Universalist Society formed in Ridgeway in 1833 with church services until 1961
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 13
RIDGEWAY – Our photo at top shows Fred Grey’s white horse and surrey standing south of the Universalist Church, at 3064 North Gravel Rd. in Ridgeway.
Mr. Grey was the husband of Mary Pells, a granddaughter of Seymour Murdock, an early settler and one of the founding members of this church. A sandstone stepping-stone was conveniently placed by the corner at the front of the church. Drive barns, which would have provided shelter for horses and buggies, can be seen at the rear of the church.
“We, the inhabitants of the towns of Ridgeway and Yates, at a meeting at the house of Jasper Murdock on the 14th day of December 1833, organized as the First Universalist Society of the Towns of Ridgeway and Yates.”
Seymour B. Murdock, Philo Elmer, Daniel Hunt, Samuel Bidleman and Nathan Sawyer were the trustees of this newly incorporated church. At this first organizational meeting they also voted to raise $1,000 to build a church by January 1, 1835.
Julia Perry, wife of the entrepreneurial Joseph Perry who was a postmaster, shipping agent, and owner of the hotel and tavern at Ridgeway Corners, donated the site for the new church. The site was on the west side of what is now North Gravel Road, just south of the intersection with Route 104.
Contributions were solicited and pews were auctioned to raise money for the construction. Pew prices ranged from $10 to $65, while contributions ranged from $5 to $100.
The Universalist Church at Ridgeway was dedicated in June 1835 by Rev. L.L. Sadler. Rev. Charles Hammond was the first Universalist preacher at Ridgeway. He divided his time between Ridgeway and the Universalist Church in Middleport.
Ridgeway Universalist Church in the early 1950s
This small but active congregation celebrated its centennial on December 14, 1933. But as time went by it became more difficult to find pastors. Services were discontinued in 1961 following a period of decline. The New York State Convention of Universalists took over the building in 1961 and sold it to Faith Bible Baptist Church in September 1973.
Firefighters from Ridgeway, Lyndonville and Medina battled the early morning fire at the Faith Bible Baptist Church, with assistance from East Shelby and Middleport.
On October 11, 1993, a fire of unknown origin destroyed the 160-year-old structure. In June 1994, the Middleport construction company of Barden and Robeson started construction at the site of the original church. The new 7,400 square foot Faith Bible Baptist Church was dedicated on Sunday, January 8, 1995.
Medina Mustangs FC bows at Olean
It was a long trip to Olean Sunday as the Medina Mustangs FC dropped a 4-0 decision to the Cattaraugus County FC in a Buffalo District Soccer League Championship Division game played at St. Bonaventure.
The loss drops Medina FC, which has been short handed so fa this season, to 0-3.
The Mustangs will next face the Rance FC on May 31 at Sahlen’s Sports Park.
Wound Care Center in Medina named a ‘Center of Distinction’
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the Wound Care Center has been recognized by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services, as a 2025 Center of Distinction.
To earn this designation, the Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including a patient satisfaction rate of 96 percent.
“Receiving the Center of Distinction award from Healogics is an incredible honor for our team at Orleans Community Health Wound Care Center,” said Lisa Albanese Klein, program director. “This recognition reflects the dedication, compassion and clinical excellence our wound care team brings to patients every day.”
The Wound Care Center is located on the first floor of Medina Memorial Hospital and offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in 30 days. Leading edge treatments at the Center include negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered tissues, biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies.
An award ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. June 3 at the Wound Care Center, which opened in 2020.
“In just six years, our wound care center has grown from operating two days a week to caring for patients four days a week – a reflection of both the increasing need for advanced wound care close to home and the trust our community places in us,” Albanese Klein said. “Our 96% patient satisfaction score and 82% wound mix-adjusted comprehensive healing rate demonstrate our commitment to delivering exceptional care and achieving meaningful outcomes for those we serve.”
Albanese Klein continued to say, “This award belongs to our dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to support, encourage and care for each patient throughout their healing journey. We are proud to provide high-quality wound care close to home and remain committed to improving the health and well-being of our community.”
