Landmark Church is where the past meets the present in Binghamton

Sacred Sites tour includes church designed by famed architect Issac Perry

A church in Binghamton dating back more than 150 years has been home for a “new” congregation for the last quarter-century. The Landmark Church is celebrating 25 years in the building at 126 Court St. It’s one of the stops on the annual Sacred Sites tour this coming weekend.

The cornerstone was set in place in 1866, a year before the city was incorporated. But the congregation of Centenary Methodist Church had worshipped for perhaps 40 years before that in a home and another church building. They remained active well into the 1990s. But attendance dropped and they decided to close their doors and sought a buyer.

The doors were closed, the heat turned down, and a few years passed. Then, members of the Church at Pierce Creek in the Town of Binghamton took notice.

“We were up in the country for 18 years,” said Landmark Church Elder and Ministry Coordinator Gary Leber. “People in our congregation saw an article in the newspaper, the Press & Sun-Bulletin, that said a ‘gem was in jeopardy.'”

Pastor Dan Little said they’d read the church might be torn down for parking.

“We went to see the building. Offered to buy it for $50,000. Offer accepted.” Little said.

When a follow-up article mentioned the purchase, Little said a man approached him to ask if the congregation could pay for the church. When he said they couldn’t, the man donated the entire amount to purchase the building.

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Leber will talk about the history and architecture of the church during the Sacred Sites tour. The building was designed by noted architect Issac Perry, known for the Press Building and Phelps Mansion.

“There’s some similarity, there’s like an inter-laced red brick and white stone it seems to interlace almost like a checkerboard pattern coming up the side of the building,” Leber said.

There’s a bell tower outside and had been a steeple until a lightning strike in the early 1900s. They rang the bell many times, said Leber.

“One time, the rope came right off the bell, down through the ceiling.” he said. “There’s a hatch and you have to put a big ladder up there to get up the hatch to hook it up.”

Inside the building, much of the original remains, although a huge pipe organ was sold separately before Landmark moved in.

“It has a European feel to it. You go in there, stained glass windows, definitely a work of art.” Leber said.

Seating is on two levels, with a balcony around much of the main sanctuary. There’s also a smaller sanctuary upstairs.

“Behind the big sanctuary, off the back. It has really ornate wood. Very artistic patterns on the ceiling,” Leber said.

Leber estimates about 600 people can be seated at Landmark Church. Messiah concerts were held there for a time.

“They would say there was near-perfect acoustics in that sanctuary,” he said.

The stage was rebuilt to accommodate a contemporary band. Concealed underneath is the baptismal, which is heated and accessible through doors in the floor.

Stained glass windows from the original congregation remain. They are dedicated to pastors and others. Plexiglass was fitted on the outside to protect the glass from vandalism.

There’s a unique stained glass cross above the stage.

"We used to have that cross in a cross-shaped window in our old church. Went from floor to ceiling. In this church it’s only like 25% of the height.” Leber said.

Leber looks forward to visitors on the Sacred Sites tour or at other times.

“We’re glad to be able to help them with their spiritual walk with Christ. And we’d like to be there as a bright spot, as a light to the neighborhood,” he said.

More information on the Sacred Sites Tour

When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Who: Hosted by the Sacred Sites Committee of The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier (PAST).

What to know: The event is free, and Sacred Sites in Binghamton, Johnson City, Endicott and Endwell will be welcoming visitors at varied times.

More info: www.pastny.org

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Landmark Church in Binghamton part of the Sacred Sites tour