Filed under Grace Episcopal Church, Lyons, NY
Waterloo’s First Presbyterian Church
Waterloo’s First Presbyterian Church is a historic church that was constructed in 1850. It is located at 42 East Main Street, Waterloo, NY 13165. It is designed in a Romanesque Revival style and built with monumental brick. The 104-by-65-foot building is one of the town’s main attractions.
The base of the church is constructed with grey stones assembled in square, symmetric patterns. The body of the church is made out of brick in an orche brown tone which contrasts beautifully with the off white roof and the white circular arches and trimmings of the windows.
The small 1 ½ story chapel was added to the east elevation of the church in 1880-1881. Located on the front of the small chapel is a small, yet elegant rose window enclosed with white trimming contrasting against the building brown brick.
The façade of the church consist of a beautiful rose window along with large welcoming wooden doors designed with simple circular arches. Two soaring square towers constructed with white octagonal spires are located on each side on the church. The 90-foot-tall corner towers add tremendous height to the building, making this monumental building visible from the main street in the town. The church covers a total area of .9 acres and is located at the heart of the small and welcoming town.
This historic church has such monumental history within its town; it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It was deemed worthy of preservation and is considered to be the town’s most historic site
Filed under First Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, NY
United Methodist Church, Lyons
Pastor: Ellen Knight
Office Hours: Mon- Fri 9am to Noon
Sunday Worship 10am
Location: 93 William St., Lyons, NY
Phone: 315.946.6035
Email: LUMC@rochester.rr.com
Language: English
Church History:
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lyons was originally in a log cabin, which was used as a meeting space for the “Genesee Conference”. In 1810 it was decided the cabin was too small; funds were raised and a new church was built and completed in 1818. The church stood until 1851 when it was destroyed in a fire. Shortly after the devastating fire the church was rebuilt and the new building is still in use today.
Exterior:
The West entrance is positioned along William Street, presenting two welcoming large wooden doors with stain glass windows. The church is constructed of brick with a limestone base. The 140 foot tower of the church is centered over the east end contains a 4,000lbs bell.
The church is located in a quiet neighborhood, surrounded by houses and is close to the local high school. On the south side there is a large parking lot for visitors as well as accessible street parking.
Interior:
The interior of the United Methodist Church is relatively simple in comparison to a Roman Catholic Church. The interior of the sanctuary is predominantly wood with little ornamentation on the walls, other than the windows, and is one large open room. There are ten stained glass windows in the sanctuary, five on both sides, which reach from nearly the ceiling to the floor. The three sections of pews are wooden and four sets of aisles run along the sides of each. The church could be described as small, seating less than 500 people. The pulpit for the minister is raised and encircled by a low dividing railing. A table alter with a cross upon it faces the pews along with a baptismal font. The choir area behind the pulpit is raised as well and includes a wooden pipe organ. The organ has a cross at the top and carved below is a griffin and a sheep. Between the two is a cross of equal length sides surrounded by four smaller crosses of equal length; this is the Jerusalem or Crusaders Cross. There is also a wooden carving of a Celtic Trinity knot, or a triquetra on the opposite wall of the altar.
Iconography of the Stain Glass Windows:
There are ten beautifully decorated stained glass windows in the sanctuary. There are two pointed arches in each window that are topped with a smaller window, which produces one uniform arched window. Five different images are represented on the uppermost part on each window, this includes, sheep, lilies, a dove, stone tablets, cross and crown. The center of each pane is the same painted on design of grape leaves, which at first glance looks as if it is the Fleur de lis, which might make sense in a Catholic context with association with nobility, but more logically these are probably grape leaves. This represents the interconnectedness of Jesus and followers (I am the vine, you are the branches…John 15:5)
There are many meanings behind sheep, most popular is the image of Jesus as the good shepherd, and his followers are the sheep. (John 10:11) The edging of this window is a wheat sheaf pattern, which is a symbol of sacrifice and productivity. In order for its seeds to be dispersed, the wheat kernel has to die, much like Jesus’s crucifixion in order to save humanity.
Wheat is also connected to the vine pattern because of the idea that the blood and body of Christ comes from the wine and bread made from the grapes and the wheat. Harvest is a popular subject in parables, such as the last judgment (Matthew 13:24-30).
