Historic Mentz Church

Nestled at crossroads in the rural countryside of the Town of Montezuma stands the Historic Mentz Church built by the first settlers of the area. The gable-roofed, one-room church was erected prior to its incorporation as the First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1825. It was purchased from the Weston family on a lot where a cemetery was located with the earliest burial in 1813. Built by area farmers with timber from their land, it represents a unique example of early nineteenth-century architecture in Cayuga County. Virtually intact to its date of construction, the church retains a remarkably high degree of integrity in design, material, craftsmanship, and feeling of the early settlers of this area.