August 7, 2016
Issue No. 32
www.westsidenewsny.com
West Edition
Distributed to Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray and Brockport-Sweden
Ambiguous piece of history stumbled upon in a familiar place
While walking my dogs along the Erie Canal path in Greece, I stumbled upon an old building (left) covered in rust and foliage with the words “yacht club” just peeking through. I decided to take a few shots of the strange construction when conveniently the sun began to set, giving it the perfect setting. Although I became very curious to know the story behind the abandoned building, in that moment, I was perfectly content with the cool night and warm colors that surrounded me. Jump ahead one week later, I conducted a little research and discovered that the ramshackle structure is part of the abandoned Grand Erie Yacht Club in Henpeck Park; the Port of South Greece. According to rochesterparks.org, “In the 1800s, Henpeck was actually the Port of South Greece and boasted a grocery store, post office, a schoolhouse, 25 houses and two doctors’ offices. Apparently it was quite a bustling little stop along the Erie Canal.” Photo by Kiri Patella Ryan.
Two hundred years in the faith community First Presbyterian Church of Chili marks its bicentennial reflecting on the past and looking toward the future by Grace Griffee In June 1816, the residents of Chili were embarking on what was known as the year with no summer. It snowed in July and most of the farmers’ crops did not survive. “There was a real need for community,” said Pastor Brandi Wooten of the First Presbyterian Church of Chili. “People realized that they were better together and that is what church is all about.” So what is now known
as the First Presbyterian Church of Chili was born as people began meeting in their homes and barns. Two years later, a simple church was built on the land where the current church is located - up on a hill at 3600 Chili Avenue and Stottle Road. A sign that read “God is Love” was placed over the pulpit. A similar sign made of the wood from the original church now hangs in the foyer of the current building, which was constructed in 1832.
The sign is just one of the artifacts that was saved from the church’s 200-year history. Many of the other artifacts, including a German Bible, communion table cover, hymnals, cross, and communion cup and plate were on display in the Floyd R. Newman Community Heritage Cabinet at the Newman Riga Library in June. June is when the main celebration took place - a special service that included local dignitaries, the unveiling
of a communion tablecloth made with over 100 pieces of cloth handpicked by each member of the congregation, and the performance of a song titled “Here in This Place” that was written by Adam Scoville especially for the anniversary celebration. “The celebration was so filled with joy and that reflects who we are,” said Wooten. Continued on page 9