Cheshire Community Church of Canandaigua

The Cheshire Community Church can trace its beginnings back to 1796 when the Cokesbury Chapel Methodist Episcopal congregation was organized north of Cheshire. In 1802, First Baptist Church of Canandaigua was organized on a hill south of Cheshire. In 1809 A group from the Christian denomination established a church near the lake, in Academy, New York. Later still, (1826) Rev. David Marks established First Freewill Baptist Church of Canandaigua, in Cheshire.

In 1840, the First Freewill Baptist Union Society Church building was constructed. This building was erected by three of the churches that existed in Cheshire at that time. Before long the Baptists, Methodists, and Christians were all using the building along with the Freewill Baptists, who held half of the interest in the original structure.

In 1870 there was a revival of religion under the direction of Freewill Baptist, Rev. William Taylor. At that time all four churches decided to merge into one united fellowship. They immediately constructed the church building that is still in use. From that time onward the group became known as the Union Church of Cheshire.

In 1926 the Union Church of Cheshire was reorganized as the Cheshire Community Church. In 1982 the church adopted an evangelical doctrinal statement.

The church in Cheshire was strongly influenced by the group known as the "Christians." This group of ministers was very strong in the rural areas of western New York in the 1800’s. Their main emphasis was the unity of believers. They believed in having fellowship with all who were born again and believed the bible. Their philosophy of ministry is still the main philosophical force guiding the leadership of the Cheshire Community Church.