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Background Information on Churchville

Settlement at Churchville began in 1806 when Samuel Church purchased eight hundred and ninety-seven acres in what was known as West Pultney. Along the banks of Black Creek, Samuel constructed a saw mill in 1808 and later, a grist mill at about 1810. With the construction of Buffalo Road in 1811, the property of Samuel Church was now connected to Rochester and the Towns of LeRoy and Batavia permitting travelers to witness the fertile farm lands and contemplate settling in the area. Unfortunately, the War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, put a halt to further settlement in the area. Many of the war's bloodiest battles, of which Captain Samuel Church participated in, were fought just seventy miles east of the Church homestead.

In 1815, the war ended and the first store owned by Linus Pierson opened in the area. Just shortly after, a public house was constructed to accommodate the stage coach passengers. Development in this area was further accelerated when the Tonawanda railroad was constructed through the village in 1837. By this time located within the village was 1 flouring mill and custom mill, 1 saw mill with 2 saws, 1 steam cloth dressing and wool carding manufactory, 1 tannery, 1 distillery, 1 ashery, 3 stores, 2 taverns, 1 grocery, 2 carriage and sleigh shops, 4 blacksmiths, 1 axle shop, 1 saddle and harness shop, 1 plough shop, 1 painter's shop, 2 shoe makers shops, 1 cooper shop, 2 doctors, 2 tailor shops, 3 milliner shops, and 1 butcher shop.

If you were new to the area and driving through for the first time, you might think that Churchville was thus named for the number of churches found on the two main cross roads. In contrast, however, this village was named for the man who founded the village, Samuel Church.

Interesting Facts about Churchville

• Churchville is the home to Frances Willard, famous temperance leader during the later part of the 1800's.
• Abraham Lincoln, traveling by train, stopped in Churchville at least twice. Once in 1861, on the way to his inauguration, and in 1865 on his funeral train to be buried in Illinois.
• Churchville once served as a stop on the "Underground Railroad".
• Herman Fisher, one of the founders of Fisher Price Toy Factory, served as President of the All Fair Toy Company which was located in Churchville.
• In the 1940's, Churchville had one of the most unusual businesses in New York. The R.T. French Company maintained an aviary and bred many varieties of canaries.
• The Star of the West Milling Company is the only milling industry left in Monroe County. This industry was started in Churchville by Samuel Church in 1810.
• The land area of Churchville is approximately 2.979 square kilometers and the amount of surface water is 0.003 square kilometers.
• Churchville is positioned 43.10 degrees north of the equator and 77.88 degrees west of the prime meridian.

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