The First Presbyterian Church of Olean was founded in 1822 under the Presbytery of Bath and led by Rev. William Stone with services held in the homes of various members who use this form w2 free. In 1837, a transformed wagon shop became the first church on the site of the current building, but records note that no amount of renovation could prevent local animals from continuing to use it as a roosting site!
Incorporated on December 9, 1841 the history of the church in the 19th Century was filled with new growth, membership that fluctuated with the erratic population of the area, an apparent feud that ended up at the Presbytery level and three ‘Great Revivals’ led by Rev. Samuel Orton, a recurring name in Southern Tier religious circles.
The Women’s Rights movement at the end of the century was mirrored in the church with the formation of the Women’s Missionary society in 1882. This group raised funds for national and overseas projects, led women’s Bible classes and worked during wartime to create a Red Cross workroom and soup kitchen for area workers.
The original brownstone church was finished with the cornerstone, which is still in place, being dedicated on October 12,1912. The early 20th century history included a five day centennial celebration in 1922, and the arrival of Rev. John Duffield in 1933. Rev. Duffield oversaw the church’s re-organization, recorded in a pageant depicting scenes from early history which can still be found in our archives. Rev. Duffield loved working with children and youth and upon his death in 1939, the Duffield Summer Conference for Young People was established nearby in Delevan, NY as a living memorial to him. The church supported troops and stateside efforts during WWII including sponsoring refugees from England.
Following the war, the nationwide religious trends were reflected in Olean with growth and outreach programs including the founding of an outreach church for the Seneca Nation of Indians at nearby Jimersontown, multiple mission trips and pilgrimages, sponsorship of refugees from Israel and southeast Asia, interdenominational collaborations with Greater Olean Association of Churches, and we opened our space to the newly formed Olean Child Day Care Center, visit themonstercycle to learn more.
On January 28, 1978, Dr. John Kipp announced he was leaving. The following Saturday, on the evening of February 4, the church burned, sparing only two partial walls of the brown sandstone sanctuary, and the educational wing. Although devastated, the congregation gathered the morning following the fire (in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church) to seek comfort and plan their re-birth as a congregation in massive transition. Rev. Gary Larson was called as pastor on January 29, 1979 and served as pastor until May of 2006. The end of the twentieth century saw changes in membership, transitions in staffing, and changes in the community. Throughout the time, the congregation remained faithful to promoting the spiritual health of the congregation, strengthening community outreach and supporting education programs that promoted global awareness for all ages.
The storied history of the church and its community ministry is reflected in the history of nurturing those entering the field of ministry. Between 1970 and 2007, Olean First Presbyterian worked with four seminarians for extended internship and part-time positions. Four youth served with the PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer programs nationally and internationally. Six were called into ministry (Rev. Nancy Bassett, Rev. Linda Burger, Rev. Ben Larson, Rev. Jesse Larson, Rev. Matthew Lang and Rev. Jason Cashing). We continue to hold them all in prayer and are humbled by their service across the country.
On August 6, 2014 we were blessed with the installation of Rev.Dr. S. Bruce Levine as our pastor. Together we are working to continue our process of education, introspection, discovery and growth, built on the faith journeys of the ’great cloud of witnesses’ started so long ago by the prayers and faith of Rev. William Stone in 1822.