Lilies represent the rebirth of Christ and his purity and innocence. The dove with an olive leaf in its beak is a long standing symbol of peace, and comes from the story of Noah’s Ark, in which God flooded the earth 40 days and nights (Genesis 8:8). Doves are mentioned throughout the Bible as well as a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22). The stone tablets are the Ten Commandments set down by God to Moses. These are the fundamental laws and are an important part of Christian theology (Exodus 24:12). The cross and crown represent that Jesus carried the burdens of all the people, making him the king of kings in his sacrifice (Revelation 17:14). The border of a few of the windows looks like a leaf pattern, possibly oak. Oaks are known for their strength throughout the Bible (Amos 2:9). They represent the strength of faith, and the idea of religion growing from small acorn to a large tree.
Lyons, NY, Information:
Straddling the winding Erie Canal- at the foot of the Finger Lakes Region- is a spirited small community founded on the Erie Canal and New York Central Railroad, peppermint oil and pottery. Lyons, New York is the seat of Wayne County and a meeting point between miles of lakeside vistas, rolling hills, quaint antiques shops, road-side farmers’ markets and wine trails.
The village is marked by an old-fashioned downtown business district- which still contains numerous family-owned shops, historic churches, quaint side street neighborhoods and a network of close-knit community members- who celebrate their Peppermint Days festival.
As the county seat, it contains historic old Wayne County Courthouse- whose silver dome is a crowned jewel that can be seen for miles. And a stone’s throw away is miles of sandy Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes beaches, doldrums-laden recreation routes and urban cultural centers. Information found on the Lyons, NY website.
Filed under Lyons, NY, United Methodist Church
St Michael’s Catholic Church, Lyons
St Michael's Church - Circa 1930
St Michael's Church - Present Day
About Lyons, NY:
Lyons, New York is located midway between Syracuse and Rochester just a few miles north of NYS Thruway I-90 (Exit 42). The town has a population of around 5,400; 3,500 of which live in the quaint and historic Village of Lyons, NY.
Historical finds include the Wayne County Court house, in use since 1854,
Village Square/Wayne County Court House
the Methodist Church Clock Tower and the Village Square Park. All of which were used in the filming of Lady in White because of their historic charm. The Historic District, intersection of Broad and Water Streets, is only a quick walk from the park. The Historic District includes the restored Hotchkiss Peppermint Building, scenic views of the Erie Canal including boat docks, a local theater and numerous local eateries. The Historic District also offers the Wayne County Museum. It acted as the former residence of the sheriff and jail from 1854 to 1954.
Exterior:
St Michael’s Catholic Church is located at 3 Holley Street in Lyons, NY. Opening to the west along Phelps Street are two large and welcoming doors. Carved into limestone base is a cornerstone dating back to 1890. The rusticated limestone turns to brick which is broken along the western façade by a rose window as well as rounded, Romanesque windows along all four sides including a tower and round side chapel along the north. A new addition along the western façade is an enclosed porch which houses steps up to the front door as well as a handicap accessible lift.
Corner Stone
Interior:
A glass-paned atrium reminiscent of a greenhouse envelops the original western façade of St. Michael’s. Upon entering the atrium, one faces a small staircase leading up to the sanctuary entrance. Heavy brick mortar between the bricks closest to the door indicates recent reinforcement in the central arch support. The front portal’s Romanesque rounded arch features a
St Michael's Front Portal
symmetrical stained glass tympanum above the double doors. The tympanum displays a very abstract curvilinear pattern resembling scrolls, executed in a free style as indicated by the similarly sized, singularly colored pieces of stained glass. Two small windows with rounded arches and similarly free, abstract stained glass patterns flank the western door. Above the central arch, a wooden cross rests on the wall just beneath three hollow spaces lacking bricks that appear to almost shadow the cross. Like the excess mortar, these hollow spaces reveal traces of recent renovations.
