History

have been called. Of significance is the important role women have played in the church
beginning on Saturday evening, September 27, 1872 when a group of women met to
organize a "Sewing Society" to work for the benefit the Union Sunday School in
Knoxville (as the north side of Corning was then called). This group became known as
the Ladies Aid Society. They purchased an all-purpose community building near Pulteney
Street for Sunday School and named it the "Chapel'.
The church was organized on September 24, 1890 with 34 members, and later that year
the Reverend Nathan Fuller began his work in Corning. In in 1890, Walter J. Blair was
appointed as the first choir director; he served for 53 years resigning in 1943. A new
church was constructed on the corner of Bridge and Ontario, following a successful
building fund drive. It was dedicated on May 13, 1897, had a seating capacity of 1000
and cost $21,000 to build and furnish. It was truly a community church with High School
commencements and civic meetings being held there for many years.

In 1905, a fire ruined the organ, damaged a piano and the interior of the church
significantly. Andrew Carnegie gave $1250 toward a new organ. The Ladies Aid Society
donated $1000 toward debt reduction. Church services were held in the Northside Fire
Station until the church was safe to use again.

The Ladies Aid Society raised substantial amounts of money through church suppers,
fairs, plays and by catering to groups that wanted their meetings plus a meal in the
church's facilities. Their Harvest Suppers were known throughout the City of Corning. In
the 1940's, the Society became the Women's Association and the membership divided
into "circles".

The years from 1946-1961 were years of discussion. The original church required too
much money to maintain in good repair. Land was purchased in 1946 at the corner of
Pulteney and Pritchard Streets, and a building committee was formed. However, many
members disagreed with the plans for a much smaller building and felt that $100,000 was
too much to raise. A "no decision" policy was adopted in June 1951 and reaffirmed in
January of 1954. In January 1960, the congregation finally voted to build a new church.
Ground breaking was held on March 19, 1961 and the new church was dedicated on
October 22, 1961.
On June 23, 1972, tropical storm Agnes caused massive flooding in our area. Many
parishioners' homes were devastated and the church had 8 feet of water throughout.
During the summer of 1972, church services were abbreviated with those attending
wearing scrubbing clothes and sitting on folding chairs in Fellowship Hall. After services
(as well as during the week), all who could, helped with cleaning and repairing the church.

Music has always been an important part of the church. Carole Bigler began her organist
career here in the fall of 1967; Richard Perry, a composer and instrumentalist, became the
choir director in 1973. Dick continue to ably serve the church, but Eleanor Perry took
over the keyboard after Carole's reiterment in 2006. In 1995, an anonymous donation of
handbells, and the hiring of Jan Kostolansky as Handbell Director, led to handbell playing
during worship services.

In 1988, the Reverends Curt and K.C. Ackley began a Co-Pastorat. This was significant
in that K.C. was the first female pastor and the concept of a dual pastorate was unique to
our church. In addition, a new barrier free bathroom was constructed by church
members.
The Church celebrated its Centennial year in 1990 with a year-long celebration. There was
a display of historical pictures various parties, a tree-planting and an all church dinner to
celebrate our birthday. A special anthem by Hal Hopson was commissioned for the
Church. In 1997, Reverend Ginny Deneka was called to be the church's first Associate
Pastor.

The church continues today, like its ancestor of bygone years, to open its church
building to many community groups for meetings.