USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > Manual of the First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, N.Y., with Historical sketch and account of the centennial celebration, February 2nd to 5th, 1912 > Part 3
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invitation to the hurrying throngs on Main Street to step aside a moment for a prayer to the "Giver of every good and perfect gift."
THE METHODISTS.
The Methodists were the next to "hive out," following closely upon the Episcopalians. There had been preaching by the Methodist missionaries as early as 1808, but the first "organized class" of nine members was not formed until 1817. This small society, known as the "Niagara Street M. E. Church," took from us an elder, his wife, and probably two other members. Not finding a suitable place in which to worship, the congregation felt compelled to erect a temporary structure, 24 by 35 feet, on Pearl Street, near Niagara Street, the first building for church purposes in Buffalo. This was occupied but a short time when the Holland Land Company gave them a lot running from Pearl to Franklin Street, with a frontage of 80 feet on Niagara Street. When the First Church, in 1827, was ready to leave its first small building for the pretentious "Brick Church," the Methodists purchased the little structure and moved it to the Franklin Street end of their lot. This they used until 1834, when they dedicated their handsome gray stone church on Niagara Street, which occupied the land where the Masonic Temple now stands. The Niagara Street Methodist Church was the mother of several of the strong churches of the city, yet after 30 years of usefulness she was obliged to close her doors for lack of support. The building soon after became the property of the Jewish Society of Temple Beth Zion.
THE BAPTISTS.
It is claimed that the first man to do gospel work in the new village of Buffalo was a Baptist preacher, Rev. Elkanah Holmes, a missionary sent out by the "New York Missionary Society" of New York to the Seneca and Tuscarora Indians. Joseph Ellicott, in his journal, states that Mr. Holmes preached here January 11, 1801, the earliest recorded date known for this service. So well did he lay the foundations of this sect that seven persons were ready when a church
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should be organized. After a revival, seven more were bap- tized in the Hamburg Slip, and these fourteen united in a "call for a Council of Recognition." The Council met April 3, 1822, and "The Baptist Church of Christ in Buffalo" was organized. This took from our ranks good Esther Pratt and her daughter, Mrs. Leach. Again this mother in Israel was a pioneer in Christian work. "The First Presbyterian Church allowed the use of its house of worship for the first services, which were held on April 7, 1822. In the morning the Rev. Elam Galusha, the pastor, had baptized five persons in the lake, and afterward the little company of happy Christ- ians went to the Episcopal house of worship, where a Baptist preacher gave the elements to his little flock." Their first building, on a lot given them by the Holland Land Company, was erected on the northeast corner of Washington and Sen- eca Streets, and dedicated June 5, 1828. The name was changed in 1832 to "Washington Street Baptist Church," and a new church on Washington Street, between Swan and South Division Streets, was dedicated June 5, 1836. Once more circumstances and neighborhood conditions compelled them to move, and change their name. We now find this third child of our church on North Street, bearing the name of "The First Baptist Church," and doing the work of the Master with the same enthusiasm shown by them ninety years ago.
ST. PETER'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
In 1831, a young evangelist by the name of Joseph M. Gumbell came to this country from Switzerland. He joined the First Presbyterian Church and, while studying for the ministry, taught school, occupying a building on Franklin Street opposite the City Hall. Buffalo Presbytery, under whose care he had placed himself, called upon him to take up work among the German people in the city. Mr. Gumbell gathered together about ten families and with the help of Presbytery organized on January 24, 1835, "The German Evangelical Church," later changed to "St. Paul's German Evangelical Church." Up to 1844 this church appears to have been a mission of the First Church, and to have received
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from it the necessary support. The congregation at first worshipped in the school-rooms of their pastor, Rev. Joseph M. Gumbell. By increasing immigration the congregation became larger, and they felt that they must have a home of their own. The present lot, corner of Genesee and Hickory Streets, was the gift of Jabez Goodell, an elder of the First Church. The small frame building originally built by the First Church, and occupied for some time by the Metho- dists, was in 1836 moved to the lot on Genesee Street and became the home of St. Peter's congregation until 1850, when this migratory chapel again took flight to Walnut Street, where it sank in service to that of a brewery ice-house. It stood there until 1882, when it was burned. When the little church became too small and was moved away, the German congregation bought the first building of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, a large frame structure with a square tower, and moved it to their lot. This, in 1877, gave way to the sub- stantial brick building now in use.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BLACK ROCK.
