Andrew Brown Choral Arts Collection [c. 1968-1991]
A tenor soloist at St. John Baptist Church, Andrew Brown (1929-1977) became the church's minister of music in 1955. There, he organized a hundred-voice choir and personally established concert series as well as composing popular and renowned spiritual songs such as "My Prayer to Thee," "In Jesus' Name," "Come and Go with Me to My Father's House" and "Lord, Lord." A native of Buffalo, NY, Brown was also involved locally and elsewhere in organizing, establishing and conducting church choirs while promoting his love of gospel music.
Installed as an instructor of music at Buffalo State College (then State University College at Buffalo), Brown became the director of the Pilot Musical Experiment Program in Gospel Music in 1967. Due to the program's success, it was instituted into the College's curriculum the following year. He directed the annual "Gospel Festival Comes to College" and remained active in teaching and community groups until his death in 1977.
In 1978, a Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Andrew Brown, the first director of Buffalo State College All-College Choir, by Dr. Joseph Wincenc, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, of the Buffalo State College Performing Arts Department.
Since 1978, scholarships and awards have been given annually to outstanding students who participate in Choral Arts at Buffalo State. With encouragement and support from Dr. Joseph Wincenc and Miss Rosalie Turton, former director of the Buffalo State Alumni Association, an Andrew Brown Chapter was established in 1987 by Reather Walker Diamond (BSC '76), coordinator of the Buffalo State All-College Gospel Choir, 1973-1982. The main object of this Chapter is to provide educational enrichment and assistance for people who have little or no background in music or singing. The Chapter's future goal is to maintain an Archives and Music Library to preserve the tradition, legacy, and ideals of African-American Choral Arts directors and accompanists in the educational process of learning, searching, and serving mankind.
Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church Papers [c. 1900-1970] (closed)
The congregation first met in January 1904 and was known as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church. A place of worship was found and services began in August 1904 at the German Evangelical Church on Michigan Avenue near Main Street. With the congregation growing, they purchased at lot in 1906 and built a church of their own at Ferry Avenue and Twenty-Seventh Street. A part-time pastor served the congregation until June 1929 when Reverend Joshua E. Nelson accepted the position as full-time pastor. With no room physically to expand the church at the present location, the congregation bought a larger piece of property at Hyde Park Blvd. at Porter Road. The church was “physically” moved to this new location in July 1941.
Then, in 1948, the church changed its name to Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church. As the congregation grew in new members, the original church was becoming too small. In the fall of 1957, construction began on a larger church. Designed by local architect Charles F. Obenback, the new church was ready for its first service on November 8, 1959. After a period of sharing a pastor with Zion Lutheran Church located on Michigan Avenue, Bethany Lutheran closed and merged with Zion Lutheran in 1984. The church location of Bethany Lutheran on Hyde Park is now occupied by Word of Life Ministries.
Bethel A.M.E. [1926-1989]
Historic Bethel A.M.E. Church is the oldest Black institution in the City of Buffalo. Organized in 1831, the Church has a proud history beginning with its original site being a station on the Underground Railroad to producing numerous leaders in all aspects of life in the City of Buffalo. Bethel is a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest and largest of African American Methodist denominations, and is a connectional Church.
Buffalo African American Funeral and Obituary Collection [1948-2007]
A collection of funeral service programs, occasionally with accompanying newspaper obituary. Programs include: photographs of the deceased with date of birth and death, a poem and/or Bible passage, names of the pall-bearers, a ‘thank you’ section, location of the funeral, an obituary, date and time of the service, and location of the interred.
Volume #2 – (2007) roll 3 of 3 contains Hall/Ralston family genealogy materials. This includes: Hall/Ralston family reunion, photographs, census information, descendants of William Rolston, Samuel Hall, Joseph Smith, William L. Smith, and Charles H. Williams.
