Senate Resolution No. 185
BY: Senator GRIFFO
COMMEMORATING the 225th Anniversary of the First
Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia on June 16, 2024
WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social, and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church of
Cazenovia on Sunday, June 16, 2024; and
WHEREAS, During this auspicious event, Director of Music Vincent
Guarneiri will begin the celebration by playing a selection of 18th
century pieces on the organ; Reverend Anna Gheen will then deliver a
biographical sketch of the church's first pastor, Reverend Joshua
Leonard (1768-1843), an early settler of Cazenovia and a veteran of the
War of 1812; and
WHEREAS, Among Reverend Joshua Leonard's possessions during this
time was a Chippendale cherry oxbow four-drawer chest; this bureau was
taken in a wagon in April of 1799 from Ellington, Connecticut to
Cazenovia, New York, by Margaret Field Leonard who was the granddaughter
of the sixth generation of Reverend Henry Whitfield, born in England in
1597 who came to this country in 1639; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the chest of drawers, which features ogee
bracket feet and maple inlay, was built in New England around 1750-1780,
and was given to the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF) in the
1970s along with other small furniture items, maps, and art; and
WHEREAS, After nearly a half-century in storage, it was auctioned
off by CPF in 2023; the winning bidder acquired the piece with the
intent of gifting it to the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia; and
WHEREAS, During the 225th Anniversary celebration, the piece will be
placed under a portrait of Reverend Joshua Leonard in the church's
narthex, where it will remain permanently; and
WHEREAS, The event will also include a slideshow presentation titled
"Cazenovia First Presbyterian Church: Looking into its Bones and
Architectural Changes"; the speaker, Ted Bartlett, is chairman of the
Village of Cazenovia Historic Preservation/Architectural Review
Committee; and
WHEREAS, According to Bartlett, the Cazenovia First Presbyterian
Church meeting house was designed by prominent Albany architect Philip
Hooker; it was built in 1806 at the head of Hurd Street, formerly Church
Street, on the north side of the village green; in 1826, the building
was relocated to its present location at 27 Albany Street on the public
square; and
WHEREAS, In the 1860s, the meeting house was remodeled in the
Italianate style and the changes included the long leaded glass windows,
balcony removal, walnut pews, and dark exterior paint colors; it was
during the 20th century that the colonial revival work on the pulpit was
added; and
WHEREAS, Today, the building has a notable pedigree and retains its
basic federal-style meeting house form with its original tall timber
framed tower and spire roof; hidden within the bones of the meeting
house are a wealth of architectural artifacts showing its earliest
designs and workmanship; the noted church has played an important visual
role in its position on Cazenovia's Public Square since 1826 and stands
testament to its excellent original architectural design and subsequent
high-style alterations; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Reverend Anna Gheen, the First
Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades, while retaining
that spiritual resolve which has so characterized its glorious past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church of
Cazenovia, confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia.
