The Ladies Improvement Society of the First Baptist Church
By John Marks, Curator
The First Baptist Church celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. It has been on North Main Street since 1894. The Ladies Improvement Society of the church raised the first money for the building and the last money to pay off the mortgage. Yet there is little information about how they achieved these feats.
First Baptist Church, 21 Milton Street
The Society was formed in 1855. Based on later accounts, this was a fundraising group rather than a Bible study or “women’s circle” group. Often church suppers or festivals were mentioned in the newspapers, but search terms turned out nothing. A July 3, 1878, Geneva Courier article appeared on the occasion of the church erasing the debt on their building at 21 Milton Street (now Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ). Reverend Dr. David Moore “referred to the Ladies Improvement Society of the church, and the work they accomplished in the building of the lecture room and general improvement of church property, characterizing them as a noble band of women, through whose efforts the church property had augmented in value more than $400.”
For a number of years, the church leaders discussed building a new church, with no action. In a 1905 address, retired Reverend Moore noted, “The Improvement Society felt that a step in advance should be taken. Having ascertained this, Mrs. Covert and Mrs. Hallenbeck, that the Merrill property [on the corner of Lewis and Main Streets] could be had for $5,000, the Society voted to purchase it, contracting to pay $2,000 down. This was an act of heroic faith, and showed of what stuff this Society was made. They had at that time only $400 but straightaway they hustled, and it was not long before they had the money.” In May 1892 the church trustees took a mortgage for the rest of the price and bought the lot.
First Baptist Church, 134 North Street
The building was finished in 1894. Again from Reverend Moore:
And now the new Church must be furnished with cushions and carpets, pulpit, chairs and various other things necessary for convenience and comfort. This work the Ladies Improvement Society took upon themselves and, with the generous aid of the classes in the Sunday School, brought the furnishings to a complete success at a cost of $2,500.
In January 1905 the church burned its mortgage. The final $500 was raised and given by the Improvement Society. Officers of the group were on the platform during the ceremony.
Women’s work is often undervalued or glossed over. While the Improvement Society received credit for their work, I’m more curious about how they raised these large sums of money. How many church suppers were given, how many pies baked, how many chickens fried? Were there other fundraisers? Committee work is rarely easy. Were thousands of dollars raised with a cheerful heart, or were there harsh words and hurt feelings? History is stories, and details make the stories.
The First Baptist Church will have an Open House on Saturday June 28 from 10 am to 2 pm at 134 North Main Street. All are welcome.
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