New Horizons Genealogy

"Specializing in New England and New York Colonial American Ancestry"


1870 Organizational Members
Fourth Presbyterian Church
Town of Syracuse
Onondaga County, New York


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Organization of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, New York

"On Wednesday evening, Feb. 2, 1870, a meeting was held in the First Presbyterian Church according to appointment notice having been given from the pulpit of the Church and the public press, for the purpose of organizing the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Syracuse. The exercises were as follows:

"After voluntary by the choir, the 87th Psalm was read by Rev. P. W. Emens. The 87th Psalm was then sung "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken." Prayer was offered by Rev. P. W. Emens, the 137th Psalm was sung. "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord", a short address by Rev. Dr. S. B. Canfield followed, who based his remarks upon Isa. 49:20 and Isa. 54:2 and 3. He then read the names of 81 persons proposing to unite in this organization; of these sixty-two were former members of the First Presbyterian Church.

By letter from the First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, N. Y.:

Organizational Members


Dr. Canfield then read the Confession of Faith and Covenant as recorded below, and asked "Do you whose names have been read give assent to this confession of faith and covenant?" which was assented to by all standing. The Church rules were then read and adopted in like manner when Dr. Canfield pronounced this the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Syracuse. The names of the following officers nominated by ballot at a preceding meeting were then read viz: ELDERS: Elijah T. Hayden, Timothy Hough, John Reed, Henry C. Hooker. DEACONS: Ira A. Thurber, Edwin Miles, and in reply to the question were accepted by the Church as its officers.

"Rev. Dr. Strong of Park Central Presbyterian Church then addressed the Church in some brief remarks and offered the consecrating prayer.

"Rev. F. A. Spencer next conducted the exercises of ordaining as elders John Reed and Henry C. Hooker and as Deacon Edwin Miles and afterward delivered a charge to the Church and to the Session.

"The Doxology was sung and benediction pronounced by Rev. M. L. Berger.

"The articles of Faith, Covenant and Rules as adopted by the Church are recorded on the following pages 4 to 7, in records Fourth Church.

Signed, Henry C. Hooker."