Bill Text: NY J00185 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the 225th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia on June 16, 2024

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2025-01-14 - ADOPTED [J00185 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-J00185-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 185

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        COMMEMORATING  the  225th Anniversary of the First
        Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia on June 16, 2024

  WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social, and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in  the  development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who  have  contributed  to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern  and  in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate  the  225th  Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church of
Cazenovia on Sunday, June 16, 2024; and

  WHEREAS, During this auspicious event,  Director  of  Music  Vincent
Guarneiri  will  begin  the  celebration  by playing a selection of 18th
century pieces on the organ; Reverend Anna Gheen  will  then  deliver  a
biographical  sketch  of  the  church's  first  pastor,  Reverend Joshua
Leonard (1768-1843), an early settler of Cazenovia and a veteran of  the
War of 1812; and

  WHEREAS,  Among  Reverend  Joshua  Leonard's possessions during this
time was a Chippendale cherry oxbow four-drawer chest; this  bureau  was
taken  in  a  wagon  in  April  of  1799  from Ellington, Connecticut to
Cazenovia, New York, by Margaret Field Leonard who was the granddaughter
of the sixth generation of Reverend Henry Whitfield, born in England  in
1597 who came to this country in 1639; and

  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  the  chest  of  drawers, which features ogee
bracket feet and maple inlay, was built in New England around 1750-1780,
and was given to the Cazenovia  Preservation  Foundation  (CPF)  in  the
1970s along with other small furniture items, maps, and art; and

  WHEREAS,  After  nearly  a half-century in storage, it was auctioned
off by CPF in 2023; the winning  bidder  acquired  the  piece  with  the
intent of gifting it to the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia; and

  WHEREAS, During the 225th Anniversary celebration, the piece will be
placed  under  a  portrait  of  Reverend  Joshua Leonard in the church's
narthex, where it will remain permanently; and

  WHEREAS, The event will also include a slideshow presentation titled
"Cazenovia  First  Presbyterian  Church:  Looking  into  its  Bones  and
Architectural  Changes";  the  speaker, Ted Bartlett, is chairman of the
Village  of   Cazenovia   Historic   Preservation/Architectural   Review
Committee; and

  WHEREAS,  According  to  Bartlett,  the Cazenovia First Presbyterian
Church meeting house was designed by prominent Albany  architect  Philip
Hooker; it was built in 1806 at the head of Hurd Street, formerly Church
Street,  on  the  north side of the village green; in 1826, the building

was relocated to its present location at 27 Albany Street on the  public
square; and

  WHEREAS,  In  the  1860s,  the  meeting  house  was remodeled in the
Italianate style and the changes included the long leaded glass windows,
balcony removal, walnut pews, and dark exterior  paint  colors;  it  was
during the 20th century that the colonial revival work on the pulpit was
added; and

  WHEREAS,  Today, the building has a notable pedigree and retains its
basic federal-style meeting house form with  its  original  tall  timber
framed  tower  and  spire  roof;  hidden within the bones of the meeting
house are a wealth  of  architectural  artifacts  showing  its  earliest
designs and workmanship; the noted church has played an important visual
role  in its position on Cazenovia's Public Square since 1826 and stands
testament to its excellent original architectural design and  subsequent
high-style alterations; and

  WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Reverend Anna Gheen, the First
Presbyterian  Church  of  Cazenovia stands on the threshold of tomorrow,
prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades,  while  retaining
that spiritual resolve which has so characterized its glorious past; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such  institutions  to  the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the First  Presbyterian  Church  of
Cazenovia,  confident  that  this  commemoration  reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia.