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The History of the Woolworth Memorial United
Methodist Church
Great Bend, New York
By Helen Fargo
Woolworth Memorial United Methodist Church, Great
Bend, New York was a gift to the village from Frank W. Woolworth
of five and ten cent store fame.
It was dedicated on September 15, 1915 and Mr. Woolworth,
his wife and daughters were present along with many of his friends
from New York City.
 This
beautiful brick church with its steeple reaching towards the sky
was the third building to house the First Methodist Society of the
Town of Champion formed in 1825.
The first church was built in 1826; a plain unpainted
wooden building without a steeple or belfry.
It was closed in 1887 due to dwindling attendance and a
need of repairs. A
new church was then built in the village of Great Bend and was
dedicated in the fall of 1887.
It was painted with a steeple, stained glass windows ,
carpeting and central heat. Attendance
grew so rapidly over the years that the need for more room was
apparent along with the need of some repairs.
About this time Frank W. Woolworth spoke to the people of
the church about building a new one for them to honor the memory
of his parents. His
offer was accepted and construction was begun in 1914.
The dedication on September 15, 1915 was attended by over
500 people.
There is a Heritage Room in the present church
which contains many artifacts and historical documents.
There are several objects from the first “Old Church”
resting there. This beautiful church, a gift from a former farm boy living
and going to school in Great Bend has a long and rich history.
The present pastor at the Woolworth Memorial
United Methodist Church is Pastor Joyce Woodcock.
A 10 page
(complete with pictures) Historical Journal
is available through the 4 River Valleys Historical Society
for $3.00 and $1.00 Postage and Handling.
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