3 steady attendees are committed to keeping open a church that dates back nearly two centuries

The Jeddo Chapel on Ridge Road has a sign out front inviting people to service and coffee hour, but rarely are there more than three there.

MEDINA – A tiny church in Jeddo has been part of the Jeddo community for 183 years, and although it struggles, devoted followers are determined to keep it going.

Officially called the Jeddo Community Chapel, the church is simply known as “Jeddo Chapel,” and while it once was a thriving congregation and hub of the community, it now opens its doors every Sunday to a congregation of three – maybe 10 on a special day.

Peggy Wright of Medina, who started attending the church in 1998, has been preaching the sermon for the past several years.

Attendees on a recent Sunday were Rob Johnson of County Line Road, Chris Craft who lives across the road, and Terry Mahnke of West Shelby Road. All three have families who formerly attended the church, and it is in their memories the three attend now.

Johnson started attending the church after moving back to the area five years ago. His great-great-grandfather Truman Johnson used to attend and was superintendent of the Sunday School for 50 years.

“He used to come to church on his sleigh, picking up kids along the way,” Johnson said.

Craft’s father was a Mason, and in November it will be 100 years since the family moved from Barker to their home across the street, where they started attending the Jeddo Chapel. The Masons played a big part in the history of the church, at one time giving them their lodge. Craft still lives across the street, and even though he also belongs to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina, Craft volunteers to turn the heat on each Sunday at Jeddo Chapel.

Three people who regularly attend the Jeddo Chapel are, from left, Chris Craft, who lives across the road; Rob Johnson of County Line Road; and Terry Mahnke of West Shelby Road. The families of all three attended the church in the past.

Mahnke’s mother used to attend the Jeddo church. Mahnke started coming because she had become acquainted with Wright when her daughter Hannah attended Wright’s pre-school.

“Hannah encouraged me,” Mahnke said. “She would come home from pre-school and ask me why we didn’t go to church.”

Wright said she began attending the church after her family became dissatisfied with the pastor of their former church.

“We were looking for a church, and as we had lived on County Line Road, we knew a lot of people who attended the Jeddo Chapel,” Wright said. “And their beliefs fell in line with mine.”

The pastor at that time was away a lot and asked Wright to fill in for him. The parishioners liked the way she preached, even though she has no official training.

The Rev. Richard Heitzenrater eventually took over, and when he left it was voted in April 2011 to close the church, as so many members were no longer attending.

The Rev. David Horner, however, who lived down the street, was married to the former Emily Bird, whose parents were faithful supporters of the church. The Rev. Horner had promised Emily’s father Horace he would make sure the Chapel never closed its doors.

“As I had been filling in on and off, Pastor Horner asked if I would be willing to assume the position of preacher,” Wright said.

Even though he has moved out of state, the Rev. Horner still supports the church.

Another parishioner, Duane Swann, offered to be organist, and for a while they had a handful of followers, which included Craft and the late MaryAnn Davis.

Wright and her small congregation are hoping to spur a revival, but they know it won’t be the first. In a record of its history, the church has undergone several revivals.

After a recent Sunday service, those in attendance had lunch in the small dining room.  Clockwise from left are Rob Johnson, pastor Peg Wright, Chris Craft and guest Allan Kropf.

The earliest recollections of religious meetings in Jeddo are in 1837, when a Sunday School was organized in the Jeddo School House and the pastor of Johnson Creek Baptist Church began holding evening meetings in the school house. These continued until the people of the community felt a better place should be provided for worship.

The building was originally owned by the Good Templars Lodge, who offered it to the Johnson Creek Baptist Church, if they do the work to make the building suitable for the Lodge to meet. In the spring of 1887, work was begun and everyone in the community turned out to help dig out the basement and make a more substantial foundation for the building.

Farmers brought their teams and wagons and drew the stones that made the wall for the church. The stones came from an old abandoned Free Will Baptist Church which stood on Fruit Avenue, on the farm later owned by Paul Blackburn. The land on which the Johnson Creek Baptist Church stood had been purchased by the Good Templars from Josiah Payne, who lived next door. The Templars then deeded it to the Johnson Creek Baptist Church.

