Our History

Chapter 2

The Albany-Schenectady Turnpike was improved in 1893. Stones and cobbles created a hard surface. More people could use the road. As the cities between Albany and Schenectady expanded, more people settled between them. In 1895, the Town of Colonie was founded.

The first records we have for Pine Grove, identify the church as Pine Plains Chapel, and date back to 1903. The Troy Conference minutes note that a meeting was called by retired minister, Reverend Alfred Easton, on December 22nd and that trustees were elected to terms of one, two, or three years.

During this time, the need for a cemetery was also discussed. Undated church records state that by-laws were passed for the Pine Plains Cemetery of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was located to the west of the church on a small hill.

Minutes taken during the Troy Annual Conference from April 6, 1904 state “Pine Grove Chapel, located on the Schenectady Turnpike, in the Town of Colonie, built some years ago by the people of the old Hudson Street Church, has been supplied for several months by one of our superannuates living in Albany. His interested efforts have inspired the small society worshipping there with new life. A quarterly conference has been organized, the Sunday School placed on a better footing, and a good financial system adopted. For the first time this Chapel will appear in our minutes as a regular appointment.” The property was valued at $1500. There were twenty-six members and forty-nine scholars in the Sunday School. The minister asked for a salary of $170 for his years’ service, but was paid $65.00. The current expenses for the church for lights, fuel, sexton, etc. were $40. $41.00 was spent on Sunday School books and equipment. The first undated record book lists seventeen members, although one person is listed twice.

In 1905 the congregation decided to expand the church again due to growth. A special meeting of the Board of Trustees was called on March 27, 1905 at John Cordell’s home. Mr. Brind was elected to go and purchase lumber for the expansion. The new design would make the church into the shape of an “L”. One of the chapel windows was removed and wooden folding doors were put up between the chapel and the addition, making space for church overflow, Sunday School, and a recreation room. Electric lights were installed and the old wood stove was replaced by a coal furnace in the basement. The improvements cost about $2200. Only $300 of it became a debt by the end of the year. The dedication of the addition was held on June 25, 1905.

Shortly after the dedication, Reverend Alfred Easton prepared a certificate of incorporation of the Pine Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. It was witnessed on the 12th of July 1905 by Julius F. Harris, Notary Public, Albany County, NY. Pastor Easton served from 1903-1907.

Temperence, alcohol, Sunday observance were hot topics in 1906. The Troy Annual Conference met in Saratoga Springs from April 18-23rd of that year. They reported that “we have no set rules to direct the conduct of our people, for we firmly believe that the great regulative principle of love to God and man will adjust the lives of all Christians in a way to please God in their relation to the Sunday newspaper, Sunday baseball, the Sunday excursion, and all kindred evils.” At that time the Methodist Church was extremely strict in its beliefs, even though no specific rules were set forth.

Emma Sabey, later Emma Lahman, moved to the Colonie area at the age of 14 and become the organist at Pine Grove. She served faithfully for almost 50 years. She played an old pump organ located in the east side in front of the church. The pulpit was in the front of the church on the west side. The altar was set between them. It was a plain oak table with a gold cross in the center. There as a railing separating it from the congregation.