Gas prices up another 14 cents in past week in Orleans County
Photo by Tom Rivers: The price for regular unleaded gas at the Crosby’s on Route 31 in Holley was at $4.63 on Sunday.
Gas prices took another jump this past week in Orleans County, going from an average of $4.48 a week ago for regular unleaded to $4.62 today, according to AAA. The price has now gone up nearly 27 cents in the past two weeks.
Nationally, however, the price is unchanged in the past week, remaining at an average of $4.52 a gallon, while the average price is up 2 cents state-wide to $4.61 a gallon.
The average price has topped $5 a gallon in several states: Illinois, $5.054; Nevada, $5.248; California, $6.151; Washington, $5.778; Oregon, $5.338; Alaska, $5.285; Hawaii, $5.635. The lowest average price is in Texas at $3.975.
“The national average is sitting in the same range as it was in 2022, the year that gas prices hit record highs,” AAA said in a news release this morning. “Travelers are preparing to hit the road in record numbers this week, and drivers will be facing the highest Memorial Day gas prices in four years. As of this morning, oil is trading between $106 and $111 per barrel, compared to $97 and $104 a week ago.”
The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.94, up 1 cent from last week, and up from $3.89 last year. The average national price for diesel is at $5.63, down a penny from last week, but up from $3.55 a year ago.
Here are the average prices in counties around Western New York:
- Orleans, $4.618
- Genesee, $4.591
- Monroe, $4.583
- Niagara, $4.575
- Erie, $4.595
- Wyoming, $4.623
- Livingston, $4.588
- Chautauqua, $4.623
- Cattaraugus, $4.579
- Allegany, $4.588
The highest price in the state is in Manhattan (New York County) at $5.022, the only county above $5. The highest in upstate is in Essex County at $4.802.
200 tackle cleanup projects in Holley for ‘Day of Impact’
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Jeremy Arnold and his daughter Philomena, 13, pull a long invasive vine from the bushes near a rest area along the Erie Canal in Holley.
They were among 200 volunteers for today’s “Day of Impact” led by Holley Rotary Interact and EarlyAct Clubs at the school.
There are usually about 100 volunteers for the big day in Holley of picking up trash and doing special projects. There was an even bigger response with today’s efforts dedicated in memory of Eric Fredendall, who passed away from melanoma on February 17, 2026 at age 46.
Leah Fredendall thanks the big crowd that turned out for the “Day of Caring” in honor of her late husband. Mrs. Fredendall works as an aide in the elementary school. Her husband grew up in Holley, graduated in 1997 and insisted on raising their family in the community. After serving as a combat veteran in the US Marines during the Iraq War, he worked for Stockham Lumber driving the lumber truck and making deliveries, a job he thoroughly enjoyed, his wife said.
Mr. Fredendall was an enthusiastic participant in previous “Day of Caring” events, relishing oddball items he would find as part of the litter cleanup. He once found a piece of a hot tub in the canal.
“Eric was always a hands-on, hard worker,” his wife said. “He took great pride in Holley.”
They have two children – Cole, 16; and Lauren, 14.
The people wore orange shirts today that noted it was the 2026 Day of Impact and it was dedicated in memory of Eric Fredendall.
“It means so much to all of us,” Mrs. Fredendall said about honoring her husband with today’s community service projects.
Mr. Fredendall was at last year’s event, despite being sick with cancer. He didn’t want to miss the chance to help out.
“He looked forward to it because you could accomplish something and get something done,” she said.
Holley students paint red along the curb in front of the elementary school. These students include Miori Fisher, an eighth-grader at right, and Zoey Warner, a sophomore.
Zoey said she looks forward to the “Day of Impact” every year.
“It’s a way to bring our community together,” she said.
Samantha Zelent, the Interact Club advisors, thanked the students and other volunteers for joining on the community service projects. She said the community is very supportive of the Interact Club efforts throughout the year.
