The United Church of
Phelps is a union of two historic Churches existing in the village of
Phelps, New York since the 1850’s. The Methodist Church sat in a hillside
on the west side of the village, directly in front of Resthaven Cemetery.
The Presbyterian Church was located just east of the village business
section on the corner of North Wayne Street. For over a hundred years the
people of these Churches worked side by side during the week but on Sunday
they went their separate ways.
In the 1970’s some of the membership of each
Church met and began to talk of coming together as one strong community
Church. The Church would continue their ties to the two denominations but
they would pool their resources in order to meet the needs of the people in
the village and people in the world. The Presbyterian Church had lots of
room. The Methodist Church needed more room but building a new Church was
not fiscally possible. It was a difficult decision to make for many hearts
were tied to what had always been their Church.
In 1974 The United Church of Phelps was born.
Thirty-five years later this toddler has grown into a happy well- adjusted
adult!
The stained glass windows that formerly fit
the windows in the narthex of the Methodist Church fit perfectly in the
window frames in the narthex of the Presbyterian Church. The people fit
together just as perfectly.
Our mission statement tells our story:
“The
United Church of Phelps reaches out and welcomes all people so they may
worship God passionately, become people of prayer, develop a deep faith,
demonstrate faith through service, and share their faith.”
If you want to be an active member of Church
please answer our invitation and join us? We’d be so pleased to have you
here!
