CHURCHES
As of 2010, Darrtown is home to the three churches, as denoted on the map at the right.
For information regarding each church, click the links that appear beside the church images below.
Early History of Darrtown Churches
The following citation was excerpted from http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohbutler/cyc/562.htm
"In the fall of 1804, a Baptist preacher, by the name of Patterson, from South Carolina, a traveling minister, preached, at the house of L. R. Cooch, the first sermon ever delivered in the Darrtown part of the township.
During the Summer of 1806, a traveling Baptist preacher visited and preached in the western half of the township five or six times.
The New School Presbyterians organized a Church in Darrtown about 1848. The first preachers came from Oxford. In its most prosperous days, this organization numbered thirty-five members, of whom Stephen KENDALL, Hiram DARR and wife, Susanna and Sarah COOK were the most prominent.
The Rev. B. W. Chidlaw organized the first Sabbath-school in Darrtown, about 1840. Joseph Curtis, of Hamilton, was the first superintendent, followed by Gardner Darr, who was also the chief officer of a similar organization, at the same time, at McGonigle's.
The Lutheran Church in Darrtown was organized at Jericho, four miles north on the Hamilton and Richmond pike. The original place of worship has since been destroyed by fire. This resulted in the erection of the church in Darrtown. George Kramer and wife Barbara, old Mr. Knapp and wife, Daniel Schollenberger and wife were among the first and leading persons who gave the Church its present healthy constitution. There are now over sixty members in good standing. A Union Sunday-school is carried on, with alternate meetings at the Methodist and the Lutheran Church."
The following citation was excerpted from http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohbutler/cyc/562.htm
"In the fall of 1804, a Baptist preacher, by the name of Patterson, from South Carolina, a traveling minister, preached, at the house of L. R. Cooch, the first sermon ever delivered in the Darrtown part of the township.
During the Summer of 1806, a traveling Baptist preacher visited and preached in the western half of the township five or six times.
The New School Presbyterians organized a Church in Darrtown about 1848. The first preachers came from Oxford. In its most prosperous days, this organization numbered thirty-five members, of whom Stephen KENDALL, Hiram DARR and wife, Susanna and Sarah COOK were the most prominent.
The Rev. B. W. Chidlaw organized the first Sabbath-school in Darrtown, about 1840. Joseph Curtis, of Hamilton, was the first superintendent, followed by Gardner Darr, who was also the chief officer of a similar organization, at the same time, at McGonigle's.
The Lutheran Church in Darrtown was organized at Jericho, four miles north on the Hamilton and Richmond pike. The original place of worship has since been destroyed by fire. This resulted in the erection of the church in Darrtown. George Kramer and wife Barbara, old Mr. Knapp and wife, Daniel Schollenberger and wife were among the first and leading persons who gave the Church its present healthy constitution. There are now over sixty members in good standing. A Union Sunday-school is carried on, with alternate meetings at the Methodist and the Lutheran Church."
As referenced in the resource above, from the mid-1800's to the 21st century, the Darrtown Lutheran and Methodist churches maintained a practice of conducting a Union Sunday School. This unique arrangement is explained below.
Darrtown "Union" Sunday School
For many years, a "Union" Sunday School was conducted in Darrtown.
Every Sunday, area youth could attend Sunday School in Darrtown - even though the two existing churches (Lutheran and Methodist) only conducted church services on alternating Sundays.
On a "Lutheran Sunday," the Union Sunday School activities were conducted in the Lutheran Church - prior to the Lutheran Church services.
On a "Methodist Sunday," the Union Sunday School activities were conducted in the Methodist Church - prior to the Methodist Church services.
For many of the youngsters in the community, the practice of alternating church services was unquestioned. Many youngsters appreciated the opportunity to socialize with others of their own age, while being exposed to two different religious experiences. Young Lutherans and young Methodists participated in the Union Sunday School Youth Choir, which sang every Sunday - regardless if it were a "Lutheran" Sunday or a "Methodist" Sunday.
The two churches maintained the Union Sunday School from the mid-1800's into the 21st century.
For many years, a "Union" Sunday School was conducted in Darrtown.
Every Sunday, area youth could attend Sunday School in Darrtown - even though the two existing churches (Lutheran and Methodist) only conducted church services on alternating Sundays.
On a "Lutheran Sunday," the Union Sunday School activities were conducted in the Lutheran Church - prior to the Lutheran Church services.
On a "Methodist Sunday," the Union Sunday School activities were conducted in the Methodist Church - prior to the Methodist Church services.
For many of the youngsters in the community, the practice of alternating church services was unquestioned. Many youngsters appreciated the opportunity to socialize with others of their own age, while being exposed to two different religious experiences. Young Lutherans and young Methodists participated in the Union Sunday School Youth Choir, which sang every Sunday - regardless if it were a "Lutheran" Sunday or a "Methodist" Sunday.
The two churches maintained the Union Sunday School from the mid-1800's into the 21st century.
More Union Sunday School Info
Click the following link to access the Darrtown Union Sunday School page.
Click the following link to access the Darrtown Union Sunday School page.
Alternating Church Service
Some adults attended church service every Sunday, alternately attending Lutheran and Methodist services.
Others only attended church on the Sunday when the church of their preference conducted church service.
Hence, it was common to see some adults attend Sunday School every Sunday and then depart before church services began - because they were not members of the church that was in session on that particular Sunday.
Some adults attended church service every Sunday, alternately attending Lutheran and Methodist services.
Others only attended church on the Sunday when the church of their preference conducted church service.
Hence, it was common to see some adults attend Sunday School every Sunday and then depart before church services began - because they were not members of the church that was in session on that particular Sunday.
