Pastor History (as of 2010)
A class was formed in 1815 at Brown’s Mills: Leader- Isaac Kinney of Kinney’s Corners and was maintained until the class was finally moved to Branchport and with Isaac Kinney as leader they eventually directed the construction of a building in Branchport, Town of Jerusalem. “A building was purchased from, Nettle Valley and moved to Branchport where it was recon-structed and fitted for a pleasant place for worship,” according to historical records written during the tenure of J. Harold Riggle, 1938-47.
Religious classes in Town Jerusalem were formed in 1838 with leaders- John Dorman, William T, Moore, Isaac Purdy & A.J. Brown
Pastors since formation of The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Branchport 1866 are:
1866- Schuyler Sutherland
1867- Solomon Wetzell
1868-69- C. Dillenbeck
1869-71- Phil Cowles
1871-72- A.D.Edgar
1872- 75 - J.J. Payne
1875-78- R.D. Phillips
1878-79- Charles E. Hermans
(The original church near the road burned, 1879. After being invited to join the Baptist Society for church the following Sunday, a meeting was held to discuss rebuilding the church away from the road . The new building was completed during the tenure of S. C. Hatmaker, and still stands in 2010)
1879-82- S.C. Hatmaker
1882-85- R. D. Phillips;
1885-86-R.H. Leake
1886-90- J.H. Sackett
1890- 92-G.W. Reynolds
1892-95- Uriah S. Hall
1895- 96- Philip H. Riegel. (later became DS)
1896-98-W.E. Rippey
1898-1900- P.H. Riegel (returned after DS tenure)
1900-1903- Edward S. Annable
1903-07- Kirk F. Richardson
1907-09- William D. Shepherd
1909-14- Edward M. Cullinan
1914-17-Charles A. Willson
1917-22- George H. Winkworth
1922-23- W. Herbert Moore
1923-25-Francis Windnagle
1925-27- James N. Eberly
1927-29- W. Carleton Stevens (Electric lights added)
1929-31- W.C.B. Turner
1931-35- Charles A. Smith
1935-38- C. Lacey VanNorman
1938-47- J. Harold Riggle
1947-50- Ernest T. Butterfield
1950- (Nov).-54- Charles I. Walker
Nov.1954- 55- Lester Bascom Interim Lay Pastor
1955-59- Orrie Stanton
1959-67-Charles L. Banks
1967- Nov. 68- Daniel T. Benedict
March 1968-70- Raymond Smith
1970-73- Charles Tyler
1973-76- Raymond Hill
1976-80- Theodore Bleck
1980-82- Margie Mayson (first woman pastor in the charge)
1982-83-Shirley Case
1983-84- Bryce Blair
1984-89-William Mudge
1989-present date 2010 -Barbara J Gifford
A Cooperative Parish was formed in ‘89 with Italy Valley, Friend , Branchport and Bluff Point
1989-94- Assistant, Maxine Peek - took sabbatical leave in 94.
1994-Cooperative Parish broken down to Italy Valley/Branchport, pastor Gifford; Friend/Yatesville, pastor Renee Carillo; and Bluff Point, with Lay Pastor Bruce Westerdahl, struck out on their own after having been yoked with Branchport for many, many years
1992- Renovations of new in-floor heating system and restoration on foundations of the church walls, as well as new entrance platform and accessibility ramp were made possible by the generous gift of a member of the church. Dedication was held and praise and glory to God extended during the service.
1990- New roofing replaced the original slate roof. Work was done by local Mennonites.
2009- Damaged slate on the bell tower was replaced and tower was refurbished because of animal damages.