LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Central
Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, New York, to be celebrated on May 1,
2010

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
200th Anniversary of Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, New York,
to be celebrated Saturday, May 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Central Presbyterian Church, the oldest church in Geneseo,
began when The Reverend Daniel Thatcher, a Presbyterian missionary,
gathered settlers together for prayer and Bible study in 1795; the
church was established on May 5, 1810; in 1814, it adopted the Presbyte-
rian form of government and in 1815 was incorporated under the legal
title of The Geneseo Gospel Society; and
WHEREAS, The first house of worship, a plain, wooden structure, was
located on Temple Hill and previously served as Geneseo's Town House;
the congregation soon outgrew that Meeting House and in 1818 built what
was known as the White Church near the south end of Main Street; and
WHEREAS, In 1858 the church divided into Old School and New School;
New School adherents continued to worship in the White Church while the
"Old Schoolers" built a small brick church on the site of Central Pres-
byterian Church's present edifice and, on March 29, 1859, incorporated
the Central Presbyterian Church; and
WHEREAS, These two Presbyterian Churches coexisted in the Village of
Geneseo from 1858 to 1880 when they were reunited; the White Church was
abandoned and the Brick Church was greatly enlarged; and
WHEREAS, A disastrous fire completely demolished the 57-year-old cath-
edral style Brick Church on December 15, 1937 and, on October 13, 1940,
the building in which Central Presbyterian Church's congregants continue
to meet and worship was proudly dedicated; and
WHEREAS, Central Presbyterian Church has a long history of service to
and participation in the Geneseo community, working diligently in
fulfillment of its mission of promoting a more humane, peaceful and just
world through active support of social reform, mission, and outreach;
and
WHEREAS, Reaching out to the broader community, it generously provides
space and support for such diverse groups as the Geneseo Nursery School,
Boy Scout Troop 70, Brownies and Girl Scouts, the Healthy Campus Commu-
nity Project, TOPS, and various other SUNY Geneseo and Village community
organizations; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with its commitment as a mission oriented church,
Central Presbyterian Church has hosted missionaries from Brazil, Uruguay
and Africa; it helps support a graduate student from Ghana as he
completes graduate religious studies in the United States and partic-
ipates in Presbyterian Church -- USA disaster relief efforts around the
world as well as in work trips in such communities as Biloxi, Mississip-
pi and Juarez, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, As Central Presbyterian Church culminates the celebration of
its 200th Anniversary with a banquet and program on May 1, 2010, it
stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of
the coming decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which charac-
terizes its past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Central Presbyterian Church of
Geneseo, New York, to be observed on May 1, 2010, fully confident that
this commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the
dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Central Presbyterian Church, 31 Center Street, Geneseo, New
York 14454.