May 17, 2012Methodist Church
Located at the southeast corner of East Second Street & Foote Avenue
In 1823, Judge Elial Todd Foote gave the Methodists a plot of land at the junction of Chandler and Second Streets upon which to build a church.
In 1829, Samuel B. Winsor received the contract and began to build the plain, barn like, 40’ by 50’ structure. "There were no pews, but instead, loose boards placed on blocks without backs." Amen Corners were placed on either side facing the pulpit. The church was finished and dedicated in 1833.
After three years, expansion and remodeling were necessary. A gallery was added in the eastern end. In 1842, the basement was completed to accommodate Sunday School classrooms. An addition was put on the west end in 1843. This had a tower, a hall and an anteroom above, which would be opened to the audience room.
This centrally located church was a focal point for directions in the village of Jamestown. It served the Methodists for fifty years until they moved to their new church at the intersection of Second and Third Streets on July 4, 1886.
For many years, the building housed the Unitarian congregation. It was razed in 1979 for the extension of Foote Avenue to Fourth Street. Its tracker organ, a classic example of pipe organ, was installed in the Lakewood United Methodist Church.
SITE OF
METHODIST CHURCH
FIRST EDIFICE OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN JAMESTOWN WAS ERECTED IN 1830. A PLAIN HOUSE 40 BY 50 FEET.