First Presbyterian Church of Augusta and Vernon Center celebrates once again at former home.
On Christmas Eve, 2005, The Vernon Center Presbyterian Church held its final worship service at its Vernon Center home. The congregation merged with its neighbors in Augusta, and moved down the street to Oriskany Falls, saying goodbye to the building they had worshipped in since 1811.
Yet, more than 15 years later, after extensive renovations at This Old Church, the congregation was invited back for a Special Sunday Service on August 1st!
The Augusta congregation was welcomed back by a crowd of just over 100 people. Many had family members, ancestors or friends who once attended church here. Others came to support the restoration efforts, or out of curiosity.
Pastor Jay Williams III led the services, presiding over an enthusiastic audience. I got to say a few words about the restoration and importance of our history, which was a real privilege.
The music was unique. Full Circle Barbershop Quartet sang an Irish Blessing and provided recessional tunes. Kim Nethaway, whose father Eugene Butler was the longtime lay pastor of the church and wrote several books about the town, played the hymns on the historic Andrews Pipe Organ, and the Augusta Choir rounded out the lineup.
For the coffee hour, thanks to Jean Langford and Andrea Maranville’s Silver City Baking Company for the baked treats, and Utica Coffee Roasters for the fresh coffee.
The Program
View the Facebook Album.
Special thanks to :
Don & Terry Law
Rich Greene
Jim and Becky Lockett
Steve Adamkowski / Freedom Farm Market
Utica Coffee Roasters
Full Circle – a Barbershop Quartet
Kim and John Nethaway
Jackie McPhee Knudsen
Dan and Corey Graves
Ethan Law & Amanda DeFisher
Sue Law
Kyle Greene
Adam Durfee
Owen Rose
Kyle Puleo
Kayla McCarthy
Tyson, Megan, Oscar & Percy Law
Paul Evans
Steve Trapani
Bob Pace
Sid Chase