The group gathered at the elementary school parking before dispersing to tackle different projects.
These Holley students washed about 200 afghan blankets that were donated when a house was cleaned out in Holley. The people who donated the afghans also gave detergent and 200 dollars in quarters to have they all cleaned at the laundromat.
The students – from left Bailey Bibbins, Nora Lindsay, Kaeleigh Eiland, Olivia Kirkpatrick and Lillian O’Brien – also folded all of the blankets.
The afghans will be donated to the VA, nursing homes, and a few organizations that work with homeless people.
Matt Campbell cleans off the memorial bricks at the military tank by the VFW. Students and volunteers did landscaping and other cleanup work by the tank. Bricks also were placed there in memory of Eric Fredendall and Mark Morreall. Morreall was very active at the VFW and American Legion. He also worked with the Interact Club last year to make the landscaping by the tank one of the projects for the “Day of Impact.”
Don Pera, a retired Holley teacher and Eric Fredendall’s uncle, holds a garbage bag while volunteers put trash in it from a field in the Holley Business Park. Eli Prior, 11, and his sister Leah, 13, were among the litter hunters. They are in Fredendall’s family.
Volunteers picked up litter along every village street and the canal towpath within the Holley school district.
This group works on cleaning up the East Avenue canal welcome spot. It was overgrown on the stone pavers and also the bushes needed to be trimmed and some nasty weeds removed. Lewanne Nettles, in front with the shovel, was among the community volunteers to helped with today’s projects. The welcome area was a new project on the list this year.
Pat Fredendall, Eric Fredendall’s mother, stopped by the canal welcome area to pass out bottles of water. She saw her granddaughter there, helping clean up the stone pavers. Lauren Fredenedall, 14, is Eric’s daughter.
Pat Fredendall said she appreciated the big turnout today from the volunteers.
“We live in a beautiful community,” she said.
Holley places memorial bricks for Eric Fredendall, Mark Morreall
Memorial bricks placed by military tank near VFW to conclude today’s ‘Day of Impact’
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Memorial bricks were set today in honor of Eric Fredendall and Mark Morreall by the military tank by the Holley VFW, where Morreall was a long-time leader.
“These are two amazing veterans,” Interact Club advisor Samantha Zelent said about Morreall and Fredendall. “They are two very special people to the Interact Club.”
Morreall passed away at age 69 on October 29, 2025. He was a US Army veteran who also was very involved with the American Legion in Holley.
Mark Morreall’s wife Susan is joined by son Sean Morreall after they set the brick in honor of Mark Morreall.
A group gathers near the tank to see the two memorial bricks be placed in honor of Mark Morreall and Eric Fredendall.
Eric Fredendall’s children – Cole, 16, and Lauren, 14 – place a brick with their father’s name by the tank. The Vietnam War era tank has been near the VFW since 2009.
Eric Fredendall passed away February 17, 2026 at age 46 from melanoma. He was a 1997 Holley graduate who then served as a combat veteran in the US Marines during the Iraq War.
The bricks were placed to conclude today’s “Day of Impact” in Holley, where about 200 students and other community members picked up litter and tended to other special projects in Holley, including landscaping work by the tank. Today’s “Day of Impact” was also dedicated in Fredendall’s memory.
Next year more bricks honoring veterans could be added by the tank on the “Day of Impact.”
Albion will open softball sectionals at home
Seeded No. 8, Albion will host No. 9 Dunkirk at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the pre-quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class A2 softball playoffs.
The victor will then visit top seeded Iroquois in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Tuesday’s Class B pre-quarterfinal matchups will have No. 5 Roy-Hart hosting No. 12 Salamanca, No. 15 Medina at No. 2 Alden, No. 10 Akron at No 7 Performing Arts and No. 14 Newfane at No. 3 Allegany-Limestone all at 5 p.m.
In Class C both top seeded Wilson and No. 2 Barker have drawn first round byes.