The Good Templars were given a lease of 99 years on the hall and could use it when it was not in use by the church.

Also about this time, the Jeddo Chapel Society was formed. The ladies agreed to pay all of the church expenses, including repairs, janitor, fuel and lights. They did so until the early 1950s.

In 1888, Mrs. William Bird’s sister Nellie Clark started a Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, which continued for 50 years. The women helped paper the chapel and bought the first carpet. When the time came for seats, Almer J. Brown donated red oak logs from his farm, which became the Bird farm. Will Bird was working for Brown at the time and drew the logs to Middleport to be sawed. He brought the lumber back to John Singleton’s wagon shop, the brick building next door, which later was Brewer’s Store.

‘Although our numbers have gradually decreased, we still feel the Lord wants us to continue worshiping him at this locality. Once again, we are praying for a revival that will reach our neighbors and beyond, and we will once again see the pews in this beloved church filled.’ – Peggy Wright, preacher at Jeddo Chapel

Gus Smith, who lived across the street where the Crafts now live, made the black walnut book racks now in use and put them on the pews. The organ is the one that was brought from the Sunday School which met in the Jeddo School House. In 1895, Mrs. Truman Johnson became organist, and then pianist. She continued for more than 50 years. (Rob Johnson explained that every generation of his family had a Truman, and he has a brother Truman today).

It was a long time before the church had a bell. For years the Good Templars and the Christian Endeavor Society had socials to raise money for the Bell Fund. It was eventually purchased with an additional gift from Josiah Payne.

The history of the church was compiled by William Bird’s wife Sarah.

“This chapel means so much to me, for I have been interested in it for 70 years,” she wrote in 1957. “How well I remember 70 years ago when it was dedicated,” she said. “I trust the future generations will take the interest, not only in keeping the building in repairs, but also assisting in the church services.”

Wright said the Jeddo Chapel continued to grow many years after as the community’s residents sacrificed, labored and gave their all. She said the community’s heart was in Jeddo Chapel and a need was soon evident for expansion. As in the past, Josiah Payne came to their rescue, and in February 1923 he deeded the land under the present kitchen to the Chapel. No one remembers who built the kitchen, Wright said, but the fact remains that the cooperative efforts of the Jeddo community made it possible.

In the spring of 1954, the Chapel was almost sold again and its doors closed, as was the school house. However, people worked and sacrificed as before, Wright said. An organ was purchased in 1959 and paid for in full in 1960. Carpet was installed, a furnace was put in and many more activities prevailed. Although enthusiasm continued and people gave their best, the Jeddo Chapel was once again instructed to close its books on April 22, 1961 and seek a more efficient means of existence within the Hartland Baptist structure.

The church bell may have been stilled, but in the hearts of Jeddo residents, the spirit had not died. For in the summer of 1974, a handful of Christian pioneers reorganized the Chapel’s Sunday School. By winter of 1974-75, worship had resumed with 15 charter members and incorporation as a full recognized American Baptist Church. They were received into membership of the American Baptist Churches of the Niagara Frontier on Feb. 8, 1975.

Wright said she is happy to lead worship at the tiny church. She researches her sermon each week and prints a weekly program. She said she spends some time every day working on something for the church. They have no organist or pianist any more, but Wright bravely leads the few in singing the hymns.

She takes no regular salary, and she said expenses are paid out of the collections taken each week. If there is anything left over after the bills are paid, that is her salary.

“Although our numbers have gradually decreased, we still feel the Lord wants us to continue worshiping him at this locality,” Wright said. “Once again, we are praying for a revival that will reach our neighbors and beyond, and we will once again see the pews in this beloved church filled.

The members are contemplating having a dinner at the church in the near future, in hopes the public will come and develop an interest in their congregation.

Worship is at 10 a.m. Sunday, and the church would welcome any visitors.

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ELBA — A Knowlesville woman who recently fought cancer said a $1 million winning lottery ticket will pay off medical bills and help her start a college or career fund for her three children.