The Village of Black Rock, which in the early days threat- ened to be a dangerous rival to Buffalo in a commercial way, was not so accessible as in these days of rapid trolley service. Pleading the need of a more convenient church service, four members of the First Church, among whom were Deacon Amos Callender and his wife, asked to be dismissed that they, with twenty-six others who united on profession, might organ- ize the "First Presbyterian Church of Black Rock." The church was constituted September 18, 1831, and later changed its name to "Breckenridge Street Church." After some time a commodious brick structure was erected on Breckenridge Street, west of Niagara Street. This building is now used as the Detention Home and Juvenile Court. When the old members of the church passed away and the new-comers dwelt on the other side of Niagara Street, it was deemed expedient to move the church to the corner of West Avenue and West
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Ferry Street and once more change its name. The church lives with us today as "The West Avenue Presbyterian Church," and fills a place among the growing population of the vicinity.
THE FREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-NOW LAFAYETTE AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Following a time of special religious interest in the Village of Buffalo, twenty members of the First Church asked to be dismissed for the purpose of forming "The Free Congre- gational Church," which was organized March 14, 1832. In 1839, the church was re-organized and called "The Park Presbyterian Church," because its new church building fronted upon the "Court House Park." Again in 1845, by a second re-organization, it became "Lafayette Street Presby- terian Church." Rev. Grosvenor W. Heacock, D. D., was called to the pastorate, and from this time the church took its place as one of the five great Presbyterian churches of the city. This church, too, succumbed to "down-town" conditions and moved to the corner of Lafayette and Elmwood Avenues, and is known as the "Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church." Its field is a broad one, for the neighborhood is rapidly growing.
BETHEL.
The sailors and boatmen early engaged the interest of the Rev. Sylvester Eaton, who established a mission among them. In 1834, Bethel Church was constituted. Several members of the First Church joined in the work and took their church membership thither. Bethel Church had an uncertain ex- istence for many years, especially through the financial crisis of 1837, when the women of the First Church did such noble work. In 1848, the church was disbanded and many former members returned to our communion. The Mission work was continued with indifferent success for many years but was finally taken over by the American Seaman's Friend Society, and became a part of General City Missions.
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THE PEARL STREET CHURCH-NOW CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
At this distance of time it is hard to realize the depth of feeling brought about by the controversy just at its height in 1835 between the "Old School" and the "New School" Presby- terians. Dr. John C. Lord, a brilliant young lawyer, was con- verted during the great revival of 1831 and began to study for the ministry. On November 24, 1835, he took with him twenty- five members of the First Church and organized an "Old School" church, known as "The Pearl Street Presbyterian Church." In 1849, the name was changed to that of the "Cen- tral Presbyterian Church," and a fine building on the corner of Pearl and West Genesee Streets was erected. Dr. Lord was one of the great preachers of the city, and the great stone church, with the largest seating capacity of any Protestant church, was often filled to its limit. Dr. Lord continued to be its pastor until 1873, when ill health compelled him to relinquish his first and only pastorate. Neighborhood conditions obliged the church to move, and, uniting with Park Church, a large stone church was erected on the corner of Main Street and Jewett Avenue in 1910.
THE NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The North Church was organized March 25, 1847, with forty-three members from the First Church-a colony sent forth with a blessing-to meet the demand for another Presby- terian church in this growing city. At first the congregation worshipped in the First Church until its first new building was opened on Main Street, below Chippewa. The North Church was started with well-to-do people and has always been prosperous. Their new edifice on the corner of Delaware Avenue and West Utica Street, dedicated in 1906, bespeaks a bright future for this daughter of the old church.
THE WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was the result of the foresight, liberality and perseverence of Mr. Jesse Ketchum. He gave a lot on Dela- ware Avenue, erected a chapel and engaged the Rev. J. Jer-
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maine Porter to minister to the congregation and superintend the Sunday School. A religious society was organized in April, 1853, and was incorporated in November of the same year. It consisted of ten members from the First Church, and thirty more from other churches in the city. Today Westminster Church is one of the five leading Presbyterian churches, with its religious activities extending in every direction. It estab- lished and carries on one of the first settlement houses, minis- tering to the people of a large district.
WEST SIDE CHURCH.
The Sixth Street Mission, started in 1865 by the First Church as a Sunday School, seemed to justify the organiza- tion of a church of thirty members in 1875. A chapel built for the use of the Sunday School was dedicated February 27, 1867. A change of location and also of name to "The West Side Church" was thought advisable in 1881. A stone edi- fice was built on the corner of Jersey Street and Prospect Avenue. The organization became in part self-supporting, although the First Church contributed for many years sums varying from $600 to $1,200 toward the salary of the pastors. This congregation finally removed to the corner of Elmwood and Highland Avenues under the name of "The Church of the Redeemer." After a few years of precarious existence the church disbanded.
