LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Kian-
tone Congregational Church

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the people, communities
and organizations which comprise the noble body of this great Empire
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate
the 200th Anniversary of the Kiantone Congregational Church; and
WHEREAS, On May 6, 1815,The Reverend John Spencer rode from what is
now Jamestown, New York, to meet a small group gathered at the school
house on the Russell Farm bordering Stillwater Creek, in what is now
known as Kiantone; and
WHEREAS, Gathered at the school house were John Jones, his son Levi
Jones, his grandson Abner Jones, Samuel Garfield, William Deland and
Anna Nelson Cheney; these would become the founding members of the First
Congregational Church of Ellicott, today known as Kiantone Congregation-
al Church; and
WHEREAS, For the next 15 years, this group of dedicated believers met
in members' homes and area school houses, with services being led by
visiting missionaries or by the members themselves; and
WHEREAS, In 1830, Ruby Cheney Sears gifted land to the group and a
church was constructed which continues to be used by the congregation
today; the building is modeled after the mother church in
Mendon/Milford, Massachusetts, and was built in the typical plain, New
England style; and
WHEREAS, The church was given a gallery above the entry way for musi-
cians and a choir, windows were arched in the gothic style and high-
backed pews with doors on the end were incorporated to keep out any
stray animal that may wander into the sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, In 1850, the tops of the spearheaded windows were enclosed to
give them a square shape, pews were cut down and a more modern style
pulpit was installed; candles which had been used to light the church
gave way to oil lamps, the interior walls were papered and the outside
of the building was painted white; and
WHEREAS, In 1875, the basement was dug out for the incorporation of a
furnace to replace the two old wood stoves and the gallery was enclosed
to allow for a mid-week prayer meeting; the organ and choir loft were
moved to the front of the sanctuary and an alcove was added for a
pulpit; and
WHEREAS, In 1934, the church underwent further renovations as a full
basement was added for dinners, church meetings and a Sunday School; by
1972, more space was needed and a two-story addition was added to the
rear of the church where a horse barn had previously stood; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, the Geraldine Folke Hagberg Education building was
dedicated and housed six Sunday school rooms, a large fellowship hall
and a modem kitchen; and
WHEREAS, After some discussion, it was decided that repairs were need-
ed to the church, and from September 1978, until December 1979, a team
of dedicated volunteers under the guidance of master carpenter James
Mitchener Jr. restored the church to its mid-19th Century appearance;
the dedication of the restoration took place on January 13, 1980; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the leadership of Reverend Mel McGinnis, the
congregants of the Kiantone Congregational Church celebrate their
parish's long and vibrant history while looking forward to its bright
future; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor milestones in the history of communities and organiza-
tions large and small in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Kiantone Congregational Church;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Reverend Mel McGinnis.