BY Kristina Ferris and Megan Kreps
BengalNews Reporters
When walking into The First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, one is immediately swept back in time to the 19th century. Its 168-foot steeple towers over the West Side, across from Kleinhans Music Hall. Every detail is preserved, from the solid iron handles to the mammoth wooden doors that remain bolted to their original frames. The natural wood and stone facade gives the gothic monster of a building a soft and warm feel. With the church still in such remarkable condition, it’s easy to believe that on Feb. 2, the congregation celebrated its 200 year anniversary.
The interior of the church is even more brilliant and ornate than the outside. The vaulted ceilings go on forever, but even through its vastness, the sanctuary was calming and quiet. Everyone who has ever been inside an empty church by themselves knows this feeling of presence.
As the First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo celebrates its 200-year anniversary, its picturesque architecture still stands strong. Church member Liz Kemke explains:
Tiffany-designed stained-glass windows line each wall, telling stories as if the church itself were narrating. Tim Neaverth, the building supervisor, described the images in the windows of the chapel as being rare for the 19th century.
“The windows depict images of unusual topics for churches such as civil rights, women’s rights and child labor,” he said.
After a recent Sunday worship service, in a quiet office down the hall from the main entrance a documentary was being filmed in celebration of 200 years. Older members gathered to tell their stories to today’s younger generation of what it was like growing up with the church. Lesley Haynes, who runs the food pantry at the church, told the story of how when she was in her younger years a group of women would teach others how to sew.
The church was founded in 1812, the first in all of Buffalo. It’s even called, “the mother of all churches” by some. James Madison, the fourth president of the United States was in office at the time it was built and President Theodore Roosevelt even worshiped with the congregation.
The church was organized by Reverend Thaddeus Osgood in 1812, but the church as it stands today was not the building where it was formed. In fact, the church inhabited two different buildings before the construction of the current location at Symphony Circle. The existing structure was designed by famous architects Green & Wicks in 1889.
First Presbyterian wears the badge of Buffalo’s oldest church, but it only has 300 members. Due to economic hardship, it has had to rent out portions of the building. The Elmwood Village Charter School calls the church home, as well as K.C.’s Fitness. Lloyd Taco Truck rents out the church’s kitchen.
In honor of the bicentennial celebration, the church has held two special services, one featuring the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, which volunteered its services to help raise money for the church, the other, an organ recital. Even bigger celebrations throughout the year are being planned. A special service will be held on May 20 with a luncheon to follow for all those who attend.
With such beauty of the church and the history it depicts, it’s hard to believe that talks of closing the church were among discussions just a few years ago. While the church is not out of hot water yet, there are small things members are doing to help stay afloat.
“Building preservation has helped them tremendously, especially when the church has volunteer days where members come and vacuum or refinish the seats,” said Jean Hess, a member of the church.
Hess also credits “the wise use of the funds that the church does have,” as being able to help with planning for the future.
Although the church is 200 years old, and has ministries for all ages, community outreach and missions activities, it is up to date with modern technology. The First Presbyterian has a website and a twitter account.
However, in a recent newsletter to the congregation, Reverend Dr. Phil Gettings asked for his members to, “Please pray that God will guide us all in celebrating our past, and in making decisions for our future.” Edited by Alexa Myers
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