Buffalo Kwanzaa Committee Papers
Sharon and Kenneth Holley began participating and celebrating the Kwanzaa holiday in the early 1970s. The Buffalo community celebrated the Kwanzaa holiday at the Watu center on Jefferson Avenue, the Center for Positive Thought on East Utica Street and the African American Cultural Center on Masten Avenue; these were often one-day events. Sharon and Kenneth attended and even participated in these early celebrations that brought the African American community of Buffalo together through dance, music, poetry and dialog. It was these first celebrations that the Kwanzaa Committee of Buffalo came into being. The committee was coordinated by Sharon and Kenneth, from the store Harambee Books and Crafts, which called together the various leaders from the community centers and suggested coordinating the Kwanzaa programs so that there would be no competition for the same day and there would be numerous venues for the public to attend. Sharon and Kenneth Holley have facilitated and became the co-coordinators for the city-wide Kwanzaa program for over 21 years. As a result of the Kwanzaa Committee there are now six nights of celebration in several community centers, churches and other institutions throughout the city of Buffalo. The committee has also produced the journal, fundraising, coordinated the community feast, planned vendor space, did publicity, set-up opening ceremonies and cared for the Kwanzaa symbols and decorations used each year.
Christ United Methodist Church [1949-1988]
Christ United Methodist Church is located at 350 Saratoga Road in Amherst, NY. The church was founded in 1945 by Pastor Glenn Alty Crafts who was a former Navy Chaplain during WWII. Crafts served as senior minister until 1965 when he was appointed to Grace Methodist Church in Rochester, NY. From humble beginnings, the church grew exponentially within the 1950’s as Buffalo’s suburban community expanded; the congregation expanding by ten times within ten years. In 1962, after years of planning, the church incorporated a new sanctuary and bell tower. The bell was cast by Buckeye Bell Foundry in Cincinnati, OH in 1867. The sanctuary was a designed space for mothers of young children allowing them to listen to the sermon while simultaneously care-giving. Together, the sanctuary and bell cost a substantial $368,585.
1964 saw the church expand its services to include three on Sunday; the 5 P.M. mass being the first of its kind in the area. On 4/13/1966, the churches Women’s Society for Christian Service hosted an original satire, “Drive out the Devil.” The successful event included 200 members of the church. In addition to the church sponsoring Hungarian and Czechoslovakian refugee families, they also hosted Swedish exchange students and donated a bell to a church in Kocki, Japan.
Although now there are only two Sunday services, the church still plays an important role in the community. As of 2017, in addition to a place of worship, the church serves as a venue for achieving personal growth. For example, Christ United holds meetings for ‘food addicts in recovery.’ Moreover, the church incorporates various programs into their mission that include: the annual ‘Make a Difference Day,” SPCA Collections, and Electronic Recycling Drives.
In addition, the church’s lower east wing now serves as a Cooperative Preschool, “Amherst Nursery School.” Originating in 1938 as a study group by mothers of preschool children and one teacher, it would become Western New York’s first cooperative nursery school. The NYS accredited school currently consists of five classrooms, a large playroom, a music room, an outdoor playground and an office.
Church of the Redeemer Episcopal [1915-1988] (closed)
Back in 1909, the record of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church directed the organizations of the Episcopal mission in the Pine Avenue 25th Street area of Niagara Falls, NY. Organized to serve the English immigrants who were coming from Canada to worship here, the mission was the beginning of the church known to city residents as the Church of the Redeemer Episcopal, at 820 Hyde Park Blvd.
Courier-Express Newspaper Collections [1926-1982]
The Courier-Express newspaper was born in 1926, with the merger of the Buffalo Courier and the Buffalo Express to form the Buffalo Courier-Express. William J. Conners, owner of the Buffalo Courier, was the person instrumental in bringing the two papers together. During the 19th century numerous newspapers existed. The Buffalo Courier-Express merger can trace its roots back to 1828. From 1828 to 1926, twelve separate newspapers merged during those years, ending with the formation of the Buffalo Courier-Express; quite a chronology for the history of this newspaper.
