First Presbyterian celebrates big birthday
Jan. 3 marks 200th anniversary
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Bath's First Presbyterian Church turns 200 on Jan. 3.

BATH - The First Presbyterian Church Thursday will kick off a year-long bicentennial celebration in recognition of the 200th anniversary of its founding.

Thursday's Festival of Music will begin at 7 p.m. featuring combined singing and bell ringing choirs with representatives from area churches participating.

The church will continue its January celebration Sunday morning, Jan. 6, with a Unity Service followed by a luncheon.

Thursday's service will salute the efforts of 14 people under the leadership of the Rev. John Niles who in 1807 founded the First Church ofChrist, Presbyterian Congregation. Church services were held in the Steuben County courthouse until 1825, when the first church was built on the southwest side of Pulteney Square.

The present stone church replaced the original building in 1877. In 1894, the church community added the distinctive spires to the north side of the church, and in 1897 Bath entrepreneur Ira Davenport donated the Tiffany interior that made the church a historic treasure.

In recognition of its rich history, the church has planned events in each month of 2008, including a Kirkin service on April 6, a church float for the Steuben County Dairy Festival and a historical pageant in October.