Charles E. Harris was first mentioned in the Pompey and Manlius Baptist Church and Society records as part of the delegation from the Church to an Onondaga Baptist Association Meeting on July 1, 1877. Although not ordained, he was called Reverend Harris in Manlius. The Manlius letter to the September 1877 Association Meeting stated, "We have no settled pastor. Our pulpit is supplied by Rev. E. E. Harris of Hamilton. These are dark days; pray for us that there be light ahead." (Hopefully Rev. Harris did not see a copy of the letter.)
The Church, as always, felt the need of a full-time ordained pastor. While Rev. Harris was "supplying" the Church, he was a full time student in the Colgate Seminary. Hamilton was approximately 30 miles away and in those days Rev. Harris could hardly journey back to Manlius for every need that a regular full-time pastor would fulfill. However, it appeared that the Congregation was grateful for what Rev. Harris could accomplish.
While the adults were commiserating about "dark days," the youth were alleviating the heat in the sultry days of early August with an Ice Cream Sociable. A young Baptist named Katherine reported the event in the August 9, 1877 Weekly Recorder: "The weather has been so sultry that the ice cream sociable under the auspices of the Baptist Society, held at Mrs. Chapman's on Pleasant Street last Tuesday evening, was very much in order. The evening was very favorable, being considerable cooler than several of its predecessors. The yard was well lighted with Chinese lanterns and reflectors; equally well furnished with camp stools and the Watervale Band discoursed sweet music. Under such pleasant circumstances with delicious cream to tempt the appetite, all ought to have been entertained. Thanks are due the band for their kindness in favoring us. It is a rather youthful band, for almost all are beginners and they have not practiced long. It is their custom to meet each Saturday evening to practice; and having attended several of these rehearsals we have greatly enjoyed them; in fact, we have not heard a village band in a long time that can surpass them. The young people of Manlius were largely represented, and particularly those of other denominations who came over to "Damascus" to help us. There was a lady and her brother from Fayetteville and several ladies from Pompey with somebody else's brother. We can but note that the gathering was in every way a financial success. We expected to see more of the good people of Fayetteville but were disappointed. Perhaps the Methodist picnic on the same day made some difference in their attendance. Undoubtedly we will give them a chance to attend some time when they can have no excuse for not coming." Katherine.
On February 10, 1878, at a Sunday Evening Service "considerable excitement was created at the Baptist Church by the falling of the chandelier. No other damage was done, however, than the breaking of several lamps and shades. The congregation dispersed in a hurry." Weekly Recorder- 2/14/1878.
In March 1878 the Church voted unanimously to invite Rev. Harris back to “preach with us the ensuing year,” his second. In addition, whether the Church was recognizing a Congregational desire for a lighter summer schedule, or giving Rev. Harris more time for his studies, it was resolved "that Rev Harris have a four to six week vacation and that he preach but once a Sabbath and all the other services on Sunday be dispensed with."
In September 1878 the Church Letter to the Onondaga Baptist Association stated, "We have carefully corrected our list of names and now know something or hear from all who belong to the Church. We have a good Sunday School." In the minutes of a Church Meeting held previously on October 6, 1877, the Clerk, I. N. Loomis, Jr., elaborated on the reasons for the correction. "The Church voted unanimously for a resolution that stated `Whereas many whose names are on our Church book as members of the Church do not meet with us or manifest any interest in the affairs of the Church and whereas we are taxed by the Association for certain purposes in proportion to the number of members reported by us, it was therefore resolved: If any member fail to meet with us or to communicate with us by letter, or to contribute to the support of the Gospel among us during any associational year (September to September), such person shall by such neglect forfeit his or her membership.'"
