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Digital Commons at Buffalo State State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College

Home > Library > Archives & Special Collections > MFC Digital Collections > Church Collections > North Ridge United Methodist

North Ridge United Methodist Church
 
The first person to introduce Methodism to the North Ridge area was Olive Beach. In 1816, she walked through the woods toward the shores of Lake Ontario in search of Brother Ash, a local Pastor who could possibly serve the area. Brother Ash agreed to hold bi-monthly services at the home of her parents, Aaron and Rachel Beach, early pioneers in Western New York. The congregation was officially incorporated in 1824. Pastor Shephardson was sent by the Genesee Conference to succeed Brother Ash. The area became the Lewiston Circuit served by the renowned “Circuit Riders.”

The Church building is on land donated by an early pioneer in this area, Reuben Wilson, and his children. Construction of the church began in 1846; the architecture is Greek Revival featuring historically distinctive cobblestone masonry. The cobbles are mostly from Lake Ontario.

The building was completed in 1848. The first service, however, was held in 1847, with those in attendance standing or sitting on piles of lumber since there were no seats yet installed. The Rev.Elijah Wood presided over the service. In 1964, the East Wilson Methodist Church on Chestnut Road was closed due to declining attendance. Many of the members there joined with the North Ridge congregation. In 1966, North Ridge became an independent charge; this also marked the 150th year of Methodism at North Ridge. In 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church.

Over the years, several renovations and additions have taken place within the church building. In 1976, the sanctuary was painted and re-carpeted; in the 1980s, a Sunday School wing was added along with a larger dining room and kitchen in the basement; in the late 1990s, an elevator with access to all 3 floors was installed to allow those with physical challenges to be able to move throughout the building with ease; in the 2000s, a secretary’s office was added along with the painting and refurnishing of the Pastor’s office; in the 2000s, the “Red Room” was renovated to become a Fellowship Room with a gathering area for the Sunday School, space for our choir’s rehearsal, a serving area for Coffee Hours and other receptions and a comfortable seating area where meetings can be held and the congregation can assemble for a social time before and after the services.

On June 16, 2002, North Ridge UMC was placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. A ceremony and program of celebration was held in 2003 to celebrate the bi-centennial of the Town of Cambria and to recognize the history of our church. The church celebrated its bicentennial in 2016.

http://library.buffalostate.edu/archives/mfc/northridge

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  • Anniversary Book; 100th; 1916 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Anniversary Book; 100th; 1916

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Anniversary Book; 150th; 1966 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Anniversary Book; 150th; 1966

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Anniversary Book; Methodists 100th Anniversary; 1932 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Anniversary Book; Methodists 100th Anniversary; 1932

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Church Register; Membership Book; 1864 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Church Register; Membership Book; 1864

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Church Register; Membership Roll; 1970-1992 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Church Register; Membership Roll; 1970-1992

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Conference; Cambria Quarterly Conference Records; 1876-1910 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Conference; Cambria Quarterly Conference Records; 1876-1910

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Events and Activities; Dedication Celebration; 1976 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Events and Activities; Dedication Celebration; 1976

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • History; Church History; 1816-2004 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    History; Church History; 1816-2004

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • History; Church History; 1966 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    History; Church History; 1966

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • History; Church History; 1978 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    History; Church History; 1978

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; Ladies Aid Society; 1893-1894 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; Ladies Aid Society; 1893-1894

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 1958-1973 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 1958-1973

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 1998 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 1998

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2001 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2001

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2003 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2003

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2004 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2004

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2005 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2005

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2006 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2006

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2007 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; 2007

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; Date Books; 1999-2004 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; Date Books; 1999-2004

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; Membership & Monthly Reports; 1988-2001 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; Membership & Monthly Reports; 1988-2001

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; Minutes; 1977-1987 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; Minutes; 1977-1987

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; Monthly Treasurers Report; 1965-1978 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; Monthly Treasurers Report; 1965-1978

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; Officers & Membership Lists; 1864-1966 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; Officers & Membership Lists; 1864-1966

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

  • Organizations; United Methodist Women; Records; 1997 by North Ridge United Methodist Church

    Organizations; United Methodist Women; Records; 1997

    North Ridge United Methodist Church

 
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