about Cooperstown
formed themselves into a legal society on December 29, 1798. This church
was regularly organized with the Rev. Isaac Lewis, a Presbyterian
minister, as pastor, on October 1, 1800, and the Presbyterian
organization has ever since continuously existed in Cooperstown. The
Presbyterian church building was erected in 1805, and has not been
materially altered since 1835, when some changes in the structure were
made. The carpenters who built the church were twin brothers, Cyrus and
Cyrenus Clark. They were assisted by Edmund Pearsall, who was noted for
his rapid work and skill, as well as for his daring exploits at
"raisings." When the steeple of the church was raised Pearsall astounded
the village by standing on his head on the top of one of the posts near
the summit.

The pastor of this church for more than twenty years during its early
days was the Rev. John Smith, a tall, strongly-built man, who loomed
large in the pulpit as a champion of old-fashioned orthodoxy. His manner
of delivery was soporific, his voice thick and monotonous, but none
could gainsay the learning and intellectual power of his discourses.

Mony Groat was sexton of the church. He performed also the office of
policeman in the gallery during the service, going about with a cane,
and rapping the heads of disorderly boys. In winter his duties were
multiplied. The church was heated by a stove placed above the middle
alley, supported by a platform sustained upon four posts, and those
having pews near the pulpit had to walk directly underneath. Several
times during the service on cold days the sexton used to come up the
aisle with his ladder and basket of fuel, place his ladder in position,
mount the platform, replenish the fire, descend the ladder, and make his
exit, ladder and all.

Perhaps because it was the first church edifice in the village the
Presbyterian church came into use sometimes for celebrations of a civic
nature. The first Otsego County Fair, Tuesday, October 14, 1817, was
held in this house of worship. The Otsego County Agricultural Society
had been organized in January of that year, and the officers of the
first fair were: president, Jacob Morris; recording secretary, John H.
Prentiss; corresponding secretary, James Cooper, who had not yet begun
his literary career.

The exercises in the church followed an elaborate programme, including
prayers, vocal and instrumental music, and the formal award of premiums.

After the