Upon passing through the door, one encounters a single room measuring roughly 40 yards from the back to the central wall behind the altar (42 to the stage left wall, which is set back and offers entrance into the sacristy) and about 20 yards across. Overhead, a balcony rests upon two columns at its edge, which frame the central aisle and, because they do not continue, simply echo a central colonnade. Rows of pews stretch beyond the columns, flanking the central aisle and leaving two very small side aisles against the north and south walls. The pews end in front of an altar raised two steps. Two more pews on each side flank the altar area and face inward. Behind the altar, on the eastern wall, a large, wooden rounded arch rising almost to the ceiling surrounds a grid-like, perpendicular pattern of white, wooden beams. This beam-crossed arch appears reminiscent of large arch windows with perpendicular tracery that frequently cover the eastern façade of Gothic cathedrals. These beams and the arch serve frame a central crucifix. The wall behind the altar separates the sanctuary from a small sitting room stage right. This room then leads to a small, secluded chapel that also leads to the sacristy.
The walls of the church are white until they meet the ceiling, whereupon a
St Michael's Interior - From Choir Loft
light blue grid similar to the wooden frames covers three panels, which form a trapezoidal cross section. Along the walls, each two Stations of the Cross border a stained glass window with more free, abstract patterns similar to those found on the west wall windows. These windows number three along each wall, as six pairs of statues number the twelve Stations. Each window lies in a Romanesque, rounded arch similar to the others found throughout the church.
Facing the western wall from the front of the church, one can see the modest
St Michael's Rose Window
rose window detailed in mainly purple and blue glass above the balcony. The window features 8 urn-shaped lobes radiating from a central floral image. The balcony also houses a pipe organ at which the organist would face the north wall in order to play. On the sides of the western wall, beneath the balcony, the rightmost door leads to a small bathroom and the leftmost door leads to the bell tower. In the tower, a spiral staircase leads to the balcony and then a ladder that continues to the bell. A rope falls through each level to the main floor, allowing one to ring the bell without climbing the tower.
The Stations of the Cross in St Michael’s
Filed under Lyons, NY, St Michael's Catholic Church
Trinity Episcopal Church, Seneca Falls
Trinity Episcopal Church
27 Fall Street Seneca Falls, NY
Front View
Side View from Van Cleef Lake
History
The original location of the Trinity Episcopal Church was across the canal from its current location. After fifty years of service, the congregation decided it was time to build a new church across the canal at its current location. It is currently located on Fall Street next to van Cleef Lake in Seneca Falls, New York. Construction of the new church commenced on June 2, 1885 and it was completed in 1886. The first service was held on Easter Sunday in 1886. The church was officially consecrated on September 10, 1890 by Rt. Rev. F.D. Huntington, the Bishop of the diocese.
Construction
As mentioned above construction of the new church began in 1885. The exterior walls were constructed of blue limestone made in the town of Fayette and regular limestone from Onondaga. The height, width and length of the building are 105 ft. by 73 ft. by 44 ft. and the tower stands 105 ft.
Stained Glass Windows
There are numerous lancet stained glass windows throughout the church and they take after the Gothic influence of the design. A notable window is one that depicts Archbishop Cranmer that is located on the east wall of the nave. There were several designers of the windows that included: J. Weppel and Co., Louis Comfort tiffany, James Baker, and J. and R. Lamb Studies of New York . The largest stained glass window is the Easter window located in the west transept. The window over the altar is called the Ascension Window and it was designed by James Baker and Sons of New York and is an Anglo-French style design. All of the windows are in memory of past clergy and parish members.
Recent History
There have been several restorations to the building. These projects involve restoring the Rose Window, reinforcing the tower, and the Chancel Arch.
For more information on Trinity Episcopal Church visit the following link:
Click to access Trinity%20Episcopal%20Church%20in%20Seneca%20Falls.pdf
General Information
Address: 27 Fall Street Seneca Falls, New York. 13148
Phone: 315-568-5145
Email: trinity@seneca24.net
Diocese: Central New York
Service: Sundays at 9:30am
Filed under Seneca Falls, NY, Trinity Episcopal Church
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waterloo, NY
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waterloo, NY
“Faith Working in Love”
(Gal 5:6)
Waterloo, NY, is not only home to great outlets, Memorial Day, and Connie’s Diner, but also a wonderful historic church called Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY…
According to the church’s website, Saint Paul’s is a historic church in Waterloo, NY, and was constructed between 1863 and 1864 and is built of local limestone. The new church cost $28,780 (approx. $523,272 in the current dollar value) to build in 1863. It is built in the Gothic revival style. The church’s exterior dimensions are 52′ x 72′. The church features a tower with a stone spire and a clock and a limestone parish house that was built in 1916, in addition to the central stone nave. Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church is on the National Register of Historic Places.
