Town of Brighton: St. Regis Presbyterian Church

William Brown Lusk, 1870-1953. First pastor of the church, 1899-1906.

Reverend Goyette, Gert Bickford, Peg Carpenter.

The chancel.

Detail of interior roof.

Lusk Hall.

Interior of Lusk Hall, Church Bazaar, August 24.

HISTORY: The St. Regis Presbyterian Church was founded by the Reverend William B. Lusk. After graduating from Princeton Seminary in 1887, Reverend Lusk was appointed Superintendent of the Adirondack Mission which included several small churches in northern New York. He conducted services at Paul Smiths in the Keese's Mills schoolhouse. Through the efforts of Reverend Lusk, residents of the St Regis Lakes gave money and Paul Smith, owner of the Paul Smith's Hotel, donated land overlooking the St. Regis River to build a church. The architect was William L. Coulter of Saranac Lake. After much hard work and cooperation by the entire community, the Church was dedicated on July 15, 1899. Again, with financial support from the St. Regis Lake residents, Lusk Hall, constructed by its members on land adjacent to the Church, was opened in 1965.

CURRENT STATUS: In 1986 the St. Regis and Lake Clear Presbyterian Churches were incorporated as the Adirondack Presbyterian Church. During the Summer months, Sunday services are held in each Church for residents of the surrounding areas. In the winter months combined services are held each Sunday, alternating monthly from St. Regis to Lake Clear.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: In August of 1999 a Centennial celebration was held, consisting of a worship service followed by a luncheon. It was an honor to have five ministers who had previously served the Church participate in the celebration. About eighty people attended and enjoyed a day of reminiscing. Each guest was presented with a wooden cross pendant, indicating the Centennial date, made by Norris Crary, a former member of the Church.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES: One of the most exciting projects under way at this time is the establishment of a Campus Chaplaincy program which serves students at the two local colleges and youth of the area. In 1999 a grant was received from the New York Synod to get a program started. A board of directors was established, by-laws written, and in August 2000 the Reverend Carson Mouser assumed the Chaplaincy position. The Organizing Campus Minister, Reverend Arthur Goyette (our current Pastor) is working with the clergy and sessions of other area churches to gain support for this program.

Each year the Adirondack Canoe Expedition, sponsored by the Presbytery of Northern New York, uses Lusk Hall as headquarters for its summer program. This group conducts canoe trips for young people, providing a camping experience interspersed with spiritual renewal.

In August, the women of the United Presbytery Women of Brighton host their annual Summer Bazaar. There are always several tables of home-made food which sell out very quickly, and many of the more talented women bring craft items created during the winter months.

Supporting children through the Christian Children's Fund has been an on-going project for many years. It is always rewarding to receive letters from the children.

Each year the women also accept a mission project to complete. This project usually consists of providing such things as bandages, blankets, baby layettes, school supplies, etc.

A newsletter, "Adirondack Echoes," is published quarterly. It provides news from both the Lake Clear and St. Regis Churches and the surrounding area. A mailing list of more than 300 names reaches throughout the US and letters indicate that the "news from home" is much appreciated.

The Church also participates financially in local, national, and world mission projects.

Submitted by Eileen Crary

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