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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02733 2144
GC 974.702 B86MA
MANUAL OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BUFFALO, N. Y.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/manualoffirstpre00nort
First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, New York
Centennial Number 1912
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Manual
of the
First Presbyterian Church
of
Buffalo, I. D.
with
historical Sketch
and account of
The Centennial Celebration
February 2nd to 5tb, 1912
1912
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Warc, IN 46801-2270
SBYT
O
P
FIR
OF BUN
N.O"
OFFICIAL SEAL.
L
Table of Contents
Historical Sketch 5
Churches Organized from the First Church 29
First Church Music . 37
Centennial Celebration :
Account of 44
Programme 51
A Centenary Hymn
59
Gifts to the Church .
60
Pastors
62
Clerks of the Session
63
Board of Elders
64
Board of Deacons
66
Board of Trustees
68
Church Organization, 1912 :
Church Services . 70
Officers and Committees 71
Sunday School .
75
Men's Association
80
Woman's Circle
82
Welcome Hall .
85
Representatives of First Church in Buffalo Institutions and
Charities 89
The Choir
91
The Sextons
91
Reports :
Financial Statement 92
Sunday School . 97
Woman's Circle 108
Welcome Hall .
114
District Nurse
123
Church Directory
128
Pew Holders
153
3
I do hereby certify , that -
on the and day of February have I provided by the a choice & with the assistance of a
are weding in this munity to constitute and ongige a church called the first Congregationaland Fresh terian Church in Buffalo
03 Thaddeus Organ
This bestehente madaff 7le Pily 1816
4
THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION.
historical Sketch.
Early History, 1812-1815.
The Niagara Frontier, held by the British in violation of all Treaties for thirteen years after the War of the Revolu- tion, offered little to attract the prospective settler to this region. Hence it was that the year 1798 found but eight families here, dwelling in seven log huts and well-nigh sur- rounded by Indians, for the great village of the Seneca Tribe lay on the plateau where Seneca Street now crosses Buffalo River. The entire frontier was densely wooded, except here and there a natural plateau. A wide margin of sedge and willows bordered the river far out into the country, and many small marshy streams found their way across the few trails into the lake.
In 1801 the Holland Land Company, having purchased the entire tract lying west of the Genesee River and between the lakes and Pennsylvania, with the exception of the "Mile Strip" and the four Indian Reservations, their agent, Joseph Ellicott, laid out the village, which he named New Amster- dam. Intending to make it his own residence, he imposed the condition of sale that each purchaser in this village should clear, build, and settle on his land. At this time there were probably not over fifty families on the Holland Purchase.
In 1811 the population of the settlement, now called Buffalo, had increased to about five hundred, of all varieties of character to be found in a frontier post. Some were mere adventurers, restless, roving, and looking for change and ex- citement. Mixed with these were men of another type-reso- lute souls who came here led by a Divine impulse to be the architects of the coming metropolis.
It appears that there were as many as thirty "professors of religion" here, devout people who did not forget the Lord in
5
the land of their exile. Though they had no shepherd, no sanctuary and no table of fellowship, they came together at regular periods, in some cabin or store, or private room, prayed, sang psalms and recited the catechism. Mrs. Esther Pratt and her neighbor, Mrs. Comfort Landon, early began to pray together every evening at sunset, asking especially that God would send a minister and set up for his servants a church. Other good women came in until there were nine- teen-and once a week they had a female prayer-meeting in Mrs. Pratt's parlor. The time had come to form a church, and the material was at hand. There were people enough here and the only question was how the church should be sup- ported. The professing Christians were just starting life in a new country and they were poor. They felt, however, the constant and growing need of a church in their midst, and trusted that the Lord would open the way.
The Rev. Thaddeus Osgood, on his fifth annual visit to this village, arrived in Buffalo in January, 1812. This de- voted and indefatigable missionary was accustomed, once a year, to start from Connecticut, journey through Vermont into Canada, crossing at Niagara and coming to Buffalo, whence he went westward to Pennsylvania, returning by a southern route to Hartford. On these tours he made himself useful, in every possible way, to the settlements: by visiting the schools and conversing with the children; by going from house to house, instructing and comforting the people; found- ing village libraries, and contributing money or books to make a beginning; attending funerals; preaching in private houses, or wherever a congregation could be gathered; administering baptism to the children, and the Supper to the saints, making himself a bishop of souls and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He laid the foundations of religious prosperity wherever he went.
