The Presbyterian Church of Hammondsport was organized on September 14, 1831 by a committee of the Presbytery of Bath. Samuel A. Hastings was elected the first ruling elder and Reverend Mr. Flagler was the first pastor of the church. In the same year as the church's formation Judge Hammond, of Hammondsport, donated a lot upon which a church building was soon erected. Hammondsport then gave promise of becoming a large place, a center of business enterprise and trade, being largely patronized by the surrounding counties and towns. That year the town experienced rapid growth and revival meetings were held with great success by Reverend Mr. Finney.