MAY 18, 2025, 2:00 PM
Located at Corner of Mentz Church and McDonald Road, Montezuma
May is National Preservation Month and 2025 marks a period to acknowledge its importance in American and local history. This year was marked in time by the completion of Erie Canal and development of patriotism following the Revolutionary War and the spread of new ideas and social movements the canal initiated. At the same time early immigrant settlers were building the Mentz Church at the corner of Mentz Church and McDonald Roads. The public is invited to the program sponsored by the Town of Montezuma and the Mentz Heritage Center to be held at the former church, now owned by the Town of Montezuma. Guest speakers will share an exploration and appreciation of that time creating our rural cultural heritage, early traditions and practices that were deeply rooted in this area during this period. Refreshments will be served on the lawn following the program.
Gary Bell, from Pinckney, Michigan, will share his family ties to the early established Mentz Church where he learned how they were guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community that became an important part of the area’s character and identity. He followed his ancestors courageous journey to America from Ireland to finally settle on what became known as Mentz Corners. His research led him to discover how they laid the foundation of field and quarried sones, milled their own timbers and erected a humble rectangular building with an one-room interior. On May 10, 1825, the Rev. Samuel Bibbens of Weedsport officiated at its dedication as the First Methodist Episcopal Church then in the Town of Mentz and elected John Gilmore, William Bell, Sr. and James Weston to serve as the church’s first trustees.
Craig Williams retired as Senior Historian after more than thirty years of service at the New York State Museum. He has been actively involved in a number of museum projects and understands very well the value and challenges of preserving our historic resources. Now as Vice President of the Canal Society of New York State he has helped lead the development of the Port Byron Erie Canal Heritage Park located along the New York State Thruway and Route 31. Under his guidance the Society has established a canal history research center located in the former St. John’s Catholic Church. Craig will share his enthusiasm raising our awareness of the role communities may play in providing ongoing preservation, education and information.
Michael Miller is Senior Deacon and historian of the Auburn Masonic Lodge #124. Also. known as the Freemasons, it is one of the oldest philanthropic, community-oriented fraternal organizations in the world. It stresses the building of character, knowledge, patriotism, brotherhood, family involvement and community service. Michael will share how early patriotism helped to shape the ideals and foundation of this country. His research includes early Freemasons history and the involvement with the 1825 anniversary welcoming General Marques Lafayette, Revolutionary War hero and the nation’s honored guest, on his return to tour in America and visit in Auburn.
More information on the history of the Historic Mentz Church here.