CAZENOVIA — In celebration of its 225th anniversary, the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia is sharing the history and contributions of its Women’s Association with the community.
“Like every church, our population has declined, and it’s really tough to compete with other activities on the weekends, [so] one of the things we are doing is looking at the past, where we are now, and where we would like to go in the future,” said Women’s Association member BJ Palmer, who added that the church is currently going through a reorganization. “[I] think it’s true that in most organizations, it’s the women who sort of drive the direction or at least the support underneath, and that is what it has been like for this church.”
As part of the effort to spread the word about its Women’s Association, the church plans to post a link to its bicentennial cookbook on its website.
According to Palmer, the cookbook was inspired by a potluck brunch at the church.
“There were a few items on the table that [people] had never had before, and they said, ‘We need the recipe for this,’ so this cookbook came out of it,” Palmer said.
In addition to recipes from community members, the cookbook includes tidbits about women’s involvement in the church throughout its history.
The First Presbyterian Congregation was formed in May 1799 after four men and four women — all early settlers of Cazenovia — agreed to hire traveling preacher Rev. Joshua Leonard (1768-1843), who remained with the church for 14 years.
In 1804, with 20 frame houses in Cazenovia, the church voted on plans for a meeting house, and Nathan Smith was chosen to build it.
The church was originally erected where Cazenovia Middle School stands today. However, because the village did not grow in the expected direction, the church was moved in the 1820s to its current location on Albany Street. The cemetery was relocated to Evergreen Cemetery on Fenner Road.
The church’s bicentennial cookbook notes that women have been an important part of the congregation since its founding. The funds raised through their suppers, rummage sales, and fairs helped build, move, and sustain the church.
Despite their contributions, women had little to do with running the church for many years; instead, their work was geared toward humanitarian service.
They held sewing circles, prepared meals for community members in need, sent clothing to the frontier, and donated supplies like bedding and preserved foods to places impacted by war.
It was not until 1861 that women were allowed to become full members of the congregation.
Throughout the years, the women of the First Presbyterian Church formally organized into different circles and societies that gathered to pursue various interests and meet specific needs.
“Though the names of the women’s circles and associations have changed, the primary functions have remained the same: fellowship, study, stewardship, and outreach to all,” the cookbook states. “The mission of giving to others follows the tradition of those early church women to whom so much is owed.”
In 1948, the Women’s Council was formed to unify the various circles and societies. All women of the church were considered members.
A year later, the church introduced its first woman deacon.
The Women’s Association replaced the Women’s Council in 1953, and, at the time, included the Torrey Circle, the Leonard Society, the Wednesday Group, and the Wendell Group.
“As times changed, some of [the women’s] activities changed too,” said Palmer. “In the 60s, we used to have church fairs in the front yard with pony rides up and down the driveway, and we would have chicken dinners, strawberry festivals, and rummage sales. In the 70s, we started doing things that were a little bit bigger and bolder. [We] did this huge house tour with [several] houses, around 700 people going through them, and 250 volunteers. Then, of course, there was the whole issue of privacy and that kind of stuff, so those got dropped. We also used to have a huge chicken barbeque, [but] as the people involved got older and we were getting more competition, those got dropped.”
Today, the Women’s Association has 75 to 80 members who work to serve others, provide financial support, and organize outreach efforts.
Its only remaining group, the Wednesday Group — now called the Alice Edwards Circle — meets regularly to study, pray, connect, and build community.
The association’s major fundraiser is its Annual Christmas Walk Soup and Dessert Café, which supports high school scholarships. This year’s event is scheduled for Dec. 6.
Burton Street Elementary School Library Media Specialist Katie McGinnis will lead “Painting with Katie” on Nov. 4, and the Spruce Ridge Landscape & Garden Center will return to present a wreath-decorating workshop on Dec. 2. Event details will be posted on the church website.
“We are trying to do things for fellowship, as well as just outreach to people in the community, to say, ‘Hey, we are here, we are still doing stuff, come join us,’” said Palmer. “. . . We are always looking for things that make a difference.”
The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia is located at 27 Albany St. For more information, visit cazpres.org.
