiving and prayer; Board of Trustees: Edwin M. Birge, Olcott P. Boardman, Henry Bryan, James G. Johnson and Wm. Wheeler 1842 Great Revival led by Rev. Samuel G. Orton- “You are lost, Lost, LOST! Ep. 3 1847 3 members left: N. Birge, Caleb Smith, and O. P. Boardman (shared pastor with Portville and Allegany) 1848 Rev. Nathaniel H. Barnes, pastor (to depressed or overworked) 1849

Ep. 4 Rev. John Lane, pastor (to depressed or overworked)

Rev. Cowles returned from Ellicottville- annual salary $500 plus $100 from mission aid 1856 New building- cost $6,000

Miss Wealthy Gleason played the melodeon which was replaces by a pipe organ

Mrs. Samuel Bradley conducted 1st primary Sunday school department

pews were rented (front one were the cheapest) 1857 2nd “Great Revival” led by Samuel Orton 1862 June 5: J.B. Beumont becomes first regular installed pastor 1865

Ep. 5 Costly repairs to church and organ; purchase organized by ladies of the church (a first) -$4,000 1867 Dr. G.R. Alden, pastor; wife wrote books using pen name “Pansy” 1869 N.H. Clute becomes pastor 1870 Parsonage (manse) built-$3,300

Feb. 11: Peter K. Shephard, excluded from the communion of the church for the sin of adultery with M. Paterson (waived trial)

Feb.25: Mahala A. Paterson, excluded from the communion of the church for the sin of adultery with P. Shephard (waived trial)

Feb. 25: Scott Andrews, excluded from the communion of the church for covenant breaking…”he did not wish to belong to the church as he did not think he was or even had been a Christian and was not willing to walk with the church.” 1874 Oct. 28: N.H. Clute leaves; Dec. 20: Henry H. Curtis arrives

Dec. 17: William and Lodema Smith ask for their names to be cleared from the church rolls 1875 Feb. 8: William and Lodema Smith charged with the sin of profanity and unchristian conduct; Smith’s “laid on the table of Session” charges of slander toward Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson

March 1 trial: evidence against William-not taking communion or attending services

Evidence against Lodema- “That during the week of which her daughter had married, she profanely and abusively spoke to Mrs. F. R. Johnson and at others and often times she has allowed her temper to rile and abuse her husband and family.” When interviewed she said she had a problem with a Deacon, was riled, angry and didn’t care to continue in the church

April 19: Presbytery asked Session to correct “irregularities” in the record and reconsider the Smith case. Session did not feel there were irregularities . Considered leaving Presbytery (?).

July 27: “a communication was read from William Smith dated April 15, but was not received.”

August 22: Former Pastor Cowles asked Smith to be reopened, Session refused.

Oct. 7: Session asked of Presbytery that the previous request for correction of irregularities be stricken from the record. Told request was snot received in the prescribed time and no action was taken. 1876 April 10: Cowles again asked for reconsideration due to new evidence. No apparent action taken.

3rd “Great Revival” led by Samuel Orton: March 19-62 admitted into Church membership Late 1870’s Serious dissension (caused by excommunications?)- “A church quarrel is an awful thing!” 1877 July 24: citation to Mrs. Cornelia Conklin

Aug. 3: Specification 1: seen going to and buying at a liquor store

Specification 2: bought medication with liquor in it

Specification 3: asked Floyd Rug to buy her liquor

Specification 4: seen “intoxicated”

Specification 5: lying on sidewalk of church “evidently under the influence”

Aug. 6: Conklin admitted guilt

Aug. 7: Conklin said she misunderstood consequences of confession

Aug. 8: Conklin asked for mercy and that her name be left on the rolls

Aug. 28: Conklin’s name stricken from the rolls. 1878 Oct. 20-23: FPC hosted Synod 1882 March 25: Women’s Missionary Society formed led by Mrs. David Winters (pastor’s wife) 1887 Church practically rebuilt, greatly enlarged ($5,000)

Christian Endeavor Society (inter-denominational youth group) formed; Rev. John Burrows-pastor 1889 Rev. Newton Reed pastor; continues through 1904 (15 years); Mrs. Reed organized I.H.N. Circle of King’s Daughters (raised funds by putting on plays) 1890 Pipe organ installed- $3,500 1902 Lecture room, dining room and kitchen done over and refurnished 1904 First Bible class taught by a woman (Miss Anna Shaw)

Louis Ruf becomes pastor; original salary $16,000, later changed to $18,000; donated the added $200 to parsonage repairs (cost $800); started building fund with $50 1905 Sept. 28: citation to Charles Raferty to answer about “conduct and relations to the church” 1906 March: Raferty had lost son, asked for forgiveness and charges dropped 1908 Silver Cross Circle formed 1911 Special offering ($500) and pledges/anonymous gifts $3,000

Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Bartlett presented $25,000 on condition that a like amount be raised but congregation: (story/myth: not bell installed int church at Bartlett’s request because Bartlett’s liked to sleep in on Sunday) 1912 Oct. 12: dedication of cornerstone 1913 Sept. 21-27: dedication fo brownstone church

Sept. 21: Rev. Harry Burton Boyd installed and Leslies Rsandolph Boyd baptized (infant son) WWI 2 groups initiated: Deaconesses and Martha Class

Rev. Edgar M. Smead: pastor

Mrs. Frank Bartlett organized Red Cross and donated supplies /soup kitchen in church 1940 Refugees from England: Mrs. David Mace and 2 daughters; Mrs. Mace occupied pulpit in Aug. 1941 1941 New manse purchased and remodeled (221 North 4th St) 1942 Flood in Olean: Church used by the Red Cross as a “have of refuge” for the victims 1943 Rev. William M. Griffin adopted as a missionary in Oklahoma

87 church members in the military 1944 Norris Bequest started with 5 shares of Telephone and Telegraph stock

Dunshire Memorial: 10 shares of Telephone and telegraph stock

June-fall: $40,000 for Building Alteration Program 1946 Married Couples group formed; Young Adults group formed 1947 Oct.: Rev. Ruf is Chaplain in Rocky Crest 1948 $15,000 renovations made

Guild and other Women’s group consolidate and become Women’s Association 1949 June 5: Dr. Millard G. Roberts-pastor: dynamic personality;

“In our Church in Olean lied our only hope for an insert to the problems in out country, in our families, and in in our personal lives.: 1949 cont’d Church membership +1,000 for first time

New pipe organ installed

Youth program greatly expanded

Mrs. Charles Smith and Mrs. Ernest Hoeldtke: first women members of Session

Miss Joan McKinnon hired full time as Director of Religious Education 1950 Oct. 15: dedication of new organ and chancel

Following Boards formed:

Stewardesses (9): communion

Benevolences (12): direct where Benevolence $ goes

Religious Education (9): CE

Music (12): music program

Ushering (24): ushers

Church Relations (9): 1) Annual Financial Campaign 2) personally visit all

new members

Nominating (6): 1 from each Board (Session, Deacons, Trustees) and 3

from congregation

Rev. Roberts spent month on Faculty of Chaplain School, Carlisle Barrack, PA

Double Sunday morning services (discontinued the following year)

1111 members 1951 265-average SS attendance: CE building suggested

1169 members (peak)

Dec.: Dr. Frank H. Ferris- Interim pastor (?) 1952 Sept. 28: Dr. John T. Middaugh-pastor

Church in debt in excess of $25,0000

story/myth: opened a drawer and found tons of unpaid bills

Set 4 goals:

-unite around dynamic faith

-increase interest of all members (622 of 937 members didn’t attender regularly/ 25% gave no finance support

story/myth: when rolls examined, some people unaware their names

were on the rolls

-outreach (goal 1,500 members by 1958)

-PAY OFF INDEBTEDNESS

Jan, 1955: Church was debt free

Staff: Pastor, Assistant Pastor (had trouble attracting and keeping), Director of Religious Education, Secretary, Sexton 1954 Middaugh became Summer Director of the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Church in Geneva, Switzerland 1956 Capital Fund Drive: $225,000 ($189,000 pledged/payable over 3-year period): installed new heating system and built Educational Wing

Mr. John W. Thomson-Assistant Pastor

Men’s Fellowship Family Series (women were invited):

Newlyweds and Hopefuls

Enjoy your Children

The Family and its Adolescents

Life Begins at 40

Growing Old Gracefully 1957 July 21: ground breaking for Educational wing

Sept. 29: cornerstone laid. Dr. Louis Ruf returned to preside (45 years after first cornerstone, which he laid)

Oct: Dr. Middaugh leaves. Assistant pastor Jack Thomson and Dr. Frank Ferris carry on 1958 April 13: Rev. Paul Hagen-pastor (over 50 prospects); Rev. Edward D. Peachy-assistant

Sept. 14: Educational wing dedicated. Ruf and Middaugh present 1959 5 choirs, 1 girls’ quartet; Senior (Chancel)-16; Senior High (Chorister)-12; Junior High (Westminister)-11; Junior (Crusader)-28; Primary (Cherub)-20; 107 performances 1960 January 27-Annual meeting-unanimous vote to merge Board of Trustees and Session into a unicameral board; Al Baum-President of Corporation; Mack Harder-Clerk of Session

September-Fred Crumley comes as Director of Music

Written in Annual Report I happened to grab:

“We sit surrounded by eggheads

Who chew the reports and wheeze

And nobody’s gettin’ no where (sic)

While verily I sit and freeze!”

