Pine City Baptist Church


Serving as the hands and feet of Christ in the heart of Pine City, NY since 1854



Pine City Baptist Church



New Pine Woods Church in Southport



In 2004 the church celebrated 150 years of ministry! What follows began as a compilation of our history that was began for the celebration held that year. Judi Maitland compiled the information from various sources. It was presented during morning worship services in the month of May, the month the church was founded. Additional, more recent peices of history have been added to the end of the list as well. If you have additional historical information that is missing here, please share it with us!


New Pine Woods Church in Southport


"Having resigned my charge, through indisposition, at Hornellsville, in the sping of 1854, I sought again to enjoy the sweets of HOME, and rest in the bosom of my family. I had left my companion in Havana, (three miles south from Jefferson,) with my second son, Dr. S.B. Sheardown. She had become infirm, and afflicted with paralysis- and my son felt desirous ofhaving her continually under his own eye. When called to leave Hornellsville and the dear brethren I loved so much, and where I had anticipated bringing them through the building of their house, I had about made up my mind to spend the remnant of my days, as much as possible, free from the labors and cares through which I had so long toiled and traveled. But God thought otherwise. I received notice from Bro. Chandler, then pastor of the First church in Elmira, that the house of worship for their Mission church was about finished, the day set for the dedication service, and they still depended upon me to preach the sermon."

Rev. T.S.Sheardown





Their Meeting House



Blessing Added



" The building of that house was a good work. It is a neat superstructure, situated in a pleasant place. The whole cost I do not now recollect, but it certainly could not have been less than twenty-five hundred dollars, calculating the grubbing, for it was built in the woods. The grading and fencing, together with the edifice, must have amounted to the sum specified, beside the building of a row of sheds for the accommodation of horses and carriages. Three of the brethren of the First church, living in that region, lifted very heavy. I think I never saw men of their means do better than they. They must have paid, at the least calculation, twelve hundred dollars towards making that place of worship what it now is. Deacons HOWELL, GROVER, AND BROWN were the three strong men to whom I now refer."

"The time having arrived for the services, I tried to preach the dedication sermon. The Lord was pleased to give the dear brethren evidences of his approbation, and sanction the good work that they had done, by convicting sinners under the very first exercises of the meeting. It was thought best to continue our meetings a few days and see what the result would be. The pastor, and some of the brethren and sisters, from Elmira, came up, and aided in the good work. God gave me strength to preach once or twice every day for six or eight weeks. It was a soul-refreshing season. Bro. Chandler baptized the converts, as pastor of the church in Elmira, for as yet no church was organized in connection with the house just dedicated. The church, I believe was organized in May, and received recognition in July. After having labored through the protracted effort, Dea. Howell remarked to me that they were anxious I should take the pastorate. I had been acquainted with him for thirty years at least. He acknowledged that there were some drawbacks. The first was, aside from those, who had lifted so hard to build the house, the generality of the brotherhood were in rather limited circumstances. I conversed freely upon the subject, and yet see, in my mind's eye, his tears, when he said, 'I wish, Elder, we could give you what you ought to have, but I know we can not.' I remarked to him, I never had had many trials or much trouble about salary business." Rev. T.S.Sheardown





May 20, 1854



"We whose names are hereunto anexed having been dissmised from the the Baptist Church of Southport and Elmira for the purpose of organising a church at Pine Woods in Southport."


"No 64 when organised"


"Met agreeable to former notice at the meeting house in Pine Woods opened our meeting with singing and prayer appointed Elder T S Sheardown moderator David Howel Clerk protem


1 Review our letter of Dismision

2 Review the articles of faith and Covnant as revised by the Newhamshire Baptist Convention and adopted them

3 Voted that we call this Church the First Baptist Church of Christ in Southport

4 Voted that we give Rev T S Sheardown a call to become our pastor for the sum of four hundred dollars per year commencing April 1 - 1854

5 Voted to invite Deacon Howel to serve us as Deacon

6 Appointed Brother John Brown to serve us as Deacon

7 Voted that we hold our Covnant meeting on the first Saturday in each month

8 Voted that notice be given to the Church and Society that a meeting will be held in this house on the 3 Day of June next at 2 oclock PM for the election of three Trustees."





