The post World War II era resulted in significant social changes in the United States. The explosion of suburbs with the shift of populations from urban areas was most noticeable. With this suburban growth came an increase in business and community organizations. In Gates, the North Gates Wesleyan Methodist Church found the need to enlarge their church to accommodate new parishioners. It wasn't many years before there was need for a second expansion. But this time another solution for the space crunch was proposed: sponsor a new church in Spencerport where about 20 families of the Gates church lived. Thus, the Spencerport Wesleyan Methodist Church was born in 1957 in a peach orchard of the Herbert Stevenson farm from the growing pains of the post World War II era. The Rev. Dr. James Bence led the program to sponsor the Spencerport church. Not only did the Gates church give 20 of its active families but also it provided financing for 50 percent of the estimated nearly $50,000 cost. The building that was constructed along Route 31 was designed by Valvano and Valvano and was distinctly modern for the 1950s. It had tall, steep A frame lines. Subcontractors worked with parishioners who supplied most of the labor. A studio apartment was built in the church for the pastor until a parsonage could be financed in the early 1960s. Rev. Bence served as pastor at the Gates church and the Spencerport church until it was officially organized. Rev. Harold Kingdon and his wife, Mary, recent graduates of Houghton College, initially served in Spencerport with Pastor Bence. Among the charter members were Herbert (Margaret) Stevenson who served later as president of Spencerport Board of Education, Frank (Gene) Knapp of Coleman Avenue, George and Eileen Osborne and Nelson and Helen Smith. The name of the church changed from Spencerport Wesleyan Methodist to Spencerport Wesleyan Church in the 1960s when two international denominations, the Wesleyan Methodists and Pilgrim Holiness church, merged. The Wesleyan name was derived from John Wesley, an 18th century English minister, who is the founder of the Methodist Church. The Wesleyan Methodist Church had been part of the Methodist Church until the 1840s when there was a division over the issue of slavery. Several changes have occurred in the building and programming over the years. The southern end was expanded to include an educational wing in the 1980s; in 2002 an addition on the western end provided a Welcome/Gathering Room on the top level and a Teen Room underneath. In the late 1990s, the church began having two Sunday Services with one in the Contemporary style of worship and the other in the Traditional celebration. Community groups such as a Quilt Club, Girl Scouts, Westside Handchime Choir, Food Distribution program and Chinese Student Summer Club have benefited from the church sharing space resource. The church has had five pastors in the 50 years. Besides Bence and Kingdon, others included Carroll (Mary) Brentlinger (who was very active in the Spencerport Ambulance Corps and taught at Roberts Wesleyan College), Fred (Bernie) Gordon and currently Lester (Laura) McClelland. Pastor Bence passed away in 2001; Pastors Kingdon and Gordon will join the church in its anniversary celebrations September 29 and 30. On September 29 there will be a banquet at noon at Lodge on the Green, followed by an Open House at the church at 5 p.m.; on the 30th, there will be a service at 10 a.m. at the E. J. Wilson High School Auditorium. Of anniversaries, Paul Sweeney has said that they are a "celebration of love, trust, partnership and tenacity. The order varies for any given year." A church is a family just as nuclear and extended families so this saying could apply to a church as well. The Spencerport Church will be celebrating its family of faith and God's care and guidance through the years during this weekend in September. The mission of the Spencerport Wesleyan Church is to reach their community and the world with the love of Jesus Christ and together, learn to be fully devoted followers of Him. Local community service participation has included support for the Spencerport Food Cupboard, CROP Walk, Rochester Family Mission, Open Door Mission, Compass Care and participation in the Spencerport Ecumenical Ministries. To commemorate the anniversary, the church has raised over $12,000 to support an Orphan Trust in Zambia. World Hope organizes Orphan Trusts throughout Africa. In 2006 Steve and Norma Bence Grover served on a short-term mission trip to Zambia and discovered the benefits of Orphan Trusts first hand. With the financial contributions provided, World Hope Zambia selects a specific community for each trust. That community receives assistance such as development of an income-generating project, assistance with education in literacy and health, help for caregivers of orphans especially those who have lost parents to AIDS, and other essentials. The program is a "hand-up, not a hand-out." Members of the community are invited to join the celebrations planned for the weekend. If coming for the dinner at Lodge on the Green, reply to the church for a reservation. Questions may be directed to the church office at 352-3398. © September 16, 2007 - Westside News Inc. |
