COLLAMER UNITED CHURCH
OUR
HISTORY
190 Years Ago…
The first roots of Collamer United Church were planted in 1828 when a Methodist Circuit rider, Rev. Seth Young, visited the little cluster of houses known as Britton’s Settlement. His purpose was to gather the Christian people together and form them into a class, which was the custom of the early Methodists in communities that were not strong enough to support a church.
A tavern, a blacksmith shop and a few houses (scarcely more than cabins built of logs) constituted Britton’s Settlement. Only five months after the class was formed, a subscription for the erection of a church, was started. The building was started in 1829, but not completed until two years later.
Methodist church as it stood in front of the cemetery on Route 298 (a house stands there now).
The Presbyterian Church was formed some 14 years later in 1842 by the Rev. Richard Cleveland (father of future US President, Grover Cleveland.) The building was erected in 1843 at a cost of $600.00 One of the founders was Orlando Spencer, (great, great grandfather of current members Lois Hale Klein and Carol Featherly Gilkey.)
Presbyterian church as it stood on the corner of Route 298 and Law Dr. (a house stands there now).
The Methodist and Presbyterian churches were an important part of the village that eventually became known as Collamer. Spiritual growth was accomplished individually as well as jointly through combined services and religious education in the little two room cobblestone elementary school house, (which, by-the-way is still standing: it is the house at the corner of Loucks Rd. and Rte. 298 across from Collamer Stop and Shop.)
As the years went on, it became evident that our needs would be better served by uniting. Collamer United Church was formed on October 17, 1974 following congregational voting in both denominations.
Nineteen years later, on July 18, 1993, ground was broken for our new building at 6865 Fly Rd. The first service was held on June 5, 1994.