On Thursday at 5 p.m., Wilson will host the winner of Tuesday’s No. 9 Portville vs. No. 8 Gowanda game and Barker will host the winner of the No. 10 Westfield vs. No. 7 Silver Creek contest.
‘Kindness Crew’ paints Medina park bathrooms, welcome message at Canal Basin
Provided photos
MEDINA – Jill Kelly, Julie Maryjanowski and about 20 members of the “Kindness Crew” were busy today painting a welcome message at the Medina Canal Basin and the bathrooms at Butts Park and State Street Park.
They also painted a few hydrants in the State Street area.
The basin wall got a major overhaul with paint and a message welcoming people to Medina.
Volunteers also painted the building at State Street Park and the bathrooms at Butts.
Mayor Debbie Padoleski said she appreciates the crew volunteering to help the community. Many of the volunteers aren’t even village residents, Padoleski said.
Some of the volunteers enjoy fellowship and some refreshments in the Canal Basin.
Warm weather finally arrives in Orleans County
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – High temperatures have finally reached Orleans County with a high of 78 today, followed by 89 Monday by Tuesday by 88.
These two friends from Clarendon were fishing this morning from a new dock at Holley’s Canal Park. Rick Meise, left, and Terry Cassey said the fish were biting. They caught a bass, catfish, rock bass and perch, and saw a lot of water snakes.
“They were soaking up the sun,” Cassey said about the snakes.
Holley soon will be installing a new kayak launch by the new dock.
After a warm few days the highs will drop later in the week to 62 on Wednesday, 57 on Thursday, 65 on Friday and 68 on Saturday, according to the national Weather Service in Buffalo.
High school sports regular season concludes, sectional competition begins this week
The local high school sports scene will see the wrap-up of the regular season and the start of sectional competition this coming week.
Monday will be the last full day of the regular season.
Monday’s baseball action will have Medina at Nichols (5:45 p.m.), Lyndonville at Oakfield-Alabama (5 p.m.) and Byron-Bergen at Kendall (5 p.m.).
Softball competition will have Lyndonville playing a doubleheader at Elba as the Lady Tigers will face Elba at 4:30 p.m. and Notre Dame at 6:30 p.m. Kendall will also visit Aquinas at 5 p.m.
Tennis matches will have Medina vs. Newfane and Roy-Hart vs. Barker at 4:15 p.m.
The Medina lacrosse squad will visit Starpoint at 7:30 p.m.
The annual Niagara-Orleans All League track meet will be held at Wilson at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Section V baseball and softball seeding meetings will be held on Tuesday. The Section VI baseball seeding meeting will be held on Thursday while the softball meeting is scheduled for today.
Albion Midget League opens 70th season
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The Albion Midget League opened its milestone 70th season on Saturday. The openers included a narrow last inning 4-3 win by Sandstone over visitng Barre. Shown here in action are the starting pitchers, Nikko Russo for Sandstone and Hudson Armer for Barre who both registered 11 strikeouts. In other games reported Hamlin edged Holley 5-3 , Elba 1 downed Elba 2 10-4 and Brockport 2 defeated Brockport 1 4-2.
Cobblestone Museum’s annual fundraising dinner nets about $30K for organization
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Chris Capurso, left, and Mollie Radzinski show the audience a quilt being auctioned off during the live auction at Wednesday’s Membership Fundraising Dinner to benefit the Cobblestone Society. (Right) Doris Antinore of Albion, a regular supporter of the Cobblestone Museum, sits with some of the items she bought and won at the annual membership dinner Wednesday at Carlton Recreation Hall.
CARLTON – The eighth annual Membership Fundraising Dinner to benefit the Cobblestone Society and Museum was a resounding success, according to director Doug Farley.
“As people understand our goal, this gets better every year,” Farley said. “We had close to 100 people who donated items for our auctions and raffle. This fundraiser helps keep our operation going.”
Approximately 100 people attended the event Wednesday night at the Carlton Recreation Hall.
Larry Albanese filled in as auctioneer in the absence of Randy Bower, who was unable to attend. This was Albanese’s first attempt at auctioneering, he said.
