History

Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. Acts 5:14


Since August, 1825, Webster, which was then still part of Penfield, has had its own Presbyterian congregation. Under the leadership of three successive pastors, the new church held service in a school house or a private dwelling. It was referred to as the North Penfield Church or Penfield Second Church. This church led a precarious existence with few members until 1829. Then, Mr. Richard Dunning assumed pastoral duties.

We do not know the name of the traveling evangelist who was instrumental in bringing 75 - 80 persons into the Presbyterian Church. He could have been The Reverend Charles Finney who launched a sensational revival campaign in Rochester in September, 1930. It could have been Mr. Dunning, himself.

The first church building for Webster Presbyterians was a frame building erected in 1834 during the pastorate of The Reverend Richard Dunning, and by him, consecrated to divine worship. The building was located south of the four corners in Webster Village, nearly opposite the present site of the Baptist Church. For nineteen years, from 1834 to 1853, this first meeting house served Webster Presbyterians. 

By 1849, the question of building a new church was discussed, and a committee of six was appointed to recommend a site in the vicinity of Webster Corners. On March 21, 1853, a half-acre on Main Street ( the present site of Burger King Restaurant) was purchased. A frame building was erected and dedicated in 1855.

In 1904, a bequest from the estate of Louise Corning Bartlett, daughter of Timothy B. Corning, made possible the remodeling of the church. The renovations included adding a new wing on the west side, knocking out walls for stained glass windows and remodeling the tower. Another series of repairs and renovations took place during the Spring of 1919. The original pipe organ was purchased and installed in 1923.

On November 30, 1935, a major fire took it's toll. The exterior damage was fairly light but the interior, including the organ, was heavily damaged. The congregation worshiped across the street in the Grange Hall until March 15, 1936 when the church was officially reopened. In addition to complete redecoration and a few structural changes, an improved organ console and a new stained glass window was added.

In 1953, a new educational wing was added to the church, but this was not enough to adequately serve the expanding congregation. By early 1964, the crowded facilities forced action and a Church Expansion Committee was formed.

The purchase of the present 13.5 acre site was approved by the congregation on June 12, 1966. In May 1968, bids were received. On July 14, 1968, a ground breaking ceremony celebrated the end of a difficult planning stage, and the construction of our present facility was begun. Nearly one year later, on June 30, 1969, the building was occupied and our first worship service was held on July 6, 1969 led by Rev. Clyde Mellinger.

In 2001 we found that we had outgrown the existing structure, so four classrooms, a youth room and a Chapel that will seat 100 people was added. In addition in early 2003 a completely rebuilt Schantz organ with exposed piper was dedicated in our Sanctuary.