MONTEZUMA - A few years ago, Cheryl Longyear was one of many people praying for Chereen Borthwick, who had been diagnosed with cancer; only their prayers came in the form of a quilt. The well-wishers wrote their prayers on blocks of fabric, which were sewn together into the gift.

As town historian for Montezuma, Longyear will be holding a Quilt Show Sunday at the Mentz Church in order to let others share in her love of quilting.

"Now that we've opened the Mentz Church for programs," said Longyear, who started quilting in 1992. "It gives us a chance to have some of those programs that we no longer do with Canal Days."

The Mentz Church was reopened in May after being closed in the 1950s for low attendance. In an attempt to preserve its historic status #- as the church was built sometime between 1820 and 1825 when it was incorporated #- it has been used since reopening as a place for monthly programs including artist exhibits, bake sales and musicians.

The upcoming quilt show will feature a variety of decorative quilts #- both new and antiques - that Longyear gathered from friends and various quilting clubs around the area. It will also feature an old-fashioned ice cream social and Griswold homemade waffles.

The show is usually held at the annual Canal Days in Port Byron but that event was closed this year due to low attendance. That didn't stop Longyear, however, from showing off her favorite hobby.

"It lends itself well to both group experiences of quilting together with friends," said Longyear, whose quilting club includes members from both the Weedsport and Port Byron quilting clubs. "Or working by yourself with self expression."

Quilts in Longyear's club are usually made as specific gifts for people who need the warm comfort while some are made to raise money in a raffle.

According to Longyear, there are two types of quilts: pieced quilts and applique quilts.

Pieced quilts are made out of cloth pieces called 'blocks' which are sewn together to make the complete quilt. Applique quilts begin as one large piece to which separate pieces are sewn on to make the design.

The two forms can also be combined, and Longyear is doing just that for a new watercolor quilt that she is making for the show.

It is a pieced quilt base with an applique of the Mentz Church sewn onto it.

"Today's quilter now has a variety of different methods," said Longyear. "So it's individualized to the quilter depending on the time they want to spend."

If you go

What: Quilt Show and Ice Cream Social

When: 11 a.m. to

3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Historic Mentz Church, Mentz Church and McDonald roads, Montezuma

Cost: $3 donation, $2 for senior

citizens, children under 12 are free

For details: Call Cheryl Longyear at 776-8632