SPRINGFIELD - Springfield resident Donald Fenner is gearing up for another Thanksgiving Day program at the historic Fort Herkimer Church in German Flatts.

Dressed as General Nicholas Herkimer, he has been the official greeter at the annual Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving for the last 25 years. He is currently the chairman of the Fort Herkimer Church Board of Commissioners, a position he has held for the last 35 years.

"I basically put the whole service together, welcome all the people and the participants, and see to it that it goes smoothly," Fenner said. "We average between 350 and 400 people each year. A lot of people want their pictures taken with the General and a lot of kids ask, 'Are you really General Herkimer?'"

The Fort Herkimer Church, located two miles east of Mohawk on Route 5s, is the second oldest church in New York State and the oldest building in Herkimer County. The construction of the original church began in 1753 and was completed in 1767. Between 1812 and 1814 the church was extensively renovated. In 1976 after years of neglect and deterioration, a major restoration and stabilization was begun. It was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1972.

"We gutted the church, jacked it back up and saved all the fabric we could save, close to the original as possible," said Fenner. "If someone came in from the early 1800s they would say it hasn't changed a bit."

As part of the restoration, the church had to be closed. In conjunction with the restoration, an archeological dig was done, and many Colonial and Indian artifacts were found, the oldest of which was dated at around 1100 a.d., according to Fenner. The artifacts are now in the Herkimer County Community College.

The church is owned by the Montgomery Classis of the Reformed Church in America, but in a 1977 meeting a motion was made and passed that they dedicate the Fort Herkimer Church "to God's people everywhere, and especially to those of the Mohawk Valley," Fenner stated. "I took that as a blank check to open the church up to anyone. We've had all kinds of weddings in there, and patriotic and family services. It's there for the public to use. We certainly want it to be that way, and I hope it always will be."

The Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving this year will feature Marc W. Butler, a New York State Assemblyman from the 113th District reading the President's Thanksgiving proclamation; Wilma Cook, a member of the Iroquois Confederacy who will speak about Thanksgiving from the perspective of the Native Americans; the Fort Herkimer Church Thanksgiving Chorus, who get together once a year only for this service; and other musicians, singers and speakers.

"A lot of people feel that this is the way to begin Thanksgiving Day," commented Fenner. "If you want to reconnect with your ancestors that's where you want to go, because that church has been there since 1753. It's a way to go back in time and enjoy the company and brotherhood of a whole bunch of people of different faiths and persuasions of every kind. You've got to go and experience it and let that church grab you. And it will."

Fenner's wife, Mary Ellen, praised her husband's efforts with the church. "I think it's absolutely amazing what he's done to keep the place going, and to have it fixed. I think he ought to be really proud of all he's done."

Fenner owned and operated the Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., in Herkimer for 31 years, moving to Springfield 16 years ago after retirement, serving in a variety of capacities for the Glimmerglass Opera. In addition to his active involvement with the Fort Herkimer Church, he currently serves on the Glimmerglass Opera Guild board as treasurer and is a member of the board of directors of the National Woodcarvers Association.

For more information about the Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving at the Fort Herkimer Church, contact Fenner at 547-8490.