Historic Endicott Church About to Get New Owner

An Endicott church building with ties to George F. Johnson and Thomas J. Watson is under contract for sale.

People familiar with the situation said the former First United Methodist Church at 53 McKinley Avenue has been taken off the market.

The now-closed First United Methodist Church in Endicott on June 22, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The identity of the prospective buyer hasn't been disclosed. The church held its final service about four months ago.

The property had been listed for sale at $499,000. A representative of the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church did not immediately return a call seeking information about the status of the property.

The main church building on McKinley Avenue was constructed in 1919. It was built on property donated by Endicott Johnson Shoe Company founder George F. Johnson.

This stained glass window that had been inside the First United Methodist Church in Endicott was donated by George F. Johnson. (Photo: Richard Thomas)

IBM Corporation founder Thomas J. Watson Sr. attended services at the church.

Endicott Mayor Linda Jackson said some people who had been affiliated with the church had learned a buyer was preparing to acquire the property. She said word was circulating that an apartment complex was planned for the site.

The final service at Endicott's First United Methodist Church was held on February 26, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

A community group had been working to develop a daycare program that would have been operated in the former church complex.

Jackson said if the property sale goes through, the group will continue its efforts to implement the program at another site in the village.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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