History 

The name of our church often prompts quizzical and puzzled looks.  Wesleyan?  What's that?  Some kind of cult?  And how do you pronounce it? The Wesleyan Church finds its roots in the great English preacher John Wesley and the American movement against slavery in the 1800's. Wesleyans have consistently been known for their warm personal faith in Jesus Christ and their desire to make a difference for Him in the world.

The Canandaigua Wesleyan Church began in 1888 in Hopewell, NY, moving to Bristol Street in downtown Canandaigua in 1924. The Bristol St. facilities became inadequate and relocation to our present site on Middle Cheshire Road was completed in 1975. We have since added three major building projects that will increase our ability to serve you in the new millennium.

One more thing - about the pronunciation. You've heard of the Holiday Inn. Imagine a hotel chain owned by a man named Wesley, put the accent on the first syllable, and you've got it… "WESley-inn".