History, First Presbyterian Church Auburn New York

First Presbyterian Church was organized on July 14, 1811 in the long room of the Center House in Hardenbergh's Corners, which was incorporated as the city of Auburn in 1815. At once the church "began a work so inspired that its effect was immediately felt" (Rev. William H. Hubbard). In our past we find the seeds of our future.

In 1815 the church began work on a house of worship to be located at the corner of Franklin and North Streets, where the church stood from 1817 to 1973. The first building was a colonial church, which the congregation outgrew and replaced with a limestone structure.

The church donated the colonial structure to the Lansing Street Presbyterian Mission School. The building was dismantled and moved up the hill to land owned by Elder James Seymour, where it was rebuilt in 1869 as a smaller structure. The building, much enlarged, still stands as Calvary Presbyterian Church, the oldest church building in Auburn. The Calvary Food Pantry, a significant mission of First Presbyterian Church, is located there. This is the interior of the Old First Church at Calvary today.

This 1907 postcard shows the limestone structure on North Street.

The steeple of the limestone church was struck by lightning in 1947 and rebuilt in 1948, but it did not survive. In April, 1973 the steeple collapsed and the church was so badly damaged that it was demolished. After much deliberation the congregation built a modern church at 112 South Street, which is used today. Here is a picture made when the building was new.

From the beginning First Presbyterian Church had a profound impact on the local community and the worldwide Presbyterian community.

Our first pastor, Rev. David Higgins, was a founder of the Auburn Academy, the first public school, located across North Street on land given by the church. Our second pastor, Rev. Hezekiah North Woodruff, founded the Cayuga County Bible Society. Rev. Dirck Cornelius Lansing, pastor from 1817 to 1829, was the principal founder of the Auburn Theological Seminary which continues operation today in New York City. Rev. Lansing's sermons delivered in our church were published in 1825 as "Sermons on Important Subjects," now digitized by Google Books. This book includes a message to our congregation. Henry Addison Nelson, pastor from 1846 to 1856, founded the YMCA. He was called from our church to First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis and is credited with saving Missouri for the Union. His many works are gradually being digitized.

Rev. Charles Hawley, pastor from 1857 to 1885, was the Stated Clerk of our Presbytery for most of his ministry. He founded the Cayuga County Historical Society, which he served as President until his passing in 1885. He was President of the Seymour Library Association in its early days, and the good friend of Elder James Seymour who gave the money to found the library and the Auburn Memorial Hospital, in addition to giving the land for Calvary Presbyterian Church. Dr. Hawley wrote two histories of First Presbyterian Church, histories of Jesuit missions in our area, and many other books and papers. He was revered and loved by the entire community. Dr. Hawley's 1869 History of First Presbyterian Church was digitized by Google Books on October 22, 2007 from the copy in the library of Harvard University.

Rev. William H. Hubbard, pastor from 1886 to 1911, was, like Dr. Hawley, an active evangelist who led the church to significant growth in membership. Dr. Hubbard founded the Hubbard Press which continues operation today in Ohio, printing forms for Presbyterian churches.

Rev. Malcolm MacPhail Ph.D., pastor from 1919 to 1940, wrote the acclaimed History of the First Presbyterian Church Auburn New York as well as other historical studies. Rev. A. Paul Wright, pastor from 1940 to 1953, became an executive of the American Bible Society.

Rev. Dennis Haines, pastor from 1975 to 1995, led the congregation and the Presbytery in purchasing the Case Mansion next to the church. He worked with the volunteers living in the mansion and sheltering homeless men there to incorporate their Unity House program, secure initial approvals, find an executive director, and secure all the approvals needed to operate mental health services in New York state. The program continues operation in the Case Mansion and in other locations.

The members of our church have worked with the pastors and as individuals to provide untold service and contributions in our community. Members of our church still serve on the board of Unity House, and in the early days were very involved in building and supporting the program. This continues a long tradition. In his history, Rev. MacPhail notes the many elders, deacons and members who were prominent citizens. Our street map resembles a list of their names, including Beach, Bradford, Case, Dayton, Derby, Dill, Fitch, Foote, Hardenbergh, Holley, Lansing, Parsons, Perrine, Seymour, Steel, VanAnden, and Willard (page 61).

Our interim pastor in 2007 and 2008, Rev. Janet Newman, is active in Presbyterian peacemaking efforts and has visited Korea with delegations from our Presbytery. Rev. Newman encouraged us to strengthen and expand our missions and our Session continues this work.

You are invited to join us for worship services Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM (9:30 AM in the summer) and to join in our tradition of faith, service, and fellowship.