The evening featured an early bird raffle for prizes for those who purchased their tickets on or before March 31, a money tree raffle, split club, basket raffle, live auction and silent auction. Early bird winners were Kathleen Smith, Larry Albanese, Marcia Graczyk, Ann Czajkowski and Gene Graczyk.
Donated prizes included everything from handcrafted jewelry, a quilt made by Brenda Radzinski and lunch for 10 at the Vagg House, to a new grill, smart TV and 30-gallon ceramic crock.
Gail Johnson has been chair of the fundraising dinner for all eight years.
“Even though the Membership Dinner is a fundraiser, I like to think that our members get together primarily to socialize and have a good time,” Johnson said. “This year our event netted $30,821. This is due to a large part to our sustaining members – Bronze ($250), Silver ($500), Gold ($1,000) and Diamond ($2,500).”
(Left) Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Society and Museum, welcomes the crowd to the annual Membership Fundraising Dinner Wednesday at Carlton Recreation Hall. At rear, Larry Albanese, who filled in as auctioneer, chats with guest Delbert Young of Medina. (Right) Chris Capurso sits in an antique rocking chair, which was donated for the Cobblestone Society’s annual fundraising dinner Wednesday at Carlton Recreation Hall. She is demonstrating how ladies could sit and knit or crochet without any arms in the way.
Crusaders kick off 69th racing dirt track season today
Motorcycle Club has been racing on Culvert Road since 1957
Provided photos: (Left) Justin Jones of Holley was the 2025 Track Champion. (Right) Kyle Wyman, the 2025 King of the Baggers Champion is left next to James Rispoli, the 2025 Mission Super Hooligan National Champion.
Press Release, Crusaders Motorcycle Club
MEDINA – What began in 1957 as a handful of friends building a dirt track on a leased farmer’s field has evolved into a legendary Western New York sports tradition.
The Crusaders Motorcycle Club Today kicks off its 69th consecutive season on a track recognized nationwide for producing national champions and elite professional racers.
The club’s early history is deeply rooted in the local community. Initially, members met in private homes or at various off-site locations. The club eventually moved an older trailer onto the current property to serve as a meeting space, using it until the modern, permanent clubhouse was constructed in September 1997. A concrete concession stand was added in the 2000s to upgrade the facility and accommodate growing spectator crowds.
A Legacy of National and International Draw
The Medina track has long been a destination for global racing talent. In 2000, the club launched the Pat Blount Memorial Race in dedication to club member David Waters’ late friend and fellow motorcycle enthusiast. This marquee event grew into a historic 25-year tradition, annually drawing competitive riders from across the United States, Canada, and as far away as Australia.
Today, the club operates as a 100% volunteer-run organization. Dedicated members work countless hours to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment that balances high-octane competitiveness with lifelong community friendships. The club is actively seeking new volunteers and interested community members to join its ranks.
Summer Event Schedule
The Crusaders Motorcycle Club will host five major events throughout the summer season. The lineup features a mix of standard points races and specialized showcase classes:
- May 17: Regular Race Event & Season Opener
- May 31: Regular Race Event
- June 14: Men’s Mad Dawg Special Event
- June 28: Women’s Mad Dawg Special Event
- July 12: Retired Riders 100cc Race
Gate and Track Information
Location: 3312 Culvert Road, Medina, NY 14103
Admission: $15.00 per person (Children under 12 are free with an adult)
Sunday Times: Gates open at 8 a.m. | Practice begins at 11 a.m. | Racing starts at 12 p.m.
Track Venue Rules: For public safety, pets, grills, and glass containers are strictly prohibited on the premises.
Sponsored Post
2 historic markers unveiled at pioneer cemetery in Murray
Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery on Hulberton Road includes burials of Revolutionary War soldier, Civil War vets and many early residents
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – About 75 people attended a program today at the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery at 3960 Hulberton Rd. in Murray. Two historical markers were unveiled at the cemetery.