The Courier and then the Courier-Express took a liberal position on all issues. In the late 1970s, the Courier-Express was sold to Cowles-Media, an out of state publisher. Cowles Media decided to close the paper in 1982. The September 19, 1982 issue was the last one for this very popular Buffalo newspaper. Cowles Media donated the library to the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society and Buffalo State College.
Delaware Avenue Baptist Church [1882-2008]
The Delaware Avenue Baptist Church began as Olivet Chapel, a Sunday School organized in 1874 to serve residents in the North Street area. During this time, the congregation had acquired a small brick carpenter’s shop on Delaware Avenue near North Street to use as a school. Rev. Hotchkiss, pastor of the Washington Street Baptist Church, preached the first sermon in the chapel on September 13, 1874.
After two years of regular services, the church decided to expand the chapel. With plans for construction in June of 1882, members decided it was time to establish an official congregation. On December 1, 1882, the Olivet Baptist Church was formed with seventy-six members. On February 15, 1883, the chapel’s construction was completed. The chapel had seating for 400 on the main floor and 100 in the rear gallery. On March 4, 1883, the congregation held its first formal communion services and became known as the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church.
Echols Family
Beginning in 1918, for more than six decades the Echols family was central to the history and development of the First Shiloh Baptist Church of Buffalo, New York. Rev. E.J. Echols, Sr. served as Pastor of First Shiloh for 43 years (1918-1961); and his son Rev. E.J. Echols, Jr. succeeded him and was pastor for 22 years (1962-1984). The Echols Family name is well known and respected in the African American community of Buffalo. Like the Nash family name, the Echols family name is an icon in the 20th century history of the Buffalo African American community.
Edison Street Baptist Church [1905-1987]
Founded by Immigrants from the village of Pescasseroli, in Abruzzi, Italy, the Edison Street Baptist Church’s first Chapel was dedicated on 9/13/1896. Similar to other American Protestant churches, the house of worship was ‘plain & simple.’ Escaping religious persecution and social conditions in post-feudalism Italy, these first immigrants founded the country’s first Italian Baptist Church, which subsequently played a unique role within the growing Buffalo community. Ariel Bellondi was named the church’s first pastor, followed by Angelo Peruzzi (who is considered the church’s patriarch.) During the years 1912-1923, Pastor Giovannni Castellini oversaw many changes within/out the church. These changes included: digging a basement that served Sunday school classes, the addition of a new bell, the formation of the Women’s Union, and an increase in membership. In 1927, an Athletic Association was formed that included basketball, boxing, and wrestling. Initially, morning services were given in Italian, followed by an English version. On 4/18/1934, the First Italian Baptist Church formally changed its name to the Edison Street Baptist Church. That same year it became necessary for the First Italian Baptist Church to incorporate under New York State.
First Baptist Church of Niagara Falls
First Baptist Church is one of the oldest and most active churches in Niagara Falls. They can trace their beginnings to 1843 to a lot on First Street proposed by Augustus Porter, for the express purpose of a church. First Baptist continued to see growth in the late 1800's, even despite a "dormant" period between 1874-1885 in which many members left for other congregations. After this time, a new spark of activity began in at the church. The church continued to grow and with the bigger presence of nearby railroads, it was determined to seek a new location for First Baptist. The old church was used until 1901, at that time they moved to their current location at the corner of Main and Fourth in downtown Niagara Falls. Soon, additions were made to the church, including Sunday school rooms and a gymnasium. Though the area of downtown Niagara Falls has drastically changed many times over the years, First Baptist continues to be an anchor for the community.
First Congregational United Church of Christ
First Congregational is one of Niagara Fall’s oldest and most historic churches. For over 150 years, First Congregational has been an important house of worship and community center in the city of Niagara Falls. The history of the church begins in 1853 when a number of people met to discuss the establishment of formal religious worship met in an old brick school house located on Ontario Ave (now 11th).
First Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls
The First Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls was founded in 1824 by 5 citizens under the leadership of Rev. David Smith. First meetings of the church were held in a log school house located on Prospect Street. The present stone building was constructed in 1841 on First Street at the cost of $8,000 including the cost of the lot.
The original Board of Trustees of the "First Presbyterian Society of Niagara" included some of the area's most prominent citizens and founders of Niagara Falls. In addition to the original five organizers were Augustus Porter, Samuel DeVeaux, Ira Cook and Ziba Gay. Judge Porter was the first permanent white settler of the area, and along with his brother General Peter Porter, owned Goat Island and all the lands in the area. The famous Native American, Chief Red Jacket and General Lafayette were frequent visitors to the Porter household. Later members of First Presbyterian have been instrumental in founding several of the other churches in Niagara Falls.
In 1970 the church was scheduled to be demolished as part of the city's Urban Renewal program. Fortunately, the congregation's fight to save the building was successful and this magnificent facility still proudly stands as the symbol of Niagara's oldest church.
First Shiloh Baptist Church [1914-1985]
First Shiloh Baptist Church was established in the Ellicott district, known as the Fifth Ward, Ellicott District on October 1, 1916.
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara Falls
Records exist of early Universalist and Unitarian churches in Niagara County. But the present First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara came into existence through the efforts of J. Allen Johnson, late of Niagara Falls, NY, and his associates.
On Dec. 30, 1913, on the letterhead of the Ontario Power Company, Mr. Johnson requests fellow engineer John W. Beckman to accompany the Rev. Richard W. Boynton of the First Unitarian Church of Buffalo to the Niagara Falls Odd Fellows Hall where Boynton was to preach on Jan. 4, 1914. A list of those possibly interested in a “liberal religion” had been compiled, and post cards were mailed advising them of the service. This group met more or less regularly the next few years, moving around the city from the Christian Science Reading Room, the Odd Fellows Hall, Temple Beth El, to the Painters and Decorators Union Hall over the Gray & Trigg Monument shop at 910 Main St.
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church [1922-2018]
The Church was originally organized as an unincorporated Baptist religious organization sometime during the year of 1913. The church held services in the homes of its members. Little was preserved of the history of the church during this period of its initial organization until its reorganization in 1915. As of 2020, Friendship is under the leadership of Pastor Edward Jackson, Jr.. Friendship celebrated 100 years of service August 23, 2015.
Hodges Family Papers
In church circles “Clem” Hodges was known as “Mr. Layman.” His many years of dedication and hard work earned him a statewide and national reputation as a special Baptist layman. In addition to his church work, Mr. Hodges was a leader and activist in many community organizations, as well as local and statewide boards in his profession--Social work. In 1991, he retired from his position as Director of Social Work Services for the Veterans Hospitals in Batavia and Rochester. Mr. Hodges life was a model of total dedication to helping people and public service.
For more than 50 years he was an active and prominent member of First Shiloh Baptist Church, Buffalo. He was a past Chairman of that church’s Christian Education Department; a member of the First Shiloh Board of Trustees; vice president of American Baptist Churches of the Niagara Frontier; past president of the Laymen’s Departments of the Empire Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention. He was known as a leader and an innovator in the Baptist Laymen’s movement.
Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church and Cemetery
Beginning at the end of the 19th century, Polish immigrants began settling into Niagara Falls, NY. Inspired to have a worship-site in their own language, local parishioners secured funds for the purchase of a property in the city’s East side. On May 27, 1902 the newly formed Roman Catholic Church was dedicated by Bishop Quigley. As membership increased, a larger house of worship became necessary. Constructed by the Braas Brothers Company Building Contractors, the church celebrated its first mass in the newly erected building in 1906. Holy Trinity Church features Romanesque Revival influences, and incorporates a school (subsequently closing in 1974) rectory, convent, and garage. In 1964, Pastor Praczkajlo was able to pay off the church’s mortgage. Holy Trinity Church became listed on Holy Trinity R. C. Society was formed on October 27, 1901 by 21 founding fathers, who were inspired to provide a worship site for their families in their native language - Polish. Rev. Peter Pitass, Assistant at St. Stanislaus Parish in Buffalo agreed to the proposal of organizing a new parish. The meeting was held at the hall of Jacob Pasek at Falls and 13th Streets.