1859-1899



New Beginnings



Sept. 1859 - Voted to join the Chemung River Association (Now The Living Waters Association)

March 1856 - 1st Sexton - Brother Harry Greaves - to "cut the wood, build the fires, light the house and keep it clean, and seat the congregation" Sat. May 1859 - "Resolved to commence Sabbath School on the following Sabbath"

May 1868 - Decided to take collection each Sunday following the covenant meeting for home benevolence, the church poor, Sunday School and the sexton

Oct. 1869 - Professor Rev. Darius Ford asked for a 1 year leave of absence for a "trip around the world". Used professors from Elmira College to fill in during his absence.

Sept 1871 - Took out insurance for the church at a cost of $37.50 for 3 years

1880

-No church to be held July 18-August 18 as most members are farmers and need these Sundays during their busy season. Also pastor to take his vacation at this time

1882

- The money after communion to go to Deacons to help church members

Sept. 1886 - Only 28 members, 5 of which are male. There is a "danger of the church being kept up entirely by the ladies of the community".

June 1, 1889 - Small attendance at meeting (6 present) due to the "great flood".

Feb. 1890 - 1st mention of a Sunday School Superintendent - Mrs. Wells

May 1894 - Motion made to build a baptistry

Oct 1899 - Resolved that the church build a cystern in the parsonage and put a pump in it. Also put a pump in the kitchen from the main well.



Into the next century



Growing and Learning



July 1900 - Decided that church parlors should be built under the church

Nov. 1900 - Purchased a cheap wood stove for the church


June 1901 - Resolved that the church treasurer would make reports quarterly on the church finances

Oct. 1901 - Purchased furnace for the church at a cost of $95.00


April 12, 1902 - Held a Maple Sugar Social

April 1902 - Paid the "blow boy" ( pumped the bellows to keep the organ playing) for the organ $1.50


Jan. 1903 - Held "wood-cutting bee" to supply the church with heating wood


Oct. 1904 - Resolved to light the church and parsonage with gas and use gas fuel in the church Nov. 1904 - Resolved to put up porch on front of church


Feb. 6, 1909 - Resolved that the following act as committees on the different benevolences to raise the money as apportioned to this church or if not all, as much as possible

Foreign Missions Mrs. E. Jerolemon

Home Missions Miss. Margaret McWhorter

State Missions Mrs. J. Crandall

Chapel Car Work by Pastors - Mrs. Sonberger (This was a railroad car with living quarters and a worship area which traveled the rails as a mission to the people in the new towns growing in the west along the railroad and the railroad workers) (See the article on the Chapel Car ministries on "The History of the Chapel Car" page)


Worn Out Ministers Home Rev. G. M. Rowland

For Association Ex. and minutes J.W. Sherman

June 13, 1909 - Florance Ashdown Ellison, our oldest living member in 2014, was born in a log cabin on Sagetown Road. In the 1960s she would paint the mural behind the baptistry. She went to be with her Lord at age 106 years on June 21, 2015. 




Nov. 1913 - First Dinner held on Election Day


March 1919 - Voted to "let the young men of the church have a portion of the church lawn or yard for a lawn tennis ground"


January 1923 - Voted to change the name from "First Baptist Church of Christ in Southport" to the "Pine City Baptist Church"


May 31, 1923 - Voted to become incorporated in conformity with Article 7 of the Religious Corporation Law


May 1923 - Decided to put electricity in the church and parsonage


January 1925 - Motion made and carried to "install a telephone for the use of the Pastor to facilitate him in his work"


April 1926 - $50 to be used toward a community center for the young people". Trustees to tear down the barn and build a scout lodge and a garage for the parsonage.


January 1928 - Decided to "invite different organizations that are uplifting to use the church parlors. (eg: Farm Bureau)"



October 1933 - Women's Guild Ladies to buy a bell for the church


1939 - The Interior of the sanctuary was completely redecorated in preparation of the 85th anniversary celebration.

Elizabeth Pellett was 88 in 1939 and was the only person at the 85th anniversary celebration of our church who was also present at the dedication of the church in 1854. Mrs. Pellett also taught Sunday School for 50 years.


April 1945 - Decided that "as organist - whoever is present is to play and the same for the Chorister"


July 1946 - Mrs. Nettie Ham resigned as Church Clerk after 20 yrs of service


October 1950 - Purchased a gas furnace


Children's choir in the 1950s



September 1951 - Established a kindergarten school for the school term, 9-11 AM Monday-Friday with the Mother's Club for 22 children



.



