LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School will be hosting a pre-kindergarten/kindergarten open house on Monday, July 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Staff will be available on the lawn in front of the school (Main Street location) to help families/students sign up for the 2022-23 school year and gather contact information for younger children in the community.
Staff will also answer questions about Lyndonville’s PreK and kindergarten programs, complete craft projects and read stories to children. You may also visit an early learning classroom.
The district received a NYB5 Transition grant from the NYS Department of Child & Family Services to help fund this outreach program.
Lyndonville is currently accepting registrations for both their PreK and kindergarten 2022-23 programs. If you are a resident of LCSD and your child will be 3, 4 or 5 by December 1, they are eligible to enroll. For more information, please see the district’s website: Lyndonville Central School District (lyndonvillecsd.org) or call (585) 765-3122.
Event includes military flyover, big parade, craft show, music and fireworks
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
Provided photos: Lions Club members Harold Suhr, Eric Johnson, Gwen Large, Russ Martino and Tom Wenhold meet to put final details together for the Lyndonville July 4th Parade and Fireworks display.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club is in the final stage of preparation for their planned July 4th parade, lawn festival, concerts and fireworks display.
The parade committee has assembled a line-up that will have something for everyone. Starting at noon, Sgt. David Bellavia will lead off the parade as the grand marshal. Bellavia, a Lyndonville native, is a Medal of Honor recipient.
An extensive collection of antique and classic cars will bring back memories of yesteryear, and a large assembly of firetrucks is sure to delight the young and old. Several bands will fill the air, including traditional music of John Phillip Sousa, and the Gates Police Pipe & Drum Band will add an international flavor to the event. Multiple groups will participate in the parade with floats and all types of group marchers.
An array of craft vendors and food trucks will be available starting at noon on the Lyndonville School grounds. You can get your traditional July fourth hot dogs and ice-cold beverages from the Lions Club hot dog stand starting at 11 a.m. Tickets are still available for the 1 p.m. chicken barbecue by purchasing them in person at M & T Bank in Lyndonville.
The Who Dats will perform from 2 to 5 p.m. and then headliner Double Shot will take the stage for the evening summer concert starting at 7 p.m. and ending near 9:30, just before the fireworks display.
It is anticipated that there will be a large turnout for the scheduled military flyover honoring all military active and veterans at 11:55 a.m. The plan is to have people arrive early and be in place no later than 11:30 a.m. It is expected that the best viewing will be from Route 63 north to the village of Lyndonville and Route 63 north after the village.
We are asking people to remember Route 63 North from Ridgeway to Lyndonville will be closed from 11:40 a.m. until the flyover is complete. The Lions are encouraging everyone to bring an American Flag or homemade signs to the flyover to honor our veterans and men and women in active duty.
Chairs and coolers are allowed at the daylong event with a carry in-carry out policy and no glass bottles please. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed and owners clean up after their pets.
Please use extra caution when crossing all streets and roads. It is the hope of the Lions Club to make this event as safe as possible for all. We look forward to seeing you at the event and wish all a great Independence Day!
Photo by Tom Rivers: Fireworks always provide big exclamation point on the Fourth in Lyndonville. This photo was taken on July 4, 2018.
LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates began preparations to commemorate their 200th anniversary over a year ago, and now they are very excited to host the first of three celebratory “fairs” to recognize their bicentennial (1822-2022).
On Sunday, the Town will have “A Family Fair” featuring live music from the Lyndonville School band and choir, a number of inspiring songs by a gathering of church choir members from the local churches, and a mix of medleys performed by the Crescendo Barbershop Quartet out of Buffalo.
There will be a bounce house, face painting and sidewalk chalking. Free ice cream will be served while it lasts!
The event will take place outside the Yates Community Library, 15 N. Main St., and it is recommended that folks bring their favorite lawn chair.
Historical artifacts will be on display at the Town Hall throughout the afternoon.
The event will run from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The committee members who put together the 200th celebrations include: Jim Simon (chair), Susan Hrovat (deputy chair), Dawn Metty (town historian), Brad Bentley, Kelly Cousins, Cindy Grabowski, Ginny Hughes, Russ Martino, Cal Stinson, Georgette Stockman, Joanne Suhr, Valerie Wells, Tom Wenhold, and Katie Whipple.
