The History of Wickham Church

In 1850 a group of dedicated Christians met and discussed having a church of their own for worship. Under the guidance of Rev. Wesley Green of Goshen, NY, that first church was founded in Brown's Hall on Jersey Ave, Port Jervis,NY, which is the present site of the now defunct Erie Railroad station.  At that time the church was know as the "Little Wesley Church", named for its first Pastor Rev. Wesley Green.  Sometime in 1855 they moved to a hall on upper Pike Street.  From there they moved into a building that they had erected in the Old Hills, which is now called Upper Orange Street.  In 1860 they purchased property on Canal Street, from Mrs. James Scott (Aunt Pattie).  In 1869 the Church collected contributions to build a separate M.E. (Colored) church of Port Jervis. Those people authoirized to collect were, Jane Smith, Phebe Smith, Emily Lawrence and the trustees, Francis Lawrence, Charles West and Moses Brinson. On June 12, 1889 the church was incorporated in the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church.  In 1897, Rev. Washington, a well-educated former slave saw the need for a new church, since the present one was sadly in need of repairs, and that a Church more centrally located would better serve the congregation.

On May 28, 1898, the property on Bruce Street was deeded to the trustees of "The African Union First Methodist Church" of Port Jervis, New York they were: Charles West, Ambrose Wills, and Mark D. Brown by the owners Alexander and Jane Johnson.

Shortly after, the Rev. Uriah Burtram came as the pastor and started the excavation for the basement, with the help of the following trustees: Martin Brown, Charles West, Charles Adams, Charles King, William Kelly and Ambrose Wills.

At that time a building committee was organized of the following persons:  Dr. D. Wickham, Hon. Francis Marvin, a former member of Congress, M. D. Brown, Esq.,  and Rev. Uriah Burtram.  Dr. Wickham acted as treasurer.  Mr. Marvin paid the remaining $182.00 owed on the lot, so the work on the Church could be started.  The erection and completion of the building went quickly, and on October 10, 1898 a dream was fulflled -- the laying of the cornerstone and the dedication of the Wickham A.U.M.P. Church.  This dream was accomplished through the efforts of many people, some of whom were from The Presbyterian Church which gave the pulpit, and the large organ was given by William E. Mcormick, Silver Communion set by Mrs. Ambrose Wills, and 3 large lamps by Ambrose Wills.

Those taking part in the Dedicatio Services were: Rev. Uriah Burtram, Rev. James E. Sargeant, President of the District, Rev. J.B. Cooper, D.D., President of the Ohio Conference and Rev. Wesley Green of Goshen.  Also participating were the following ministers from Port Jervis: Rev. T. E. Mackenzie, Rev. E. T. Sanford, Rev. G. E. Gillispie, and the Rev. Ezra Sanford.

Since Dr. Wickham so generously gave his time and contributions to the building of this Church, it was called "Wickham" in his honor.  

It is good to know, that in this present state, with all the stress and strife in the world, that the Christian Community of this small town has lived as the Scripture directs and by our own Declaration of Indepndence. 

*Extracted from the original article