FUN FACTS:
The building of the church is credited to New York architect Henry C. Dudley. Dudley was responsible for designing many of the Gothic Revival churches in Upstate, NY, such as Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Syracuse. Dudley also designed a church similar to Saint Paul’s, Christ Episcopal Church in Red Wing, Minnesota. Interestingly, the first reverend of Christ Episcopal Church was a Hobart College alum and Waterloo, NY native named Edward Welles. The Welles family was invested in the project to build Saint Paul’s in Waterloo in 1863.
THE INTERIOR:
The interior of the church has high, exposed wooden vaults with robust columns giving room to airy yet strong presence. Between the vaults and the ceiling there are rose plates that echo the rose tracery in the gothic stained glass windows. The expansive rectangular nave allows for uninterrupted views of the altar in this simplistic yet compelling layout.
On the church’s website there is a great virtual tour of the interior. And you can find it here.
THE EXTERIOR:
The general exterior of Saint Paul’s oozes Gothic Revival; from its local limestone masonry to its high pitched roof, from its plate tracery rose window to its pointed arch windows. The church’s nave is five bays in length, with a side entrance typical of Gothic churches. The structure of the church consists of support buttresses and wall buttresses that harken back to the structural support of Gothic churches and cathedrals. The Rose Window, displayed below, is a great example of Gothic Revival stained glass. Instead of stone tracery, plate tracery is used to let in more light, a feature common in Gothic architecture. Also, the actual pattern of leaves and clover design are distinct artistic patterns used for the stained glass of Gothic churches. Even the Parish House, built fifty years after the original church, has glimpses of Gothic architecture in its pointed windows and plate tracery.
General Information:
Address: 101 East Williams Street, Waterloo, New York
Phone: 315.539.3897
Schedule of Worship: Sunday, 8 am and 10:30 am
Office: Monday-Friday 6:30 am-8:30 am
Rector: The Reverend David R. Mihalyi
For more information regarding the church community and other inquires click here to visit the Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church website.
For more information regarding the surrounding area of Waterloo, NY please visit the Waterloo, NY website.
Filed under St Paul's Episcopal Church, Waterloo, NY
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Waterloo
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St. Mary's Catholic Church located on Center Street in downtown Waterloo, NY was built in 1889
photos: timothy barrett
Mission of St. Mary’s
-To learn, to love and to share our faith
-To worship in word and sacrament centered in the Eucharistic celebration
-This calls us to social justice to serve those in need and to work together for God and one another
Plan your visit to St. Mary’s Catholic Church…….
General Facts:
Located just off Main St, which runs through the center of Waterloo, St Mary’s is easily accessible via car; or a short walk from the center of town. St Mary’s Catholic Church is a Gothic architecture-style church, built of blue stone. The main structure is in a cross formation with an additional spire attached. You will find the windows are of artistic stained glass, and are all memorial windows. The parish was first established in 1846, but the church as it stands today, was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop McQuaid ,in December, 1889.Today you will find, the current pastor is pastor, Rev. William H. Harrington.
Exterior:
From the road, the east entrance greets you, with the tower at the southeast corner. The dimensions of the church are as follows, length 128 feet, transept 70 feet, main building width 40 feet. There is also a chapel attached on the southwest corner which is 40×20 feet. The peak of the front facade is adorned with a beautiful cross. The front door is painted bright red, with a highly ornate rose window directly above the main entrance. The bell tower will reach the height of 130 feet from the base, nearly matching the churches length. The bell tower also boasts a large clock which can be seen from a substantial distance. Running along the North and South sides are several blade buttresses. The overall beauty of St. Mary’s Catholic Church is only a hint of what the exterior walls hide inside them.
