LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Pavil-
ion United Methodist Church of Pavilion, New York, celebrated on May 3,
2015

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 the Pavilion United Methodist Church of Pavilion,
New York, celebrated on Sunday, May 3, 2015, at the Pavilion Fire Hall;
in attendance were three former pastors, The Reverend William Reeder,
The Reverend Wilbur W. Pollock, and The Reverend Christopher Wylie who
helped to celebrate the rich history of the Pavilion United Methodist
Church; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious event included a hymn sing, a worship
service, dinner, a program featuring Methodist District Superintendent
Ted Anderson, and a presentation by congregant Howard Wellman, as well
as special music by the choir, sung from a late-1800s hymn book; and
WHEREAS, In 1815, the Methodist Episcopal Society, now known as the
Pavilion United Methodist Church, was organized in an old brick school-
house about a mile and a half south of the village of Pavilion; and
WHEREAS, On March 13, 1829, the congregation voted to become an incor-
porated religious society to be known as The First Methodist Church in
the Town of Covington; by 1833, it had grown enough to warrant erecting
a meeting house at Sprague's Corners, now known as Taylors Corners; as
the congregation grew, the building was moved to the south side of Elli-
cott Street; and
WHEREAS, At that time, men and women entered the Church by separate
doors; and women sat on one side of the church with the children, while
the men sat on the opposite side; and
WHEREAS, When a hymn was sung, the congregation stood and turned their
backs to the minister to face the choir at the back of the Church; since
musical instruments were considered improper in a Church, a pitch pipe
was blown by the choir master; during the pastorate of the Reverend
Hiram May from 1852-1853, a melodeon was purchased to lead congregation-
al singing; and
WHEREAS, Extensive renovations were made to the Church from 1881-1882,
including raising the floor, making the vestibule into a parlor, and
adding a kitchen; most notable, however, was adding a 106-foot spire to
the roof; and
WHEREAS, During the winter of 1925-1926, a meeting was called to
discuss a site for building a new Church; after numerous discussion, the
location chosen was known as the Lewis-Paterson site at the corner of
routes 19 and 63; and
WHEREAS, The church bell was hung in the new belfry on January 26,
1927, and today, still beckons people to worship as it has for 133
years; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Pavilion United Methodist Church
has hosted many activities for the community, including both goose and
turkey suppers, and minstrel/variety shows; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, the Church let the Pavilion Historical Society use
the old parsonage for use as a museum and a public library; in 2003, the
members of the Pavilion United Methodist Church provided space for a
nursery school until the public school took it over, and organized a

community food pantry, as a joint ministry with Mary Immaculate Parish;
and
WHEREAS, After 200 years, the Pavilion United Methodist Church remains
a vital asset to the residents of Pavilion; it provides a meeting place
for several clubs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Boy Scouts and Girl
Scouts; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of The Reverend Wilson Jones,
the Pavilion United Methodist Church stands on the threshold of tomor-
row, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retain-
ing that spiritual resolve which characterizes 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 the Pavilion United Methodist
Church, observed on May 3, 2015, 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 The Reverend Wilson Jones, Pavilion United Methodist Church.