Food Pantry item of the month - Tea bags, crackers, tooth paste, paper towels
Food Pantry item of the month - Tea bags, crackers, tooth paste, paper towels
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In 1792, the Argyle United Presbyterian Church was organized as the First Presbyterian Congregation subject to the Associate Reformed Synod in the town of Argyle. Before the election of officers in November of 1792, Argyle had been a preaching station under care of Salem. The Rev. Thomas Clark, M.D. was the first clergyman to minister to this community and after him, his successor, the Rev. James Proudfit who presided at the election of our first session.
In November of 1793 the congregation called as its first pastor, the Rev. George Mairs, Sr., a graduate of Glasgow University and pastor of a congregation in County Cavan, Ireland, before coming to this country. The Rev. Mairs served the congregation for 30 years, and his son, George Mairs, Jr., succeeded him and served for 28 years. During these 58 years, 1750 members were received.
The congregation built its first church sometime before 1792. This was located south of the village near the Scotch Cemetery. This church, a 40x30 frame building, proved too small; therefore, a second church was built in the village.
In the spring of 1844, a new building was planned at a cost of $2772.50 and designed to seat 700. The unfinished church and sheds were burned on July 4. In 1845, a fourth church was completed and used for less than thirty years. As membership and the need for repairs increased, this church was taken down. The present building was constructed in 1875 and dedicated on July 18, 1876. This building, with the sheds, cost $32,000 and was constructed of brick from down the Hudson, slate from Salem and gray stone from a Glens Falls quarry.
Although the Church's purpose has remained the same throughout the years, customs have changed dramatically. For many years, members received, at the preparatory service, a token made of pewter or lead which entitled them to receive communion. It was also a custom that the elders approve those who would take communion. Until 1896, United Presbyterians sang psalms exclusively, with no instrumental accompaniment. The Session voted to allow the use of an organ Sabbath School in 1895, and within a short time, in regular church services. In 1898, the present pipe organ was installed.
There have been, in more recent history, several events worth noting. In 1943, the 150th anniversary was celebrated with a 2 day event, the Sunday worship service and a "Cooperative Supper" the following evening. In 1964, when Argyle observed its bi-centennial, our church hosted a union service. Special rededications were marked in July, 1951 and in July, 1976. In August, 1969, a reception was held for Miss Bernice MacWhorter, who retired after serving as our church organist for 50 years. A Colonial Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the United Presbyterian and the Methodist Churches was held in our church in November, 1973, the first in a series of events commemorating the Nation's bi-centennial. In 1982, our 190th year was celebrated with a picnic on the church lawn and a display of memorabilia.
We are grateful for the dedicated men and women who, through the years, have given their time and talents to found and continue the work of our church in the community.
1785 - Associate Presbyterian Church of South Argyle organized.
1787 - The first South Argyle church built.
1792 - The First Presbyterian Congregation of Argyle organized. A church had been built prior to this near the Scotch Cemetery. This proved too small and a second church was built in the village.
1807 - New South Argyle church built at a cost of $3000.
1830 - 16 families from South Argyle congregation formed the Associate Congregation of North Argyle.
1844 - A new building to seat 700 planned for the Argyle congregation, but on July 4 a firecracker set the unfinished church on fire and it burned down.
1845 - A fourth Argyle church completed.
1853 - Present South Argyle church built - $4500.
1858 - The Associate Presbyterian and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches merged to form the United Presbyterian Church of North America. For the first time the three Argyle Presbyterian churches were a part of the same denomination.
1866 - Present North Argyle church built - $11,000.
1876 - Present Argyle church built - $32,000.
1892 - Argyle congregation celebrated centennial.
1895 - The Argyle Session voted to allow the use of an organ in Sabbath School and within a short time in regular church services.
1898 - The present Argyle pipe organ installed.
1919 - The present Argyle manse built after a fire destroyed the previous one.
1930 - The North Argyle congregation celebrated 100 years of faithful service.
1952 - South Argyle church renovated - $14,000.
1958 - The Argyle Presbytery entered into the Albany Presbytery.
1964 - A union church service held in observance of the Town of Argyle's bicentennial.
1969 - Bernice MacWhorter retired after 50 years of service as our church organist.
1980 - The North Argyle congregation observed 150 years of worship.
1985 - The South Argyle congregation celebrated its bicentennial.
1986 - Steve McLean became pastor.
1987 - The North Argyle United Presbyterian Church dissolved after 155 years of service.
Many members transferred to the Argyle congregation.
1988 - The Argyle and South Argyle congregations merged. About this time, the ceiling fell down in the sanctuary and we eventually moved our Sunday services to the North Argyle building for about 3 years, during which time work was done on the sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall addition was added.
1993 - the congregation moved back into the Village building.
2010 - Change in denomination from United Presbyterian Church to Evangelical Presbyterian Church
2016 - Bryan Fitzgerald came as Associate Pastor 2019 - Steve McLean retired and Bryan Fitzgerald became the Pastor.
Sunday Morning Congregation, Pentecost - May 22, 1983
Painting of South Argyle Presbyterian church.
Sanctuary decorated for Christmas. Prior to ceiling collapse.
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48 Main Street, Argyle, NY 12809