Susan Hrovat, the coordinator for the July 3rd event, is particularly hopeful that local families will attend this kick-off event.
“I am blessed and grateful to have grown up in and to be a part of this wonderful, patriotic farming community, and I am honored to be involved with a great team of volunteers to help celebrate our bicentennial,” she said.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon looks forward to future press releases to highlight the two other major events.
“Please join us to celebrate and honor the rich history of the Town of Yates, to instill community pride in our town, and to inspire future generations,” Simon said. “Our second and third major events are: “A Street Fair” on Friday, August 19th, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Lyndonville; and “A Grand Finale Lake Fair” on Saturday, September 24th, 1 to 9 p.m. at the Town Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2022 at 9:33 pm
Photos courtesy of Tricia Croce, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – The 52 members of Lyndonville’s Class of 2022 celebrated their commencement on Friday. After the ceremony they tossed their graduation caps.
Board of Education President Ted Lewis presents a graduate with her diploma. District Superintendent Sharon Smith is at right and also congratulated the new graduates during the ceremony. Valedictorian Jack Whipple is at left and Salutatorian Maddox Stirk is at far right, cheering on their classmates.
Erin Townsend, a professional photographer from Middleport, assists two graduates in prepping for portraits.
Jack Whipple delivers the valedictory address in the Stroyan Auditorium at Lyndonville Central School. There are 52 graduates in the Class of 2022.
Maddox Stirk gives the salutatory speech during commencement.
David Cook presents scholarships on behalf of the Lyndonville Area Foundation, including one in memory of his son Trevor Cook.
The class stands together and is acknowledged on the Stroyan stage.
Many of the graduates decorated their caps with messages for the occasion.
Provided photos: A C17 Aircraft will do a ceremonial flyover in Lyndonville at about 11:55 a.m. on July 4, just before the start of the parade. The plane will be coming from the U.S. Air Force Reserve Unit from the 911th Airlift Wing based in Pittsburgh, Pa.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club recently received approval for a United States Air Force flyover to honor the veterans of Western New York.
The flyover will take place just before the start of the 48th annual Lyndonville Lions Club Independence Day parade at 11:55 a.m. on July 4.
The flyover will be carried out by the 911th Airlift Wing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The plane will be a United States Air Force C-17. These planes are used by the Air Force Reservists to carry out their mission of aeromedical intratheater evacuations and agile combat support.
The annual celebration will honor all local veterans with the unveiling of Home Town Hero banners and have special recognition of two Lyndonville Medal of Honor recipients. Tech Sergeant Forrest Vosler was a B-17 Flying Fortress radio operator during World War II. He received his Medal of Honor in 1944, given to him by President Franklin Roosevelt. His story is best told by visiting SOFREP.COM Forest Vosler, where the history of his gallantry can be found.
The Lions will also recognize Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant David Bellavia. He received his Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump in June of 2019 for valor during the second battle for Fallujah in the Iraq War. Bellavia’s experience is best told through his book, “House to House: An Epic Memoir of War.” He will serve as the grand marshal of the parade and speak at the flag-raising ceremony at the culmination of the parade on the front lawn of the Lyndonville School. Lyndonville Lions will remember recently deceased Col. Rick N. Parsons after the flag-raising with a moment of silence and the playing of Taps.
The other events that day include a parade at noon, large arts and crafts show, demonstrations by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, multiple food vendors, and the Lions Club annual chicken barbeque starting at 1 p.m.
A concert is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the Who Dats performing their repertoire of rock and roll favorites.
The evening will then see the band Double Shot take the stage for a concert from 7 p.m. until dusk. During the band break, local dignitaries will speak briefly and award a proclamation to Sgt. Bellavia. The grand finale will be one of the largest 4th of July fireworks shows in Western New York.
Young Explosives Corporation of Rochester will be producing the fireworks display once again, as they have been since 2012. Thanks to the continued support of businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the area, this year’s display will once again be one of the largest in WNY. Young Explosives has been contracted to do over 100 shows in the two weeks around July 4th. With the exception of the City of Rochester, Lyndonville’s will be the largest they will be producing throughout all of Monroe County and its surrounding counties.