Our membership:
1875 94
1877 86
1878 58
Because of the constant difficulty in finding and keeping Elders, the early Church depended to a large extent for survival on the extraordinary efforts of some of its members, who came to be called “pillars” of the Church. Usually there was very little information available concerning their lives and works, especially for the earlier ones. An exception was William Fillmore. Because of his work for local governments as well as for the Church, and his stature in the community, The Weekly Recorder for November 7, 1878, published a long and informative biography of his life as an obituary. William Fillmore was born in the town of Milton, Saratoga County, New York, on June 8, 1786. The Fillmore family moved to Manlius in 1794 as some of the very early settlers. As a young man William was interested in military matters and became an Ensign in the local regiment. He married Mary Clark in 1812 with whom he had 12 children (a boon for the Sunday School.) William was highly respected in Manlius and was elected Constable for 13 years, and acted as Deputy and tax Collector. According to his obituary, in the fall of 1812, he “became impressed with religious convictions and made a profession of faith.” About a year later he was baptized and united himself with the Baptist Church, of which denomination he remained a consistent member until his death.” During his 65 years as a member he was an active participant in the programs of the Church, both spiritual and practical. He was Moderator of the Church Meeting in 1822 for the purpose of forming a Religious Corporation, and was one of the five men elected as Trustees for the new Corporation. As Trustee he was part of the Committee to circulate subscriptions for building the new church in 1828. He was the auctioneer when the pews were sold to the highest bidders and represented the Church at Association Meetings. Later he was elected a Deacon, and, as was the custom, remained a Deacon for life. William Fillmore (1786-1878) died on November 16, 1878. He was 92 years, 5 months and 8 days old. In his obituary it was written “as a Church Member, William Fillmore was best known and his influence most widely felt. He remained a consistent member until his death. He has departed to receive the reward of a well spent Christian life.”
On Sunday, December 4, 1878, Reverend Harris preached his farewell sermon. It was reported that he had preached acceptably for the past two years and that he goes from among us with the best wishes of a large circle of friends.
In December of 1878, there appeared in The Weekly Recorder one of the earlier reports of a Christmas celebration by the Manlius and Pompey Baptist Church and Society. On December 31, 1878, The Church gave a supper for the Sunday School children instead of a Christmas Tree. "The tables were bountifully spread with the goodies provided for the occasion, in the parlors of the Church, and taken all together, it passed off very pleasantly to all present"
In February of 1879 Reverend Harris paid a return visit to Manlius (probably one of several since he was now actively courting Miss Yettie Loomis, preceptress in the Senior Department of the Graded School in Manlius.) He occupied the pulpit of the Manlius Baptist Church on February 23, 1879.
On March 18, 1879, Reverend Charles E. Harris received a call to the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Michigan as Junior Pastor for one year. Reverend Harris graduated from the Hamilton Theological School in June 1879. He accepted the call to Michigan and was received as a minister on August 1, 1879, and on October 8, 1879, was ordained. The Manlius Church has a copy of his Ordination Certificate.
Ordinarily this might have been the end of our association with and knowledge of the future life of Reverend Harris, as has so often been the case with many of the younger pastors of the 1800s. This time things were different. After his ordination he came back to Manlius and on October 28, 1879, was married to Yettie Loomis, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Loomis. The couple was married in the Loomis' home by the Rev. Dr. Harvey of Hamilton, New York. The Weekly Recorder noted that "they are both well and favorably known to our people. After receiving the congratulations and well wishes of their many friends, they departed for their future home in Jackson, Michigan. On December 5, 1879, Mrs. C. E. Harris was received into the Jackson Baptist Church by letter from the Manlius Baptist Church.
On May 5, 1880, the Jackson Baptist Church invited Brother Harris to become the Senior Pastor of the Church. He accepted but on October 10, 1880, he resigned. He and his wife were granted letters of dismissal to the Baptist Church in Port Huron, Michigan, where he served as Pastor from 1881-1888. According to the Jackson Baptist Church Records, Reverend Harris became the editor of the Michigan Christian Herald in Detroit, Michigan, probably in addition to his duties as Pastor of the Port Huron Baptist Church.
Charles E. Harris was born in Plattsburgh, New York, on November 11, 1848, to Thomas and Elizabeth Harris. We know something about the development of Charles E. Harris as a Christian, because of a Biographical Record he prepared for the Semi-Centennial of the Michigan Baptist State Convention while Pastor of the Port Huron Baptist Church. Asked about his early religious impressions, Reverend Harris wrote that they (and religious instructions) were received in Sabbath School. He wrote, “(I) can hardly remember the time when I did not find the necessity of and desirability of a hope in Jesus Christ.” Concerning Conversion and Baptism, he thought that he was hopefully converted at age 18 while living with the family of Reverend Levi Smith in West Plattsburgh, NY. He was baptized into the fellowship of the West Plattsburgh Baptist Church by Reverend Smith. Reverend Harris wrote that he had felt called to the ministry even before he accepted Christ, “but not till several years after my conversion did I finally yield (to) what I believe was the call of God, consent, and enter the work of the ministry.” Charles E. Harris was 23 years old when he entered Madison University and 27 years old when he entered the Hamilton Theological Seminary. He completed the Madison University program in 1876 and graduated from the Seminary in 1879.
From Port Huron, Michigan, Reverend and Mrs. Harris and family (Taylor Loomis and Rachel A.) moved to California where Reverend Harris accepted the Pastorate of the Baptist Church in Pasadena, California. He served there from 1888 until his death at the age of 45 on September 25, 1894. He left his wife Yettie Loomis Harris, and three children, Taylor Loomis, Rachel A. and Laura C. Harris. Laura was born on September 16, 1894, nine days before her father's death.
Yettie Harris brought Rachel and Laura back to Manlius where she and her family lived in the house on the north corner of North and Pleasant Street which she purchased from Reverend and Mrs. Barber and which is now the Newall-Fay Funeral Home. (Taylor stayed in California.) Mrs. Harris transferred her Church Membership back to the Manlius Baptist Church and will be mentioned many times in the future as part of Church history because she lived a long and active life (97 years) and made many contributions to the Church, personally as organist, Church Clerk, Sunday School teacher, leader of women's groups, and financially as a major contributor to the construction of the new Baptist Church in 1927 and for the expenses of the Church and the support of Missions.
Although she had an opportunity when she wrote the history of the Manlius Church for inclusion into the box of mementos placed in the cornerstone of the new church, Mrs. Harris did not elaborate on her husband's pastorate but modestly stated that "Reverend C. E. Harris was a student at Hamilton Theological Seminary who acted as supply for two years." We are indebted to Mary Avery Woodworth for insight into the character and personality of Reverend Harris. She wrote, "Rev. Harris came to us from the School of Prophets at Hamilton. A gifted young man having the courage of his convictions, a man of intense earnestness. If measured by years his life was short but if measured by sacrifice upon God's altar, then his life was rounded out to its completeness. He heard the home call and gladly going, left us a precious legacy of wife and children."
It is from information in Rev. Harris's handbook that we know he conducted his first marriage ceremony for Mary Avery and Alvah Woodworth on January 2, 1878, in Manlius. Our early Church Minutes do not mention or record marriages, and Mary Avery's was no exception. Mary Avery was our first woman delegate to the Onondaga Baptist Association meetings. As Mrs. Woodworth she served on many Church Committees, was a leader of Church Women's Groups and wrote a very important history of our second parsonage and gave us personal glimpses of those who occupied it. Rev. Harris conducted one marriage in Manlius (Woodward-Avery), 19 in Jackson, Michigan, 140 in Port Huron, Michigan, and 14 in Pasadena, California, for a total of 174 during his 15 years in the ministry. He also conducted 171 funerals during this time including one for an unnamed infant in Syracuse in July 1886. His last entry in his Pastor's handbook was for a funeral on January 27, 1894.
When Mrs. Harris came back to Manlius to live, she brought her husband's books with her. Eventually at least some of these were given to this Church and are kept in the Historical Room. All have been signed by C. E. Harris. One of the most interesting is Rev. Harris's personal copy of The Pastor's Complete Handbook and Register. It was a gift from a friend at the Baptist State Convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on October 20, 1879. It contained everything a young minister should know about baptism, comforting the sick, burying the dead, and visiting the unchurched. There were forms and ceremonies for every occasion, including his own handwritten version for the wedding ceremony. Best of all were his personal records of baptisms, visitations, marriages, and deaths with which he was involved during his pastorates.