Nichole Williams, 30, was introduced today as a lotto winner by New York Lottery personality Yolanda Vega. Williams didn’t actually buy the winning scratch-off ticket from the Triple Double 777 Red Hot game.

It was given to her by a friend from Pembroke for Williams’ 30^th birthday. She celebrated with family and friends on Jan. 11 at the VFW in Medina. Williams said she had only bought two lottery tickets in her life – both duds.

Her friend bought her four tickets for her birthday. Williams scratched them off the next day at her home in Knowlesville. The first two weren’t winners. On the third one, Williams won $5 and that made her happy.

Nichole Williams celebrates winning the big prize with New York Lottery personality Yolanda Vega.

When she scratched off the fourth ticket, she was confused. She isn’t familiar with the scratch-off games. The rules said if you get a row of three symbols that all match, you win the prize next to the symbols. Williams scratched off three lightning bolts. Next to those symbols it said, “JACKPOT 1 million.”

She looked at the ticket, flipping it over several times, for about 20 minutes. Finally, she called her father, an Orleans County deputy sheriff and frequent lottery player. She asked him if he thought she had won.

Her father wasn’t familiar with the game, but he thought it sounded like a winner. She went to see him and he checked the game’s rules. They felt more convinced the ticket was a jackpot winner.

Williams took the ticket to the Crosby’s in Albion and received confirmation it won the biggest prize. The next day she went to the Lottery’s office in Buffalo to claim the jackpot.

“It’s definitely a blessing,” Williams told reporters today. “It’s definitely a huge weight lifted off my shoulders that I can provide college for my kids or if they don’t want to go to college we can put it towards a tech school or whatever else they want to do.”

Nichole Williams is interviewed by Yolanda Vega. Williams works at the Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina and plans to continue in the job.

Williams and her husband Rusty have three children, ages 5, 7 and 11. About a year ago in January she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. After seven surgeries she was declared in remission. But that wasn’t before going into septic shock.

She appreciates the care she received at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. She decided to pursue a career helping patients.

Williams is currently working at the Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina. She is a unit assistant and expects to be a certified nursing assistant in about month. She has no plans to stop working.

“I love my job,” she said. “I love taking care of the residents there.”

Her husband is a truck driver. They were living in Maryland before moving to Orleans County about three years ago to be closer to family and much more affordable housing. They said it was too costly to raise a family in Maryland.

Williams accepted a lump sum of $537,440. She is grateful for her friend buying the lottery ticket. Williams offered the friend some of the winnings, but the friend refused, telling Williams she deserves it.

“I told them right away,” she said about calling her friend to share the news. “They were extremely happy for me.”

(Click here to see a video of Nichole Williams with Yolanda Vega at Crosby’s in Elba.)

Williams’ winning ticket shows three lightning bolts in the top right line, followed by “JACKPOT” as the prize.

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Harriet Petrie gets a hug from Ridgeway firefighters Tyler Luckman and Jason Bessel, after presenting them with a set of New York hooks and Haylo LED safety flares, in memory of her late husband Larry.

RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company installed new officers and recognized dedicated members at its annual banquet Saturday night.

David Green of East Shelby was master of ceremonies, and began the evening by introducing distinguished guests, which included local law enforcement, politicians and representatives from other fire companies.

First Assistant Chief Kristin McAdoo presented training certificates to those firefighters in attendance, followed by presentation of awards for years of service. Service awards went to Dave Monagan, 50 years; Robin Gardner and Brian Withey, 40 years; Dell Stork, his son Ron Stork and Guy Scribner, 30 years (Dell also served 30 years in the Medina Fire Department); Francis Woodward, Tom Rushing and Kristin McAdoo, 25 years; and Matt Natale, 10 years.

Chantelle Blackburn chose April Fearby as recipient of the President’s Award.

“She’s here all the time and does things we didn’t even know needed to be done,” Blackburn said. “She deserves this award more than anyone.”

Fearby presented tokens of appreciation to several members who assisted her throughout the year.

Joshua Klotzbach, who was chosen Firefighter of the Year, was not able to attend because he was serving in the military with the National Guard.

Ladies Auxiliary president Tracey Hendrick announced Harriet Petrie as the Auxiliary Member of the Year.