The Lions would kindly ask anyone who wants to see the military flyover to be in Lyndonville no later than 11:30 a.m. It will start with a pass over in Medina and is expected to travel north from Ridgeway to Lyndonville along Route 63. The best viewing will be along Route 63 and in the Town of Yates. By asking people to arrive early we hope to keep Route 63 free of traffic to allow spectators better viewing opportunities. The Lions have requested traffic stoppage on Route 63 from Ridgeway north to Yates Center 15 minutes prior to the flyover.
The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank the entire 911th Airlift Wing for their efforts in supporting our July 4th celebration. All the airmen who will be participating in this flyover, from ground crews to pilots, all volunteered to do this flyover, and for that we would like to extend them a warm welcome and thank you for their service.
The band Double Shot from Buffalo will perform at an outdoor concert starting at 7 p.m. on July 4 in Lyndonville.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 June 2022 at 5:59 pm
YATES – A group of volunteers and town officials have been busy for nearly a year planning a bicentennial celebration for the Town of Yates.
The festivities will begin in July, with other events planned for August and September.
Prior to 1812, Orleans County was part of Genesee County. After it was subdivided, a parcel of land known as Northton was set off on April 17, 1822. The name was changed to Yates in 1823 to honor Governor Joseph C. Yates.
The first permanent settler in the town was George Houseman, who came from Jefferson County in 1809 and settled three miles east of what would become Lyndonville.
Anyone who would like to read the entire history of Yates will find several publications at the Yates Community Library.
Jim Simon
The bicentennial committee’s goal for the activities is to celebrate and honor the rich history of the town, to instill community pride in Yates and to inspire future generations, according to the 200th anniversary celebration website.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon is chair of the anniversary celebration committee, which includes Susan Hrovat as deputy chair; Dawn Metty, historian; and Brad Bentley, Kelly Cousins, Cindy Grabowski, Ginny Hughes, Russ Martino, Cal Stinson, Georgette Stockman, Joanne Suhr, Valerie Wells, Tom Wenhold and Katie Whipple.
Celebrations will include a display of historical artifacts in the town hall on July 3, with docents, a guest speaker, food and music. There will be an ice cream social from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., children’s games from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., singing popular songs at area churches from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., a barbershop quartet from 2 to 3 p.m. and a school children’s chorale from 3:30 to 4 p.m.
On the Fourth of July, the town will have a float in Lyndonville’s big parade.
Continuing into August, a Street Fair will take place Aug. 19. The town is seeking to close Main Street between Maple and Eagle streets. If not, they will use library grounds, the parking lot behind the town hall and town parking lots. In celebration of the local farmers and their harvests, there will be food trucks, a Civil War encampment at Patterson Park, music, cemetery tours at 6 and 7 p.m., craft vendors and tours of the town hall and the historical artifacts.
A grand finale Lake Fair is being planned for Sept. 24. This will include a 200th anniversary ceremony at the newly upgraded Town Park on the lake on Morrison Road. There will be a ribbon cutting and formal ceremony from 1 to 2 p.m. with keynote speakers, the school band, food trucks, a birthday cake, live music at 3 p.m. and other fun activities for young and old.
Simon hopes to have most of the work at the Town Park completed by the end of August. A $2.53 million grant from the state Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) is funding erosion control, road and parking improvements, an enclosed pavilion with kitchenette and restrooms, trail improvements, bank stabilization protection, a kayak boat launch and handicap accessible playground.
The town has already coordinated with the Yates Baptist Church for its 200th anniversary celebration. All of the historical markers in the town have been repainted, as well as the town hall.
“The Town of Yates represents so much that is good about America – faith and family in a rural and peaceful setting,” Simon said. “Our 200-year heritage is not only preserved, but it is respected and cherished. We are blessed with good and hard-working people, and we are grateful that our ancestors protected our wonderful natural resources, from our fertile farm land to our great lake. Please help us celebrate our bicentennial on July 3, Aug. 19 and Sept. 24. Details are on the town website and in the town hall.”
LYNDONVILLE – Rebecca Clemens, a senior from Lyndonville Central School, recently earned an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences from Genesee Community College – a month before she graduated from high school.
