OUR HISTORY
In the fall of 1865, a group of about 16 believers came together and the First Free Will Baptist Church was formed. They worshiped for some time in the soldiers' barracks or in the homes of members. Later, a question arose as to the legality of the organization, and a new council was called which organized what became known as the Lake Street Free Will Baptist Society consisting of about 10 original members. With these few members, it was received into the Chemung Quarterly Meeting in the year of 1867, the year in which the church was incorporated.
Soon after this a lot was secured at the corner of Lake and Standish Streets; a small building was erected and dedicated in the spring of 1869. This building served the growing congregation until 1881, when the church property was sold and the work of erecting a new building was begun.
Samuel Hall donated the lot on which the new church was built; its cornerstone was laid in the fall of 1882. When the new church was built on , it assumed the name of Benton Street Free Baptist Church. The basement was completed and formally opened during the spring of 1883. The 14th Annual meeting of the Central Association of Baptists convened at this church September 11-13, 1883, at which time the church was dedicated.
Around 1890, the church was divided and several members left to form what became known as St. Luke’s Congregational Church. An appeal was made to the Home Missionary Office of the Congregational Christian Church at to consider a Congregational Church in the 7th Ward of Elmira. During this era, the railroad industry was booming and the neighborhood could support two Protestant churches.
In 1912, the Benton Street church changed its name to Northside Baptist Church. Also in that year the lot adjoining the rear of the church was purchased. In 1914 the church was wired for electricity and other improvements were made.
As the religious and economic complexion of the community changed it was decided that continued separation of Northside and St. Luke’s would hinder the witness for Christ in the northeast area of Elmira. Therefore, an exploratory meeting of both churches was held on July 9, 1964. Over the next months a series of merger proposals was worked out and was presented to both congregations for a vote. On December 6, 1964 it was approved; the union went into effect in January 1965. The new church was renamed Northside Community Church.
It was decided that neither existing building was suitable for the merged body, so a new building was constructed, which was completed in 1971. Shortly thereafter, the congregation voted to become affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) and so became Northside Community Evangelical Free Church.
In 2004, Northside was looking for a new pastor and South Creek Evangelical Free Church was looking for a new building. The two churches shared a building and a pastor for a time before voting to merge as Living Word Evangelical Free Church in September 2005.
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In 2004 when we reestablished and renamed our Church, the Lord put Revelation 3:8 on my heart as our vision statement: "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."
We, as a Body, have aspired to let the word of God be our rule of life and have exalted Jesus Christ. The Lord has opened many doors of opportunity and has blessed us in many ways.
During the summer of 2010 I was presented with an old scrapbook that someone had acquired at an auction. Within it was the history of our Church. We found that our history went back to a free Baptist Church established in 1850. That Church was the center of several revivals and by 1878 had out grown their second building. Late in 1878 they finished their new building's foundation and held a service. The building was dedicated with Revelation 3:8 as their cornerstone verse! Our God continues to perpetuate His vision for our Church.
Pastor Bryan Kain
Soon after this a lot was secured at the corner of Lake and Standish Streets; a small building was erected and dedicated in the spring of 1869. This building served the growing congregation until 1881, when the church property was sold and the work of erecting a new building was begun.
Samuel Hall donated the lot on which the new church was built; its cornerstone was laid in the fall of 1882. When the new church was built on , it assumed the name of Benton Street Free Baptist Church. The basement was completed and formally opened during the spring of 1883. The 14th Annual meeting of the Central Association of Baptists convened at this church September 11-13, 1883, at which time the church was dedicated.
Around 1890, the church was divided and several members left to form what became known as St. Luke’s Congregational Church. An appeal was made to the Home Missionary Office of the Congregational Christian Church at to consider a Congregational Church in the 7th Ward of Elmira. During this era, the railroad industry was booming and the neighborhood could support two Protestant churches.
In 1912, the Benton Street church changed its name to Northside Baptist Church. Also in that year the lot adjoining the rear of the church was purchased. In 1914 the church was wired for electricity and other improvements were made.
As the religious and economic complexion of the community changed it was decided that continued separation of Northside and St. Luke’s would hinder the witness for Christ in the northeast area of Elmira. Therefore, an exploratory meeting of both churches was held on July 9, 1964. Over the next months a series of merger proposals was worked out and was presented to both congregations for a vote. On December 6, 1964 it was approved; the union went into effect in January 1965. The new church was renamed Northside Community Church.
It was decided that neither existing building was suitable for the merged body, so a new building was constructed, which was completed in 1971. Shortly thereafter, the congregation voted to become affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) and so became Northside Community Evangelical Free Church.
In 2004, Northside was looking for a new pastor and South Creek Evangelical Free Church was looking for a new building. The two churches shared a building and a pastor for a time before voting to merge as Living Word Evangelical Free Church in September 2005.
_______
In 2004 when we reestablished and renamed our Church, the Lord put Revelation 3:8 on my heart as our vision statement: "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."
We, as a Body, have aspired to let the word of God be our rule of life and have exalted Jesus Christ. The Lord has opened many doors of opportunity and has blessed us in many ways.
During the summer of 2010 I was presented with an old scrapbook that someone had acquired at an auction. Within it was the history of our Church. We found that our history went back to a free Baptist Church established in 1850. That Church was the center of several revivals and by 1878 had out grown their second building. Late in 1878 they finished their new building's foundation and held a service. The building was dedicated with Revelation 3:8 as their cornerstone verse! Our God continues to perpetuate His vision for our Church.
Pastor Bryan Kain