Interior: The interior of St. Mary’s Catholic Church could be defined as a bright and exuberant atmosphere. As you enter the front doors you will find yourself in the dimly lit narthex where there is a plethora of pamphlets and information packets. Immediately you will notice that the St. Mary’s community is a very tight night group who welcome new parishioners with open arms. As you exit the narthex and enter the nave you will begin to notice light beaming through beautiful stain glass windows that are on the end of the aisles. As you walk down the nave you will see the transepts and in the middle a beautiful altar. The altar is covered with bright red carpeting that draw your eye up to an illuminated cross which rests in directly in the altar’s midsection. To the left (viewers left) of the altar you will see a statue of the Virgin Mary and to the right (viewers right) of the altar a statue of Christ holding a lamb. These statues rise about 3 feet tall. While standing at the altar you will notice that the transepts hold grandiose rose windows that are a colorful stain glass. Turning 180 degrees from the altar looking back down the nave you can see St. Mary’s organ, resting above the exit to the narthex. The atmosphere of St. Mary’s interior is very welcoming from its beautiful stain glass windows that flood the beautiful red carpeting with natural light.
Parish Information:
Masses: Saturday 5:00 p.m. ~ Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday 8:30 a.m.
Confessions are available Saturday 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. or by Appointment. The pastor at St. Mary’s is Reverend James Fennessy. If you would like to contact St. Mary’s Catholic Church their phone number is 315-651-4349 or email at sstpatri@dor.org. For further information please click here.
Filed under St Mary's Catholic Church, Waterloo, NY
Grace Episcopal Church, Lyons, Ny 1826
Grace Episcopal Church History
Amidst the undulating hills and farmlands in the quaint town of Lyons, NY the Grace Episcopal Church resides. In the sweltering heat of August 13, 1838 twenty-five Episcopalian families met composed of businessmen and craftsmen met in the newly constructed brick courthouse and planned to build the Grace Episcopal Church. At the time of the construction, the community praised the new addition to the town as extraordinary and worthy of imitation. Trinity Church on Wall Street made a generous donation of 2,000 dollars towards the building of the church. The church was consecrated in 1841. It is the second oldest Episcopal building in the Wayne County and the second oldest parish. In August of 1994, the Grace Church Complex was placed on National and State Register of Historic Sites.
The Exterior
Grace Church is constructed of limestone, quarried in Sheldrake, New York. The Tudor Gothic design of the church features a 60 foot, three storied tower at the entrance. Inside the tower resides an original spiral staircase that leads to two church bells that are rung before and after each service. The elder of the two bells is reserved for communion. The church gracefully recedes back from the tower and from the road. The church walls and tower have stepped buttresses with weatherings at each of the four corners that rise above the copper roof and are crowned with pinnacles. The north and south walls have four bays of round arched stained class windows. The east wall features two bays of tracery windows of stained class. The overall form of the church imitates 15th and 16th century British architecture.
The Interior
The main entrance of the church leads to a vestibule that connects to the tower room. The tower room houses stairs that lead to a second-story gallery and to the third-story bells. Past the tower room, double paneled arched Tudor doors lead to the nave. The open space below the gallery forms a narthex. A wide central aisle runs through the nave to the altar, flanked by rows of boxed pews. The boxed pews were built in 1840 and are constructed of Indiana poplar faux grained in mahogany with oak colored top rails. The chancel rises three steps above the nave floor and a pointed arch frames the opening between the nave to the apse. The apse is plastered with red and gold motifs surrounded by a deep blue ground and a red cornice. The ceiling was once adorned with the same painted design that is still present in the apse, but was covered with wood.
The Altar and the Organ
The altar that resides inside Grace Church is the original 1840 altar, featuring Tudor arched panels, is set beneath lancet windows. The original communion rail surrounds the altar. To the right of the apse arch is the 1839-40 organ designed by Henry Erben. Erben was raised in New York City as the son of an organist and organ builder. At the young age of thirteen he was apprenticed to an organ builder in Philadelphia. While apprenticing, he aided in the construction of an organ for St. John’s Episcopal Church in New York City, a mission church of Holy Trinity Church on Wall Street, which is the mother church of Grace Episcopal. At the age of 22, Erben became a partner in the Hall & Erben firm. Twelve years later, Erben established his own firm. In the following years, he went on to build over three hundred organs through out New York, Chicago, Detroit, Albany, New Orleans, Charleston, Hartford and Rochester. Only four of Erben’s organs are known to still exist.
The Stained Glass Windows
The windows throughout the church are from over four different time periods, although some cannot be fully dated. The first window on the south aisle of the nave depicts Jesus as the good shepherd with St. Luke holding a pen and parchment. The second window depicts Jesus as the good shepherd as well. The adjacent window was created by Charles Booth in both London and New York City. Booth’s window depicts Jesus and two disciples on the walk to Emmaus.
