St. Paul's Methodist Church (Oyster Bay, New York) facts for kids
St. Paul's Methodist Church was once a small church in Oyster Bay, New York. The first building for this Methodist group was built on Orchard Street in 1858. Later, in 1895, a man named Joseph B. Wright bought that building.
The church group then moved to a new building on South Street. They had been working on this new church since 1891. By 1913, the church needed more space. So, they lifted the building up and built a basement with extra rooms, including a kitchen. In the 1920s, a tall bell tower was damaged by lightning and had to be taken down. Today, the North Shore Church uses this building for their services. They bought it in 1999.
The Church's Early Days
Just like many other church groups, the first Methodists in Oyster Bay did not have their own building. Traveling Methodist ministers visited Oyster Bay as early as 1812. They held their services at the Oyster Bay Academy.
Finally, in 1858, they built their first small church. This building was on Orchard Street, where Oyster Bay Manor is now. In 1895, Joseph B. Wright, who was a blacksmith, bought this first church building. He used it for his business for many years.
At the same time, St. Paul's Methodist Church was getting ready to move. They had been building their new church on South Street since 1891.
Growing and Changing
In 1904, a new pipe organ was put into the church. A famous rich person named Andrew Carnegie paid for half of it. By 1913, the church group had grown a lot. They needed more room for everyone.
To make more space, the entire church building was lifted up. Workers used special tools called jacks to raise it. Then, they dug out a basement underneath. They built several new rooms there, including a kitchen.
Modern Updates and New Groups
Over the years, the church building has changed, but it still has its original charm. A tall spire, which was part of the bell tower, was hit by lightning in the 1920s. It was about forty feet tall and had to be removed.
The "Carnegie" organ is no longer there. The inside of the church now looks more modern. In 1988, St. Paul's Methodist Church joined with another church in East Norwich. After that, the Bethel Pentecostal Church moved into the building.
The Bethel Pentecostal Church later grew too big for this building. They moved to Westbury. In 1999, the North Shore Church made this building their new home. They are part of the Presbyterian Church of America.
Just like the early Methodists, the North Shore Church started small in the 1990s. They did not have their own church building at first. Today, their church in Oyster Bay has grown a lot. It even includes the large house next door, called a parsonage.
The modern look inside the church works well for them. They have a contemporary Christian music program that includes elements of Jazz. After their Sunday services, another local church group, the El Shaddai Pentecostal Church, holds their service in the chapel.
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