Clemens started taking Advanced Placement classes in seventh grade and the college-level courses offered at Lyndonville High School. She eventually enrolled in GCC and was able to complete her courses at the GCC-Batavia campus, in the Medina/Albion satellite campuses and online.
She stated her schedule has been busy throughout high school, but it has taught her how to efficiently manage her time. Clemens stated that taking classes through Lyndonville was a cost- effective way to earn a degree. In addition, “it was nice to have the ongoing support of all of my teachers, friends and family.”
Clemens’ mother, Pam, is a teacher’s aide for Lyndonville. She stated her daughter quickly learned to become a disciplined, independent worker with strong study habits. Ms. Clemens added that Rebecca met many new friends throughout her time at GCC.
“It was a different atmosphere with everyone working hard to succeed,” she said. “It changed Rebecca’s perspective (on education) and pushed her to complete her degree.”
High school graduation on June 24 is next for the high-achieving student. Then she plans to shadow a local equine trainer and follow her passion of horses. She hopes this will direct her to a career path and possibly to college for further equine training.
“We are so proud of Rebecca and how hard she has worked throughout high school,” said Lyndonville HS Principal Dr. Aaron Slack. “She has shown tremendous dedication in setting and achieving her goals, and we wish her continued success.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2022 at 7:49 am
Photos courtesy of Steve Goodrich
LYNDONVILLE – Scott Goetze, past post commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville, readies flags to be placed into a fire on Tuesday evening during a flag retirement ceremony at Lynhaven Cemetery.
The ceremony was held on Flag Day. The Houseman-Tanner Post members were assisted by Rita Helsdon and the Lyndonville Fire Department in the proper retirement of more than 600 flags, including 50 that flew in Lyndonville.
American Legion Adjutant Joe Hausler keeps a watchful eye on the fire.
Post member Katherine Kage gets ready to place flags into the fire.
Anyone with older flags that need to be retired are welcome to contact Steve Goodrich, the post commander, or any other post member.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2022 at 4:56 pm
District also recognizes retiring teachers and staff
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville honored three teachers as educators of the year during the Board of Education meeting on Monday evening. Pictured form left include Jenna Goheen, a second grade teacher; Joanne Suhr, a third grade teacher; and Katie Strusienski, a K-6 reading teacher.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district honored three “Educators of the Year” during the Board of Education meeting on Monday.
Each of the recipients also will get a $1,000 grant towards an educational initiative.
The educators of the year for 2021-22 include Jenna Goheen, a second grade teacher; Joanne Suhr, a third grade teacher; and Katie Strusienski, a K-6 reading teacher.
Goheen was commended by District Superintendent Sharon Smith for transitioning from teaching first grade to second grade. Goheen fosters a love of learning in her students, Smith said.
Goheen said she will use the $1,000 so each second-grader can receive a new book each month next school year to encourage their reading.
Goheen said she enjoys the “close-knit community” at Lyndonville, and working with siblings and family members of her former students.
Suhr is also retiring after 30 years as an elementary teacher. She currently teaches third grade and specializes in teaching math to all third-graders. She said she is grateful for her co-workers, who are all deserving of the award.
She will listen to ideas from other teachers about how to use the $1,000 grant. She would like to use it for a science project.
“I feel blessed to have worked here,” she said. “The students are all individuals here. Lyndonville has my heart.”
Strusienski, a reading teacher for students in grades kindergarten through 6, was praised for helping students who are struggling with reading. She builds a rapport with the students and helps them with their reading skills, Smith said.
Strusienski said she will use the $1,000 to go towards a book vending machine. She has been managing a birthday book program where students in grades K to 6 receive a book for their birthday. With the book vending machine, the students can pick out their own book.
Lyndonville recognized these retirees, including from left: Margaret Dix, bus driver; Joe DiPassio, Jr., business administrator; James O’Connor, middle school math teacher; Lori Lamay, district clerk and assistant to superintendent; Lisa Lewis, an elementary and intermediate teacher; and Joanne Suhr, an elementary teacher. Not pictured are elementary teachers Amy Beutel and Laurel Pitzrick.
“There are decades and decades of service to this district walking out the door and we will miss you all,” Ted Lewis, the Board of Education president, told the group.
The following teachers were also recognized with tenure: Kimberly Dumond and Elaine Thompson.
