Farmers Valley Church
photo credit: Bradford July 22, 1949
See the Church Today
EUB Church in Farmers Valley
Built More Than Century Ago
The Evangelical United Brethen Church of Farmers Valley, one of the oldest churches in the country, was constructed 101 years ago in 1848. The church became affiliated with the United Brethen in 1867.The land for the church was donated by Judge Otto. Dan Lennox, carpenter, did most of the construction work in the building of the church.
The present United Brethen pastor, Rev. Cecil E. Ross, serves the church at Farmers Valley as well as United Brethen Churches in Coryville and in East Smethport.
In 1948 the church celebrated its 100th anniversary at a three day centennial celebration. Many of the former pastors of the church were present at the ceremonies.
One of the most prominent ministers in the Evangelical United Brethen Church today was present at the ceremonies held at the Farmers Valley Church on Friday evening, June 18, 1948. He is Bishop J. Palmer Showers of Harrisburg, present head of the Eastern Area of the Evangelical United Brethen Church, and former pastor of the Farmers Valley congregation. Bishop Showers spoke briefly at the anniversary ceremonies.
More than 200 persons attended the anniversary celebrations. Other outstanding clergymen present at the centennial included Dr. Paul S. Weaver of Jamestown, superintendent of the Erie Conference of United Brethen Churches, and the Rev. A. A. Luther, pastor of the First Congregational Church in North Collins, N. Y., both former pastors of the Farmers Valley Church. The Rev. Mr. Luther is a noted writer of hymns, he is the composer of "Jesus Never Fails." The Rev. F. Willis Chase was the pastor of the church during the Centennial Observation.
The following ministers have served in Farmers Valley since its connection with the United Brethen Organization in 1867: the Revs. John Holmes, T. J. Butterfield, J. A. Thomas, N. T. Luce, H. H. Barber, I. B. Weaver, T. E. Evans, Alfred Bronson, M. D. Altice, Lee A. McIntyre, W. A. Bennett, Jerome Smith, O. H. Dunbar, A. B. Sprague.
Also William Summergill, R. E. Shaner, S. R. Parrot, A. A. Luther, L. A. Thayer, W. D. Fullom, W. D. Brainard, V. M. Thompson, A. L. Pang, V. H. Oviatt, W. H. Chase, F. G. Finlay, M. B. Erickson, H. H. Atkins, F. Willis Chase, and the present pastor, Cecil E. Ross.