From "Manual of the Churches of Seneca County with Sketches of Their Pastors, 1895-6," compiled and published by the Courier Printing Company, Seneca Falls, N. Y. 1896, pp. 65-69. Available from the Internet Archive (Offsite).
Three years before this church was constituted, the record of the old Church of Chemung, organized in 1789, speaks of brethren living at Romulus or Apple Orchard, and the reception of two members by baptism, James Finch and Mary Stevens. The church was constituted in June, 1795, with a list of seven members. The seven original names are not positively known, but the first enrollment presents the following: Absalom Bainbridge, Peter Bainbridge, John Green, John Finton, Mrs. Sally Sayre, Mrs. Denton, Samuel Blain and wife, Barna Swarthout, Mahlon Bainbridge and wife, William W. Folwell and wife, and Elijah Abbott. Of this list Absalom Bainbridge's name appears as the first pastor; and John Green and John Finton were the first deacons. Mahlon Bainbridge is said to have been the first one received into membership by baptism after the church was constituted. This was the first church organized in Seneca County.
For some years they met without a stated house of worship; until on New Year's Day, 1808, William Watts Folwell gave them a lot on which to build a meeting house, to be known as the First Baptist Church in Romulus, being of the same faith and order as the Philadelphia Baptist Association. Steps were at once taken to erect a house of worship, which was partially completed the same year. Subscriptions were paid in work and barter. When first built the meeting house stood a little north of its present site, and faced the south. Not being completed, it was vacated for the winter, and again the schoolhouse was used. Later, in 1824, the building was completed. The high old-fashioned pulpit stood at the entrance to the house, and the audience faced the door as well as the preacher. Originally the first floor was the auditorium with a gallery on three sides.
This church was one of the constituent members of the Chemung Association in 1796; but withdrew in 1804, to unite with the Cayuga Association, of which it was a member until 1813, when it again united with the Chemung Association. In 1820 it was dismissed, and became a constituent member of the Seneca Association soon afterward formed. Twenty-five pastors have served since the organization of the church. Prior to 1802, the names of four pastors appear without definite record as to the duration of their terms of office--Absalom Bainbridge, Ephraim Sanford, Roswell Goff and Peter Bainbridge.
In 1802, Jehiel Wisner became pastor, serving the church two years at least. Twenty additions to the church in that year made a membership of sixty-eight. Rev. John Caton commenced his pastorate in 1808, with a membership of sixty-two; his work continued until 1818, the membership increasing to one hundred and five. Mr. Caton was a Revolutionary soldier and when Marquis De La Fayette visited America the last time, in 1825, while at Waterloo he recognized in the throng surrounding him his old companion in arms, John Caton. Rev. John Cooper, entered the pastorate in 1823, with a membership of fifty-four, the decrease in members being the result of the new church organization in the east part of the town. Rev. John C. Holt accepted the pastorate in 1826, having graduated from Madison University, at Hamilton, in June of that year, and was ordained, October 20, 1826. His pastorate continued for over two years. He probably organized the first Sabbath school held in the "meeting house," of which he was the superintendent. Rev. William W. Brown's pastorate presents five years' service, from June 1, 1828, to near the close of 1833. The years '31 and '32 were especially rich in blessing, adding to the church ninety by experience and letter. During this pastorate one hundred and seven were added, making the church membership one hundred and thirty-six. Rev. Nathaniel Otis' pastorate opened in the spring of 1834, and continued until the spring of 1834, and continued until the spring of 1838. Seventy-eight were added during this pastorate, making an aggregate of one hundred and seventy three members. The pastorate of Rev. C. G. Carpenter, began the fall of 1838, and terminated, April 1, 1843, nearly five years of association in the Lord's work, which indicates in the record a very warm relation between pastor and people. The labors of Rev. D. Wright, with the church, began in May, 1843, and continued for four years. The next pastorate, that of Rev. Obed Sperry, was entered upon August, 1847, and closed about April 1, 1849.
In May, 1849, Rev. Isaac Fargo entered upon his labors as pastor, and for over six years led the people in apparent victory, not only as regards the reconstruction of the house of worship, and securing a parsonage lot, and constructing the present home for the pastor, but in a soul-reviving work which was marked by large additions to the church of nearly one hundred. Rev. J. S. Webber, came to this people and entered upon his work, September 9, 1855, continuing with them until March 1, 1858. Rev. P. Irving entered this pastorate, June 5, 1858, and closed the same, February 18, 1860, fifty-one having united with the church. Rev. Wm W. Homes' labor began, August 4, 1860, and closed, October 6, 1866. During these more than six years, there were repeated ingatherings, resulting in the largest membership chronicled, two hundred and twelve. Rev. D. D. Owen entered upon his duties as pastor, April 1, 1867, and after five years of faithful service closed the same, April 1, 1872. Rev. T. McNair settled with this people, April 1, 1873, and served them for two years. Lewis J. Gross, who had supplied for a time two years before, having finished his studies, received a call to the pastorate which he accepted in April, 1875, and commenced his work in June and was ordained, March 7, 1876. A continuous growth was manifested, and much interest prevailed. This pastorate terminated January 15, 1882, nearly seven years in duration. Rev. R. B. Stanton served for four years as pastor, from May, 1882, to April, 1886--four years of pleasant union, in the early part of which, quite an addition was made to the church membership. Rev. George L. Oliver, spent the next four years as pastor, from July, 1886, to April 1, 1890. Rev. P. F. Ogden's pastorate of over three years, began in November, 1890, and terminated, April 1, 1894. This was marked by unity and advancement in regard to the more spiritual needs of the people. Rev. F. M. Labar commenced his services in June, 1894, but deciding to re-enter Rochester University to complete his course, resigned, January 1, 1895. Rev. Wisner Kinne, the present pastor, began his work, February 10, 1895.
As to workers going out from this church, there is a very good representation: James C. Barrett, 1820; S. M. Bainbridge, 1836; E. Gardner, 1838; Revs. B. S. McLafferty, D. D., and John Griffith, D. D., 1852; Rev. S. V Marsh, 1856. Thomas Marsh, the senior deacon, was licensed to preach, January 7, 1860. Last upon the list of workers is Miss Lisle Bainbridge who went to China with Dr. and Mrs. Nevius. The deacons who served are as follows: John Finton, John Green, John Bainbridge, William Salyer, Abner Carey, Samuel Blaine, Elijah Abbott, Cyrus Bainbridge, Simeon Salyer, Clement Leach, Ebenezer Gardner, Hiram S. Banker, Alexander Baldridge, Thomas Marsh, Dr. N. W. Folwell, Montgomery Updike and William Bumpus.
