Headwaters Episcopal Mission

The Headwaters Field, operated as one of the Diocese of Central New York's many cluster type parishes, is located in the Southwestern Foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.  This area boasts of some of the most spectacular scenery and recreational opportunities east of the Mississippi River.  The essentially rural nature of the environment affords a relatively modest cost of living and at the same time an outstanding quality of life.

The Headwaters Episcopal Mission Field is fortunate for each of the communities have very dedicated and well-trained and equipped volunteer ambulance and fire departments.   Health care, extended care facilities, senior citizen housing and related services are available locally and there are five hospitals within a 25 to 45 mile radius.  The area is served by two central school districts and there are six colleges and universities within the wider area.

Our Field is additionally fortunate to be serviced by two consolidated school districts.  Adirondack Central Jr-Sr High and Middle School is located in the village of Boonville.   Port Leyden and Constableville are served by the South Lewis Central Jr-Sr High and Middle school which is located in Turin.  The area is linked together by four weekly papers, four daily papers, local and regional AM  & FM stations and of course, a full range of cable TV stations including high speed internet access offered through the Road Runner provider.

The primary purpose for this page is to assist candidates who are interested in serving the Field as our new Rector.  The complete Headwaters Candidate Brochure may be obtained or viewed by clicking on the link below.
 

Headwaters Candidate Brochure [in .pdf format]	St. Paul's, Constableville	St. Mark's, Port Leyden
Trinity, Boonville	The Rectory	Headwaters People

St. Paul's Church is seven miles northwest of Port Leyden in the village of Constableville, with a population of about 350.    St. Paul's is the oldest church in the Field and the seventh oldest in the Diocese (1817).  Constableville was established in 1796, and was a well known settlement in the early years.  Constableville is located about 23 miles north of Rome, and is historically interesting having been the home of the Constable family, one of the most prominent land holding families in early New York's history.  The family estate, built between 1810 and 1819 and known locally as Constable Hall, is open to the public during the summer months.   It hosts many visitors, various types of classes and a well attended Craft Fair and Antique Car Show each June.  The village is indeed fortunate to have many historic homes, some dating back to the early 1800's, that are maintained in their original condition, and lend a historic air to the region.

The South Lewis School District operates an elementary school in the village.  A small but active library can be found there as well as a two-lane bowling alley and several fine restaurants.   Two other churches  (Methodist & Roman Catholic) are also active in the village.  The Fire Department also holds a weekend Field Days celebration each year.  Also, in September each year a well-known festival, the Flywheels and Pulley show takes place.  This show boasts of the display and use of old steam engines and an accompanying flea market with hundreds of displays and crafts.
 
 

At one time in history Port Leyden was larger than Boonville.  It had a printing office, 3 dry goods stores, 2 drug stores, 4 grocery stores, a bakery, a clothing store, 2 harness shops, 2 liveries, 5 blacksmith shops, 2 cabinet shops, 1 grist mill, 1 shingle mill, 3 boot and shoe establishments, 2 milliner shops, 1 hardware shop and a tannery.  Also, it was a large shipping center when the Black River Canal originated here.

You can stand on our church steps on a Sunday morning and almost hear the bustle of the freight train that used to go through our village, or if you listen real close, hear the clatter of the teams of horses moving supplies to the canal.  Port Leyden was an industrial village, full of adventure.  This is all in our past, but with a sense of adventure you can create almost anything that you want to happen.  You only have to believe.

Come and join us, we could be an adventurous group again.

Trinity Church is located in Boonville, the largest community in the Headwaters Field, with about 5,000 residents.  It is located about thirty miles north of Utica and twenty-five miles south of Lowville.  The village offers many opportunities for family activities, ranging from the annual Boonville-Oneida County Fair, the New York State Woodsmen's Weekend, a large park and playground, multiple baseball fields and access to all sorts of outdoor activities.

Boonville has a beautiful public library with the latest computer technology and Internet access.  The historic bandstand hosts evening concerts by the Village Band in the summer.  Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails abound, as well as access to great fishing and other water sports.  The Adirondack Central School district's combined high school and middle school is located here as well as a K-6 elementary school.

Trinity Church supports plays, choral productions, dinners and church school in a continuing effort to bring an active Episcopal message to the community. The Boonville community supports eight other churches and sponsors an active ministerium, which strengthens the ecumenical movement.

There is a two-story, three-bedroom rectory located on Trinity Church property in the village of Boonville.  The home is an attractive brick building with a full basement, full attic and a fireplace in the living room.  The first level includes a kitchen, formal dinning room, foyer, mudroom (new), living room, office and a half bath.  The second level includes the three bedrooms and a full bath.  All appliances are furnished including a new washer and dryer.  The maintenance of the rectory is the responsibility of the Headwaters "Vestry" and comes from that budget.  These covered expenses would include, repairs, electric, water, sewer, heat, lawn maintenance, snow removal and a parish phone.  The heat source is optional as both oil and natural gas sources are found in the area.   There is a separate one-stall garage on the Trinity property for the rector’s use.

Angels visit Headwaters
 
 

Relaxing before final clean up, Woodsmens Dinner