First Presbyterian Church of Marcellus

First Presbyterian Church of Marcellus
The church viewed in its full capacity from NY 174
42°58′58″N 76°20′23″W / 42.9828°N 76.3398°W / 42.9828; -76.3398Coordinates: 42°58′58″N 76°20′23″W / 42.9828°N 76.3398°W / 42.9828; -76.3398
Location	Intersection of East Main and North Streets in Marcellus village, New York
Country	United States
Denomination	Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
History
Former name(s)	Eastern Religious Society of Marcellus Marcellus First Religious Society
Founded	October 13, 1801
Founder(s)	Reverend Caleb Alexander
Dedicated	October 13, 1851
Architecture
Completed	1851 (current)
Construction cost	$3,800 ($34.3 thousand today)
Clergy
Pastor(s)	Reverend Pamela Gnagy

The Greek Revival First Presbyterian Church of Marcellus is located at the intersection of North Street (New York State Route 174) and East Main Street (also NY 174) in the village of Marcellus, New York, and is the oldest of four churches in the village. Marcellus village was founded in 1794. Local residents with differing religious denominations met in a tavern, until October 1801 when Reverend Caleb Alexander, a missionary active in the central New York area, helped organize the 18-member Church of Christ. A wooden meeting house was constructed two years later.

By 1819, the community had built three churches in the environs of Marcellus: the original First Church in Marcellus, its offshoot the Second Church in Skaneateles, New York, and the Third Church on State Road (now U.S. Route 20). In 1851, the present church in Greek Revival style was erected and dedicated. The church would undergo substantial alterations over the next century. In 1948, it was remodelled and dedicated in April 1952. Commentators have found the structure one of the finest examples of Greek Revival church architecture in Onondaga County; however, they have expressed some regret in the loss of several original features. The church celebrated its bicentenary in 2001.

The village of Marcellus was founded 1794 with Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists and villagers of other denominations meeting in a tavern for worship services. Tavern proprietor Deacon Rice was permitted to read sermons, not write them, and Reverend Seth Williston, a missionary active in the area as early as 1800 may have provided spiritual guidance. On October 13, 1801, the village's first worship society, the 18-member Church of Christ, was organized through the efforts of Rev Caleb Alexander, another missionary active in central New York. In May the following year, the society was incorporated as the Eastern Religious Society of Marcellus. The church was later described as "Presbyterian in its ecclesiastical relations, and at the same time Congregational in its internal policy and arrangement."