On the first Sabbath in February-the 2d day of that month, in the year of our Lord 1812, the faithful in this little village came together for the consummation of their ardent hopes-the organization of a church. The services on that impressive occasion were held in the then unfinished Court House. Behind the rail in the judge's chair was Osgood, the
6
A.N.C" Buffalo Fly.
THE OLD COURT HOUSE
THE CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED IN THIS BUILDING FEBRUARY 2, 1812.
beloved missionary, his face radiant with unusual love. On the rough benches sat the rustic but attentive audience. When it was asked whether there were any children to be baptized, all eyes turned to Mr. and Mrs. Callender, as they led forth their three daughters, the father holding them up one after the other, pronouncing the names of Lamira, Charlotte and Lydia Ann.
The precious records of this Church have been preserved in unbroken sequence, and contain the history of every im- portant event during the past one hundred years. The record of that service is a simple one:
"Church was organized by Rev. T. Osgood on the 2d of February, 1812, and the following Baptisms administered; viz :
Adults.
Amos Callender,
Keziah Sill,
Mary Holbrook,
Nancy Hovey,
Stephen Franklin, Henry Woodruff.
Infants.
Lamira Callender, Charlotte Callender,
Lydia Ann Callender."
The second page of this little volume contains the certifi- cate of organization, a place for this having evidently been left :
CERTIFICATE.
"I do hereby certify that on the 2d day of February, 1812, I proceeded by the advice and with the assistance of a number of professors of Religion residing in this vicinity to constitute and organize a church, called the First Congregational and Presbyterian Church in Buffalo.
THADDEUS OSGOOD,
Missionary.
This Certificate made the 7th, July, 1816.
Attest :
A. CALLENDER."
7
In the next entry the Church completes its formal organ- ization by subscription to "The Articles of Faith." Here we find the appointment of the first Moderator, Jabez B. Hyde, and the first Clerk of the Session, Amos Callender. We also note the first steps toward reforming the people, at least those of the "Faith," who were "professors," which seems to have been an important function of the early church, a committee being appointed to inquire into the case of James Dutton and report.
During the succeeding months the little church was gather- ing its members together to subscribe to "The Articles of Faith." The meetings on the Sabbath Day were held, some- times in the Court House, at other times in the School House, which was on Pearl Street near the corner of Swan Street, or at the home of Mrs. Pratt, on the southeast corner of Main and Crow Streets. There they worshiped God with prayer and psalm, in their simple way, listening eagerly to any mis- sionary, on his way to a more distant field, whom they could persuade to remain over the Sabbath.
It was beginning to be felt that a missionary fund must be raised. Already some money had been collected in this Fron- tier Settlement for the Missionary Societies of the East. Ap- parently the first money contributed in Buffalo for the cause of Missions was $8.83, reported by the Connecticut Mission- ary, as having been collected in 1809 by the Rev. John Spencer. In June, 1812, it was resolved: "That every member of this church contribute as they feel disposed, or as ability may en- able, at every meeting of the church; and the money so col- lected to be appropriated as the church shall hereafter direct."
Contributed,
S. Atkins $1.00
N. Sill 1.00
J. Seelye .50
S. Franklin .50
A. Callender .25
J. Hyde .121/2
Mrs. Bull
.121/2
8
The early records close with September 5th, 1812, and we find this "Note ;- From the above date the Church having been scattered in consequence of the War, and the destruction of Buffalo, did not meet again until 15th, July, 1815."
With these few words the record closes for nearly three years. The Niagara Frontier was the center of action during the War of 1812, and its inhabitants were in a continual state of alarm, fleeing again and again from their homes, carrying their few valuables with them. Among his cherished posses- sions, Amos Callender took with him to Batavia the first volume of the early records of this church, thus preserving for us the priceless inheritance of an unbroken Session record to the present time.
The names of eight men and twenty-one women who formed the church thus scattered, and who had presented themselves either by letter from some distant church, or united on profession of their faith, were:
Jabez B. Hyde,
Rebecca Callender,
Rusha Hyde
Comfort Landon,
Samuel Atkins,
Esther Pratt,
Anna Atkins,
Jabez Goodell,
John J. Seelye.
