Bicentennial
Minutes
Sunday, February 9,
2003
Years
1831-1851
The Second Congregationalist Church of Verona was formed in 1829 and was pronounced under the Oneida Presbytery in 1830. This month we will focus on the years 1831 –1851. During this time in the United States, Andrew Jackson was president. The tensions between abolitionists and pro-slavery believers increase with many demonstrations taking place. The Underground Railroad is active and in 1840 the famous conductor Harriet Tubman escapes and begins her journey north.
January
10,1831 The
first recorded annual meeting is held at the “meeting
house”.
April 18,
1832 the
first minister is dismissed from his duties. He is followed by series of
ministers that lasted no more than two years each:
Rev. Eliphalet Spencer 1832-1834
Rev. Clement Lewis 1834-1835
Rev. Norris Day 1835-1837
(leaving with a salary of $400)
Rev. Benjamin Lockwood
1837-1838
January 1,
1839 Rev.
Charles F. Butler begins his ministry in Verona until January 1, 1842 with a
salary of $450.00. He and his wife
were both buried in Verona.
May 21, 1837 The First Congregationalist
Church located at Blackman’ Corners (which was the original church) could not
survive so close to The Second Congregationalist Church in Verona. Rev. Israel Brainerd and the remaining
20 members were dismissed and then united with the Second Congregationalist
Church.
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 9 a.m., noon, and 9p.m. The bell was also tolled at the event
of a death. This observance is no
longer practiced.
August 4,
1843 Rev.
Washington Stickney was installed and remained in service only until February 7
1844. His beliefs on slavery as a
staunch abolitionist are said to have led to his quick
dismissal.
August 1844 Reverend Henry Kendall
began working at the Verona church and was dismissed from Verona on October 20,
1848
June 1, 1849 Reverend Nathan Bosworth
began his service to Verona for about one year.
June 1, 1850 Reverend Sidney H Barteau
served from this date until October 15, 1852.
April 2,
1851 The
parsonage was purchased from Calvin Bishop and Lyman Wilcox. The purchase was made for
$1,000.
These are some of the
significant people, dates and events of our church’s early
history.