Sunday, November 23, 2014

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LYONS, NY

Grace Episcopal church was founded and incorporated in 1838.  Twenty five families joined together to form the new congregation.  Construction of the church was begun the same year and was completed in 1840.  The church was consecrated in 1841.

The church was designed in the Tudor Gothic Revival style by James DeLancey Wilson of New York City.  It is built of natural gray limestone quarried locally at Sheldrake, N.Y. and local masons were employed for the construction.    It features a 60 foot gothic tower, buttresses with pinnacles and Tudor arched windows an doors.

It is the second oldest Episcopal  building and second oldest  parish in Wayne County. Since August of 1994 the church building, parish hall and rectory have been in the Nation and State Historic registers.

The 1840 Henry Erben Organ (picture five) The churches houses a historic organ.  The organ built by Henry Erben in 1849, is one of only four remaining examples in New York State of this 19th century organ builder, and the only one outside of New York City.  It has been restored and is used in worship weekly.

Historic Stained Glass Window (picture 6).  Life of Christ Window.  The window includes five scenes of Jesus life including the Good Shepherd, Jesus Birth, Jesus Teaching in the Temple, and the Empty Tomb.  Other panels include Epiphany, the vine, the Greek Cross, an ear of corn and St. Luke with the symbol of the ox.




6 comments:

Tom said...

Lyons has some lovely churches and this is one of them. Wonderful to have its history. Tom The Backroads Traveller

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Tom,

Lyons does have some lovely churches.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

beautiful pictures-thank you
very gloomy looking here in MO
jodie

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Jodie,

Sure am glad you like them.

It looks like rain here, but is suppose to be in the 50's today. So I won't complain.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Lovely building. Nice to know the 1849 organ remains in use to give praise+glory with the congregants to the Lord. Blessings, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
It sure is great that they still use the organ to honor the Lord.

Marilyn