Dumond is a special education teacher. She was praised for creating a warm environment in her classroom and helping her students build real-world skills.
Thompson, an elementary teacher, was credited for a calm and nurturing approach and for helping her students “come out of her classroom as a young readers.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 June 2022 at 4:33 pm
Provided photos
YATES – Melissa Ierlan painted six more historical markers. She has now given a facelift to 31 of the local markers.
The latest effort involved all six of the markers in Yates. She was asked by the Yates Town Board to clean and paint them so they would look good for the town’s 200th anniversary, which is this year.
The town paid for the paint and supplies and Ierlan did the work for free. She is the Clarendon town historian and also that town’s code enforcement officer.
Ierlan finished the work last week and the Yates Highway Department picked them up and reinstalled them on Friday. The highway workers also wire brushed the sign posts and repainted those.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district partnered with local emergency services and law enforcement agencies this morning to do a DWI simulation to show the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
The district does the DWI simulation most years right before prom. The Lyndonville prom will be this Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the White Birch. The district and first responders also want students to be extra careful with the summer graduation parties.
Lyndonville School Resource Officer Jason Barnum, an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy, organized the simulation with Deputy Ashleigh Stornelli of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Lyndonville Fire Chief Michael Heideman and members of the Lyndonville Fire Department, Medina Fire Department Ambulance, Orleans County Coroner Charles Smith and Kevin Bogan of the Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home.
Students in grades 10 to 12 were invited to the simulation in the school parking lot. The event was not mandatory, but the majority of the district’s high school students attended the simulation. Some of the students in the simulation had on makeup with fake blood.
The school district was aware that the demonstration might be difficult for some students and had counselors available to provide support as needed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2022 at 6:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Matt Heinsler, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, left, and Jim Simon of the Air Force stand at attention after placing a memorial wreath by the monument at Veterans Park in Lyndonville. There also was a display that was intended to remember POWs and those missing in action.
Auston Bentley, a Lyndonville freshman, plays Taps during the Memorial Day service today.
Lyndonville Lions Club members walk in the parade. From left include Lynne Johnson, John Belson and Harold Suhr.
Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, also spoke during the Memorial Day service at Veterans Park.
She urged people to spend time today in “measured remembrance” in thinking about the sacrifices of the men and women who fought and died for the country’s independence and freedom.
“Always remember the courage and sacrifice that is the ultimate gift from those who put themselves in harm’s way for all of us,” Johnson said.
Bob Burtwell, a member of the American League, marches in today’s Memorial Day parade in Lyndonville.
Jonathan Cappetta, left, carried the banner along with Keith Trautman, not in picture. Keith is the grandson of Joe Hausler, a member a of the American Legion. They were part of today’s parade and then service at Lyndonville’s Veterans Park.
Steve Goodrich, the commander of the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post in Lyndonville, leads the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
He said there are now 435 Lyndonville veterans in the six cemeteries in the town. Goodrich has been a member of the post for 14 years, during which 25 members have died. He urged veterans in the community to be part of the local American Legion.
“It’s getting harder and harder every year,” he said about the Post’s service to veterans and the community. “There are less and less of us.”
The flag holders are Austin Kassay, left, and Brody Spoth. They were later applauded for holding the flags for more than an hour in the 80-plus degree heat.
Goodrich urged the community to look at the names and faces on the 100 new Hometown Hero banners of soldiers and to explore local cemeteries, pausing at the graves of veterans.
Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon served over 20 years in the Air Force with duties as a helicopter pilot, staff officer, military history teacher, commander and strategic planner.
Over 500,000 Americans have been killed in combat and another 85,000 missing in action, Simon said.
“We are here to honor, as Abraham Lincoln said, those who gave the last full measure of devotion,” Simon said.
Anna Stelianou waves to people in the Lyndonville downtown. She rode a new trolley with veterans in the trolley’s first parade. The parade was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
Stelianou was a key donor in getting the trolley. It was dedicated today in memory of her brothers – Fred, Peter, George, Menel and Ernest Stelianou.
The trolley will be used to transport veterans during parades so they don’t have to make a long walk on pavement in the hot sun or in bad weather.
