Today, I invite you to imagine with me what life was like in the early 1800s- 200 yrs. ago.

Imagine that you are a member of an early settler’s family who has recently settled in the North Country of N.Y. State, particularly the region from the St. Lawrence River to the Grasse River. Maybe you are in that same area with Lisbon on the west, and Louisville on the east.

Now in that time your principal occupation would most likely be clearing of the land and farming in a very rural environment. Transportation would be provided by ox cart, horses or walking. A great deal of time would be spent by a family clearing the land, building homes and barns for protection from the elements and also providing for the family and livestock. Despite how busy you were with your individual survival needs, I’m sure you found time to help your fellow neighbors.

These early settlers during this time found something to be lacking. Many had come from Scotland and England. These people had been nurtured with a religious background that needed to be guided by the Holy Spirit. At first they might see a visiting preacher once or twice a year. The preacher might hold a church service in the outdoors under a tree or in a barn. That is the way the congregation of this church was organized in 1819. A group of Scottish settlers met in a barn near the four corners of the intersection of the present Buck Road and the Ridge Road about a mile and a half from here.

Rev. William Taylor, who came from Scotland by way of Canada, was instrumental in organizing this congregation in a barn on Sept. 18, 1819 – 186 years ago. Communion was served at this meeting. It has been said that the children observed from the hay mow, then a meal was served using planks for a table.

Rev. Taylor was also the first pastor, guiding the parishioners in their religious lives, officiating at weddings, funerals, baptisms, which were held in private homes. Visitations were made to the sick and elderly and also for checking children on their catechism.

These people’s progress was being realized by their vision and determination. The settlers built a frame church somewhere in the area at the same four corners. They also had a cemetery near by which is still in use today. It is called the Scotch Cemetery.

Can you believe it? Just IMAGINE the congregation out grew the building and a second frame church was built right here. A portion of the congregation then came to this church. The two churches were used for several years. Then the frame church here was torn down and a brick church was built.

The brick church existed for 26 years until a “cyclone” (records call it that) tore the roof off the church. Again the congregation persevered and moved forward with the guidance of the pastor and God. Church services were held in various rural district school houses for two years until this building that you are seated in was completed in 1892 – 113 years ago.

During this early time when our forefathers banded together, they always looked to the future never dwelling on their past disasters – improved what they had and the succeeding generations have done the same. They considered the present and looked to provide for the future. They have always looked ahead, providing for the youth of the church with the hope that they in turn will do the same.

We are thankful that our past generations have been mindful of the need to keep our building in good repair. Over the years all our visions have led us to the construction of the new addition with its blending architecture outside and matching interior decorative touches – providing us with a building which is serving us well on our trip to the future.

Our forefathers had visions for the future for keeping our church alive!

May we continue to imagine the possibilities through Christ of what lies ahead for your church in the North Country.