The markers were part of an effort by Albion middle school students and their teacher Tim Archer, who researched Orleans County’s Revolutionary War soldiers.
The “Early Cemetery” marker recognizes the approximately 135 early citizens of the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery, with burials dating back to 1818.
Sutton Sanders, an eighth-grader who has been working on project since last summer with classmate Luci Borello, thanked local officials for their assistance researching and recognizing the Revolutionary War soldiers.
There are 65 proven burials, but Sanders said there are likely more, but cannot be proven. There are 30 cemeteries with a Revolutionary War veteran.
The Daughter of the American Revolution purchased 13 bronze Revolutionary War flag markers for those who had none, she said.
The students also secured a new headstone from the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC for Revolutionary War veteran Lott Smith at the East Barre Cemetery. It replaces a broken headstone. Another headstone for the Revolutionary War veteran will be replaced in Medina this fall.
Besides the two historical markers at the cemetery on Hulberton Road, the students secured markers that have been placed in Albion at Annis Cemetery on Riches Corners Road and Tanner Road on Route 31 across from Mount Albion.
Luci Borello shared about the historical marker for Robinson Smith, who died on Aug. 27, 1828 at the age of 66.
Smith is buried at the cemetery with his wife Mariam. He enlisted as a private in August 1782 in New Hampshire and served several months in General Washington’s Commander-in-Chief’s Life Guard.
Known to many as Elder Robinson Smith, he was one of a group forming the “Christian Society,” which started in Murray in 1815. Smith had seven children and at least 16 grandchildren.
The other namesake of the cemetery originates with Aretas Pierce. Upon his arrival to the natural wilderness of Western New York, the family lived in a log schoolhouse where they would later construct a simple log cabin.
Aretas was their school teacher. Nine Pierce family members are buried at the cemetery. Prior to their arrival to New York from Vermont, Aretas served as a captain in the Vermont state militia.
Another Pierce family member, Darwin, was a Civil War solider in a New York cavalry. He died at the Andersonville Prison in George on Oct. 30, 1864. Andersonville was a notorious Confederate prison at Camp Sumter where over 45,000 Union soldiers were held captive, and 13,000 died from disease, malnutrition and exposure. The cemetery on Hulberton Road includes headstones for four Civil War soldiers.
Tim Archer welcomes the group. He worked with students on the project. It is among many service-learning projects he has been a part of in the past two decades, connecting students with community services efforts. In the back are regiment flags from the Revolutionary War. They were brought by the Rochester chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Caleb Wolfe, standing next to Tim Archer, provided some details about the two new historical markers. He read a letter from the Pomeroy Foundation, which paid for the markers. The two markers represent over two centuries of history in Albion and Murray, and memorialize Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans and also early residents who are interred at the cemetery.
The foundation praised the Albion School District and the students for worked with teacher Tim Archer on the project. The foundation congratulated them for identifying one of General George Washington’s special unit “Life Guards” who protected the Commander-in-Chief during battle.
Sutton Sanders, left, and Luci Borello, right, presented folders of their research to Elizabeth Haibach, assistant director at Hoag Library; Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian; Patrice Birner of the Orleans County chapter of the DAR; and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian.
The folders include information about the 65 Revolutionary War soldiers in the county. The document lists the soldiers by town and cemetery. There’s a master list with the service record of each of the soldiers, when they served, where they served, wife’s name, birth and death date. The folder includes some of the records that were used to prove they were Revolutionary War soldiers – enlistment papers, pension records that showed their wives were trying to get a pension after their husband’s death, and census records. The students collected the data since last summer.
Albion student Lucas Palone read an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence.
Civil War re-enactors, including retired Albion teacher Doug Mergler, do a military volley during today’s program.
These Sons of the American Revolution members from Rochester and Buffalo were part of the service. They said they have a busy schedule this year as part of the country’s 250th anniversary. They plan to attend other marker unveilings, parades and special events throughout the year.
Ron Boyd of Holley is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Rochester chapter.