Hopewell Baptist Church [1979-2017]
The Hopewell Baptist Church was organized in the home of the late Rev. John F. D. Lyles in January 1956 at 474 Genesee Street, Buffalo, New York. Attending ministers were the late Rev. J. B. Williamson, the late Rev. John Washington, the late Rev. James Lee, and the late Rev. Crockett. The church was organized with eight members and the last of the eight, Mother Gladys Bonner was called this year from labor to rest on September 18, 2012. Due to constant growth the church moved from Genesee Street to Riley and Masten Ave., to Jefferson and Woodlawn Ave., to Verplank and East Utica Ave., to 1098 Michigan Ave. In 1972 the Hopewell Baptist Church purchased and moved to 1307 Fillmore Ave. The organizer and founder, Rev. John F. D. Lyles served faithful as pastor until his death on December 8, 1987. In June 1988, the Rev. Dennis Lee, Jr. became pastor and continues to serve.
Hyde Park Presbyterian Church (closed)
Hyde Park Presbyterian Church was born from an idea of the Sessions at Stamford Ontario United Presbyterian Church in the late 1920’s. The Sessions determined that Hyde Park in Niagara Falls, NY was a suitable area to establish a Bible School. Miss Ida Lewis was appointed as the Bible School missionary in May 1929 and meetings were held in a home at 2818 Michigan Avenue in Niagara Falls (this home would later become the manse for the church). The adjoining lots were also purchased at the time.
In January 1931, Walter Bicketon was appointed as the Sunday School missionary to continue the work began by Miss Lewis. The Reverend George B. Hassey was appointed minister to the Sunday School in January 1933 and by March of that same year, Hyde Park Presbyterian Church was constituted and organized.
The church was incorporated in January 1943 as The Hyde Park United Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls, NY. In August of that year ground was broken for the building of the church.
Michigan Avenue Y.M.C.A. [1926-1967]
The organization of a YMCA branch specifically for Buffalo’s black men and boys started in 1924. By 1927, $225,000 had been raised and plans were drawn up for the building by John Edmonston Brent. He was one of the founding members of the branch, as well as Buffalo’s first black architect. Brent would go on to work for the City of Buffalo, where his design work remains on display, most notably along the gates and fences of the Buffalo Zoo.
Nash, Francis
The papers in this collection were found in the Nash home on Nash Street in Buffalo, New York in 1998. The upstairs of the home had not been occupied since the death of Rev. J. Edward Nash in the 1950s. A delegation from the Michigan Street Preservation Corp. surveyed the upstairs and found a treasure trove of papers, books, furniture, and other artifacts that had been undisturbed for decades. The papers were boxed up in preparation for the house being renovated and turned into a museum. Retired Buffalo Councilman George K. Arthur placed the papers from the Frances J. Nash Files on loan to the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier. The papers were organized, indexed, and microfilmed by Dr. Felix Armfield, member of the History faculty at Buffalo State College. The papers were filmed by the History Department and will become part of the Buffalo Afro-American Microfilmed Collection.
Nash, Rev. Dr. J. Edward
Rev. Nash was involved in the efforts to bring branches of the Urban League and the NAACP to Buffalo. He was a long-time leader and treasurer of the Western New York Baptist Association. For 32 years he was secretary of the Ministers Alliance of Buffalo. That inter-racial body was one of the most influential religious groups in Buffalo.
