The Nevin Church

Alie Rivers — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 16:32:30 +0000

The Nevin Church was able to be used during our Spring Exhibition Show. Pastor Ward did an amazing job on the service. Former Members and show-goers filled the Church Sunday June 11th for the first Church service since its restoration at the SLPEM.

Moving the Nevin Memorial Church from the Town of Lisbon to the Museum’s Village Green is taking place in two phases, relocation and
restoration. Phase one is nearly complete but was full of surprises. Work
began by removing the pews, wall hangings, and other furniture. Then the
carpet, the new floor, and what remained of the original. The 12 stained
glass windows were next. Then the interior wall and ceiling coverings were
removed. Built in 1855, it was no surprise to find the walls’ interior constructed of posts and beams. But the posts were mortised deeply into massive sills and top plates. But a real surprise awaited – the walls were filled
with mortared brick between every log stud and post and even the braces.
The intention had been to move the walls somewhat intact, but time, money
and energy argued otherwise. So instead, modern framed walls have been
built and topped by modern trusses. All the furniture, flooring, windows,
doors and other church features have been salvaged and are stored in a
box trailer donated to the project by Kinney Drugs. Support for Phase 1
includes a $10,000 grant from the Northern New York Community Foundation, a $25,000 challenge gift from a generous member, and the many
donations by members and friends meeting the challenge.
Over the life of the Church, many changes had been made to the interior
and exterior. Phase 2 will begin in 2022 with the restoration of architectural elements on the exterior. Former members and friends of the
Church are asked to share any photos they might have, especially those
taken before vinyl siding was attached. Very few photos have been received thus far. Interior elements will be set in place largely as they originally were. When completed, old friends should feel little change. New ones
should enjoy a church, a place for worship and fellowship, that comfortably
and confidently reveals its 166 years of history. Your continued support is
needed to help complete this remarkable project.

Lisbon Church Moving to Power & Equipment Museum

Museum Admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 15:47:56 +0000

The trustees of the historic Nevin Memorial Church in Lisbon have donated their church building to the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum. Preparations are underway to disassemble and move the building to the Museum where it will be reconstructed and restored. The building was built 1855 and closed its doors in 2019.

The church will be relocated at the Museum’s village green. It will be located on its south end, balancing the schoolhouse located at the north, and joining others including the gas station and shoe shop. The village green has been graded and foundations for the church have already been constructed. When completed, the church will be available for public use.

The first phase of the move involves separation of the walls and salvage of floor and ceiling elements. This work is being overseen by Museum trustee and treasurer Lee Dezell. This will be followed by transport to the Museum and re-erection on the newly constructed foundation organized by Museum trustee Dave Gibson. A new roof will be constructed, and the stained glass windows will be repaired and reinstalled.

Phase 1 has an estimated cost of $50,000. A donor has offered to match the next $25,000 received. The Museum hopes for the loan of a crane and flatbed trailer to facilitate moving eight wall sections up to 24 feet long and standing them on their new foundation. The Museum expects the building to be up and sealed against weather this summer.

The second phase will be restoration, returning the building to near-original condition including some of the new features added over the years. Its estimated cost is another $50,000 depending on what materials used and what is revealed during disassembly and by historical records. This work will begin in 2022.

The Church closed its doors in December of 2019 after 164 years of worship. Anticipating the closure, church trustee Mark Armstrong addressed the Museum’s board and offered the building and its contents to the Museum. After studying the opportunity, the Board voted to accept the offer and gained title to the church in November of last year.

Town of Lisbon Historian, Nancy LaFaver, has recorded the Church’s evolution. It began in a log schoolhouse on the border of Lisbon and Madrid in 1832. In 1855 the Church that stands today was built and named the Second Reformed Presbyterian Church of Lisbon. In 1916 it was renamed the Town Line United Presbyterian Church. In 1950 it became the Nevin Memorial United Presbyterian Church in memory of Rev. William J. Nevin who pastored there from 1920 to 1949. LaFaver concludes that about 2010, the Presbyterian Church allowed the church to be removed from its organization. The Church trustees took charge of its operation as an independent church. On December 27, 2019, lay minister, Larry Smith, held the last meeting of worship.

The Museum and Town Historian LaFaver are asking members of the community to share photos and memories of the church. Some architectural features may have been removed, and photographic records would help greatly. Copies of records can be made so original works can be returned to their owners.

The church is located at 1705 County Route 31 near Lisbon, NY. It is a white, single-story building 1,700 square feet in area. It has 12 double rows of pews, patterned tin ceiling, and wainscotting on the walls. According to David E. Martin of The Horwood Stained Glass Museum in Ogdensburg, its 12 windows were made by Harry J. Horwood of the well-known Horwood family of stained glass artists in Ogdensburg and elsewhere. These will be preserved along with the church’s pews, alter, and other features.

The St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum is a 501(c)(3) education corporation, provisionally chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and located at 1755 State Hwy. 345 in Madrid, NY. For more information go to www.slpowermuseum.com, call 315-322-8956 or write SLPEM, PO Box 400, Madrid, NY 13660. Donations will be very welcome.

Nevin Church – St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum

The Nevin Church

Lisbon Church Moving to Power & Equipment Museum