St. Stephen's is a warm family-oriented community in an historic suburban setting. The St. Stephen’s family members are disciples of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, study, and fellowship, we are empowered to do God’s work through creative and innovative programs in small and whole group settings. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Stephen’s Church looks to serve others and shine as a beacon of God’s light in the world.
In early June 1824, the Rev. Amos Cotton Treadway, an Episcopal priest, arrived in New Hartford to visit his sister. Finding a number of Episcopalians in the area, he conducted services in a variety of places including the Presbyterian Church, a schoolhouse on Seneca Turnpike and the Masonic Temple. By fall, this faithful community committed to forming the second oldest church in New Hartford, and the fifth Episcopal Church in Oneida County.
With the generous financial support of Judge Jedediah Sanger, founder of New Hartford and a member of the founding Vestry of St. Stephen's, the land at 25 Oxford Rd, was purchased for $150 and a building fund established with a $2,000 donation. The actual construction was begun in 1825, probably to the specifications of master builder N. Caulkins. The design is that of Federal ecclesiastical building with gothic detail on both the interior and exterior. While no direct design link has been documented, St. Stephen's is unusual within the Diocese of Central NY for the similarity of its louvered triple lancet tower window to the tower of Trinity Church, New Haven ( 1814 -17). Many of New Hartford's first settlers came from Connecticut and could have been familiar with this church. St. Stephen's is particularly important architecturally, as well, for its nave where Gothic clustered columns and simple vaulting are the earliest known interior references to medieval structure within the Diocese.
With a very small number of original contributors, construction was a splendid effort embodying the faith, hope, and optimism of its founders. After more than a year of labor, Father Treadway wrote:
"Through mingled emotions of hope and despondency, against the popular consent of powerful and secretarian prejudice, our little band, like an army clad with strength, has pushed their pious purposes till victory has crowned the mighty efforts."
The Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, Episcopal Bishop of New York, came to New Hartford on Sept. 4, 1826, and consecrated the new church.
Although its history is substantial, we are most pleased to continue to worship God and minister to many from throughout the Greater Utica area as we have for almost 195 years. In addition to regular Sunday services, we offer a Sunday and Wednesday night Compline Service on-line. We are pleased to offer meeting space to many community groups which have included AA, Girl Scouts, Embroiders Guild of America, Third Order, Society of St. Francis, and many others.
We believe that our parish community is the living Body of Christ which grows as our members grow and develop their spiritual lives. Come and grow with us.
Our parking faculties behind the church are spacious and convenient. Come up the wheelchair ramp to enter the parish hall.