Fellowship Club



Organized September 1953



October 1, 2, 3 1954 - The Church Centennial Celebration was held



Christmas Caroling was a tradition in the 1950's



July 1960 -Upstate Home asked us to save trading stamp books tohelp them buy equipment





November 1961 - Decided to use the M&M Board for Pastor's retirement



November 1962 - "The Saiso" a paper to be put out every 3 months after the business meeting was started (a community paper)







1963 - Carnations were given on Mother's Day to the youngest mother, eldest mother, and mother with the most children present





May 10, 1964 - Ground breaking service for the new church. Pine City Fire Dept, band played and several members and guests spoke

June 1964 - the old church toppled to the ground. Church services were held at both Webb Mills Church and Pine City Fire Dept. during the construction period

October 4, 1964 - The 1st worship service was held in the new church building at 11:00 AM



A place for a subtitle



October 18, 1964 - Dedication Service for the new building

April 18, 1966 - voted to purchase a new parsonage

June 23, 1972 - Great Flood from hurricane Agnes. The church housed and fed some people who were displaced from the flood during that summer



1973 - Painting in the Baptistry painted by Florence Ellison, dedicated at a special service



May 12, 1974 accepted Pastor Horace Stoddard as our pastor - his first worship service followed on August 4, 1974



1975-1979



1975 - Pine City Fire Dept. gave $1000 to the church in memory of their deceased members - money used to purchase audio and visual equipment.


1975 - Electric heater installed in the baptistry


July 25, 1976 - Mortgage burning ceremony for church mortgage


1977 - Miles McWhorter makes display case for recovered church family quilt now in the current conference room


July 1978 - Parsonage mortgage paid off


1979 - Lighted outdoor sign erected with Ruth Baker memorial funds




1980 - Lawn Festival for the community with a pig roast, face painting, old car drive-in, art show, food court, entertainment, all past and present members invited to the weekend and Sunday worship.



INTRO TEXT



1981 - Gary Lee home after 444 days as hostage in Iran. We held him in prayer during his captivity.

Construction completed on parsonage addition

Conference Room table bought with Earl and Ida Johnson memorials



1982- Womens’ Guild baked pies for Southport’s 160th anniversary

1984 – New hosting program begun. Two back pews removed and carpet added for fellowship hour . Also installed Chair Glide on rear stairs.

1986- Lost many large trees in front of the church, in June tornado

1988- January – First pulpit exchange with St. Mary’s



1988 – first time deaconesses helped serve communion

1990- Sunday School children present musical titled “Miracle of Miracles”

1990- Dec.- Surprise party for Pastor Stoddard’s 25th ordination anniversary

1990- Christmas Eve midnight service held in
Clairmont Ham’s barn



INTRO TEXT



1993- Prayer chain formed for emergencies between Sundays.

1995 – Oct. – Dedication of new Allen Organ played by June Costello, Pastor’s sister-in law.

1999- Joyce Finch retires after 38 years as our church organist.

1999- Rededication of Service Mother’s Club War Monument on its 50th year.



2001 – First Community lawn party

2003- Held dedication of special US flag sent
to us by Ken Ham. Flag had hung over the
headquarters in Afghanistan where he was stationed.

2003-2004
was a time of concern for many in our church
as friends and relatives were deployed
to Iraq and Afghanistan. During this time,
one of our Deacons, Ken Ham, who was serving
in Afghanistan, sent home a United States Flag
to be displayed in our church.
It was a great honor to receive this flag
as it had hung over the headquarters where
Ken was stationed. A dedication service was held to receive the flag and the certificate that was sent with it. Members of the local military branches were on hand for this service.



Our main project in 2004 was the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Pine City Baptist Church. A committee was formed to come up with ideas for the celebration and it was decided to extend it for the entire year. We began the celebration on Sunday, May 23 with a special service consisting of a brief review of the church history, special presentations by local political figures and a song by all present who were current or past choir members. In addition, through the year we had many displays on the life of our church, Sunday School, and mission projects.

