Newark's Methodist Church

History - Newark

Newark's Methodist Church
By Arcadia Town Historian
Robert Hoeltzel

Printed in the 11-20-98 Courier-Gazette

First United Methodist Church - Tradition places the founding date of this church at 1805. I have trouble accepting that date. If any of you would like to hear my reasons, I'll be glad to discuss the matter later. For the time being, I will freely acknowledge that this is likely the oldest church organization in Newark, with activity in the Methodist tradition dating to at least 1815 - possibly 1810.

It was in 1815 that Roger Benton, a retired Methodist circuit rider built a small church in what is now the northwest section of Newark Cemetery. Several years earlier, Mr. Benton began holding services in his own log house where 817 North Main St. is now, but those services were said to have been of a non-denominational order.

In 1827, this site was acquired and a wood-frame church built on this location that same year. In the 1850's that building was moved to East Union St. where it served many purposes, lastly as Washington Hall, Newark's village hall. In 1854, work was begun on a new and larger building of red brick on this site. Parts of that building still exist as the nucleus of the present building. The red brick building was topped by a tall white steeple which housed a bell which had been installed in the older building in 1832 - Newark's first church bell. The building was dedicated in 1856 by Bishop Matthew Simpson and for a few years, this was known as the Simpson M. E. Church. The building was remodeled in 1888.

The postcard pictured here is from 1911. It reads: Newark Methodist Episcopal Church.

In the fall of 1915 work was begun on an addition to the south side of the building to relieve over-crowding in the Sunday School. That addition was dedicated in early 1917. In 1918 the old steeple was removed, and from then through 1923 the building was in an almost continuous state of change. The building of the 1850's was engulfed in additions in all four directions. A 75' tower was built, and the entire building, both old and new, veneered in yellow tapestry brick. The church was dedicated in 1924.

A new look was also achieved in the selection of Tudor Gothic as the architectural style. Tudor architecture had its origin in England in the 1500's. Not often found in this country, Tudor is characterized by somwhat flattened pointed arches and flat, wood-paneled ceilings. I cannot account for the use of curved arches in this room. They would be of Norman or Romanesque style.

This room was reoriented, so the chancel is in the north rather than the west, as it had been. Thus the nave became a few feet wider that it is deep. This is not in conformity with Gothic standards, but did allow the church to follow a new wrinkle with the congregation seated in curved pews and a slightly-ramped floor to be gathered around a central altar and pulpit. Back of the nave was the main Sunday School room, with curved balcony. When the large sliding doors which separated the two rooms were opened, the seating capacity was greatly expanded. This arrangement, adopted by many Protestant churches nation-wide, was known as the Akron Plan.

A new pipe organ, with echo organ and chimes in the southwest corner, was installed by the Moller Organ Co. of Hagerstown, Md. This company is still in business. While of modest size, this organ is an excellent example of the style of pipe organ then being built in many non-liturgical Protestant churches to accomodate the type of music then in favor.

It was also at this time that the stained glass windows were installed by the W. B. Chapman Studio of Albany. Outstanding is the Nativity window, depicting the Holy Family, the angels and shepherds. To the left is Christ as the Good Shepherd; at the right is a window in which Jesus seems to be saying, "Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden." At the right of the chancel is a window showing Jesus blessing the children. I haven't been able to identify its counterpart to the left.

The architect for the building was H. L. Larzelere, of Ontario; the general contractor was Frank Trickler of Geneva.

For two years, beginning in 1956, various parts of the building were changed. The old main Sunday School room gave way to a chapel, church office and pastor's study. In this room, the ceiling was somewhat reconfigured, and new lighting installed. The old pulpit platform was changed to a modified divided chancel. The pulpit was moved to one side from its center position. This lecturn and a new altar installed. The wooden screen was built in front of the organ chamber. The new woodwork was the handiwork of Charles Caboor, a Newark resident, a self-taught architect, builder and wood-carver.

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