By:Nicole Falco
Grace United Methodist Church can trace its roots all the way back to Robert Pagan, the man credited with naming Valley Stream. Pagan began hosting Sunday services in his house in the 1840s.
Eventually a tiny chapel, called Sinners' Hope Chapel, was built on Rockaway Parkway, where the Wheeler Avenue School now stands. In the early 1900s, the chapel's pastor, Melville Cunningham, began holding services on the upper floor of the Corona Avenue Firehouse as well as in the chapel.
Church trustees finally raised enough money to build a proper church building. They purchased land owned by Pagan's son, James Payan (who changed his name for obvious reasons), and construction on the first church building began in 1904. The trustees paid approximately $4,000 for the land and construction costs. On Jan. 29, 1904, the church was incorporated, and came to be called Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
Its first official worship service took place that same day, in the Corona Avenue Firehouse, with approximately 65 congregants. On Sept. 24, 1905, the building, on South Franklin Avenue, between Lincoln and Fairview avenues, was dedicated.
A fire damaged the original church in 1954. Rather than rebuild, church officials decided to seize the opportunity to build a larger building on Lincoln Avenue at the corner of South Franklin. At the time, pastor Paul L. Sartorio led a congregation of over 1,000.
Last Sunday, the church, called Grace United Methodist Church since Feb. 1941, celebrated its centennial during its 10 a.m. service. Afterward, congregants enjoyed a brunch.
The Rev. John H. Cole, who became pastor last summer, presided over Sunday's services, just as the Rev. Jabez Scott had done a century before. Scott was Grace's pastor when the first church building was dedicated. Since Scott, there have been 12 pastors at Grace, including Kenneth G. Richards, who served from 1925 to 1955; Paul L. Sartorio, who served from 1955 to 1971; and Robert W. Howard, who served from 1974 until his mandatory retirement in 2002. Howard and another former pastor Arnold Miller, who served from 1971 to 1974, and Sandy Stampler, an associate pastor from 1971 to 1974, returned to Grace for the celebration. Gunshik Shim, district superintendent of the Methodist Church, also attended the services.
Cub Scout Troop 5, under the direction of Scoutmaster John Malvasio, led a procession into the church to start Sunday's mass. George J. Simmons, the church's music director, had written a hymn, "The Church Endures," at the request of the Anniversary Committee, which is led by Bob DiSalvo, lay leader of the church. Simmons dedicated the hymn to the congregation in honor of the church's milestone. During the mass, the Youth Orchestra, the Junior and Cherub choirs, the Chancel Choir and the Handbell Ringers led worshippers in "Amazing Grace." Violinists Alison and Dorothy Shorter and the Chancel Choir performed "Bless This House" during the Eucharist ceremony.
A new mission statement was also introduced. Cole led the congregation in reciting it: "Grace United Methodist Church, for over 100 years a cornerstone of Valley Stream, is a multi-generational, multi-cultural family of faith that unites for worship, mission, education and fellowship. Building on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ, in our next century we will extend and improve these ministries and develop new ones. As with past generations, Grace will continue offering families and individuals the opportunity to live, love and grow in God's service."
The Anniversary Committee is in the process of organizing numerous other celebratory events. Cole said the church plans to hold a special event each month this year. In February, worshippers are invited to renew their vows. In the spring, Cole hopes to lead the congregation in a march from the Corona Avenue Firehouse to the church, and an anniversary banquet is scheduled for March 28 at the Coral House.
Sunday's services also marked the kickoff of the church's Capital Funds Drive. Grace hopes to raise $300,000 to $400,000 for renovations during the next three years. Among the renovations planned are new roofs for the church and school buildings. The school is located where the first church building once stood.
"The church is blessed with a heritage of over 100 years ... we need to build on what we have received in the past and go into the next 100 years with a commitment to continue to serve the people here and reach out to new people," Cole said. "So the blessings of the family of faith that have been here for 100 years will continue into the future."
