First Presbyterian Church of Elba

The last time the First Presbyterian Church of Elba had its property lines surveyed, Ulysses S. Grant was president.

That's just one measure of how much history has passed since the church's founding 200 years ago.

"Two hundred years is a long time for a small church in a rural community to be able to hang in here," said the current pastor, Rev. Barbara Tipton (inset photo). "They have seen the Civil War and the Depression and World War I, World War II, all that history they have gone through and watched the history of this country and the development of this country."

That long history shows the spirit of the people of Elba, Tipton said during a bicentennial celebration picnic in the Elba Village Park on Saturday. The picnic included live music, food served by Elba's Boy Scouts, a petting zoo, a balloon artist, and a bounce house.

"They've been through several fires and rebuilds and they still hang in there," Tipton said. "They're tenacious. They need to be in a community like this that has seen all kinds of changes. They're salt of the earth. They have the muck in their blood. The nature of farming makes you strong."

The church is healthy, Tipton said, with about 100 members and strong regular attendance from much of the congregation. Tipton has led the flock for 15 years, making her the third-longest tenured pastor in the church's history.

"We're fortunate that we have a choir director and an organist," Tipton said. "Many churches our size don't have that, and our members contribute to their community through food pantries and special offerings. They are generous people when it comes to answering a need, and expressed needs when people have them, within their limitations. They do the best that they can out of generosity of spirit. You have to admire that."

Photos by Howard Owens

Michele Keberle makes friends with a calf born earlier Saturday morning.

After the success of its first effort a year ago, the First Presbyterian Church of Elba has organized another 5K Run/Walk in Elba for 9 a.m. Aug. 20.

The course is a lovely country route through some of the back roads of Elba. (See the website for a specific course map.) There will be a water stop at the turn around point, and refreshments will be available after the race.

The first 75 registrants will receive a T-shirt.

Participants can pre-register, either online at www.elba5k.com or by sending the completed registration form (available online) and payment to Dave Bateman (address listed at the bottom of the article), or they can register on race day.

Race day registration begins at the Elba Veterans Memorial Park at 8 a.m. and ends at 8:45 a.m. All participants must meet at the park during that time to receive their number and confirm their attendance. 

Registration fees are as follows: 

Before Aug. 13: $15 (under 18: $12)

Race Day: $18 (under 18: $15)

Family rate before Aug. 13: $12 per runner (multiple runners at same household, mail forms together)

Sponsorship forms are also available online.

All proceeds of the race will be used toward the mission and ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Elba.

For more details, see www.elba5k.com. 

Where to send your registration form and payment: 

Dave Bateman, 5 Lincoln Ave., Batavia, NY 14020

This Saturday, the First Presbyterian Church of Elba will be hosting its first 5K run/walk.

Race-day registration will be from 8-8:45 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park (located on Main Street in Elba) and is $18 a person ($15 for participants under the age of 18).

The 3.1-mile race will begin at 9 a.m. on Maple Avenue and will go down West Avenue -- with drinking water at the turn-around point at Weatherwax Road -- and end at the park. 

Post-race festivities in the Veterans Memorial Park will include the awarding of prizes and giveaways for the participants, refreshments, a bake sale, 50-50 raffle and live music from The Thunderbirds. All proceeds will be used toward the mission and ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Elba.

"This is an exciting first effort for our congregation," says Reverend Barbara Tipton. "The pre-registration response has far exceeded our expectations. The cooperation of the community officials in helping us organize our run/walk has been extraordinary.

"Our goal is to raise funding not only for important projects in our church, but to enable us to support those community agencies that address needs on all of our behalf."

For more information go to http://www.elba5k.com or contact Dave Bateman by e-mailing him at racedirector@elba5k.com or calling him at (716) 374-4741.