In the early days of settlement in the latter part of the 1700s and after some sort of home was established, the hardy pioneers of this era turned their thoughts to establishing permanent houses of worship. They were strong, principled people and religion was a very important part of their lives.
Prior to the American Revolution, one such person was Daniel McIntyre who settled with his family in the wilderness and founded South Broadalbin which later became Perth Center. The settlers who came with him or around the same time, first gathered to worship at his house.
About 1790 the Rev. John MacDonald came from the Albany Presbytery to organize these families from Scotland and he worked in Ballston, West Galway, Broadalbin and Johnstown. There was no Perth at that time.
The first organized society at South Broadalbin came in 1797-1798 and was called the Associate Reformed Church of Broadalbin. Its first church was built on the lands of William Montieth on the north side of the road which is now Route 107 and across from the school. It was a barn like structure of clapboard with a loose board floor and only slab benches with no pulpit or heat. Unable to support a full-time pastor, most services were conducted by Daniel McIntyre. To take communion, members went ot Albany by horse and wagon, horseback and even by walking, a journey of almost a week.
On May 10, 1804, the following trustees were elected: James Robb, Daniel McIntyre Jr., Peter McGlashan, John Cameron, Peter Robertson and Duncan Stewart. On September 24, 1804 John Walker, John McBeath and John McIntosh were installed as elders.
A dispute developed with Mr. Montieth when he demanded the use of the church building half of the time for his Reformed Presbyterian to meet in. Rather than bow to pressure, on March15, 1805, Daniel McIntyre donated a parcel of land across the road adjacent to his home and the church was moved there. Due to the difficulty in moving the structure, it was never turned around to face the road and parishioners had to walk around it to enter.
Some renovations took place at this time such as pews. When heat was added some felt that a congregation should be warmed by the Holy Spirit and not have to depend on any apparatus for heat and departed for other churches. This also happened when music and a choir was introduced. Any changes often caused dissension.
In 1831, land was permanently secured from John Montieth and a brick church was built on the original site and still stands although altered. In 1833 a brick parsonage was built east of the church. Improvements were made in 1861 and again in 1867. Pews were numbered and sold to members of the congregation for which they received a deed.
In 1858, a union of churches made the formation of the United Presbyterian Church of Broadalbin. The Broadalbin name was retained even though Perth had been formed in 1838 and South Broadalbin had been annexed to Perth in 1842.
The church grew steadily in the 1800's and was very influential in the area. There were many pastors but one who stood out was Rev. Robert Proudfit who served from 1804 to 1818.
By 1937 the church had declined and the doors almost closed permanently. For almost 20 years there was no permanent pastor. During the decline the church became very run-down and the parsonage was torn down.
Below, Right: The Perth Bible Church as it stands today.
|
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Hickok and Charles Codding were responsible for getting the church going again and convinced Rev. Vernon Spurr to come to Perth. After several pastors worked to keep the church going Rev. Billings took over and in 1964 requested release from the Presbytery. It was renamed the Perth Bible Church and began to build up a congregation. Because of its rapid growth, building projects were adopted in three phases to increase its size. The old colonial sanctuary was removed and a new sanctuary addition was built on the west side in 1975 under the guidance of Charles Scheide and in 1978 the Perth Bible Christian Academy was started and has grown steadily. At present Rev. Robert Calhoun is pastor. |
|
Six Principle Baptist Church
The six Principle Baptist Church was organized in 1653 in Providence, Rhode Island. These Christians believed that strict observance of the Six Principles of the Doctrine of Christ as set down in the Epistle of the Hebrews, Chapter 6, Verse 1 and 2; Repentance, Faith, Baptism and Laying on the Hands, Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment.
In 1807, under the leadership of Pastor Henry Joslin, who was at that time pastor of the Richmond, Rhode Island church, formed a branch in Perth, which at that time was in the Town of Amsterdam and a church was built.
At the death of Henry Joslin in 1813, his son James became pastor and in 1814 Elder William Allen died. Thomas B. Kenyon was ordained Deacon of this society in 1816. There were some 20 to 30 members.
The earliest deed dated May 12, 1823 from M. Bostwick and his wife Deborah to Jacob Banta describe a farm of "seventy acres excepting 1/4 of an acre on which the Baptist meeting house is now situated".
In 1831 Henry Bonfoy gave a quit-claim deed to David Atkins for $10 for the part of the west field which contained the church. As far as can be figured out, this church was located on the corner of McQueen Road and the Perth Road on the northwest side.
This branch of the church disappeared before 1856. No trace of the church was ever found.
