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!
