Historical Wyoming County April 1959 - Old Fulton History

April 1959
BENNINGTON CHURCHES (cont.)
in homes and often in Danley's Tavern,
which still stands as one of Bennington's
landmarks. The first baptism recorded
for "Our Lady Help of Christians"
was in 18/4.8. A small building was erected
in l850. It was rebuilt in 1855 where
it now stands. The membership was mostly
made up of German settlers in the
north eastern part of the town and the
congregation consisting of about 1^0
families in l8£6 was served by priests
from Sheldon and Alden. The fast growing
German population make necessary the
formation of another church at the Center,
which greatly weakened the former
church. Today services are held at "Our
Lacty Help of Christians" for about fifteen
families. They are served by the
Rev. Benker who is also pastor at Darien.
Page 67
The present "Sacred Heart Catholic
Church" was erected at Bennington Center
in 1871 under the leadership of Rev. Sacred Heart R. C. Church
Father Kofler. Through his wise manage- Bennington Center
ment a sizable church was erected and Erected in 1871
was dedicated by Bishop Ryan of Buffalo
in October 1872. The estimated cost at
the beginning was $3>000, but in 1880, it was appraised at $7,000.
The church is bounded on the west by the pastor's house and on
the east by the school which was reopened eight years ago after being
closed for some years. There are more than 100 pupils in attendance.
Just east of the school building is the convent. All the
buildings are in excellent repair, with modern equipment for service
and beauty. The Rev. John Sliwinski served the church for eighteen
years prior to the present pastor, the Rev. Milton Kobielski, who
has been serving the 150 families for the past five years.
Cowlesville Churches
A Universalist Society was organized in Cowlesville in X8Z4J4.,
when a group of [4.0 persons desirous of "advancing the principles of
morality and good works among men" gathered for that purpose. A
building was erected at a cost of $2,000 and dedicated in 18/4.5 by
the Rev. S.R. Smith of Buffalo. Being the only church edifice in
the village for twenty-seven years, it was also shared by Baptist
and Methodist societies as well as the Universalists, each had its
own special service at different hours. For many years there was a
Union Sunday School, and in 1880 there was an average attendance of
60, with Henry McBain superintendent.
(continued on page b8)