History

EMMANUEL'S STORY

As our country began to expand westward, communities began to spring up, especially on transportation, trade, and river routes. The latter developed in this area at least, into the Erie Canal System, using the waters from the Mohawk River. With the Canal cam jobs, more efficient and easier transportation, and ultimately, towns, villages and cities grew.

Many of us consider ourselves in a more "Ecumenical Spirit" than our forefathers, yet right from its beginning, Little Falls was a pioneer in Ecumenism, namely the Octagon Church. It was in this humble start, with the sharing of a single church building, that the Christians of Little Falls had their beginnings.

Little groups of "denominational families" met at different times, to Worship the One God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ: Presbyterian, Methodist, Roman Catholic, and Episcopalian, under the one roof of the Octagon Church. As time went on, each Church went its own separate way, hoping that one day they would be able to erect a Church building of their own.

For Episcopalians, this came to pass on October 4, 1835, over 12 years after the Emmanuel congregation incorporated into a Parish (February 17, 1823), and over 30 years since Episcopalians started worshiping in Little Falls. Monies were gathered from "subscribed parishoners," and even a gift of $1500 was received from Trinity Church, Wall Street, New York City.

Emmanuel's first priest was the Rev. Phineas L. Whipple, former Rector of Trinity Church, Fairfield, NY, of which Emmanuel was a onetime Mission Church.

From 1835 until the coming of Father Charles E. S. Rasey (1897-1929) Emmanuel had 17 rectors. With Father Rasey, Emmanuel saw years of stability - 32 of them! Emmanuel saw a Chancel enlarged, a new hand-carved Altar installed, and the beautiful Feeter "Epiphany Window" put in.

Father Percy Parish followed and maintained the Parish through the severe and difficult depression years. The Church gave social and spiritual support to many who returned to Little Falls because of unemployment. From this the "Little Chapel" that stood idle for years was converted into a Social Center for the Parish.

Father Paris left to become Dean of the Cathedral of Algoma, Canada. He was succeeded by Father Frank Titus, under whose rectorship the Parish Hall became a Chapel/Choir room. Father Titus left in 1939 to be a chaplain in the Army, and Father Howard Kennedy became Rector. So it remained through the war years. Father Kennedy left to become Dean of the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, NY.

Father Paris returned to Emmanuel for a shot time as Rector following Father Kennedy. Father Paris died, as Rector of Emmanuel, after suffering from a lengthy terminal illness. He was replaced by the young and energetic Father Gale Miller who served until 1956, when Father Arthur Logan Bice became Rector.

It was during Father Bice's tenure (1956-1977) that the Parish continued to grow, and also undergo many physical changes. The Cancel was opened up, the Church modernized, and the Choir and Organ were moved to the loft overlooking the Altar.

After Father Bice retired in 1977, a search went on for a new Rector. This concluded with the election of Father Steven A. Scarcia, a priest of the Adirondack Missions at Barry House Retreat Center. "Father Steve" has been Rector since February 1, 1978.

In recognition of Father Bice's rectorship and service to Emmanuel, on December 31, 1978, by action of Father Scarcia, the Wardens and Vestry, Fr. Bice was made Rector Emeritus of the Parish.

In June 30, 2018, we marked the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Steven A. Scarcia. It is truly remarkable that Emmanuel Episcopal Church has had only 2 Rectors - Fr. Bice and Fr. Scarcia - during the last 62 years.

During Fr. Steve's nearly 41-year tenure, Emmanuel has seen extraordinary spiritual growth, physical changes and advancement, and community outreach, including Inquirer's Classes, Bible studies, weekday and Holy Day Masses, monthly Healing Masses, monthly Children's Masses, and Christian Education Classes. We have instituted a Thrift Shop which supplies the community and surrounding areas with affordable clothing and household items. It has seen a time of physical changes as well. We have straightened the "Leaning Tower of Little Falls," re-pointed the stone blocks, refurbished the stone entrance steps, installed a new free-standing Altar, installed a Shrine of Our Lady, and Stations of the Cross. We have built a choir loft in the rear of the church so that the organist and choir can truly be a part of services and masses. Many refurbishing projects have included painting the interior of the church, modernizing and adding dimmer switches to the ceiling lights, resurfacing plaster work, restoring the ceiling, and installing ceiling fans. We have completed a connector fire-door between the Church and the Parish Hall, and installed handicapped-accessible ramps for the Church and Parish Hall. We have created two shrines, one on either side of the main altar area. Our kitchen area in the Parish Hall has been completely revamped and brought up to NYS code for serving public food events and church suppers. The accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but they fully demonstrate the vision and leadership of Fr. Steve.

Once again, here in 2018, we find ourselves searching for a new spiritual leader for Emmanuel. The Search Committee has begun its work, through prayerful labor, they will guide us to a Rector who embodies our core values of inclusiveness, acceptance, and forgiveness, and who displays a sincere welcoming attitude. We will seek a person who has experienced a spiritual journey and who can lead us on our own journeys to bring us close to living the gospel of Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

Since that first meeting of "Early Little Falls Episcopalians," over 200 years ago, Emmanuel has known it wouldn't be easy. We have had our ups and downs. Yet, we stand today as witnesses to the "Faith once delivered to the Saints!" Our foundation is based firmly upon Jesus Christ, and upon the teachings of Holy Mother Church - the Catholic and Apostolic Faith. However, we shall not stop there. I Corinthians states that we are "being" saved; that is, we are growing in our love and service for the Lord Jesus.

Let us then forge ahead in the knowledge and love of God. Let us not be afraid, let us not be meek, quiet, or passive. Let us be firm in our God, firm in our Faith, firm in our Church! For it is in our strength as the church body and to the faith of our fathers that we are called.

We pray this day that we might continue to be a viable witness to the community and to the world - the witness of a Christian Family known as Emmanuel, which means "God With Us."

May the Lord bless and guide us on this earthly pilgrimage, as we seek to do His will.

Herbert Charles Templeman

The Rev. Dr. Steven A. Scarcia

/JHMalin

The following pictures are from the first pictorial DIRECTORY for Emmanuel, circa 1978

See how many you recognize!