Eric Villalta, the Lyndonville band teacher, directs students in playing a Salute to America, and The Stars and Stripes Forever. The chorus led by teacher Jennifer Trupo sang the Star Spangled Banner, My Country ’Tis of Thee and America the Beautiful.
Harold Scribner of the Lyndonville Fire Department enjoys a breeze by the Johnson Creek dam and waterfalls. The display of American flags is on the school grounds.
Annabelle Follman, a junior at Lyndonville, will represent Lyndonville at the Empire Girls State program in Brockport in July. She thanked veterans and active duty military members for their service.
Lyndonville Little Leaguers carry a flag and walk in today’s parade.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district is proud to announce the Top 10 seniors from the Class of 2022.
This recognition reflects the weighted cumulative grade point average of the students throughout their high school careers, including the first through third marking periods of their senior year.
Jack Whipple is valedictorian and Maddox Stirk is salutatorian.
The remaining students ranked 3 to 10 are listed alphabetically: Ethan Gardner, Amanda Garza, Shawna Grabowski, Roman Heinsler, Aasiya Huzair, Ella Lewis, Katherine O’Brien and Karlee Rounds.
“We are proud to honor the hard work and achievements of our top ten seniors,” said Lyndonville Middle-High School Principal Aaron Slack. “Saluting our top ten graduates has been a school tradition for over three decades. I am confident this group of exceptional scholars will go on to do remarkable things.”
Please join us in congratulating Lyndonville’s Class of 2022 Top 10!
Photos courtesy of Teri Woodworth: These banners next to Veterans' Memorial Park in Lyndonville recognize two Medal of Honor recipients from the community. Vosler served during World War II with the Army as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress. Bellavia also was in the Army. He was honored for his actions on Nov. 10, 2004, when he defended his fellow soldiers while serving in the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2022 at 3:24 pm
Valerie Wells is shown with a banner that recognizes her father.
LYNDONVILLE – There are 100 banners of soldiers going up in the Lyndonville community. Of the 100 banners, 56 are of veterans who have passed away.
The Village of Lyndonville DPW and Town of Yates Highway Department started putting them up today.
The banners are going on utility poles on South Main Street, Lake Avenue, Maple Avenue, North Main Street and North Lyndonville Road.
Valerie Wells coordinated the effort. She approached the Lyndonville Village Board last July about the initiative. Wells said she is amazed at the interest and support for the effort.
She thanked the Lyndonville DPW, Town of Yates Highway Department, area business sponsorships and Lyndonville Foundation for their support of the program.
The banners will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day for three years. Applications for new banners in 2023 will be available in August. For more information, Wells can be contacted at (585) 339-8500 or by email: vwells022@gmail.com.
Lyndonville joins other Orleans County communities with similar banners including Medina, Albion, Holley and Barre.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 May 2022 at 9:05 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: This banner in front of Yates Baptist Church invites the community to join in their celebration June 4 and 5 to honor the 200th anniversary of the church and the town of Yates.
YATES – This year marks a milestone, not only in the history of the town of Yates, but also the Yates Baptist Church.
Both are observing their 200th anniversary this year, with the church celebrating June 4 and joining with the town’s celebration June 4 and 5.
On Saturday, events will begin at 11 a.m., featuring family activities and games, an eat-in chicken barbecue from noon to 2 p.m., demonstration by Bow Bending Believers, music in the tent, caricature sketches by Diane Martin and church tours from 1 to 3:30 p.m. An evening of music from 6 to 7 p.m. will feature local talent, followed by a free ice cream social.
On Sunday, the celebration continues with a Bicentennial Celebration Service from 9:30 a.m. to noon, with guest speakers and special music by Edward and Kristine Klaussen.
Food truck vendors will be on site beginning at noon, followed by old fashioned games, a bounce house and horse drawn wagon rides from 1 to 3 p.m. Events will conclude with a bicentennial closing program at 4 p.m.
The Yates Baptist Church is the only church ever established in Yates Center. Yates Center was originally known as Northton, but was changed to Yates when Joseph C. Yates was elected governor of New York state in 1822.
Elisha Brown, a physician and member of the Baptist Church of Palmyra who settled in Yates in 1820, was a strong advocate of temperance. He was the first to unite the town to form a strong society to promote that cause, according to a history book compiled by Jon Neal and Lynne Wilson.
