Commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the Alton Cobblestone Community Church

Senate Resolution No. 2070

BY: Senator HELMING

        COMMEMORATING  the  175th Anniversary of the Alton
        Cobblestone Community Church

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
commemorate the important milestones of historic institutions within the
State  of  New  York,  and in doing so, help to ensure that the complete
history of our State and Nation is preserved  and  shared  with  present
generations of citizens; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate  the  175th  Anniversary  of the Alton Cobblestone Community
Church; and

  WHEREAS, The Christian Church of Alton was  organized  in  1842  and
incorporated  in  1851, the same year its distinctive cobblestone church
building was completed by builder  William  Walker  whose  craftsmanship
helped  create  one of Wayne County's most treasured historic landmarks;
and

  WHEREAS, Constructed in the Greek Revival style, the  church  stands
as  a  tribute  to the skilled cobblestone masons and immigrant laborers
who gathered stones from the shores of Lake Ontario at Sodus  Point  and
transported  them  by  horse and oxen more than five miles to the church
site where they were carefully sorted and laid by hand; and

  WHEREAS, The church steeple and belfry, designed in  the  Romanesque
style  and housing a bell cast by the Clinton H. Meneely Bell Company in
1892, were added later and continue to serve as defining features of the
church; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout its long and distinguished  history,  the  Alton
Cobblestone  Community  Church  has  remained  an  important  center  of
worship, fellowship, and  community  life  in  Wayne  County,  including
hosting  the  9th Annual Convention of the Wayne County Women's Suffrage
Group on June 17, 1910; and

  WHEREAS, Protestant Methodists began renting the church in 1869  and
purchased  the  building in 1883; later, the congregation became part of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1939, the United Methodist  Church  in
1968,  and  an  independent  congregation known as the Alton Cobblestone
Community Church in 2024; and

  WHEREAS, Through  the  years,  the  church  has  undergone  numerous
renovations   and   improvements,   including   sanctuary   and  kitchen
beautification projects, vestibule enhancements  designed  by  architect
Carl F. Schmidt, and ongoing preservation efforts carried out by devoted
members of the congregation and community volunteers; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Alton Cobblestone Community Church has also benefited
from  the  generosity  and  dedication  of  faithful   stewards   across
generations,  including  land  donations  by Edward C. Burns in 1956 and

1973 and the preservation of its historic  bell  mechanism  through  the
skilled craftsmanship of a church member in 2009; and

  WHEREAS,   In   1951,   the  congregation  celebrated  the  church's
centennial with an elaborate observance, and in 2001, they  commemorated
its  150th  Anniversary  with  numerous  community  events  honoring the
church's rich heritage and enduring legacy; and

  WHEREAS, Today, affectionately known as the "Little Stone Church  on
the  Hill,"  the Alton Cobblestone Community Church continues to welcome
all who enter its doors while  preserving  the  traditions,  faith,  and
sense of community that have defined it for generations; now, therefore,
be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 175th Anniversary of  the  Alton  Cobblestone  Community
Church; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted
to the Alton Cobblestone Community Church in Alton, New York.