Baptist Church Steeple Restoration

Transcribed by Douglas H. Shepard, 2003   

On Sunday, 12 October 2003, the church and community celebrated the newly renovated steeple of the Fredonia Baptist Church building at 19 Church Street. The building, which helps define the Village’s Historic District, stands on the site of the original 1823 structure. Built in 1853, a new steeple, designed by local architect E. A. Curtis, was erected in 1885, housing the Village Clock from 1886.

                The dedication ceremony, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Prince, began with the ringing of the church bell by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Woodbury, words of welcome and purpose by Genevieve Ludemann, and a reading by Moderator Grace Grimes from Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” The Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Vallet, Pastor and co-chair with Mrs. Ludemann of the restoration committee, led the singing of “All Creatures of Our Lord and King,” followed by a prayer led by June Walldorff. The co-chairs then introduced and recognized the restoration’s Architect, Richard Peebles, the Contractor, Jack Fiske, and restoration committee members, Village officials and church members, all of whom had worked on the project. After a reading from Philippians 2:5-11 by Bruce Wisenburn the ceremony was completed with Reflections by Pastor Vallet and a recitation of the Litany.

                The steeple had been twice struck by lightning and was badly weathered, which led then Pastor Robert Wendel in 1999 to put a renovation plan in place. Sanctioned by the Diaconate Board, he assembled a community group to provide guidance and seek funding including a three-year church pledge campaign. With the advent of Pastor Vallet, a second three-year campaign was initiated while Jim Boltz spearheaded the effort for additional funding from the Northern Chautauqua County Foundation, the Fredonia Preservation Society, and some generous individuals. The Village Clock was originally hand wound. The new Varden & Co. replacement, installed under the guidance of Richard Lascola, Village Superintendent of Public Works, is electronically controlled. As it has since 1886, the Fredonia Baptist Church building supports the community’s clock, hopefully for another 117 years.