Nancy Hull,
Elizabeth Seelye
Ruth Foster,
Stephen Franklin,
Keziah Cotton,
Sarah Franklin,
Keziah Holt,
Nathaniel Sill,
Nancy Mather,
Keziah Sill,
Henry Woodruff,
Sally Haddock.
Sophia Gillett,
Nancy Harvey,
Mary Holbrook,
Sophia Bull,
Lois Curtiss,
Betsy Atkins,
Sarah Hoisington.
Amos Callender,
The War closed with the treaty of Peace in 1815, and con- fidence and security once more reigned upon the Niagara Frontier. The conflict had attracted the attention of the Eastern people to the possibilities of life in this region. Many of those who had fled returned to see what was left of
9
their ruined homes and to rebuild, so there was immediately a great influx of people. Among the first to come back was good Amos Callender, who set to work to rebuild his home on Pearl Street, below Swan, and here it was in an unfur- nished "upper room" that the people were called together on Saturday, July 15th, 1815. Several faces were missing. Sam- uel Atkins and Mrs. Ruth Foster had died before the destruc- tion of the village. Esther Pratt and Sarah Hoisington had been made widows, and sorrow had visited every home. The Rev. John Spencer, a traveling missionary, called the rem- nant together, prayed with them, advised them about their future and examined their records, suggesting that when the Rev. Thaddeus Osgood came this way again he should add to these records the Certificate of the establishment of the Church, which he did the following year.
The following day, Sunday, the people met for worship at Mr. Landon's tavern. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was observed and an infant child of Jabez Hyde was baptized. This is the first record of a Communion Service being held in this village and it must have been a season of solemn rejoicing.
Deacon Callender's unfinished house was the most conven- ient place of meeting, and all were welcome to this small abode. Here it was that a meeting was held on September 2d, 1815, with four male and three female members present and "the discussion was principally on the importance of building a House for the Lord." Thus early before their own homes were completed, do we find them planning to build a Sanctuary.
PASTORATE OF THE REV. MILES P. SQUIER. 1815-1822.
In 1815 Miles P. Squier, a young licentiate from Vermont and a graduate from Andover Seminary, was engaged by the Young People's Missionary Society of Utica to travel through Western New York, to seek information and organize
10
THE REV. MILES P. SQUIER 1ST PASTOR, 1815-1824.
churches. In August this young man arrived in Buffalo and visited Deacon Callender, the real leader of religious thought in the community. After remaining here for two weeks he returned to his home, carrying with him the written invitation of this church to become its Pastor-an invitation signed not only by the members of the church but by many of the prom- inent men of the growing community. The little handful of people dared great things, for no additions had been made to their membership. Three of the charter members had died and probably three more had not returned after the destruc- tion of the village. The salary they offered Mr. Squier was $1,000, a large sum for those early days and one that it was difficult for the church to raise. Lots in the village of Buffalo were to be bought for a small sum and in 1818 Mr. Squier invested his meager earnings in a piece of land east of Main Street above Chippewa Street, containing about five acres. This land sold later for enough to furnish Mr. Squier and his wife a competence for the remainder of their lives.
For those days of difficult travel when every one journeyed on horseback, the return of Mr. Squier was very speedy, for we find him meeting with the church on December 2d, 1815. The organization of the church was then modified and it was resolved that "the Church be known by the name of The First Presbyterian Church of Christ in the Town of Buffalo." All the male members of the church, five in number, and five of the "Sisters" voted for this measure, being the whole number present.
On December 5th they once more met for business and resolved to organize themselves into a religious corporation to be known as "The First Presbyterian Society of the Town of Buffalo," and proceeded to elect six Trustees-Elijah Holt, Nathaniel Sill, Frederick Miller, Jonas Harrison, Joseph Stocking and Heman B. Potter. These trustees presented themselves on December 28th, with the proper records before Charles Townsend. Judge of Niagara County, of which Erie County was then a part, who granted a Certificate of Incor- poration. This was duly recorded on April 16th, 1816, and the corporate existence of "The First Presbyterian Society of
11
the Town of Buffalo" was begun. The seal of the church, a dove bearing the olive branch of peace, was purchased soon after and is in use today.
