The history of the United Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam reaches back to 1792 in a hamlet now known as Manny’s Corners, where a congregation was formed. Members who lived in Amsterdam formed their own congregation and built a church at the corner of Main and Market Streets that same year. The church became the Presbyterian Church of Amsterdam in 1812. In 1832 they reorganized and built a church at the corner of Church and Grove streets. This location remains as the home of the United Presbyterian Church, though city streets have since been reconfigured and the corner is now Church Street and NYS Route 5. The church saw substantial growth throughout the mid-1800’s. By 1869, membership had grown to some 470 with an estimated 300 in the Sunday School. As the city flourished during the Industrial Revolution, a new church building was erected, designed to hold 1,000 people. The church was renamed "Second Presbyterian Church" in 1871 and the church at Manny's Corners was named "First Presbyterian Church." The Manny's Corners church burned in the mid 1880's. It was not rebuilt, but the insurance proceeds were used by the Presbytery to assist with the building of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in 1887. Amsterdam was growing in population due to the industrial boom and the need was felt to provide a ministry to the western part of the city. Forty-four former members of the Second Presbyterian Church became the organizing congregation for Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Like much of upstate New York, Amsterdam saw a steady decline in manufacturing, business and population from the 1950’s through the 1990’s; many businesses moved south or to foreign lands where they could operate with greater cost efficiencies. After much study, the decision was made in 1995 to merge Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and Second Presbyterian Church back together after more than 100 years of separation. It was decided at that time to retain the buildings of the former Second church and sell the properties of Emmanuel. The grand church building, renamed the United Presbyterian Church of Amsterdam, was a central focal point of the city until a devastating fire on a frigid night in January of 2000; the entire structure burned to the ground. It is assumed that the old furnace (which was gas-fired) failed. Since there was no automatic shut-off for the gas supply, the entire structure was quickly involved and unable to be salvaged. A passing motorist noticed the flames and contacted the fire department, but their heroic efforts were to no avail. Surveys and meetings were held to determine what course to take after the fire. It was finally decided to rebuild on the same site. A building committee was formed, many designs were considered and construction began on the new facility. An unfortunate part of the rebuilding was the necessity to abandon the original contractor, resulting in delays and unplanned cost overruns. While sifting through the rubble, a member found a single page of the bible that survived the fire. Though burned around the edges, the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5 & 6, was clearly legible. The Lord’s Prayer was completely intact. Particularly poignant was the verse from Mt. 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” (Revised Standard Version) Those words were a source of comfort to us then, as they are to us now. The congregation moved into the new facility in February 2003 and dedicated the building on April 27.