To remember our history, a special cookbook was made consisting of recipes from the past 150 years, special tote bags and pewter ornaments were made available and a new pictorial directory was created. Each family in the church made a quilt block and a special group of women met to put the blocks together. The quilt hangs in a display case made by Jeff Judson, Ann McGonigal's grandson, in the back of the sanctuary.

To end our year of celebration, a special service was conducted on Sunday May 22, 2005. Our guest speaker was The Rev. William A. Carlsen, Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches New York State. Along with this the Mission Board had a pictorial display of all the mission activity from our church over the prior twelve months. The Service was followed with an anniversary banquet at the Elmira Holiday Inn Riverside with a special program and songs of worship by our church choir.



2005 - Emily Bachman resigned as organist/choir director after serving for 6 years

2005- Anne McGee begins her music ministry as organist & choir director

2005- Jerusalem Marketplace was our Vacation Bible School

2005 - The sanctuary was nearly full on the first Sunday of Sept.

2006- Our church supported member Bob Ripley on a short-term mission trip to Mexicalli, Mexico where missionary Tim Long serves in the seminary.

2006 - We all sent vacation post cards back to church which were posted on a US map to show our potential outreach as we each became a missionary.



INTRO TEXT



2007- A very blessed year – six were baptized 12 joined the church lively worship abundant outreach in local and global missions
Small groups were held to set a course for the future as Pastor Stoddard’s 33 years of ministry drew to a close.

A retirement party was held and our pastor retired at the end of the year.

2008 – our pulpit committee began the search for a new pastor


2009 - October 11- Pastor Chester Williams began his ministry as our new pastor.

2012 - Our New York State Executive, The Rev. Dr. James Kelsey visited soon after arriving in the state.

2012 - Anne McGee resigned as organist/choir director. She had a very acitve and inspiring ministry in the church for 7 years and is sadly missed.

2013 -Sally Lincoln began her music ministry as organist and was joined by Tom Seylor guitarist during Sunday worship services.



2014 - The church is focusing on making the building handicap accessible.

Missions continues to be important through many avenues such as:

* Family Counseling

* Chemung Co. Council of Churches

* Colgate Rochester Seminary

* America For Christ offering

* American Baptist Churches

* Camping at Camp Vick and Pathfinder

* S.T.E.P.~ Student Tuition Expense Program through International Ministries - Tijuana for elementary and Mexicali Seminary

* International Missionaries ~ Longs in Mexico and Niles in Congo

* Global Gifts of water, animals etc.

* Local Salvation Army

* Food Bank of the Southern Tier

* Penny Project

*106 backpacks through Southern Tier BackPack program providing nutrition for children in poverty

*World Missions offering



2016 - Pastor Chester Williams
resigned and Pastor
George Herrick came as interim

2018 - Pastor Sabrina Smith
began her Part time ministry with us.
Starting in March of 2020 She guided us
through the pandemic with online ministry.
She planned for those starting to
attend in 2021, the need to have distancing,
masks, hand sanitizer, and communion with
cup and wafer together that could be
picked up at the door. Offerings were
given at the door. Singing was to be soft
or a whisper to avoid droplets in the air.

February 13, 2022 - Pastor Sabrina Smith
resigned A search Committee was formed

March 20, 2022 Pastor Carol Patterson
came as interim



INTRO TEXT



2023 - Our lift which we worked towards many years was installed. For 9 years, 2015-2024, we had Spaghetti dinners every month and the proceeds went into the lift fund. Dan Andrews and Elena Russell were instrumental in planning this monthly dinner.The Pandemic years 2020-2022 resulted in take outs being given in an outside car line to avoid contact and workers wore masks and gloves to prepare the take out containers.Walkie Talkies were used to communicate how many dinners were needed and a runner took the dinners up the stairs to the waiting cars. We got to know our community members through this endeavor.



A place for a subtitle



January 29, 2024 - Sally Lincoln left
the organist position.

March 10, 2024 Dan LaBar began
his music ministry with us. Tom Seylor
continued to play guitar and
Rob Fell DeWalt led the worship Service.



April 6, 2025: We said Thank-you to our Interim Pastor Carol Patterson and then welcomed Rev. John McConnell as our next Pastor





Contact Us



PO Box 425 Pine City, NY 14871| Phone: 607-734-8384
1516 Pennsylvania Ave. Pine City, NY 14871