In the fall of 1804 he organized the first class and appointed John D. Conklin, leader. It is the mother of all the Methodist churches within a radius of ten or twelve miles.
The certificate of incorporation was executed on August 6, 1809. The trustees then chosen were Henry Wisner, Jr., Joseph Beach, Andrew Cunningham, Benjamin Wells, Richard Wisner, Horace Ketchem, Elijah Stevens, John D. Conklin and Benjamin Horton.
A subscription was taken and the first church was built in year 1810. Ten years later, in the year 1820, the Sunday school was established. The parsonage was erected in the year 1832. The second church, the present building, was built in 1852, and at three separate times it has undergone repairs. Rev. J. B. Wakeley, D.D., preached the sermon at the dedication of the church in the year 1852, and following the extensive repairs to the church, made in 1872, Bishop Cyrus D. Foss preached the dedication sermon. The church celebrated the centennial of its existence in the fall of 1904, at which time many of the former pastors were present to participate in the services, when Bishop Foss was again present.
A long list of worthy men have served this church as pastors. Rev. P. N. Chase, Ph.D., is at present in charge; M. D. Stevens, superintendent of the Sunday school; Miss Alice Turfler, president of the Epworth league.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Chester was organized in the year 1837, and for some time used the academy for worship; afterwards used the "Ball Room" of Yelverton Inn. In the year 1852 the present property was purchased and the church, edifice erected in charge of the following trustees:
C. B. Wood, W. L. Foster, Daniel Conklin, S. R. Banker, John T. Johnson, William Masterson, G. B. McCabe.
In 1867 the church was enlarged and in 1878 the present parsonage was purchased. In the year 1879 the sum of $3,000 was expended in beautifying the church building.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church.—The organization of St. Paul's Episcopal Mission was effected on May 25, 1897, at which time Samuel Wilkins and James A. Parkin were elected trustees. Services were held in various places until the summer of 1898, when land was purchased and the present church edifice on Main street was erected. The church was dedicated by Archdeacon William R. Thomas, D.D., on August 6, 1898. The church was consecrated by Bishop Henry Cadman Potter on July 25, 1899. Prior to this, the usual organization of the Episcopal Church was effected. Mr. Samuel Wilkin and R. W. Chamberlain, wardens, were elected. J. A. Parkin, E. T. Jackson and W. F. Depew, vestrymen. Articles of incorporation were filed on February 27, 1899.
The clergyman, Rev. J. Holmes McGuinness, D.D., at this time was elected.
St. John's African Union Chapel.—This church was organized on June 22, 1904, under the auspices of the African Union First Colored Methodist Protestant Church in America and Canada, with five members and Rev. Edward Nicholas as pastor. The church and Sunday School has at present a total membership of eighty-eight.