This Old Church

07/30/2024

Thanks to everyone who came tonight, a huge turnout for history! And thanks to the Landmarks Society for stopping by.

06/15/2024

Here’s to 5 years bringing this beautiful building back to its historic glory. Thanks to all who have helped, and the many supporters!

06/03/2024

Presenting 5 minutes of music and sound highlights to celebrate our first 5 years.

Thanks to each of the musicians, community members, congregants, wedding parties and family members who have enlivened this historic gathering place with a continued spirit!

06/01/2024

It has been 5 years since we began This Old Church. Despite some obstacles, we're realizing the goals of preserving important history and creating a place to bring the community together.

Thanks to all who have been part of the journey thus far! I look forward to the next 5, and beyond.

05/25/2024

Repointed more of the recently uncovered stone foundation, with mortar that matches the hardness, composition and color of the original — very important in preservation. Thanks for the touch up Mike Malone!

01/22/2024

Update on the Russell and Rebecca Church windows - the side by side 12’ high sections have been restored and returned!

The work included repairing cracked and missing panels, hand painting original floral designs on replacement glass, and creating name plate covers that preserve the little remaining name panel paint, but allow for reading them into the future. The frame was repaired, especially where rotted in one corner. And they now sit upon a rebuilt sill.

Meanwhile, the arch above them was removed and sent to Sullivan Studios for the same treatment, and now awaits reinstallation.

12/04/2023

It’s been a busy fall. Restored and reinstalled the front arch window above the DeVotie windows!

The window was too big for the stairway so with help, it made a round trip over the balcony 🙂

Don Henry of Sullivan restored the window and refinished the frame. We also cleaned up the finish on the 8 trim pieces.

11/23/2023

The Russel and Rebecca Church memorial stained glass windows (Part 1) in the back of the sanctuary were in rough shape, and needed full restoration. Last month, with some help, they were removed and sent to Sullivan Studios for restoration!

Note several cracked panels and extensive buckling in these 12' tall single panels (that's quite large for 1 pane!) Stay tuned for part 2!

11/17/2023

🎄🎄NEW ~ HOLIDAY YOGA AND BRUNCH🎄🎄

Join us for a day of restorative yoga, relaxing meditation, breath work, and a catered petit brunch on Saturday, December 9, from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at the historic This Old Church. Built in 1812 and listed on the National Register of historic places.

It’s a wonderful relaxing way to start your holidays with friends and family!

Learn more about this special event and reserve your spot today —>
https://www.facebook.com/share/hSdB6AHthywGGELN/?mibextid=9l3rBW

10/04/2023

Thank you to all who attended Concert by Candlelight 3, featuring Monk Rowe and the Five Families Ensemble!

They enchanted a full house with a masterclass in musicianship, and a wide repertoire of songs.

As one attendee summarized: “Tonite’s concert was phenomenal.”

09/27/2023

Saturday is almost here! Thanks to the Rome Daily Sentinel for sharing.

Get tickets while you can. Use this link or Message me to reserve. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monk-rowe-and-the-five-families-ensemble-candlelight-concert-tickets-697229390877

VERNON CENTER — The third Concert by Candlelight at This Old Church, 3926 State Route 26, promises to be a mesmerizing event as it welcomes Monk Rowe and The Five

09/24/2023

A recent Vernon Centre view, from above the bell at This Old Church.

Thanks to Robbie Merrill's photography skills.

08/26/2023

The 7th stained glass window section, the front arch, went to the restoration studio this summer. Here's a recap, from fragile and wavy to beehive/wasp nest? remnants and removal.

Stay tuned for an exciting update...

08/19/2023

Such a blessing to have the original Vernon Center + Augusta Presbyterian congregations make their 3rd annual pilgrimage back to this ancestral home. Thanks to all from the community who attended!

A great morning, especially with music filling the room courtesy of Full Circle - A Barbershop Quartet and Kimberly Nethaway playing the Andrews pipe organ.

06/14/2023

Two bills from this month in Vernon Centre Society history:

1874: 125 “Session napkins” for $5.63 from W.S. Taylor

1885: lumber (spruce and hemlock) from W.B. Williams & Son for $13.67 as part of the expansion and renovation project.

05/25/2023

How it started....

05/06/2023

For those who couldn't make it, and for those who want to relive a moment from it, here's a flicker from Concert by Candlelight II with Opus Black Trio! [Turn sound on!]

04/20/2023

Some behind the scenes photos from the Concert by Candlelight II with Opus Black Trio. Cars were parked all the way around the town green! Congrats to Stephanie Barkin for winning the raffle to support School Lunch Pals’ student debt relief at VVS. Thanks again to all who showed up - and to the most-talented trio of Liz Fiddle, Allyson Sklar and Kristen Kopf!

04/17/2023

What an unbelievable sight! More than 200 people showed up Friday to hear Opus Black Trio mesmerize the audience at Concert by Candlelight II. Thanks to all who came!

04/13/2023

Event Reminders:
- Concert by Candlelight with Opus Black Trio Friday at 7:30pm

- Presentation: History of the Vernon Center Presbyterian Church Saturday at 11am

At Vernon Centre!

04/10/2023

The April 9, 1950 Easter program from the Vernon Center Presbyterian Church, 73 years ago today. Digitized artifact from the "Old Tin Box" of records kept for 200 years by church elders.

cc Vernon Historical Society-NY, Augusta Presbyterian Church

01/30/2023

Concert by Candlelight, with your favorite songs performed on strings by the Opus Black Trio, surrounded only by candlelight.

Friday April 14 @ 7:30pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/491768323113967

01/02/2023

Winter scenes in Vernon, NY.

12/27/2022

For those who've asked about the holiday movies, here's a recap - it was a blast! Thanks again to all who attended, helped, or spread the word! It helped us get closer to restoring the first large section of a sanctuary window!

A new tradition begins in 2022 Friends and neighbors turned out last week for several wonderful evenings of film, food and festivities…

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays, from This Old Church in Vernon Centre, NY!

Artwork by my talented friend Stephanie Snyder 🙏

12/12/2022

We're working to preserve and restore the unique and wondrous stained glass windows. You can help - come to our Classic Christmas movies this Thurs-Sunday! 🍿 https://www.thisoldchurch.com/2022/12/holiday-movies-at-this-old-church/

12/04/2022

Join friends and neighbors in Vernon Center for 6 classic Christmas movies! Plus cookies, popcorn, hot coca & hot cider. All proceeds benefit restoration of our historic stained glass windows. Come for 1 or all!

Th Dec 15 - LOVE ACTUALLY (7pm - R)
Fri Dec 16 - snowed out
Sat Dec 17 - POLAR EXPRESS (4pm)
Sat Dec 17 - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (7pm)
Sun Dec 18 - ELF (4pm)
Sun Dec 18 - WHITE CHRISTMAS (7pm)

Suggested $5/person, $20/family

10/29/2022

The 5th restored section returned and installed. This one is the arched upper segment of the foyer lancet.

10/01/2022

Concert by Candlelight. Sept 29,2022 with Opus Black Trio, playing a selection of contemporary and classic songs - all on strings, illuminated by candlelight!

10/01/2022

A clip of Clocks by Coldplay, at Concert by Candlelight. Performed by Opus Black Trio at This Old Church, 2022. Such an incredible experience. Thanks to all who joined!