Endowment started in this era 1961 Steinway piano gifted by Mrs. George Purdy 1962 Daystrom Co. Moves reducing Olean population: membership remained stable but SS enrollment (349—>388); church attendance (14,195—>16,017)

140th year of building; 50th of building 1963 Members of congregations visited Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Greece led by Dr. H.N.Richardson, Professor of Old Testament at Brown University School of Theology 1964 Church membership 900

Capital Fund Campaign for repairs to church and pay down mortgage of Educational wing, mortgage of Presbyterian Homes of the Aged; Inter-American University Chapel Fund and Conference and Retreat Center: Goal-$60,000; $83,586 pledged

David Bos, Associate Minister-10-month student on Fulbright scholarship at the University of Leiden, the Netherlands. Met and married Ans van Wijk on June 9, 1966 and left got another pastorate in April 1967

Founded Jimmersontown Church when Native AAMericans of the Seneca Reservation were relocated by Kinzua Dam 1966 Youth went to Davidson, Tennessee on 9-day work project (also went in 1967, 1968) 1967 Pilgrim Hymnals bought 1968 September: Dr. William and Mrs. Audrey Goodlet left fo the mission filed in India (165-bed mission hospital)

Manse (221 N. 4th St.) sold and new one constructed ($28,355) oat 527 York St.

Decrease in membership; nearly $4,000 in unpaid pledges (national trend); Session considered new approaches to the problem of “decrease in increase.” 1970 Nisan and Toris David of Lebanon and 3 children displaced by 6-day War came to Olean and stayed for a year

July 16: Pastor Dr. Hagen leave to become Manager of the Memorial Homes Community in Penny Farms,FL: Dr. Paul Waren, interim (membership 717) 1971 April 28: Dr. John Kipp-pastor, no assistant hired

Roberts’ Fund set up: bequest in will fo Mres. Margaret L. Roberts “to be used to provide care and comfort for persons over 65 years of age in need of financial assistance without regard to faith.” ($237,057) 1973 Recognize constitution of UPCUSA/ by-laws amended (687 members)

OCDC starts using building

Weekday Church School started by GOAC (gr. 3-6) ¶9 children enrolled (77 avg. attendance 1978 January 29; Kipp announces he is leaving T Annual Meeting

February 4: Church burns (6 days after announcement) Cause: electrical malfunction

Rev. Bob Purrington, Interim 1979 January 28: Gary Larson called

From Annual Manual minutes: “The congregation voted to approve the Facilities Task Force Report. Al Baum gacgave an explanation on the transitions of red sandstone to buff brick. There would be tempered glass in the courtyard area. There is no definite answer on the question of the elevator yet.”

September 16: Fred Crumley leaves as Minister of Music 1980 David Spangler: Minister of Music 1981 First service in new sanctuary, Easter Sunday 1983 Linda Burger enters Colgate Rochester Divinity School and becomes a candidate for the ministry after completing school in 1986 (first of 5 to become ministers who came from this church: other were Jason Cashing, Matt Lang, Ben Larson, and Jesse Larson) 1984 18 deaths in one year (membership 447)

Interfaith Caregivers begun by church member Joan Wells

Book Club starts 1985 Gibson Scholarship established

Dr. Rudy and Margaret Burt gift $31,768 to the church for physical improvements of church 1986 Johnson Scholarship established 1988 Rev. Larson visits Israel and Egypt (3-month Sabbatical) 1990 members attend Peacemaking 2000

Bicentennial Fund Campaign to support variety of projects around the world ($55,840 in 3 years) 1991 May 20: Gary Larson has heart attack 1994 March 17-Dr. Rudy Burt dies. Will leaves $100,000 for endowment to church: rest of estate becomes the Burt Fund (about $1.6 million); 1st disbursement in 1997

August 7-17: 7 church youth, 2 community youth and 3 adults joined 25 others from Presbytery go to Juarez, Mexico on PUMA mission trip 1995 7 youth from church go to Youth Triennium

May 31- David Spangler resigns; Rick Snyder hired as Minister of Music

Summer: Gary Larson on Sabbatical; Stephanie Davis, Supply Minister

Elevator installed late 1995/early 1996 (cost $120,000/pledges $65,271.50) 1996 March 24 Chapel restored and rededicated 1998 June 7: 25th year of ordination of Rev. Gary Larson 1999 Two retreats: Duffield in August; Camp Lakeland in Dec./Jan. 2000 Atherton Bequest ($141,000)

Camp Duffield Capital Campaign ($44,000 pledge from FPC) 2001 Thursday night dinners and services begin

Nye Scholarship established 2002 summer: Gary Larson on Sabbatical; Pam Wat Supply Minister 2006 May 31: Gary Larson retires (27 years-longest serving Minister in history at FPC)

July 25: Even McJunkin becomes interim pastor, contract not renewed in 2007 2009 April 26: church called Eileen Borduin Vanderzwan to be installed pastor. 2010 Nov: Rv. Daniel H. McKee became Temporary Pastor, left Oct. 2011. 2012 Dr.Tony Evans became Pulpit Supply Pastor

August, Dr. S. Bruce Levine called as designated pastor.