| DATE | EVENT |
| 1803 | Major Adam Hoops purchased 20,000 acres purchased from Holland Land Company |
| 1804 | Major Hoops send brother, Robert, as his land agent. Olean’s selling point was its position on the Allegheny River as a jumping off point for people moving west |
| 1809 | John Spencer of CN starts making missionary visits to Olean Point |
| 1820 | Mr. Josiah Tracy starts conducting as Sunday school (1st religious group on record)
Anson King, 34, wrote former pastor (Rev. Julius Steels of the Congregational Church of East Bloomfield, NJ) for advice on founding a church (“if practicable, let the plan, by all means, be Presbyterian” Rev. Wm. Stone (probably a relative of Mrs. King) delivered advice and letter of dismissal for Mr. and Mrs. King 1st church service held by Rev. Stone at current site of Methodist Church (1962) |
| 1822 | Approx. 1,000 inhabitants in Olean Point; mostly transients heading west; approx. 3,000 went down Allegheny River from Olean Point yearly
Church organized under Presbytery of Bath in store of Hoyt Webb (Kresge Dollar Store, 1962); members- Cornelius Brooks, John Boardman, Anson and Sophia King, Norman and Abigail Smith, Abijah and Bathsheba Warren Original members accepted the following: 1) Westminster Confession of Faith, 2) the Larger and Shorter Catechism and 3) a Solemn Covenant: “We do now solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, to be our God, professing a cordial reliance on His grace, through Jesus Christ for the pardon and eternal life.” “Unreservedly devoting ourselves to His service and glory: Resolving, the assistance of Divine Grace, that we will live in His fear, walk in His ways, and keep his commandments with our households. That we will forsake all our sins, turn to righteousness and cleave unto Christ as our only Savior.” Thus, in the sight of all-seeing ti sanctify the Lord’s day and dedicate our children to God in Baptism.” King, Warren and Smith (clerk) were first elders; Rev. Stone continued as pastor; Smith was first physician in area; King would read sermons, hymns and psalms when no preacher available |
| 1824 | Rev. John T. Hubbard becomes pastor (continues until 1829) |
| 1830 | All elders had died or moved; services discontinued |
| 1836
Ep. 1 |
Judge Quintus Flaminius Atkins invited Rev. Sylvester Cowles to come to Olean
March 25: new church organized; Judge Atkins and Henry Dusenbury elected elders; services held in Atkins home led by Rev. Ralph Willoughby |
| 1837
Ep. 2 |
Wagon shop bought for $200; cost shared by Wm. F. Wheeler, Henry Dusenbury and J. G. Johnson; Norman Birge brought wood for fire each week; shop was raised above ground, a gallery for choir arranged, boards for pews; animals would roost under floor |
| 1839 | Rev. Charles Heqquenburgh named paster (nervous, eccentric, passed out from heat)
Replaced by Rev. John J. Aiken 6-months later- required several businessmen to sign a bond insuring his support (1962- “a person around who storms raged”); when he heard church law allowed every member the right to vote and speak on church matters, unsuccessfully tried to limit rights to men only |
| 1841 | December 9- incorporated and a day set apart by Gov.Seward for Thanksgiving and prayer; Board of Trustees: Edwin M. Birge, Olcott P. Boardman, Henry Bryan, James G. Johnson and Wm. Wheeler |
| 1842 | Great Revival led by Rev. Samuel G. Orton- “You are lost, Lost, LOST! Ep. 3 |
| 1847 | 3 members left: N. Birge, Caleb Smith, and O. P. Boardman (shared pastor with Portville and Allegany) |
| 1848 | Rev. Nathaniel H. Barnes, pastor (to depressed or overworked) |
| 1849
Ep. 4 |
Rev. John Lane, pastor (to depressed or overworked)
Rev. Cowles returned from Ellicottville- annual salary $500 plus $100 from mission aid |
| 1856 | New building- cost $6,000
Miss Wealthy Gleason played the melodeon which was replaces by a pipe organ Mrs. Samuel Bradley conducted 1st primary Sunday school department pews were rented (front one were the cheapest) |
| 1857 | 2nd “Great Revival” led by Samuel Orton |
| 1862 | June 5: J.B. Beumont becomes first regular installed pastor |
| 1865
Ep. 5 |
Costly repairs to church and organ; purchase organized by ladies of the church (a first) -$4,000 |
| 1867 | Dr. G.R. Alden, pastor; wife wrote books using pen name “Pansy” |
| 1869 | N.H. Clute becomes pastor |
| 1870 | Parsonage (manse) built-$3,300
Feb. 11: Peter K. Shephard, excluded from the communion of the church for the sin of adultery with M. Paterson (waived trial) Feb.25: Mahala A. Paterson, excluded from the communion of the church for the sin of adultery with P. Shephard (waived trial) Feb. 25: Scott Andrews, excluded from the communion of the church for covenant breaking…”he did not wish to belong to the church as he did not think he was or even had been a Christian and was not willing to walk with the church.” |
| 1874 | Oct. 28: N.H. Clute leaves; Dec. 20: Henry H. Curtis arrives
Dec. 17: William and Lodema Smith ask for their names to be cleared from the church rolls |
| 1875 | Feb. 8: William and Lodema Smith charged with the sin of profanity and unchristian conduct; Smith’s “laid on the table of Session” charges of slander toward Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson
March 1 trial: evidence against William-not taking communion or attending services Evidence against Lodema- “That during the week of which her daughter had married, she profanely and abusively spoke to Mrs. F. R. Johnson and at others and often times she has allowed her temper to rile and abuse her husband and family.” When interviewed she said she had a problem with a Deacon, was riled, angry and didn’t care to continue in the church April 19: Presbytery asked Session to correct “irregularities” in the record and reconsider the Smith case. Session did not feel there were irregularities . Considered leaving Presbytery (?). July 27: “a communication was read from William Smith dated April 15, but was not received.” August 22: Former Pastor Cowles asked Smith to be reopened, Session refused. Oct. 7: Session asked of Presbytery that the previous request for correction of irregularities be stricken from the record. Told request was snot received in the prescribed time and no action was taken. |
| 1876 | April 10: Cowles again asked for reconsideration due to new evidence. No apparent action taken.