“She is always here and really took over the reins,” Hendrick said.

Firematic officers of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company for 2020 were sworn in Saturday night by Orleans I, Dale Banker (standing at rear). From left are Zachary Blackburn, EMS lieutenant; Chantelle Blackburn, EMS captain; Tyler Luckman, firematic captain; Matthew Natale, second assistant chief; Kristin McAdoo, first assistant chief; Jason Bessel, deputy chief; Donald Marchner, safety officer; Michael Kelly, fire police captain; and Rick Harmer, fire police lieutenant. Partially visible standing at rear is installing officer, Dale Banker, Orleans I.

Orleans I Dale Banker was the installing officer, who swore in the following officers:

Executive officers – Donald Marchner, president; April Fearby, vice president; Chantelle Blackburn, secretary; Samantha Raduns, treasurer; Zachary Blackburn, sergeant-at-arms; and trustees Paul Wengrzycki (three years), Kyle Morgan (two years) and Francis Woodward, one year.

Firematic officers – Patrick Kelly, chief; Jason Bessel, deputy chief; Kristin McAdoo, first assistant chief; Matthew Natale, second assistant chief; Tyler Luckman, firematic captain; Kyle Morgan, firematic lieutenant; Donald Marchner, safety officer; Michael Kelly, fire police captain; Chantelle Blackburn, EMS captain; and Zachary Blackburn, EMS lieutenant.

Officers of Ridgeway Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary were sworn in at their annual banquet Saturday night. From left are Harriet Petrie, chaplain; Joelle Brown, secretary/treasurer; Melissa Harmer, vice president; and Tracey Hendrick, president.

Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary were sworn in by Ridgeway town clerk Karen Kaiser. They are Tracey Hendrick, president; Melissa Hansler, vice president; Joelle Brown, secretary/treasurer; and Harriet Petrie, chaplain.

April Fearby thanks those who helped her during the year, after being named recipient of the President’s Award during the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company’s annual installation dinner Saturday night. Seated at left is first assistant chief Kristin McAdoo.

Charles Smith conducted a service paying tribute to 55-year member Royce Caleb. He and his wife Bev, who was a member of the Auxiliary, died during 2019.

Smith rang a bell three times, which signifies a firefighter has fallen.

Tracey Hendrick recognized Auxiliary members for their years of service. They were Effie McAdoo, 25 years; Donna Lockwood and Joleen Bessel, 10 years.

As has been customary each year since her husband died, Harriet Petrie has presented a gift in his memory to the fire company. Saturday night she gave firefighters Jason Bessel and Tyler Luckman a pair of New York hooks and a set of Haylo LED safety flares.

Don Palmer, a member of the fire company for 35 years, stood up to thank the department for allowing him to remain a member, in spite of the fact he cannot see.

“Even though I am totally blind, they accept me, and for that I say thank you,” Palmer said.

The Rev. Dan Thurber closed the evening with a prayer, saying how thankful he was, as a resident and pastor of the church just down the road, to have the Ridgeway Fire Company protecting them.

Executive officers of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company who were installed Saturday night are, from left: Zachary Blackburn, sergeant-at-arms; Chantelle Blackburn, secretary; Samantha Raduns, treasurer; Francis Woodward, director for one year; Donald Marchner, president; April Fearby, vice president; and Paul Wengrzycki, director for three years.

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Multi-tenant residence was scene of standoff; town says property is single family, and is out of compliance

Undersheriff Chris Bourke says the Sheriff’s office will track down the owner of the property and serve him papers from the town. Registered mail to the owner has been returned to Ridgeway Town Hall.

RIDGEWAY – Town officials were asked by Knowlesville residents this evening to take action against the owner of a single-family residence that has illegally been operating as a boarding house.

The site at 3634 Knowlesville Rd. was the scene of a standoff that started at 4:46 p.m. on Dec. 3 and continued until about 3 a.m. Dec. 4. That incident closed traffic on the road and forced many neighboring residents to stay with friends and family, or at the Ridgeway firehall.

Residents say the site is a concern in the neighborhood, due to many people coming and going, people fighting at the house, shooting air rifles and alleged criminal activity.

