LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Methodism
in Ripley, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend certain church communities that have, through devotion and
achievements, served generations of the faithful in this great Empire
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 200th Anniversary of Methodism in Ripley, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Ripley United Methodist Church was founded in 1811, as
part of the Erie District; the church was organized by three families -
Farley Fuller, Basil Burgess, Andrew Spear and their wives, all from the
Quincy settlement in New England; and
WHEREAS, Lacking a physical church building, the founding families
held services in their homes; for the first 50 years, there was no
permanent minister for the church community; instead they were served by
circuit riders and held church meetings among their membership; and
WHEREAS, The first church was built in 1839, and was called the Quincy
Methodist Episcopal Church; the church was dedicated in 1842, by circuit
minister Reverend J. E. Chapin; and
WHEREAS, The first resident minister was installed at the Quincy Meth-
odist Episcopal Church in 1861; a Sunday school was established around
1863, with J. W. Morris serving as its first superintendent; and
WHEREAS, A larger church building was constructed in 1873, and the
name was changed to Ripley Methodist Episcopal Church; this brick build-
ing was dedicated in 1874 by Reverend J. E. Chapin, who had dedicated
the first church 32 years earlier; and
WHEREAS, The 1874 church building is still in use today, with modifi-
cations made in 1916, when the tall spires at the front were replaced
with turrets and the entire church was renovated and an electric organ
was installed to replace an organ that was pumped by hand; and
WHEREAS, In the fall of 2010, the church began an After School Program
that combines fun activities, games, and homework help with creative
Bible teaching; and
WHEREAS, The Ripley United Methodist Church has been led by 51 pastors
in its 200 years of existence; the pastor for the Bicentennial is Rever-
end Irwin Reist; and
WHEREAS, Churches serve as the cornerstone of rural communities,
supporting the spiritual and social needs of their church families,
enhancing the quality of life in their communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those community churches that have served the spiritual needs of
their parishioners over the course of their long histories in this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Methodism in Ripley, New York; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Ripley United Methodist Church, Ripley, New York.