FOUR EARLY CHURCHES OF THE TOWN OF INDEPENDENCE
Information taken from the Allegany County Directory, 1874-1875
The First M. E. Church of Whitesville was organized with about twenty-five members, in September, 1831, by Rev. J. D. McKenney, the first pastor. The church edifice was erected in 1838 at a cost of $1,100. It will seat 250 persons. The Society, numbering 110, is under the pastoral care of Rev. J. Criswell, our Informant. The Church property is valued at $4,000 – church $2,500 and parsonage $1,500. Three of the original members (Avery Rice, Beriah Crandall and Putman) are now living.
The Seventh Day Baptist Church of Independence , at Greens Corners, was organized with forty members in 1834 by Rev. Stillman Coon, the first pastor, and their house of worship, which will seat 200 persons, was erected about 1844, at a cost of $800. The present number of members is 188; the present pastor, Rev. Jared Kenyon. The Church property is valued at $1,000. (Information furnished by Mr. John P. Livermore).
The Baptist Church of Whitesville was organized with eleven members in July, 1838, by Rev. John B. Chase, the first pastor. The church edifice, which will seat 200 persons, was erected in 1840 at a cost of $2,500, the present value of Church property. It has since been remodeled and repaired. The Society numbers forty-five, but is without a pastor. (Information furnished by Mr. A. G. Chase).
The Universalist Church was organized with twenty members, May 25, 1844 by Rev. Jason Lewis, the first pastor, and their house of worship, which will seat 350 persons, was erected in 1860 at a cost of $1,500. There are sixty members. The Church property is valued at $4,000.