Overview of the Collection
First Presbyterian Church United of Syracuse, N.Y.
Onondaga County Public
Library
Local History & Genealogy Department
447 South Salina
Street
Syracuse, New York, 13202
(315) 435-1800
English
First Presbyterian Church United of
Syracuse, N.Y. Collection
1807-2012
12 linear ft.
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The records of First Presbyterian
Church United of Syracuse, N.Y. contains materials related to the First Presbyterian
Church of Syracuse, N.Y., the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY and from
East Genesee Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, N.Y. The records date from 1807 and
consist mainly of weekly church bulletins, newsletters, directories,compact disc and
microfilm of vital records.
Administrative History
The First Presbyterian Church Society of the Village of Syracuse was created in 1824,
when Syracuse was just becoming a village. The society built it's first church, The
First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, N.Y. in 1826 and included 26 founding
members. The original church, known as The Meeting House, was located at the
northeast corner of Salina and Fayette Streets. The church membership grew as the
village of Syracuse grew and became a city, and by 1850 the church had 365 members.
A new church was built to accommodate the larger congregation. This church was known
as the Brownstone Church, and was built on the southeast corner of Salina and
Fayette Streets. By 1905 the Brownstone Church was badly in need of costly repairs.
The congregation realized that building a new church, rather than repairing the old,
was the best financial decision. A new church was built and opened in 1906 at 620
West Genesee Street, Syracuse, N.Y.
In 1941 the First and Fourth Presbyterian Churches merged. In 1991 the East Genesee
Presbyterian Church consolidated with the First Presbyterian Church. The church was
renamed the First Presbyterian Church United (FPCU). Due to financial hardships and
declining attendance, the FPCU board members voted to close, and on Easter Sunday,
April 8, 2012 the church celebrated their last service.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The collection consists mainly of weekly bulletins distributed during Sunday
services, monthly newsletters sent to congregants, and microfilm created of early
vital records. The collection has four series and includes records of the three
churches: First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY, The Fourth
Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY and East Genesee Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY.
Series 1: First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, N.Y.
Included in this series are the Bulletin, First Church News, and Miscellany. The
weekly Bulletin recorded the schedule of service including the anthem, prayers,
doxology, hymns, and sermons, as well as announcements about church and community
events. The First Church News (later called The Harbinger) was a newsletter mailed
to church members with a calendar for the month and contained a letter from the
pastor, and announcements of fund raising and service efforts in the church and
community. The Miscellany includes several church directories. Date coverage is from
1807 to 2012 and materials are arranged chronologically.
Series 2: East Genesee Presbyterian Church
Included in this series are the publications Bulletin and the East Genesee Genescene.
The weekly bulletin listed the order of service and participants from congregation,
announcements about church business and events. The Genescene also included a
monthly calendar, a letter from pastor, and news items. The span dates are 1949-1989
and materials are arranged chronologically.
Series 3: Microfilm and Compact Disc
Early vital records of early First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY, the Fourth Presbyterian Church of
Syracuse, NY and the East
Genesee Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY.
Series 4: Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Items from First Presbyterian Church United.
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection is arranged into three series and each is arranged in chronological
order.
Related Material
In addition to this collection, there is more material about the First Presbyterian
Church of Syracuse, and East Genesee Presbyterian Church and the Fourth Presbyterian
Church available in the Local History and Genealogy Department of the Onondaga
County Public Library. Please consult the library catalog www.onlib.org/catalog or
ask a Librarian for assistance.
Access Restrictions
Patron must have a valid OCPL library card.
Use Restrictions
User must use materials in the Local History and Genealogy Department of
OCPL.
Permission must be obtained from staff for reproduction of any
materials.
Syracuse (N.Y.) – Church history
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse,
N.Y.)History
Fourth Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.)
History
First Presbyterian Church United(Syracuse,
N.Y.) History
First Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.)
First Presbyterian Society (Syracuse, N.Y.)
History.
New York (State) – Onondaga County –
Syracuse.
First Presbyterian Church (Syracuse,
N.Y.).
Programs (documents).
Publications.