January 6th, 1816, eleven members being present, four Elders were elected-Jabez B. Hyde, Nathaniel Sill, Jabez Goodell and Amos Callender, and one of these, Jabez B. Hyde, was made a deacon; "It was also voted that this Church adopt the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of the United States." Further action was also taken that "this Church put themselves under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva." The voters who thus determined the future policy of this church were three men and eight women.
In March the Session organized with four Elders and three persons were admitted to the fellowship of the little church, the first accession since its organization. One was refused on account of "his great backslidings for some years past."
An occasion of great importance in the history, both of the church and the town, was the installation of the first pastor and the visit of the Geneva Presbytery. For this event many came a hundred miles on horseback through the woods and over rough roads. The village house-wives were busy for many days planning how best to entertain "The Holy Men," who had come so far and with such discomfort to give this new settlement a pastor.
The installation took place in the new barn of Elias Ran- som at the northeast corner of Main and Huron Streets, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of Friday, May 3d, 1816. The Rev. Henry Axtell, of Geneva, Moderator of Presbytery, preached the sermon. We feel sure that there were many weary saints that day, for those were not the days of short sermons, and the seats were rough boards without backs.
The day that gave the first ordained Pastor to Buffalo also witnessed the establishment of the First Church Choir. The singers, who were the social and religious leaders of that day, were led by Deacon Callender, and established a reputation for excellence that has been sustained up to the present time.
12
On the following Sunday, May 5th, Rev. Henry Axtell ordained as Elders, Nathaniel Sill, Jabez Goodell and Amos Callender. Those were the days of the beginning of things in this church, and we can but admire the ability of the pioneers, both Pastor and People, in their religious activity- beginnings that the church has seen no reason to wish differ- ent. The zeal which Mr. Squier and his wife brought to the work promised great good not only to the church but to the community as well, and set a high standard for this con- gregation.
The possible places of meeting for the little church were not many. At times the congregation met in the school- house or in the "long" room of a tavern; again in a private house, but most often in the south room of the old Court House, where the Buffalo Library now stands. William Hodge writes thus: "I well remember the religious services which were held in the Court House. The seats were mere rough boards, laid on saw benches or something of that sort. The women and children sat together on one side of the room and the men on the other. After a while some families who could afford it, provided themselves with nice painted seats of pine plank with backs to them; and then the members of each family would all sit together. In those times we had preach- ing morning, afternoon and usually evenings too."
Without great excitement there was a steady growth each year in the membership, of men and women who added strength and influence to the feeble church. Strictness in the matter of church membership seems to have been the rule. Because "Ruth Folsom had some scruples respecting infant baptism or the obligation of parents to dedicate them in infancy" she was asked to wait and consider the matter. Failing to convince her, the case was carried to Presbytery and after dragging along for nearly a year it was voted to receive her, "considering it as an extra case." Nor was there any lack of discipline. Five trials were undertaken during the pastorate of Mr. Squier for breaking the church covenants, such as "neglect of family worship," "absence from the com-
13
munion table," "speaking ill of another," and "drunkenness." Three of these were excommunicated.
Some years previous the Holland Land Company, through their agent, Joseph Ellicott, had promised the Trustees "a building lot and also a burying place for the interment of the dead.", In April, 1818, the Trustees petitioned Joseph Ellicott that these promises might be fulfilled; but it was De- cember 12th, 1820, before the triangular lot bounded by Main, Church, Pearl and Niagara Streets was deeded to the First Presbyterian Society.
The desire for a church building was strong but, with the heavy burden of a large salary, the congregation did not see how it was possible to build. However, in 1823, by dint of great effort, a frame structure forty by fifty feet on the north- east corner of Pearl and Niagara Streets was completed. The house fronted eastward, was entered by two doors, between which stood the pulpit. Over against it on the west end of the auditorium was a platform for the singers. The pews were square, and as there were no chimneys the building must often have been extremely cold. The house was lighted at evening by candles, moulded and lighted by good Mrs. Cal- lender.
The house built and consecrated, Mr. Squier concluded to lay down his charge, which he did January 1st, 1824, to the regret of the entire community. During the seven and one- half years of his pastorate he had admitted 158 members to this church, guided it in the beginning, when such a high standard was set that it has had little difficulty in maintain- ing its place in the community.