North Ridge United Methodist Church
The first person to introduce Methodism to the North Ridge area was Olive Beach. In 1816, she walked through the woods toward the shores of Lake Ontario in search of Brother Ash, a local Pastor who could possibly serve the area. Brother Ash agreed to hold bi-monthly services at the home of her parents, Aaron and Rachel Beach, early pioneers in Western New York. The congregation was officially incorporated in 1824. Pastor Shephardson was sent by the Genesee Conference to succeed Brother Ash. The area became the Lewiston Circuit served by the renowned “Circuit Riders.”
The Church building is on land donated by an early pioneer in this area, Reuben Wilson, and his children. Construction of the church began in 1846; the architecture is Greek Revival featuring historically distinctive cobblestone masonry. The cobbles are mostly from Lake Ontario.
Pierce Avenue Presbyterian (closed)
Pierce Avenue Presbyterian Church emerged in 1893 from the First Presbyterian Church located at the corner of Falls Street and Mechanic Street (now Prospect Street). The first service was held in the autumn of 1892 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Connell at the corner of Pine Avenue and Stedman Street (now Nineteenth Street). The first service was such a success that a second meeting was held at the home of Arthur E. Morgan at 20 Stedman Street. Meetings continued to be held in private houses as chairs were carried from home to home to home in the neighborhood as the number of those attending services increased. Later that year, Jacob F. Schoellkopf, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, donated a lot at what was considered the corner of Pierce Avenue and Stedman Street. Soon a chapel was erected and opened for services in the middle of April 1893.
Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church [1965-2015]
On a Thursday evening, in the Spring of 1934, a small group of men and women left the fellowship of the Friendship Baptist Church which was pastored by the late Rev. Twilus Davis. The following Wednesday, Willie Gibson called a meeting at the home of Bm. Cleveland Allen at 222 Jefferson Avenue. A group of approximately thirty men and women met to discuss the idea of forming a Mission Group. The blessing of the Lord seemed to rest on the hearts of these troubled souls. The group continued to meet during the summer months of 1934 for the purpose of raising funds, solidarity and spiritual development. In August of that same year, the name Pilgrim Baptist Church, as submitted by Rosa Poole, would become the name of their future church. An organizing committee was formed shortly thereafter. Rev. B. C. McCarly, the pastor of St. John's Baptist Church, was sought by the early members to provide guidance in establishing the church. The missionary group selected various members to join and obtain letters for the purpose of organizing the church. At the Western New Your Baptist District Association meeting Rev. B. C. McCarly submitted the recommendation for organization of the Pilgrim Baptist Church. The recommendation was then perfected by Rev. Phillips and carried. On September 19, 1934, at Jefferson Avenue, a "reality" was realized when the church elected its first officers: the late Rev. R. D. Harris was acting pastor, Mr. O. C. Madkins: Chairman of the Deacon Board, Mr. Willie Gibson: Chairman of the Trustee Board, Mr. Zenobia Alexander: Church Clerk, Mrs. Frances Moore: Financial Secretary, and Mr. James Ingram: Poor Saint Treasurer. -taken from the 1994 Church History publication created as part of the 60th anniversary celebration.
Ripley Memorial United Methodist Church [1868-1998] (closed)
Over the past me hundred and twenty-eight years, congregations have changed; the world has transformed. From 1870 to 1960, the Ripley Church grew to 250 families. As the City of Buffalo grew, so did the appeal of Ripley Memorial. Peoples resettling from areas outside of the city, found a cultural, economic, and religious sanctuary within the neighborhood limits of Ripley. In the 1960's, most United Methodist Churches in Buffalo city neighborhoods were readily affected by the rapid growth of suburban communities. Consequently, United Methodist fellowships like Ripley Memorial were challenged by the Methodist migration.
In spite of that fact, members of Ripley Memorial experimented with diverse methods and ministries to conquer the disturbing pressures of the empty pews- sometimes successful, most times not! The ones who are still here today are the truly dedicated. Many have commuted many miles over the past thirty years in hopes of saving Ripley. They have remained courageous until the end. Through self- examination and study, Ripley developed a powerful hand in the missionary duties. This type of outreach has enabled the congregation to keep faith in their missionary spirit, and to accept what is happening today.
