Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice Church Histories and Church Records Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA Home Page Guide Disclaimer Copyright More Church Pages Townships  Joyce New & Search

Joyce's Search Tip - January 2008 Do You Know that you can search just the 250 pages of Church Records and Histories on the site by using the Churches button in the Partitioned search engine at the bottom of the Current What's New Page? .

Thomas Sheardown Autobiography

Andrews Settlement Church

Built in 1888, the land for the Andrews Settlement Church was given by Frank Bishop. Lumber for the church was given by Chancy Tucker and sawed by William Currier. It was built by Will Eaton. On January 24, 1889, dedication of the Union Church was held. A two-day dedication was held with four ministers present to carry on the services. The church members included Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Universalists.

Pastors for the church have included Rev. Frank Johnson, Elder Kenney, Warren Gardner, Addie Gardner, Rev. Rodwell, Rev. Morris, Charles James, Basic Young, Fred Clark, Rev. Winder, Rev. Buchanan, Mr. Tanner and Rev. Linn. The present pastor, Rev. Daniel Waite, has been at the Andrews Settlement Church since 1968. He also served here from 1945 to 1958.

In 1946 the church began to receive electricity from Tri-County. In 1948 the parsonage was purchased from Arlous Currier. Two wood heaters were installed in the church about this time and whenever the wood pile got low, there was a wood bee - the men cut the wood and the ladies got the dinner. Small tables and chairs were built by Henry Wood for the children of the church. New carpet was laid in March 1964. About two weeks later a fire started around the chimney. With the help of Genesee, Whitesville and Coudersport Fire Departments, the building was saved. Afterwards the gas furnaces were purchased to replace the wood heaters. New pews were purchased from the Coneville Church when it was discontinued. Much of the work done at the church was accomplished by the members and their pastors.

In a history compiled about the church in 1973, the women of the church were not forgotten. "The wives of these ministers have also played a very important part in their labors for the Lord. Every one of them has been able to deliver a sermon in the absence of her husband. Mrs. Buchanan was always ready with a solo and a smiling face. Mrs. Tanner whenever a special was needed was there with a beautiful solo. Mrs. Linn led the choir, taught the adult Sunday School class, was active in missionary work, as were all the rest. Mrs. Waite, an excellent pianist, led the choir and led in all the activities of the church. - History Courtesy of Gertrude Blow 

-- Dear Joyce, (August 2006)
I visited your website today for the first time and noticed that the little blurb you have on Bakerburg Community Church near Mainesburg needs
some updating. The current pastor is Dave Dressler who has come in the last 4-5 years.  I m not sure of any other information you may need, but if you want to update it, you can call the church M-Th during the day and he would most likely be glad to give you even more updated information.
Sincerely, Wanda M. Schmidt
(I suggested to Ms Schmidt that she help us by pulling together some history of that church. The clipping above is from the 1970s and represents that period. It is not intended as a current history.  I have not heard from her since. She may be working on it. If any others associated with that church would like to provide some history for the site and for the Sullivan Township Museum, we will certainly appreciate it. This is a project, like many hundreds of others, that needs to be done.)

Big Pond United Methodist Church
The Big Pond United Methodist Church was built in 1884 mainly under the management of Alvin and Derek Smith with the help of many others, names unknown. On its 80th anniversary a week of services were held and all former pastors that could be located spoke. Many of the older residents returned for these services. Present membership of the church is 103. New rest rooms, the social room, and a big kitchen were added recently and are a great asset. Big Pond United Methodist Church is part of a three-point charge with Wetona and Leona. Many thanks to Bert Smith, Treasurer of Columbia Cross Roads for the church history.

East Lawrence Baptist Church
The East Lawrence Church was organized in January 1843 as the Lawrence & Jackson Christian Church with ten charter members. The following October they joined the Tioga Rive Christian Conference. The church was dedicated in December 1872 and in May 1883 the name was changed to the East Lawrence Christian Church and in turn became Baptist in 1965. The parsonage was built in 1900. In 1965, the annex was added and the church was enlarged, repaired, renovated and refurnished again in 1973. East Lawrence Church regularly supports six missionaries and the two buses they own are engaged in their bus ministry. Thanks to Pastor Ellis Grist, Lawrenceville for the church history.

We would like the following text to replace what is currently on the web page:  [Since the above is a newspaper clippuing from the past - it can not be altered. It will remain as written on this history site. We appreciate this additional information - JMT]

The East Lawrence Church was organized in January 1843 as the Lawrence & Jackson Christian Church with ten charter members. The following October they joined the Tioga River Christian Conference. The church was dedicated in December 1872 and in May 1883 the name was changed to the East Lawrence Christian Church.  The parsonage was built in 1900.  In 1965, the annex was added and the name was changed to the East Lawrence Baptist Church.  The church was enlarged, repaired, renovated and refurnished several times between 1973 and the present, including a 1600 sq. ft. addition in 1995. East Lawrence Baptist Church regularly supports nine missionaries and agencies. In addition to regular Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening services, Sunday School classes are available for all ages.  During the school year, the Church holds JOY Club (Kindergarten through grade 6) and Teen Group (grades 7-12). Thanks to Pastor Vic Perry, Lawrenceville for the church history.

Sullivan State Road Baptist Church
This church was organized in July 1856 with forty-one charter members. It was the fifth church in Sullivan Township. The original edifice was built in 1857 with the vestry, steeple and annexes added later. Between 1880 and 1890 there were 181 members. The late Rev. D.J. Griffith was pastor for forty years - the longest pastorage in the history of the church. Present membership is 82. Sullivan State Road Baptist Church is now associated with the Mainesburg Methodist Church and the combined congregations hold services six months of the yea in each church. Thanks to Diantha Webster, Mainesburg, for this interesting information. 

Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA

Published On Tri-Counties Site On 01/13/1999 By Joyce M. Tice Email Joyce M. Tice You are the  visitor since the counter was installed on 20 JAN 2005