THE
KEESEVILLE CHURCH THE
KEESEVILLE CHURCH
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The Keeseville Methodist Church <click here for a view of present exterior> first commenced in the early 1800s. The first church on the present site (Front Street, Keeseville, NY 12944) was erected in 1831. It was dedicated by the Rev Truman Seymour, assisted by other clergy, and the Pastor was the Rev Bates. On March 24, 1878, forty-seven years later, this church suffered a terrible fire and nothing was left except the walls and a few items of furniture which parishioners had been able to save.
The insurance money available to rebuild was $3000; however, because members of the community and of other churches encouraged the Methodists to erect a brand new church, subscriptions were invited for the erection of an entirely new building. About $1,200 was subscribed by members of the church, and a further $1,300 by others. A building committee was formed consisting of the Rev. J. J. Noe, the Hon. B. D. Clapp, and Mr. R. Prescott, and with a fund of $5,500 work on the new church commenced on May 20, 1878.
The contract for masonry work, plastering, etc, was let to Mr Andrew Dowling, and the carpentry work to Messrs. Prescott and Weston. Mr J. F. Caswell, employed by Prescott and Weston, was the architect.
The old foundations had not been affected by the fire, so these were retained, but new foundations were constructed for the tower.
The architectural style of the new construction--the present church--is Gothic. The walls are of white sandstone from what was Arnold's quarry, north of Keeseville. The walls are pointed, jointed and penciled. The water table, door and window arches, and other trimmings, consist of a red sandstone which had been newly discovered in a quarry west of Keeseville towards Hallock Hill. The keystones of the door and window arches are of blue limestone from Valcour (towards Plattsburgh).
The tower built into the south-east corner of the church, rises 100 feet: 45 feet of masonry and 55 feet of spire. The spire--and the roof of the main building--are covered with purple slate, with red slate trimming on the spire. The finial on the spire consists of a cross and circle, emblematic of Christ and eternity. The tower houses a sweet-toned bell weighing 1416 pounds supplied by Jones and Co. of Troy, NY.
The main building <click here for a view of present interior> is 70 feet long and 40 feet wide and contains the sanctuary, a back vestibule, and a prayer room. The sanctuary has nine windows and is light and pleasing. The four windows on each side are of stained glass, inset with emblems, and supplied by C. P. Davis and Son of Utica, NY; the window on the east side--on Front Street--was a gift from the Young People's Association of the First Presbyterian Church of Keeseville. The sanctuary walls are tinted in a washed green above ash wainscotting, there is a red carpet, and pews provide for a seating capacity of approx 150 persons.
When the new church was dedicated on Wednesday, January 15, 1879, the temperature (outside) was -12F; even so, the church was packed. The service was opened by the Rev E. J. Guernsey, the choir sang, "Great is the Lord," prayer was given by the Rev D. N. Lewis of Peru, Scripture was read by both Rev Armstrong of Clintonville and Rev S. D. Elkins of Schuyler Falls, a hymn was introduced by the Rev H. E. Butler (Pastor of First Presbyterian, Keeseville), and then the Rev J. J. Noe, Pastor of Keeseville Methodist, introduced the Rev B. B. Loomis of Plattsburgh, who preached the sermon from Haggai 2:9 . . .
Following the sermon, another appeal was made for further donations, as the amount outstanding for erection of the new building was $1650. Donations came in briskly. The congregation adjourned for dinner and then returned for an evening service. By the close of the evening service, the full $1650 had been guaranteed. Thanks to the generosity of its members, and of the Keeseville community, the Keeseville Methodist Church was able to start its new life "out of debt."
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