3rd “Great Revival” led by Samuel Orton: March 19-62 admitted into Church membership |
| Late 1870’s | Serious dissension (caused by excommunications?)- “A church quarrel is an awful thing!” |
| 1877 | July 24: citation to Mrs. Cornelia Conklin
Aug. 3: Specification 1: seen going to and buying at a liquor store Specification 2: bought medication with liquor in it Specification 3: asked Floyd Rug to buy her liquor Specification 4: seen “intoxicated” Specification 5: lying on sidewalk of church “evidently under the influence” Aug. 6: Conklin admitted guilt Aug. 7: Conklin said she misunderstood consequences of confession Aug. 8: Conklin asked for mercy and that her name be left on the rolls Aug. 28: Conklin’s name stricken from the rolls. |
| 1878 | Oct. 20-23: FPC hosted Synod |
| 1882 | March 25: Women’s Missionary Society formed led by Mrs. David Winters (pastor’s wife) |
| 1887 | Church practically rebuilt, greatly enlarged ($5,000)
Christian Endeavor Society (inter-denominational youth group) formed; Rev. John Burrows-pastor |
| 1889 | Rev. Newton Reed pastor; continues through 1904 (15 years); Mrs. Reed organized I.H.N. Circle of King’s Daughters (raised funds by putting on plays) |
| 1890 | Pipe organ installed- $3,500 |
| 1902 | Lecture room, dining room and kitchen done over and refurnished |
| 1904 | First Bible class taught by a woman (Miss Anna Shaw)
Louis Ruf becomes pastor; original salary $16,000, later changed to $18,000; donated the added $200 to parsonage repairs (cost $800); started building fund with $50 |
| 1905 | Sept. 28: citation to Charles Raferty to answer about “conduct and relations to the church” |
| 1906 | March: Raferty had lost son, asked for forgiveness and charges dropped |
| 1908 | Silver Cross Circle formed |
| 1911 | Special offering ($500) and pledges/anonymous gifts $3,000
Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Bartlett presented $25,000 on condition that a like amount be raised but congregation: (story/myth: not bell installed int church at Bartlett’s request because Bartlett’s liked to sleep in on Sunday) |
| 1912 | Oct. 12: dedication of cornerstone |
| 1913 | Sept. 21-27: dedication fo brownstone church
Sept. 21: Rev. Harry Burton Boyd installed and Leslies Rsandolph Boyd baptized (infant son) |
| WWI | 2 groups initiated: Deaconesses and Martha Class
Rev. Edgar M. Smead: pastor Mrs. Frank Bartlett organized Red Cross and donated supplies /soup kitchen in church |
| 1940 | Refugees from England: Mrs. David Mace and 2 daughters; Mrs. Mace occupied pulpit in Aug. 1941 |
| 1941 | New manse purchased and remodeled (221 North 4th St) |
| 1942 | Flood in Olean: Church used by the Red Cross as a “have of refuge” for the victims |
| 1943 | Rev. William M. Griffin adopted as a missionary in Oklahoma
87 church members in the military |
| 1944 | Norris Bequest started with 5 shares of Telephone and Telegraph stock
Dunshire Memorial: 10 shares of Telephone and telegraph stock June-fall: $40,000 for Building Alteration Program |
| 1946 | Married Couples group formed; Young Adults group formed |
| 1947 | Oct.: Rev. Ruf is Chaplain in Rocky Crest |
| 1948 | $15,000 renovations made
Guild and other Women’s group consolidate and become Women’s Association |
| 1949 | June 5: Dr. Millard G. Roberts-pastor: dynamic personality;
“In our Church in Olean lied our only hope for an insert to the problems in out country, in our families, and in in our personal lives.: |
| 1949 cont’d | Church membership +1,000 for first time
New pipe organ installed Youth program greatly expanded Mrs. Charles Smith and Mrs. Ernest Hoeldtke: first women members of Session Miss Joan McKinnon hired full time as Director of Religious Education |
| 1950 | Oct. 15: dedication of new organ and chancel