On the north aisle, the first window portrays Christ, St. Michael and the archangel Gabriel. The subject of the second window is the crucifixion of Christ and his ascension. The third window is referred to as the angel window.
The four rear windows were installed after the renovation of the church that occurred in 1859. The three lancet windows in the apse depict the Holy Trinity,
All of the windows are in the process of being renovated to prevent sagging in the glass and other weaknesses in the framing.
Sources on the organ and the history of the church:Pamphlet given out at the church on the
Filed under Grace Episcopal Church
First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls
About the First Presbyterian Church:
The First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls is a part of 11,000 other congregations across the United States, which makes up the Presbyterian Church. It is the oldest church in the village of Seneca Falls. Located in a barn owned by Col. Daniel Sayre in Bridgeport, the church was first organized in 1807 and called First Presbyterian Church of Junius. The church relocated in 1816 to the schoolhouse, south of the church’s current location, because of membership growth. In 1817 Col. Wilhelmus Mynderse gave the church its current location that seats around 200 people. The church was renamed Seneca Falls in 1829 when the town of Junius was divided into four new towns. The community continued to grow and a new building with a columned front, a central tower, and more seating was built in 1842. The growth of the community and church led to the construction of the present church in 1871. The construction cost $60,000 and the church was completed on January 14, 1873. Most recently, Leah Ntuala became the church’s first female Pastor.
Exterior Architecture of the Church:
The First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls is a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. Like most Gothic churches, the church’s façade is facing east which allows for natural light to flow through the giant rose window and into the nave. The church has two towers which are asymmetrical, typical of Gothic revival style. On the façade’s right, is the church’s tallest tower (originally 166 feet) held up by massive buttresses that end at the belfry. Between the buttresses are window groupings, each set in a pointed arch. On the left side, is a similar smaller tower where a Meneely and Kimberly Troy bells is hung, weighting over 3500 pounds. Apart of the facade, these two towers flank the front end of the nave and become the intended entrances to the church. It is fairly unusual that this Gothic revival church does not have a main portal, but instead triggers curiosity forcing the viewer to ask: What resides behind the beautifully painted and stain glass windows which denies us from entering through a centered portal and directly into the nave?
Interior architecture of the Church:
Two divisions, a basement and a superstructure, constitutes the interior of the church. Stone steps lead the way to the entrances made of solid white oak. In the middle of the two towers, the basement stairs descend and the main stairs ascend to the sanctuary. The main vestibule is accessible by the stairs from the entrances in the towers. From this vestibule, a wide arched doors lead the way to the sanctuary. The ceiling is divided into aisles (26 feet high) and nave ( 40ft high). It is made of black ash made in massive moldings, corbels, beam tracery and bosses. Three chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling. A balcony projects beyond the vestibule four feet at the rear end of the sanctuary.
The windows of the church are made of stained glass. Seven emblems representing the Holy Scripture, lamb, wine, bread, dove, anchor and lily are portrayed in the tracery head of the sanctuary windows. The Lester window portrays Jesus Christ blessing little children. It was given by Dr. Frederick W. Lester, in honor of his mother, Caroline Foote Lester.
The lectern, made of solid black walnut, has monogram of the Lord, the Alpha and Omega represented. Except for the pulpit, all furnishing are original. The organ, installed in 1958, is a Schantz organ made of 1200 pipes.
The original ribbed vault is built in the Gothic style. A wooden interior truss is built to give stability to the structure. The wooden pointed arched braces are designed to support the collar beam exerting force the the rafter. This force stabilizes the structure of the church by resisting the tendency of the rafters to spread outward.
Additionally, there are three sections of seating that face the altar. There is no nave leading to the altar because parishioners remain in their seats throughout mass. As a result, this layout allows sound to best be amplified.
What makes the church special:
- First female pastor ordained (Rev. Leah Ntuala)
- First Presbyterian Church to accept LGBT community and embraces ethnic diversity
- Intimate community that is welcomes new members
- Affordable and dependable day care
Location: 23 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls, New York 13148
Phone: (315) 568-6636
Email: fpressf@verizon.net
Facebook: Follow Us
For more information click here to visit the First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls’ website
What the church offers:
- Book Club
- Drinks and Discourse
- Movie Group
- Game Night
- Wednesday Worship
- Nursery School
- Sunday School
Church’s Finance:
The First Presbyterian Church is funded 100% by donations made by it’s members and donations from the public according to Rev. Leah Ntuala.