In 1822, the Rev. Jeremiah Irons, who was Dr. Brown’s pastor, followed, and through these two men, the church of Yates was founded June 6, 1822. The Rev. Irons served until his death on March 13, 1829.
Lynne Wilson (left) holds the original communion cup she found at Yates Baptist Church. Mitzi Fredericks holds two of the ornaments commemorating the 200th anniversary of Yates Baptist Church. The one in Fredericks’ left had was designed by Beth Carpenter and the other by sixth grader Alexa Robinson.
The first meeting of the church was June 6, 1822 in a schoolhouse north of the village. It consisted of eight members, the Rev. Irons, Dr. Bowen, John H. Burroughs, Abigail Irons, Laura Irons, Adaline Bowen, Belinda Burroughs and Rebecca Rawson. On Sept. 22 of that year, nine candidates for membership were immersed in Johnson’s Creek near the grist mill, about two miles below Lyndonville. It is believed to be the first baptism in the town, and the late Jackson Blood was the first person baptized in the group.
Jon Neal stands next to the stained glass window named for the first pastor of Yates Baptist Church, the Rev. Jeremiah Irons. Neal is an eighth generation descendent of Irons.
Meetings for the first 10 years were held in schools, homes and Dr. Bowen’s office. The first baptismal service of the church was held at Blood’s Bridge.
It is interesting to note the salary the Rev. Irons received was $75 a year – half in cash and the other half in grain. From 1831 to 1834 the pay was increased to $275 and included wood for heating. In 1864, the pay was $350 with a parsonage provided. By 1900, the salary had increased to $400 and the total church budget was $550. The total church budget in 2002 was $99,870, compared to $165,000 for 2022.
A 100th anniversary celebration took place on the weekend of Nov. 19, 1922, with three services on Sunday. They were preached by the Rev. C.F. Knauth and Mrs. J.D. Waterbury, historian, read the history of the church. Addresses in the afternoon were given by Ada Furness, a missionary to Africa and the Rev. J.T. Allen of the Medina First Baptist Church.
A 132-year Founders’ Day Celebration took place June 6, 1954, at which Esther Baker read the church history in the evening. Baker, who has since moved to Canandaigua, will be 100 next January and still supports the church.
Also attending the Founders’ Day services that day were fifth- and sixth-generation members of the Rev. Jeremiah Irons’ family. Virginia Wirth Cooper was a great-great-great-granddaughter of the Rev. Irons. Seventeen of the 22 couples who had been married in the church attended the morning service. On display was a four-piece pewter communion set found tucked away in an upstairs church cupboard. It bears the date 1838 and is believed to be the church’s first communion set.
The Rev. Lyle Drake, pastor of Yates Center Baptist Church, talks with members of the congregation who are planning a celebration for the church’s 200th anniversary June 4. Bob Breeze and Mitzi Fredericks look at one of T-shirts commemorating Yates Baptist Church’s 200th anniversary.
The set is also currently on display in a cabinet off the sanctuary, after Lynne Wilson went looking for it and also found it stored away in an old back cupboard. It has been polished and shined and sits in a prominent place where everyone can see it.
Other celebrations were held to observe the 150th and 180th anniversaries of the church. Membership in 1972 had grown from the original 22 souls to 156. In 2002, the 180th celebration spanned three days, featuring a Creation Science Evangelism Seminar on Friday at Lyndonville Central School Auditorium.
In 1989, the church hired its first youth pastor, Steve Thompson, to minister to the large number of children and youth attending church. They are blessed today with a large attendance of children. Twenty to 25 regularly attend and the nursery is full, said Lynne Miller.
Yates Baptist Church has occupied several buildings, the first being completed in 1832. It was enlarged and repaired for $3,500 in 1866, but burned to the ground before work was completed. The church has actually had two fires, according to members of the bicentennial celebration committee.
Bill Wilson, a member of Yates Baptist Church since 1985, points out names on the door to the bell tower, on which are written the names and date of death of hundreds of early members of the church. The door was removed to the sanctuary so visitors would be able to see it.
Construction of the current brick structure was completed and the building dedicated Jan. 30, 1868 at a cost of $10,522 for the building and all the furnishings. The brick used was brought from Canada on freighters to the piers at Shadigee.
