First Presbyterian Church of Naples (Naples, N.Y.)

The First Religious Society Compact of Middletown formed by thirteen settlers in 1800 was the first church in the area now known as Naples. Religious services were held as early as 1789, and the first ordained minister visited the area in 1792. The impetus for the formation of the society came in 1796 when Reverend Bushnell conducted a series of revivals. The officiating ceremony held in 1800 upon organization of the church was conducted by a visiting missionary, the Reverend Samuel Fuller. At this time, the church acknowledged itself a member of the Ontario Association. The church was without a denominational name due probably to the differing views of the members although it was entered on early county records as Congregational. In 1815 the Geneva Presbytery was formed uniting various organizations including the Ontario Association. Upon entrance into this presbytery, the church adopted a presbyterian form of church government. In 1824 the first church building was erected. In 1850 another church was built in a more central place. This was destroyed by fire in 1874. A third building was erected and the dedication ceremonies took place in 1875.