St. John's Evangelical Church Cemetery Records [c. 1900-1998] (closed)
St. John's was organized by 21 people in 1847 as United Evangelical St. John's Congregation in Black Rock, a German speaking congregation. For the first five years, members met in homes, a school and a Baptist church.
The congregation's first church building was completed in 1852 and extensively remodeled in the late 1870s. Soon afterward, lightning struck it, destroying the steeple and the pipe organ. The damage was repaired within a year, but by 1889 the congregation needed a larger church. So the congregation demolished the old church and built a new one -- the present one -- on the same site.
The congregation was reorganized on March 9, 1900, by 35 charter members as St. John's Reformed Church of South Buffalo. For several decades, services were conducted in German. In 1904, the congregation joined the Evangelical Synod of North America and became St. John's Evangelical Church. When the Evangelical Synod of North America merged with the Reformed Church in 1934, the Black Rock church became St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church.
St. John Baptist Church
The St. John Baptist Church is located at 184 Goodell Street at the corner of Michigan Avenue in downtown Buffalo, New York. The Church and its developments sit in the pinnacle of the Buffalo Medical Corridor which houses Western New York's major medical facilities. Our 45 acre campus which houses our 1200-seat sanctuary and administrative offices, corporations, housing units, and parking facilities, is a unique addition to the City of Buffalo's industrial landscape.
St. Joseph Cemetery of Niagara Falls
Rev. Austin Billerio, the third pastor of St. Joseph Church established St. Joseph Cemetery in May of 1920. Twelve thousand dollars was raised to purchase the initial tract of 11 acres. Today, the cemetery has grown to 17 acres of land. The cemetery constructed it's four mausoleums in 1982 and completed the most recent in November of 2007. There are approximately 13,000 graves, 1,968 crypts and niches for above ground burial.
St. Louis Roman Catholic Church [c.1850-2007]
St. Louis parish was founded on January 5th, 1829 through the beneficence of Louis Stephen LeCouteulx de Caumont, a French nobleman, the first resident Catholic of Buffalo and agent of the Holland Land Company. In his New Year’s Gift to Bishop Jean Dubois of New York, LeCouteulx deeded land for the erection of a church, cemetery, school and priest house for all Catholics.
In 1831, Rev. John Nicolas Mertz, a missionary priest, arrived in the village of Buffalo, becoming the areas first resident priest. Fr. Mertz immediately set about organizing a school and the construction of a church. The new log church, hewn from logs in the nearby forests was named ” Lamb of God” after the depiction of the Lamb of God on a tabernacle door that Fr. Mertz brought with him from Europe. In 1836, St. John Neumann joined Fr. Mertz in ministering to the growing number of German speaking Catholics who had settled in the outlying villages surrounding Buffalo.
St. Luke A.M.E. Zion [c. 1940-2006]
Saint Luke A.M.E. Zion Church, currently known as Durham Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, is a non-profit organization and place of worship in metro Buffalo, New York. It was constructed in 1920 and is the oldest surviving church associated with the Buffalo A.M.E. congregations.
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion church was founded in New York City in 1800. In 1820, six of the early AMEZ churches elected James Varick as an ordained elder and in 1822 he became the first bishop of the AMEZ church which was also a triumph against racism within the Body of Christ.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church [1824-2004]
The church, located in Jamestown, New York, originated at around 1824. For the first ten years services were held at the Prendergast Academy Building, at the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. As the religious community grew, the need for an established parish became apparent. In the spring of 1834, that parish had been successfully formed and incorporated into the Diocese of Western New York. In 1854 the church got its first Rector, Rev. Levi W. Norton. Two years later a new church was consecrated a block away. Throughout its later years the church would work to improve, not the local community, but also a small country in Central America known as Belize. The church community rendered financial support to Belize.