There were about 85 signatures from Knowlesville residents on a petition turned into the Town Board, asking for the boarding house to be shut down. The petition was handed in at Monday’s board meeting.

Dan Wolfe, the town code enforcement officer, said the 2,211-square-foot house is zoned for single family, but has been used as boarding house with multiple tenants. That is against the town code for that zoning.

“I’m citing him for operating a boarding house,” Wolfe told town residents at the Dec. 16 meeting. “We’ll do whatever we can to hold his feet to the fire.”

Dan Wolfe, the town code enforcement officer, said he has red-tagged the house due to zoning violations and people should leave the building.

Wolfe said he red-tagged the house last week, putting signs on the house that the tenants should vacant the building. People seem to be ignoring the directive, Wolfe said at the Town Board meeting.

He told residents he doesn’t have the authority to force them to leave. The town needs to start a court proceeding against the owner of the property, Wolfe said.

He has previously sent letters to the owner, James Rodgers of Sycamore Street in Rochester, notifying him of citations with the property. Those certified letters have been returned unopened.

Undersheriff Chris Bourke attended the Town Board meeting. He said the Sheriff’s Office can locate Rodgers and serve him with a letter from the town.

Bourke told residents the location has been a concern to law enforcement officials. There have been 29 calls so far in 2019 to the 911 center for law enforcement to go to the site, including six times to serve papers to a resident there. Six calls were for disturbances. There have been calls for officer assistance, larceny, obstructing governmental administration, trespassing and for a person locked out of their vehicle, Bourke said.

Neighbors said they want immediate action with the house because they don’t feel safe in the neighborhood. They said they have been concerned about the Knowlesville house since 2017.

Town Attorney Kathy Bogan said she will work to get the court process started, seeking relief for residents in the neighborhood.

“We’re not here to complain about people living there,” one woman told the Town Board. “We just want it safe.”

Bourke said the residents can’t be kicked out unless there is a court process with a court order. The state has changed the laws making it more difficult to remove tenants, Bourke said.

He told the residents he would speak with officials from the State Parole to make sure no state parolees were staying there. He said he spoke with the County Probation Department, and no one on probation is staying at the house.

Town Attorney Kathy Bogan told the residents she is also working with the District Attorney’s office about addressing concerns from the residents.

“We have to go through the court process,” she said. “We don’t have a choice.”

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KNOWLESVILLE – The decision to sell the former Knowlesville United Methodist Church, now called the United Methodist Church of Abundant Harvest, was not an easy one, but one members understand was necessary.

According to the Rev. Garry McCaffery, who just became pastor July 1, said after the furnace went out, the decision was made at a church conference the end of June to sell the building.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Ruth Higgins, left, a lifelong member of the Knowlesville United Methodist Church, Lorraine Luckman, also a longtime member, and Kathy Leuscher prepare vegetables in the kitchen of the recreation hall which the church owns.

The church had already come to the conclusion four years ago more could be done with two congregations meeting as one, and they began holding services with the Millville location for the United Methodist Church of Abundant Harvest, the Rev. McCaffery said.

The Knowlesville church had purchased the recreation hall from Ridgeway Fire Company across the road about 25 years ago, so they are able to hold church events there.

Because the church is not handicapped accessible, and so many of their members are aging, attendance has been dwindling. The cost of making the church accessible, coupled with the need for a new furnace, made the decision to sell the most logical one, although not easy to accept for some of the longtime members.

Nancy Smith and her brother Ron Schompart are lifelong members of the church. Smith recalled growing up in the church and how active their youth group was. Its leaders included Smith’s aunt and uncle, Verona and Don Pritchard, then Butch and Charlene Seitzer and lastly, Nelson and Rose Schlegel.

She especially remembers the hay rides, the active women’s group, the Mother and Daughter, and Father and Son banquets.

“The year I was a senior, we did a skit, pretending we were the Beatles,” Smith said.

There were also dances, pot luck dinners and scavenger hunts. Later, the church started an Apple Festival, making apple butter and other homemade apple treats, an event which they still carry on.

