The judges of the court of common pleas and the supervisors of the county held their meetings May 9th, 1786, in the Presbyterian meeting-house in Bedford, so that we have conclusive proof that this second house of worship was built where it now stands, but which has been vacated by the people for one larger and more commodious, built on the ground owned by the church next to the parsonage.

In 1785 the Presbyterian Society was incorporated by the name of the Trustees for the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Bedford, to be governed in Discipline and Worship according to the Directory of the now established Church of Scotland. The first Trustees elected were Zebediah Mills, Israel Lyon and Joseph Owen. These were men, no doubt, who were prominent in erecting the church in 1789.

The next minister called here was Rev. John Devenport, May i8th) 1786. He was born in Philippi, New Jersey, Aug. nth, 1752, graduated at the college of New Jersey, in 1769, and studied theology partly under Dr. Bellamy and partly under Dr. Buel, of East Hampton, Long Island. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Long Island, and served the congregation of Southhold as stated supply for two years. From Southhold he came to Bedford, and settled May 18th, 1786, and remained here a faithful and godly minister for five years. Leaving here, he was called to Deerfield, New Jersey, and settled there Aug. 1 2th, 1795. He remained there ten years, and was dismissed on account of failing health. He finally became a home missionary in Western New York, and died in Lysander, July 13th, 1821, an amiable and excellent man.