THE WELLS STREET CHURCH.
During the War of the Rebellion a building was erected on Exchange Street, opposite the Central Station, called the "Soldiers' Rest," a place of shelter for soldiers en route, who were obliged to stop over here. Almost before the war closed Chaplain Cook, who had labored long in the Bethel work, organized a Sunday School which became most prosper- ous. The building was moved to Wells Street and the work was known as the Wells Street Mission. As a part of this Miss Charlotte Mulligan had a Bible class, which was after- ward incorporated as a separate organization and took the name of the "Guard of Honor," now located on Washington
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Street, above Chippewa. The Wells Street Mission in 1874 became the Wells Street Church, with Rev. P. G. Cook as its pastor. Some years later when crowded out by business the organization erected a church on Stanton Street, known as Bethesda Church, which was disbanded in 1912.
SUMMARY.
With the sympathy and aid of the First Church, churches of five different denominations have been organized. She has been the mother of eight Presbyterian churches, of which all but three are living, the grandmother of five, great- grandmother of four, and great-great-grandmother of three.
Yea verily, "Her children rise up and call her blessed."
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First Church Music.
The music of the First Church has been a prominent feature of the worship since that winter day, when Thaddeus Osgood formed the little body of Christians into a compact organization. Although no record was left we feel sure that good Deacon Callender must have lined out a hymn and led the singing at that first meeting.
On June 5th, 1812, an order of service seems to have been adopted, and following two prayers and a chapter of the Scriptures it calls for "Praise" and a collection for the en- tertainment of Missionaries. As we know, the church was dispersed in October, 1812, on account of the War and no record is kept of any meetings until July 15th, 1815. How- ever, a few of the faithful must have remained, for we find the following advertisement in the Buffalo Gazette of Nov- ember 30th, 1813:
"A meeting of the First Presbyterian Society of the Town of Buffalo will be held at the Schoolhouse on Thurs- day, 2nd December next at 1 o'clock P. M.
N. B. A singing meeting at the same place in the even- ing."
When the installation of the first pastor, the Rev. Miles P. Squier, occurred on May 3d, 1816, a choir was organized to furnish music for the august occasion. The good-natured tavern keeper, Elias Ransom, was induced to give the use of his new barn for the greatest occasion the village had yet witnessed. The benches were rough planks set up on blocks of wood; a platform for the minister was erected at the eastern end, and to the north of it a platform for the sing- ers, Messrs. George Coit, Seth Grosvenor, Samuel Pratt, General Heman B. Potter, Gen. Lucius Storrs, Mr. Cutler, Mrs. Reuben B. Heacock, Mrs. John Marshall, Mrs. Fields, Mrs. John Haddock and probably others. These were led by Deacon Amos Callender, who pitched the tune with his tuning fork. We are told that for this occasion the choir
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had practiced two new tunes, St. Asaph's and Pleyel's Sec- ond. The barn was crowded with the people of the village, while at every opening stood a curious group of Indians watching the solemn service. It is said a strolling preacher of the Universalist order held a service in the barn in the afternoon. So well was he pleased with the music that he tried to induce Deacon Callender to bring his choir and lead the singing for his service-an honor the good deacon de- clined. From that day there has been a First Church Choir. In connection with this day school, Deacon Callender had a singing school, in which he doubtless taught the tunes sung on the Sabbath.
When the little new church was finished in 1823 and the people assembled on May 8th to consecrate it, the choir was led by Mr. Daniel R. Hamlin with his tuning fork. A platform had been erected at the west end of the church opposite the pulpit, for the singers, who were Mr. George Coit, Mr. Joseph Dart, Mr. Birdseye Wilcox, Mr. Samuel Pratt, Mr. Horatio Seymour, Mr. William Ketchum, Gen. Lucius Storrs, Mr. Orlando Allen, Mr. Heacock, Mrs. Mar- shall, Mrs. Hollister, Charlotte and Lydia Callender, Mary Cotton, Miss Pratt and possibly others.