St. Paul Lutheran Church of Niagara Falls
The Monroe Fordham Regional History Center maintains a collection of the ledgers, and registers of St Paul. St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church records were scanned into digital format by the work of the MFRHC and is available for the public's use. Collection items include pamphlets; programs; and ledgers spanning 1896-2008.
St. Paul Methodist Church (closed)
St. Paul Methodist was a church with a long history that stretched from the mid-nineteenth century up to its closing in 2006. The Monroe Fordham Regional History Center digitized a number of ledgers and other documents of the church which were being stored at their regional office. St. Paul Methodist closed in 2006. The space is currently occupied by The Potter's House Christian Community Church.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
The origins of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church date back to 1823. It was during this year that the first Episcopal clergyman arrived in Niagara Falls, a place that had no official church services. It was this man, Rev. Hopkins from New Jersey, who began holding services in the town. However, Hopkins left during late 1823. The village of Niagara Falls did not have frequent service again until 1829. During 1828, three church denominations came together, the Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians, to build one place of worship that they would share in proportion to their respective contributions. General Whitney donated the land for a chapel in 1828. The land that Whitney donated was located on what is now First Street. It was also during this time that Samuel DeVeaux became involved with the church organization. He was elected to head the building drive for the new chapel. As the chapel was being constructed in January 1829, the parish was incorporated as the “Christ Church” with the elected Wardens Samuel DeVeaux and Samuel Hooker. The first official service in the chapel was held in the summer of 1829 and was conducted by Bishop John Henry Hobart.
Through the late 1830s, the parish began to diminish so much so that by 1839, the family of Samuel DeVeaux was the only family tied to regular services. However, in the 1840s, the population of Niagara Falls began to grow and there was an increased demand for regular church services. As the parish grew, DeVeaux began to garner support for a new Episcopal Church. It was during this time that the estate of General Peter Porter notified DeVeaux that they would be willing to donate property for the new church located between Falls and Niagara Streets.
St. Philips Episcopal Church [bulk 1940-1978]
St. Philip's is a predominantly African-American congregation and is the only parish in the Diocese of Western New York that can be so described. The congregation is a working class to middle class/professional and draws members from all over Buffalo and the immediate suburbs. During the 1920’s to 1940’s, people who had emigrated from the West Indies dominated the congregation, but today the congregation is predominantly native born African-American. There is still a West Indian flavor present, which makes St. Philip's a unique and interesting congregation.
United Citizens Organization Papers [1976-1996]
Materials were organized and preserved by Rev. Eugene Radon. They were indexed and microfilmed by Joanne Cofield, Daneen Kee, and Nichole Outhouse. The microfilming project was supervised by Monroe Fordham, Professor of History, Buffalo State College.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Niagara Falls
One of the most beautiful and imposing houses of worship in Niagara Falls is the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on Michigan Avenue at 10th Street. This church is not only one of the largest and most prolific in the city of the thundering Falls of Niagara but also one of the oldest. The congregation celebrated its golden jubilee in 1907.
The founder of the congregation was Pastor Johannes Althaus, who came to Niagara Falls in 1854 and held German services every second Sunday in the public schoolhouse at the corner of what is now 11th Street and Ontario Avenue. In 1856 the first steps to establish a church were taken and in the same year the building of the church began. One of the members, Mr. Christian Fink, undertook to build the church for $999.99. One man donated the lumber and another the stone. Full of courage and trust in God all members helped and in the autumn the little church was completed. All knew it was a primitive structure but the congregation was happy with their ownership of a house of worship.
As the congregation grew it became necessary to build a larger church. The church property at Michigan and 10th Street includes several community rooms, a gym and church offices as well as the massive church which is decorated with intricate hand carvings. Membership at Zion Lutheran had dwindled to about 150 members from over 1,000 when the church was thriving in the 1950s. Zion Lutheran has also absorbed the former Bethany Lutheran Church located on Hyde Park and members from the First Presbyterian Church in Lewiston.
