Guide to the First Baptist Church Of Lodi Records,
1804-1924.

Collection Number: 6062

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
J.B.
Date completed:
Sept. 1979
EAD encoding:
Andrea Hektor, Aug. 2004

© 2003 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
First Baptist Church of Lodi records, 1804-1924.
Collection Number:
6062
Creator:
First Baptist Church of Lodi (Lodi, N.Y.)
Quantity:
1 reel microfilm.
Forms of Material:
Microfilm.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
This volume is divided among those of a church set off from Romulus in 1804 (1804-1821), the First Baptist Church in Lodi (1821-1900) and later when the church called itself the First Baptist Church of Valois (1900-1924). It contains covenant meeting minutes (1812-1821) and annual trustee meeting minutes (1830-1924).
Language:
Collection material in English

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

In 1804 a council met at the home of Jacob Smith, in Ovid New York to constitute a new church in the boundaries of the Romulus Baptist Church. At that time circuit rider Elder Caton served the Romulus district and often preached at the church. In 1809 the church was officially organized and in 1826 it was incorporated as the First Baptist Church of Lodi. Reverend Thomas was the first preacher, only preaching a quarter of the time. In 1817 Rev. Thomas Brown became the first paid pastor, preaching at the church three quarters of the time. The first church was built in 1829 on the hill next to Stephan Smith's home and "a great many old time revivals were held there."
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The records of the First Baptist Church are divided among those of a church within the bounds of Romulus (1804-1821), those of the church when it was called the First Baptist Church of Lodi (1821-1900), and later when the church called itself the First Baptist Church of Valois (1900-1924). The records for the church when it was in the bounds of the Romulus district included lists of baptisms, of women members, of prior members (1812-1816), and of neighboring towns and their representatives to the ecclesiastical council. From 1821 to 1830 there are no records. While under the name the First Baptist Church of Lodi (1821-1900) the meeting changed from bimonthly to annually.
SUBJECTS

Names:
First Baptist Church of Lodi (Lodi, N.Y.)
Smith, Jacob.
First Baptist Church of Valois (Valois, N.Y.)

Subjects:
Baptists--New York (State)--Lodi.
Baptists--New York (State)--Romulus.
Circuit riders--New York (State)--Lodi.
Revivals--New York (State)--Lodi.

Places:
Seneca County (N.Y.)--Religious life and customs.
Lodi (N.Y.)--Religious life and customs.
Valois (N.Y.)--Religious life and customs.

Form and Genre Terms:
Minutes.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
First Baptist Church of Lodi records, #6062. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
Record Book
Contains the records of covenant meeting minutes which contain accounts of disciplinary cases; the elections of elders, deacons, and trustees; the admission and dismission of members; a controversy about how much authority elders should have. The only business recorded after 1830 is the election of trustees. The following are items of note:
December 18-30, 1813
A (Difficulty between members was brought out and a special meeting was held to settle it.
September 17, 1814
A disorderly conduct charge was directed at a church member for drinking and fighting.
December 17, 1814
Charges of "disorderly walk," and "foolishly lying" were brought up at the meeting.
June 17, 1815
A member was dismissed for lewd behavior.
From 1816 to 1818
There is much turmoil within the congregation. Members were sent out to visit absent numbers and report back to the church. Some difficulties between church elders and church members. There are no specific reasons for the difficulties.
October 17, 1818 to May 19, 1821
Due to the lack of a letter of recommendation a debate began to decide whether the present preacher would continue to preach or not. Much dissension between church elders and church members arose. Some memers were dismissed, others were found "out of order" with the church. The argument against the preacher was over the Scriptures.
May 18, 1821
The authority of the church elders was challenged by church mem-beys when a discussion on "respecting the church's right to hold the authoritative right" of the lord was brought up.
From 1830-1924
Meetings were held annually to elect trustees.