The second fire occurred in April 1927 and destroyed the rear Sunday School rooms and kitchen. No banks would approve a loan for the rebuilding, so the trustees on the board, including Stanley Breeze and Stanley Baker, signed their farms’ deeds as collateral. By the time of completion of the rebuilding, the debt was paid off.
The Rev. Floyd Childs was pastor from 1943 to 1953, and during his pastorage one Sunday loud snapping noises were heard and plaster began falling from the north end of the sanctuary. The trustees realized the joists in the ceiling were breaking and moved the congregation to the south end of the room while the pastor kept preaching. The ceiling was reinforced by several members under the director of Ken Neal.
From 1951, until the present, many repairs and improvements have been made to the church. These include repairs to the steeple, stained glass windows repaired or replaced, a new furnace, new pews, renovation of the parsonage, a two story addition, purchase of an adjacent property for more parking, a new parsonage kitchen, new handicap bathroom and a picnic pavilion erected, to name a few.
The parsonage is located just past the cemetery, having begun as a log home costing $275. It was replaced by a frame building in 1837 costing $500. The home and barn burned in 1853 when a fire broke out in the nearby planing mill and destroyed a large part of the village. They were rebuilt for $1,000 and since then, upgrades and repairs have resulted in a nicely maintained home.
Music has always been a big part of worship at Yates Baptist Church. The Moeller organ was donated by the late Daniel Ross in memory of his parents Alexander and Ann Ross in 1933. A Baldwin piano was purchased in 1960 and a baby grand piano was donated in 2006 in memory of Sarah Callard by her parents Gary and Dorothy Callard and sister Patricia Callard Corser.
Several members of the church recently met to share their affiliation and dedication to the Yates Baptist Church. Jon Neal boasts being an eighth-generation descendent of the church’s first pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Iron. He and his wife Carol and their ancestors have attended all their lives, except for a period of 20 years.
Bob and Karen Breeze have been members for 54 years. His great-great-grandfather was married there in 1891 His mom and dad were also married there, around 1918, Bob said.
The Yates Center Baptist Church cemetery is located across the parking lot from the church. The tall monument at right is that of the Rev. Jeremiah Irons, first pastor of the church in 1822.
Bill and Lynn Wilson started attending there when they were expecting their oldest daughter in 1985.
Ray and Beckie Feller have been members for 24 years.
Merle and Mitzi Fredericks are new kids on the block, having started attending two years ago.
“They have a men’s breakfast every other Saturday with devotions and prayer,” Mitzi said. “Merle was invited and was so enamored with the pastor, he wanted to come back and hear him preach.”
The Rev. Lyell Drake and his wife Callie came to Yates Center 21 years ago. He had been preaching in Phelps when he said he felt led of the Lord to move. In seeking a new location he applied to Yates in 2000. He accepted the call here in June and came in September that year.
“I felt a sense of welcome,” the Rev. Drake said. “They wanted someone who could stay a while. This is a congregation that is hungry for the Word. It’s a pastor’s paradise.”
Pre-Covid membership exceeded 100. Since Covid, Bill Wilson has been posting the Sunday service online at www.yatesbaptistchurch.org. It is available in YouTube format.
The church boasts a large children’s attendance and family night, with worship and singing, followed by the kids breaking into small groups for Bible lessons, crafts, games, memorizing Scripture and songs.
A Men’s Discipleship meets the first and third Thursdays of each month. They sponsor Vacation Bible School every summer and a Harvest Dinner the first Sunday in November. A free will offering benefits a special church project. A concert by the choir follows.
The choir regularly has 10 to 15 members, led by Lori Boseck.
Janoah Atwater is worship leader/pianist and Jackie Reichard is organist.
The church has supported missionaries since its founding. The First missionary was Vada Furness, who traveled to the Belgian Congo during World War I. During the trip home her ship hit a mine and she lost everything she had, but she survived. The church currently supports 21 missions and/or missionaries.
A highlight of the 200th anniversary celebration will be the opportunity to view a historic door from the bell tower. The door has been removed and placed in the sanctuary so it can easily be viewed. It contains the names and date of death, written in pencil, of the early members of the church, most of whom the committee believes are buried in the church cemetery.
