Valley Historical Society hears Charlotte Center Church history
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SINCLAIRVILLE — Members and guests of the Valley Historical Society met in the Sinclairville Firehall Community room for a meeting and program. President Sheryl Christy welcome all and led the group in the Lord’s Prayer, then treasurer John Sipos led all with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Secretary Evelyn Thorndike read the minutes of the previous meeting, and reviewed with all the successful annual History Fair held in September. Thanks were extended to Dean Houser for his leadership and planning of this annual event. Treasurer John Sipos gave the financial report of the society, and the financial report of the History Fair. Sipos said “thank you to the many who donated funds for the History Fair.” Member Clara Wilder said we will hold another History Fair in 2027.
Christy said many old handmade quilts have been donated to the museum, and that during the month of May 2027, there will be a quilt show displaying these quilts on Sundays from 2 until 5 p.m. Wilder has already created a poster for the quilt show.
Christy then presented a program to all on the history of the Charlotte Center Church. The Church opened in October 1851, and will be celebrating its 175th year this year. On the opening Sunday in 1851, the Church was packed full with people. “All attending were happy and sang praises for the first Church building of the area.”
When the Church building was being built, farmers would go to the woods and cut a tree, and drag it to the road where it was hand hewn before being used on the building. Bibles were scarce and people wanted to take them home to share with family. In 1927 there was extensive remodeling to the Church building. In 1959, the Church was raised high and a basement installed with a kitchen. Special dinners known as “10 cents a serving dinners” were held for five years to help pay for the basement. A very interesting presentation.
Following the presentation, refreshments of doughnuts, muffins and cider were served by Christy and Wilder.
The Valley Historical Society was organized in 1977 by the late John and Ruth Smith, the late Rev. John Rough, Bill Hulett and Walter Waite who wanted to preserve the history of the Cassadaga Valley area. One year later, the museum was purchased to house historical artifacts, and is located in the village at Main and Lester streets. For more information on the Valley Historical Society, write to P.O. Box 1045, Sinclairville, NY 14782. New members are always welcome.