Woman’s Rights National Historical Park
The Woman’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls is where Elizabeth Cady Stanton and four other women made a public commitment to work together to improve women’s quality of life. A hundred other women joined the convention in support. The Woman’s Rights National Historical Park is connected with The First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls. On the 75th anniversary of the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, Alice Paul, a Quaker social worker and founder of the NWP, addressed the first equal rights amendment in this church. Today, the church holds reenactments of the original Women’s Rights Convention of 1848.
Location: 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, NY 13148 (5-10 minute car ride from the church)
Phone: (315) 568-0024
Click here for a map of Seneca Falls in relation to the First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls
St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Seneca Falls
Built in 1929, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is located in Seneca Falls, NY. Photo Morgan Gilbard.
95 West Baynard Street, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
(315) 568-5203
Pastor: Fr. James D. Fennessy
Masses: Sunday at 8 and 11 am
Thursday and Friday at 8:30 am
Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. Photo Google Images.
History
The founding congregation of St. Patrick’s, the Catholic Society of Seneca Falls, was founded in 1831. It was composed of eight members under the supervision of Rev. Franklin O’Donohoe. Two other churches have been built and subsequently knocked down on the same site of the current St. Patrick’s since the early 1800s. The St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church standing today was built in 1929, and construction was completed three days before the stock market crash of the Great Depression.
Main Door and Entrance to St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. Photo Morgan Gilbard.
Outer Iconography
St. Patrick was chosen as the church’s patron saint because the area was originally inhabited by Irish settlers, who also built the nearby Eerie Canal.
A statue of the saint, framed by two vertical rectangular windows and a carved overhang, rests above the north tympanum. Marked by a decorate crozier and mitre, St. Patrick raises one hand and points his head downward, as though looking over those that enter the church. Best known for banishing the snakes from Ireland, St. Patrick is also associated with the shamrock, as he used it to teach Christians the doctrine of the Holy Trinity (Catholic Online). This iconography can be seen repeatedly in the foliage below the Saint’s statue.
Foliage carvings below the statue of St. Patrick, featuring a symbol commonly associated with him, the clover. Photo Morgan Gilbard.
Inside Architecture
St. Patrick’s follows suit with modern Gothic revival churches by running north to south rather than west to east. Although the reasoning behind this decision is unclear, it may because of the canal running west to east only about a mile north of the church; perhaps the architect wanted people on the opposite side of the canal to see the front of the tower rather than the side.
The north entrance opens to a small vestibule containing pamphlets regarding the church’s upcoming events, services, etc. To the right, a spiral staircase leads to a small balcony that overlooks the nave, while the double-doors in the center of the vestibule lead to the nave as well. Like the majority of Catholic churches, St. Patrick’s features a center aisle to allow worshipers to receive communion during services. The east and west tympanums feature side altars and Stations of the Cross for individual prayer. Beyond the wooden cross mounted on the wall of the apse is the sacristy, which is attached to a hallway leading to the priest’s on-site residence.
The church’s nave was purposely designed to be dark, further accentuated by dark wood and stained glass, while the the apse features much lighter wood and stained glass. This was so the priest and altar could be “in the light” of God.
The transept features 12 pillars, each marked with symbols representing the 12 apostles from the Book of Revelations. This is also a reference to heaven being built on the 12 pillars of the apostles.
The church was originally supposed to feature statues lining the nave on either side. However, the church’s construction during the Great Depression forced the congregation to forgo the statues in favor of a set of paintings called the Station of the Cross. These paintings depict the life of Christ and his journey from beginning to end.
The nave of St. Patrick's. Photo Morgan Gilbard.
Stained Glass
St. Patrick’s features 12 archaeological stained glass windows, meant to imitate the stained glass of 13th century Britain, but made by a Rochester company called Pico. The windows feature 24 saints, and a symbol associated with the appropriate saint in the bottom panels.
Photo Morgan Gilbard.
Finger Lakes Gothic Revival 