The first band in Buffalo was organized in 1824 and the names of nearly all who signed for the instruments were members of the First Church Choir and we doubt not these instruments were brought on the Sabbath Day to lead the singing. The date of the installation of instrumental music is lost in the past, but we do know that when the new brick church, the pride of the village, was dedicated, the choir formed a part of the solemn procession from the little wooden building to the new red brick edifice. The instruments were already tuned up when the procession filed in on that Wednesday morning, March 28, 1827, and as soon as the attending clergymen had settled themselves, burst forth into the anthem, "I was glad, etc." Many of the same singers who were present at the dedication of the other church lent their voices upon this occasion. The leader of the choir was probably William Ketchum, with "Carmina
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Sacra" grasped in one hand while he beat time with Watt's Hymns with the other." We know that "Ocean,"
"Lord from thine inmost glory send Within these courts to bide,"
and "Mendon,"
And will the great Eternal God On Earth establish His abode,"
were among the hymns that were sung.
The Choir room above the vestibule opened from the gal- lery, and here it was that Thomas Sears and Charles Butler with their flutes, Gen. Storrs with the violincello, William Young with the Double Bass-viol, and Foster Young with the "Serpent," tuned their instruments preparatory to en- tering the choir gallery, and taking their places with the singers. Across the entire front of the gallery stretched an iron rod upon which a red curtain hung in sections. After the hymn was announced and read entirely through by the minister the curtain was carefully drawn, and after a mo- ment of silence the instruments broke forth in melody fol- lowed soon by a burst of song under the guidance of some accomplished leader.
The young people of the church learned many lessons in the singing school under the leadership of Emory Taunt, who about 1830 became the choir leader. From his school graduated into the choir Albert Bigelow, Charles E. Young, Robert Denton, Lamira Callender, Grace Keeler, Abbie Seymour, Sarah A. Rathbone, Hannah Wood, Jane A. Allen, and Mary Pratt.
Later, in 1846, when Albert Bigelow, with his pitch pipe, at the age of eighteen, became the choir leader, we find in the choir the sweet singers of the Seymour family, the Storrs girls, Henry W. Rogers, George R. Babcock and many other members of the church. Other leaders were Alvin Ingersoll, Mr. Cheney, Mr. Lucas, George A. French, George W. Vin- ing and Adrian R. Root, each one a thorough musician who loved the position not alone for the remuneration but for the joy of good music. The time of the old volunteer choir
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music, when every singer was an intimate friend, and when the strains of music brought a tender feeling which often ripened into a closer union, are days that are spoken of most lovingly by the few left to keep its memory.
In the '50's a small organ was rented from William R. Koppock and played by him. This proved to be unsatis- factory, so the church returned to the Instruments. In August, 1860, Mr. Gerrit House installed a new organ in the church, at a cost of $2,500, raised by subscription. This was a fine instrument and served the church until its removal to The Circle. There was much feeling over the introduc- tion of this instrument, especially among the mothers in Israel, and one good woman insisted that it was an invention of the Evil One. The organists have been Charles Deben- hard. Dr. Jesse Parker, Everett L. Baker, William O. Brewster, Seth C. Clark, Sanford Norcott, Robert Den- ton, Andrew T. Webster, Miss M. Howard, William J. Gomph, Alfred Jury, and the present Choir Master and Director, William S. Waith, Mus. Doc. Among the substi- tute organists were Miss Emily Babcock, whose father sang for over forty years in the choir, and Trueman G. Avery, and many were pleased to hear the fine playing of these accomplished musicians.
In January, 1866, the choir completed an organization for "the cultivation and study of sacred melody, and especi- ally for elevating the standard of and increasing a love for sacred music in the First Presbyterian Church of the City of Buffalo, N. Y. And this we do to the end that the service of the Church may be beautified, the interest and enjoyment of the worshippers increased but chiefly that the cause of Religion may be advanced and Almighty God be more praised and glorified." Its officers for the first year were:
Hon. George R. Babcock, President,
Charles S. Jones, Vice-President,
Adrian R. Root, Secretary,
Charles G. Degenhard, Leader and Organist.
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Those who signed the Constitution as members of the choir were:
Messrs. George R. Babcock, A. Porter Howell, Charles G. Degenhard, Charles S. Jones, Adrian R. Root, William J. King, Jr., William H. Gardner, Charles W. Hamlin, John A. Taylor, William C. Francis, Theodore H. Butler, George Birge, George W. Comstock, C. S. Sheldon, E. O. Salisbury, O. Gridley; Misses Charlotte Mulligan, Caroline G. Felge- macher, Elizabeth Marshall, Mary McKnight, Lizzie May- hew, C. Eugenie Mann, Elizabeth S. Beecher, Mary Birge, Hattie L. Lay, Phoebe V. Salisbury, Delia S. Austin, Mary L. Danforth, Isabelle Harvey, Kate Moore, H. Pratt, Harriet O. Hamlin, Mary Clarke, Louise Dole, H. Caldwell.
