Historical Timeline of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church

 

• 1898 - The first meeting of Saint Simon’s Mission was held in an upper room of William J. Eyring’s Grocery Store on Seneca Street (now Shea’s Seneca)

• As more space was needed the congregation moved to Kingdom Hall at Seneca and Kingston Street where a Sunday school and Lady Auxiliary began

• 1903 – The little church on Glendhu Avenue was built for just $4,800 and was dedicated by The Rt. Reverend William Walker. This church building has recently been remodeled into a private residence.

• 1905- The dream, still being nurtured by Doctor Smith, finally became a parish.

• 3/1/1905- The first rector, The Reverend Edwin J. Steven’s preached his first sermon in the new church.

Under the leadership of Reverend Stevens, the dream set down deep roots which grew to include:

• St. Andrew’s Brotherhood

• The Young Ladies Guild

• Boy Scouts

• Girl Scouts

• The Dorcas Circle and

• The Choir

St. Simon’s Church was still growing and even more room was needed.

1917- 1925-

• Fund drives were held over the next eleven years

• A building committee commissioned a well-known architect, Robert North, to draw up plans for a new church on a site purchased on Cazenovia Street.

• 09/27/1925- Cornerstone of the new church was laid by The Rt. Reverend Charles Henry Brent, Bishop of Western New York.

• 12/31/1935- Reverend Edwin J. Stevens resigned as rector after 31 years of devoted service.

 

The Rector’s of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church

 

1. 9/1/1936-2/1/1941 Reverend William C. Baxter

2. 4/1/1941- 2/7/1942 - The Reverend Glenn H. Blackburn for 2 short months before being called up for service into the U. S. Army. On 8/15/1941 Reverend Norman B. Quigg accepted a call to become Priest-in-charge in Re. Blackburn’s absence.

3. 9/1/1942-5/31/1948 – The Rev. Francis Blackwelder put the parish in motion again and the balcony was erected in the rear of the church.

4. 7/19/1948-10/1/1950 – The Rev. Clark W. MacElmury

5. 12/27/1950-10/31/1958 – The Reverend H. Russell Barker, during this time the new 17 rank Tellers pipe organ was installed in the balcony. St. Simon’s again became a very vibrant parish under sound leadership.

6. 2/1/1959-9/30/1974 – The Reverend Harold F. Woolcott

Under the leadership of Reverend Woolcott:

• 1964- A small fire with no structural damage to the church but much to the parish hall.

• 1965- Parish hall restored and Educational Wing was built

• 1971- Nursery School was started

In, 1974, During Reverend Woolcott’s illness and following his resignation the following supply priests served St. Simon’s:

• The Reverend Phillip Holmes

• The Reverend Michael Stott

• The Reverend Alec Pudwell

• The Reverend Frederick Kates

• The Reverend Canon D. Peter Burrows

1. 11/1/1975- 1999 - The Reverend Russell A Newbert accepted the call as Rector, during which time many changes were made:

• Mid-1980’s – The “Free Standing” altar was adopted

• Sanctuary was renovated to include a raised floor design

• The chancel area was made smaller

• The Reverend Charles Deacon served as interim Rector during 1999-2000.

1. 6/3/2000- The Reverend Ralph W. Strohm

Please stay tuned for the rest of our History - This page is still under construction!