Church Bulletins
Newsletters
Film (black-and-white)
Compact discs
Ceramic tiles
Microfilms
Syracuse (N.Y.)
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, N.Y. Collection
Onondaga County Public
Library
Local History and Genealogy Department
Shelf Location: MS-23
Acquisition Information
Gift from First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY), Myrna Sullivan, church
archivist to the Onondaga County Public Library.
Inventory
First Presbyterian Church United of Syracuse, N.Y.
First Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church United of
Syracuse, N.Y.
First Presbyterian Church Bulletin,
1921-1951
1
First Presbyterian Church Bulletin, 1952-2012
2
First Presbyterian Church - First Church News, 1946, 1953, 1964-1965,
1969-1978
2
First Presbyterian Church United- Harbinger, 2006-2012
2
First Presbyterian Church - Miscellany, 1945, 1949, 1974, 1984, 1989-2000,
n.d.
2
First Presbyterian Church Bulletin, - bound volumes 1955, 1958-1976
3
First Presbyterian Church Bulletin, - bound volumes 1977-1989
4
First Presbyterian Church United Bulletin, 1990-2002
5
First Presbyterian Church United Bulletin, 2003-2005
6
First Presbyterian Church - Church Record, 1946-1949
6
First Presbyterian Church - First Church News, 1959-1964
6
First Presbyterian Church - The News, 1979-1981
6
First Presbyterian Church - The Harbinger, 1981-1993
6
First Presbyterian Church United- The Harbinger, 1994-2005
7
East Genesee Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, N.Y.
East Genesee Presbyterian Church Bulletin, 1949-1963
8
East Genesee Presbyterian Church Bulletin, 1964-1973
9
East Genesee Presbyterian Church - The Genescene, 1976-1989
10
First Presbyterian Church United Records on Microfilm and Compact
Disc
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Registers,
Roll 1 of 12 1826-1989
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Session
Minutes, Rolls 2-5 of 12 1838-1994
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Trustee
Minutes, Rolls 5-7 of 12 1824-1989
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Woman's
Missionary Minutes, Rolls 7-8 of 12 1897-1950
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Woman's
Association, Rolls 8-9 of 12 1950-1986
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Circle
Minutes, Book of Remembrance, Rolls 9 of 12 1950-1986
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Woman's
Executive Board, Rolls 10-11 of 12 1965-1980
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Woman's Guild
Meetings, Rolls 11-12 of 12 1920-1951
11
First Presbyterian Church United (Syracuse, NY) Young Women
Rolls 12 of 12 1894-1900
11
First Presbyterian Church United, CD Rolls 1-7, 8-12
1857-1994
11
Fourth Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Records, Reel 1
of 2 1807-1945
11
Fourth Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Register, Reel 1
of 2 1870-1941
11
Fourth Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Session Minutes,
Reel 1 of 2 1870-1938
11
Fourth Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Sessions minutes,
Reel 2 of 2 1938-1941
11
Fourth Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Trustees Minutes,
Reel 2 of 2 1870-1945
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Church
Records , Reel 1 of 5 1891-1990
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Registers ,
Reel 1 of 5 1892-1989
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Session
Minutes , Reel 1 of 5 1891-1942
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Church
Records, Reel 2 of 5 1891-1990
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Session
Minutes , Reel 2 of 5 1942-1990
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) trustees
Minutes, Reel 2 of 5 1891-1965
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Church
Records , Reel 3 of 5 1891-1990
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Trustees
Minutes, Reel 3 of 5 1965-1982
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Woman's
Group, Reel 3 of 5 1889-1943
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Church
Records , Reel 4 of 5 1891-1990
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Woman's
Group, Reel 4 of 5 1835-1973
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Church
Records , Reel 5 of 5 1891-1990
11
East Genesee Presbyterian Church (Syracuse, N.Y.) Woman's
Group, Reel 5 of 5 1857-1978
11
Miscellaneous Items from First Presbyterian Church
United
16 mm film and compact disc- Beldon House, n.d.
12
Two 16 mm films and two compact discs- First Presbyterian
Church, Syracuse, NY, circa
1938
12
Ceramic Tile, blue and white with symbol, n.d.
12