The interesting records of this Society until 1873 show the varying changes in the personnel of the choir, the numer- ous occasions on which they made a public appearance, and also the various differences of opinion which made a ripple in their small world for a short time but which soon disappeared.
January 1st, 1867, Mr. Debenhard was succeeded as leader by Mr. Charles Beare, who served until April, 1868, when Dr. Charles B. Schuyler was chosen for one year. In 1870 Miss Maria G. Pitkin became the soprano, a place she filled most acceptably until her marriage fourteen years later to Mr. John V. Tifft. The same year Dr. Jesse Parker, of Washington, took the position of organist and Choir Director to be succeeded by Mr. T. G. Avery who had been abroad for a year. The last list of the members of "The First Church Choir" is in 1873, the organization ap- parently having died a natural death. The personnel had changed as shown by the following list:
Tenors-Theodore H. Butler, Charles W. Hamlin, John Walsh, G. Edward Mann, Frederick Humphries.
Bassos-William C. Francis, Edmund Wilcox, William H. Gardner, Allan McBain, Henry G. Wells, Oliver H. Holt, Adrian R. Root, Lieut. Francis E. Rice, U. S. Army.
Sopranos-Miss Maria G. Pitkin, Mary T. Clarke, Eliza- beth Beecher, Harriet C. Hamlin, Frances Gardner, Mrs. Alice Fisher, Miss Annis.
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Altos-Mrs. Caroline Schumann (nee Felgemacher), Miss Louise Palmer, Miss Persch.
The officers for this year were:
William H. Gardner, President,
J. W. Gates, Vice-President,
W. G. Abbott, Secretary, Adrian R. Root, Choir Director.
An inventory of the books used in the choir shows the range of music that at one time or another had been used by them:
"Chimes," 2; "Key Notes," 6; "Cythara," 10; "Psalm- odist," 3; "Psalmistas," 6; "Carmina Sacra," 16; "Handel and Hayden Society," 5; "Boston Academy Collection," 7; "Dulcimer," 14; "Mendelssohn," 11; "Psaltery," 12; "Temple Carmina," 6; "Jubilee," 19; "Modern Harp," 25; "Sharon," 25; "Harp of Judah," 31; "Hymn Books," 30; a total of 228 books.
When Mr. Frazer came "The Songs of the Sanctuary" was adopted, and very soon Everett L. Baker became Organ- ist and Choir Director. He held together for nine years that fine quartette consisting of Miss Maria Pitkin, Soprano; Mrs. Caroline Schumann, Alto; Mr. A. B. Kellogg, Bass; Mr. Thomas Jewett, Tenor; until the marriage of Miss Pit- kin broke the charm. A large chorus also assisted the quar- tette.
Signor James Nuno came to us in 1882 and soon had a chorus choir of 60 voices, many of whom were from our own church, men and women who were glad to have the instruc- tion of so accomplished a leader.
When the church moved to The Circle a new organ, built by Frank Roosevelt, of New York, found its place in the loft to delight the ears of the congregation with its wonder- ful harmonies. A choir of fine voices composed of Miss Kate E. Tyrrell, Soprano; Mrs. Clara Barnes Holmes, Con- tralto; Mr. J. R. Williamson, Tenor; Mr. George C. Sweet, Basso; Mr. Raymond O. Riester, Baritone; with our own Dr. Waith as Director, for many years gave us great satis-
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faction. Today but two of these singers-Mrs. Holmes and Mr. Sweet-are with us. A selected chorus is now serving the church.
The past one hundred years have furnished many oc- casions of special interest in a musical way. Upon all such occasions the choir has taken its part in the services with ability and success. The music of the First Church has always been of a high character, devotional in tone, and helpful to the minister, carrying its part of the service and fulfilling the promise of the high standard set so many years ago.
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The Centennial Celebration. February 2=5, 1912.
This may justly be regarded as the most important event in the history of the past year. At a meeting of all the church officers in the fall of 1911, a general plan for the cele- bration was submitted by the pastor and approved, and com- mittees were appointed to take charge of the details. Auxil- iary committees of ladies were afterward designated by the President of the Woman's Circle, Miss Harriet M. Buck. The names of all the members of these several committees are printed elsewhere.
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