Smith said she was upset they were selling the church, but understands it’s for the best.

Ruth Higgins, who started attending the church when she and her husband moved to Knowlesville in 1977, has been one of the most active members. She feels selling the church is the only chance the congregation has with the building.

“The church used to be the center of people’s lives, but not any more,” Higgins said. “I actually liked worshiping in the Fellowship Hall. It was kind of cozy.”

The Knowlesville congregation now has adult Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. in the Recreation Hall, then travels to Millville for worship at 11 a.m.

“Selling the church gives people the opportunity to say goodbye to one chapter of God’s work in our lives and to receive and open the next chapter,” the Rev. McCaffery said.

The church is planning a ceremony of deconsecration for the Knowlesville church building at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Fellowship Hall.

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30,000 solar panels will be installed on Allis, Beals roads

Contractors work on the project at Allis Road, which is bigger than the one on Beals. The conduit will be buried.

RIDGEWAY – The largest solar project in Orleans County is under construction in Ridgeway, with the 30,000 solar panels expected to be operational in the spring.

Borrego Solar Systems is constructing the two systems, which are both on land owned by Ken Baker, a livestock farmer on Beals Road.

The solar project at 3846 Beals Road will be for 3.5 megawatts with 11,745 panels that will be ground-mounted at a 25-degree angle. Borrego is using 16.5 acres of a 29.4-acre parcel. The solar array will be surrounded with a fence, and 240 trees will be planted as a buffer along Route 31 and part of Beals Road.

The other project is for 5 megawatts and 18,295 panels at 3962 Allis Rd., near

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and the new Helena Chemical plant. Borrego is using 29.0 acres of a 42.0-acre parcel.

The company is in a 15-year PILOT where it will pay the local governments – Town of Ridgeway, Orleans County and Medina Central School – $7,000 per megawatt the first year or $59,500 total for 8.5 megawatts. The payments then increase by 2 percent each following year or $78,507 at year 15.

The revenue sharing is divvied up based on a proportionate share of the tax rates. The school district has the highest tax rate so it gets the most — $35,105 in the first year. However, the PILOT deal allows Lee-Whedon Memorial Library to receive 3 percent of the school district’s total, which will be $1,053 for the library in the first year.

The town is to receive $7,735 the first year, while the county’s share will be $16,740.

Ken Baker, a livestock farmer and a General Motors employee in Lockport, said the project comes at a good time. He is on strike from GM, where he has worked for 25 years.

He raises pigs, chickens, ducks, goats and steers. It is tough to be in farming on a smaller scale, Baker said.

The solar gives him a guaranteed income of about $50,000 annually, which he said will help in retirement. At GM, he doesn’t have a pension.

After the racking system in built, the solar panels will be placed on the units. Borrego will be installing about 30,000 panels that are each 77 inches by 39 inches. The two projects together will have a capacity to generate 8.5 megawatts of electricity.

Baker can continue his livestock operation, and can do it knowing he has steady income from the solar.

He said many farmers have approached him about the project. They are interested in having large-scale solar on their land.

“A lot of farmers are looking at it,” Baker said.

Depressed prices, especially for dairy, are hurting the ag economy. And Baker said farmers are concerned over the impact of new farm labor regulations in the state, where workers will be paid overtime after 60 hours per week and have the right to unionize.

Josh Richardson is managing the construction for Borrego Solar Systems. He said the project should be operational in March-April. Borrego is building the two solar projects, with AES to operate the system.

The solar arrays will have a fence around each site. The Beals Road array, which is along Route 31, will have a buffer that includes 240 trees.

“Once we’re done with construction it’s a very minimal impact,” Richardson said.

The Ridgeway site was attractive to  Borrego partly due to its close access to powerlines. Richardson said he expects to see many more large-scale solar projects in New York, where the state has set goals for far more wind, solar and renewable energy.

Gov. Cuomo and the State Legislature want at least 70 percent of the state’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030. By 2040, the goal is for 100 percent carbon-free electricity. By 2050, the state has a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent compared to 1990.

About 15 to 30 construction workers are on site most days building the solar projects in Ridgeway.

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