Following Boards formed: Stewardesses (9): communion Benevolences (12): direct where Benevolence $ goes Religious Education (9): CE Music (12): music program Ushering (24): ushers Church Relations (9): 1) Annual Financial Campaign 2) personally visit all new members Nominating (6): 1 from each Board (Session, Deacons, Trustees) and 3 from congregation Rev. Roberts spent month on Faculty of Chaplain School, Carlisle Barrack, PA Double Sunday morning services (discontinued the following year) 1111 members |
| 1951 | 265-average SS attendance: CE building suggested
1169 members (peak) Dec.: Dr. Frank H. Ferris- Interim pastor (?) |
| 1952 | Sept. 28: Dr. John T. Middaugh-pastor
Church in debt in excess of $25,0000 story/myth: opened a drawer and found tons of unpaid bills Set 4 goals: -unite around dynamic faith -increase interest of all members (622 of 937 members didn’t attender regularly/ 25% gave no finance support story/myth: when rolls examined, some people unaware their names were on the rolls -outreach (goal 1,500 members by 1958) -PAY OFF INDEBTEDNESS Jan, 1955: Church was debt free Staff: Pastor, Assistant Pastor (had trouble attracting and keeping), Director of Religious Education, Secretary, Sexton |
| 1954 | Middaugh became Summer Director of the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Church in Geneva, Switzerland |
| 1956 | Capital Fund Drive: $225,000 ($189,000 pledged/payable over 3-year period): installed new heating system and built Educational Wing
Mr. John W. Thomson-Assistant Pastor Men’s Fellowship Family Series (women were invited): Newlyweds and Hopefuls Enjoy your Children The Family and its Adolescents Life Begins at 40 Growing Old Gracefully |
| 1957 | July 21: ground breaking for Educational wing
Sept. 29: cornerstone laid. Dr. Louis Ruf returned to preside (45 years after first cornerstone, which he laid) Oct: Dr. Middaugh leaves. Assistant pastor Jack Thomson and Dr. Frank Ferris carry on |
| 1958 | April 13: Rev. Paul Hagen-pastor (over 50 prospects); Rev. Edward D. Peachy-assistant
Sept. 14: Educational wing dedicated. Ruf and Middaugh present |
| 1959 | 5 choirs, 1 girls’ quartet; Senior (Chancel)-16; Senior High (Chorister)-12; Junior High (Westminister)-11; Junior (Crusader)-28; Primary (Cherub)-20; 107 performances |
| 1960 | January 27-Annual meeting-unanimous vote to merge Board of Trustees and Session into a unicameral board; Al Baum-President of Corporation; Mack Harder-Clerk of Session
September-Fred Crumley comes as Director of Music Written in Annual Report I happened to grab: “We sit surrounded by eggheads Who chew the reports and wheeze And nobody’s gettin’ no where (sic) While verily I sit and freeze!” Endowment started in this era |
| 1961 | Steinway piano gifted by Mrs. George Purdy |
| 1962 | Daystrom Co. Moves reducing Olean population: membership remained stable but SS enrollment (349—>388); church attendance (14,195—>16,017)
140th year of building; 50th of building |
| 1963 | Members of congregations visited Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Greece led by Dr. H.N.Richardson, Professor of Old Testament at Brown University School of Theology |
| 1964 | Church membership 900
Capital Fund Campaign for repairs to church and pay down mortgage of Educational wing, mortgage of Presbyterian Homes of the Aged; Inter-American University Chapel Fund and Conference and Retreat Center: Goal-$60,000; $83,586 pledged David Bos, Associate Minister-10-month student on Fulbright scholarship at the University of Leiden, the Netherlands. Met and married Ans van Wijk on June 9, 1966 and left got another pastorate in April 1967 Founded Jimmersontown Church when Native AAMericans of the Seneca Reservation were relocated by Kinzua Dam |
| 1966 | Youth went to Davidson, Tennessee on 9-day work project (also went in 1967, 1968) |
| 1967 | Pilgrim Hymnals bought |
| 1968 | September: Dr. William and Mrs. Audrey Goodlet left fo the mission filed in India (165-bed mission hospital)