Mr. Squier became the financial agent of Auburn Theo- logical Seminary for a number of years, later going to Beloit College, Wisconsin, where he endowed a Professorship in Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. His health failing, he retired to his old home at Geneva, N. Y., where he died June 22d, 1866, aged 77 years.
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THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING, 1823-1827
THE REV. GILBERT CRAWFORD 2D PASTOR, 1824-1828
PASTORATE OF REV. GILBERT CRAWFORD. 1824-1828.
Soon after the departure of Mr. Squier, the Rev. Gilbert Crawford was recommended to the church, and in May, 1824, he was installed as its Pastor at a salary of $600, the Trustees having learned wisdom in their former venture. Mr. Crawford was born in Scotland in 1792 and educated in Edinburgh, but took his theological course at Princeton Seminary. He was an ardent Christian and a man of marked ability, ap- pearing to best advantage in the pulpit, where his expressive face and fluent delivery made him most attractive. His church grew so rapidly that it soon became evident that a new edifice must be constructed at once. The opening of the Erie Canal, beside the natural growth of the little village, which was becoming the Gateway to the Great West, brought many people to this region.
The imperative necessity for a new church induced some of the leading men of the village to determine upon the fol- lowing agreement, made March 25th, 1826:
"In consideration that the Trustees of the First Presby- terian Society of the Town of Buffalo will proceed to the erection of a church for the Society, during the present season and complete the same with all due dispatch; and that for this purpose they effect a loan, not exceeding ten thousand dollars, on credit of twelve months, or longer time if prac- ticable, and should they do so by making themselves personal- ly responsible for the repayment thereof and for security mortgaging the Society's lot, we, the undersigned, severally promise to said Trustees to share with them in paying the said loan or part thereof, should the same be called for, and could not be advantageously raised on the sale or leasing of the pews or seats in said church so to be erected, looking to said Society, in common with said Trustees, for return of said advances, out of the avails of said pews and seats so to be dis- posed of as aforesaid."
Signed by
H. R. Seymour, Abner Bryant,
E. D. Efner, George Burt,
15
Henry Bacon, Nathaniel Vosburg, Edward Root, Joseph Dart, Jr., H. B. Potter, Ezekiel Folsom,
Henry Root, William Hollister, Stephen G. Austin,
David Burt, Gilman Folsom, Jr.
E. Walden,
Sidney Burr,
Samuel Wilkeson, John B. Flagg, Philander Bennett.
Henry Brayman,
Charles Townsend,
Sylvester Chamberlain,
John E. Marshall,
George Coit, Hiram Pratt,
R. B. Heacock.
The building committee, appointed June 12th, 1826, con- sisted by Messrs. Heman B. Potter, Peter Curtiss, and Joseph Stocking. As much money as possible was collected, but it was found necessary to procure a loan of $8,000, which was obtained from a Bank in Hartford, Conn. This obligation was paid off in 1836 and the church was free from debt im- mediately after Dr. Hopkins came here. Within ten days from the appointment of the committee the first sod was turned. After some formal exercises by Mr. Crawford, Mr. Foster Young took his plow which was drawn by a yoke of oxen, and beginning at the Main Street front, going toward Pearl, and from Pearl to Main Street, broke the ground for the erection of the new edifice. The building proceeded rap- idly, the various members of the church aiding when possible. It is said that Joseph Stocking took a portion of each noon time and carried brick for the masons, while some one else wheeled sand and lime. In fact the entire community seemed especially interested in hastening the completion of this im- posing brick edifice, which was the largest building for relig- ious purposes west of the Genesee River. There seems to have been no "Corner Stone," and none was found when the building was taken down.
The new church, costing $17,000, and which was the pride of the village, was originally a square red brick struc- ture with all its trimmings in immaculate white. An artistic balustrade surrounded the roof, while the tower at the front
16
THE BRICK CHURCH, 1827-1891.
end of the church was adorned with pinnacles and scroll-work. From these adornments rose the bell and clock tower, sur- mounted by a golden ball that shone for a long distance in the bright sunshine. A large clock on the face of the tower kept the time for the townspeople for over fifty years, until super- seded by other timepieces not so weary and worn. A sweet- toned bell called the worshipers to service, rang the knell of those who had passed away, and sounded the alarm for fire, in which last service it was cracked in 1833, but was recast and served its mission until the end, when it was presented to a church in Tonawanda where it still does service.
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