Manse (221 N. 4th St.) sold and new one constructed ($28,355) oat 527 York St. Decrease in membership; nearly $4,000 in unpaid pledges (national trend); Session considered new approaches to the problem of “decrease in increase.” |
| 1970 | Nisan and Toris David of Lebanon and 3 children displaced by 6-day War came to Olean and stayed for a year
July 16: Pastor Dr. Hagen leave to become Manager of the Memorial Homes Community in Penny Farms,FL: Dr. Paul Waren, interim (membership 717) |
| 1971 | April 28: Dr. John Kipp-pastor, no assistant hired
Roberts’ Fund set up: bequest in will fo Mres. Margaret L. Roberts “to be used to provide care and comfort for persons over 65 years of age in need of financial assistance without regard to faith.” ($237,057) |
| 1973 | Recognize constitution of UPCUSA/ by-laws amended (687 members)
OCDC starts using building Weekday Church School started by GOAC (gr. 3-6) ¶9 children enrolled (77 avg. attendance |
| 1978 | January 29; Kipp announces he is leaving T Annual Meeting
February 4: Church burns (6 days after announcement) Cause: electrical malfunction Rev. Bob Purrington, Interim |
| 1979 | January 28: Gary Larson called
From Annual Manual minutes: “The congregation voted to approve the Facilities Task Force Report. Al Baum gacgave an explanation on the transitions of red sandstone to buff brick. There would be tempered glass in the courtyard area. There is no definite answer on the question of the elevator yet.” September 16: Fred Crumley leaves as Minister of Music |
| 1980 | David Spangler: Minister of Music |
| 1981 | First service in new sanctuary, Easter Sunday |
| 1983 | Linda Burger enters Colgate Rochester Divinity School and becomes a candidate for the ministry after completing school in 1986 (first of 5 to become ministers who came from this church: other were Jason Cashing, Matt Lang, Ben Larson, and Jesse Larson) |
| 1984 | 18 deaths in one year (membership 447)
Interfaith Caregivers begun by church member Joan Wells Book Club starts |
| 1985 | Gibson Scholarship established
Dr. Rudy and Margaret Burt gift $31,768 to the church for physical improvements of church |
| 1986 | Johnson Scholarship established |
| 1988 | Rev. Larson visits Israel and Egypt (3-month Sabbatical) |
| 1990 | members attend Peacemaking 2000
Bicentennial Fund Campaign to support variety of projects around the world ($55,840 in 3 years) |
| 1991 | May 20: Gary Larson has heart attack |
| 1994 | March 17-Dr. Rudy Burt dies. Will leaves $100,000 for endowment to church: rest of estate becomes the Burt Fund (about $1.6 million); 1st disbursement in 1997
August 7-17: 7 church youth, 2 community youth and 3 adults joined 25 others from Presbytery go to Juarez, Mexico on PUMA mission trip |
| 1995 | 7 youth from church go to Youth Triennium
May 31- David Spangler resigns; Rick Snyder hired as Minister of Music Summer: Gary Larson on Sabbatical; Stephanie Davis, Supply Minister Elevator installed late 1995/early 1996 (cost $120,000/pledges $65,271.50) |
| 1996 | March 24 Chapel restored and rededicated |
| 1998 | June 7: 25th year of ordination of Rev. Gary Larson |
| 1999 | Two retreats: Duffield in August; Camp Lakeland in Dec./Jan. |
| 2000 | Atherton Bequest ($141,000)
Camp Duffield Capital Campaign ($44,000 pledge from FPC) |
| 2001 | Thursday night dinners and services begin
Nye Scholarship established |
| 2002 | summer: Gary Larson on Sabbatical; Pam Wat Supply Minister |
| 2006 | May 31: Gary Larson retires (27 years-longest serving Minister in history at FPC)
July 25: Even McJunkin becomes interim pastor, contract not renewed in 2007 |
| 2009 | April 26: church called Eileen Borduin Vanderzwan to be installed pastor. |
| 2010 | Nov: Rv. Daniel H. McKee became Temporary Pastor, left Oct. 2011. |
| 2012 | Dr.Tony Evans became Pulpit Supply Pastor
August, Dr. S. Bruce Levine called as designated pastor. |
Leave a Reply