USA > New York > Niagara County > Souvenir history of Niagara County, New York : commemorative of the 25th anniversary of the Pioneer Association of Niagara County > Part 9
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North Tonawanda Presbyterian Church was organized in 1891, and has had a rapid growth. In 1898 an excellent
41
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
church building and parsonage were erected. Rev. Duncan Cameron is pastor of the church, which numbers 313, with a Sunday School of 310, and total contributions of $6,285.
Pierce Avenue Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls was organized in 1893. Rev. E. D. Hardin is the pastor of the church, which has 119 members, with 274 in the Sunday School, and total contributions of $1,409.
Baptist Association.
BY REV. LOUIS. JJ. GROSS.
The history of the Niagara Baptist Association begins with the history of the pioneers of Niagara County. They sought a home in the wilderness, but they thought also of "a better country, even an heavenly." A "Baptist meeting house" would be erected almost simultaneously with the log cabin which sheltered their families. From the minutes of the Association I am able to gather the following history of the Association, necessarily greatly condensed.
At a meeting of ministers and brethren, chosen as dele- gates from Porter, Cambria (later Lockport), Somerset, Hartland, Royalton, Yates, Gaines, Barre and Shelby churches, assembled at Hartland, June 21, 1823, it was "voted that the several churches represented be, and the same are hereby organized into an association, to be known by the name of the 'Niagara Baptist Association.'" The constitution of the Genesee Association, of which these churches were originally members, was adopted, and the Association voted to meet annually in June. At the time of its first anniversary the Association numbered nine churches and 339 members. Twenty years after its organization twenty-four churches were connected with it, with a mem- bership of 2,628.
In February, 1844, nine churches, at their request, were dismissed for the purpose of forming the Orleans Baptist Association, viz: Albion, Alabama, Carlton, Gaines and Murray, Knowlesville, Medina, Shelby and Yates. This re- duced the Niagara Association to thirteen churches, with a membership of 1,462.
The Association has been blessed with gracious revi- vals. Seven hundred and thirteen baptisms were reported in one year, and upwards of 6,000 were added to the churches by baptism during the first half century of the Niagara As- sociation.
In common with the teachings of the Baptist denom- ination the Association has always showed a deep interest in the course of missions and education. When the churches were small, the members poor and the country new, they not only struggled to maintain the Gospel at home, but also in the "regions beyond."
The Association early showed itself an uncompromising foe to intemperance. It denounced slavery, and when the storm of Civil War broke over the land many of her choicest sons enlisted in defense of their country's flag.
It would be gratifying to write in detail of some of the "fathers and mothers in Israel," but space forbids. We wish, however, to mention Rev. H. P. Hunt, pastor for forty-three years of the Clarence Baptist Church; also Hon. Burt Van Horn, for many years moderator of the Associa- tion ; also Pastors Morrison, Fenney, Pettit, Wilson and Walker.
The last meeting of the Association was held June 18- 19, 1902, with the First Baptist Church, of Niagara Falls, in their new edifice, erected at a cost of $25,000. The gath- ering was one of the largest in the history of the Associa- tion.
Looking outside the Niagara Association we learn that "during the last fifty years our denomination in the State of New York has made great progress in numbers. In 1850 we had 810 churches ; in 1900 we had 934. In 1850 we had 744 ministers ; in 1900 we had 953. In 1850 we had 81,509 church members; in 1900 we had 150,875. During this same half century, Baptists have increased yet more in the country at large. In 1850 we had in the United States 9,549 churches; in 19co we had 42,893. In 1850 we had 7,385 ministers ; in 1900 we had 28,409. In 1850 we had 801,770 members; in 1900 we had 4,141,995. While the popula- tion of the country has increased a little more than three- fold, Baptists have increased between four and five-fold."
During the past ten years-1890-1899-the average number of additions to Baptist churches by baptism alone has been over 167,000 per year, or more than 450 per day, or equal to four new churches of over 100 members each for every day of the past ten years.
Baptists have in the United States a church property of about $90,000,000, and the denomination has property in educational institutions valued at $41,000,000.
The officers of the Woman's Baptist Home and For- eign Missionary Societies of the Niagara Association are as follows :
President-Mrs. William Elgin, Akron.
Vice President-Mrs. M. B. Comfort, Newfane.
Recording Secretary-Mrs. R. B. Hull, Clarence.
Foreign Missionary Secretary, Mrs. L. J. Gross, West Somerset.
Home Missionary Director-Miss Jennie Metcalf. Mc- Nall's.
Junior Secretary-Miss Edith Brague, Lockport.
Treasurer-Mrs. Charles P. Rignall, Lockport.
The officers of the Baptist Association are :
Moderator-Rev. H. P. Klyver, Lockport.
Clerk and Corresponding Secretary-Rev. L. J. Gross, West Somerset.
Treasurer-Bennett Eaton, South Somerset.
The present pastors of the churches are as follows :
William Elgin, Akron; Frank Mt. Pleasant, Sanborn ; D. R. Davies, Johnson's Creek ; Louis J. Gross, West Somer- set : C. J. C. Scholpp, Wilson ; A. F. Bowling, Niagara Falls ; J. W. Johnson, Ransomville; A. Lindsay, Royalton; M. B.
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Comfort, Newfane; A. G. Wall, East Clarence; H. P. Klyver, Lockport ; Rev. C. A. Cole, Niagara Falls.
Every one of the thirteen churches in the Association, save one-Sanborn-has a settled pastor, or regular supply, and the Niagara Association, though "little among the thousands in Judah," has abundant reason to "attempt great things for God and expect great things from God."
Congregational Church. BY REV. GEORGE A. BROCK.
The Congegational denomination, while not very pow- erful in Niagara County, has nevertheless a very interesting history, and a very bright prospect for the future. There are but five Congregational churches in the county, these being located at Cambria, Gasport, Niagara Falls, and Lock- port (two), with a membership of about 1,200. The expla- nation of this scarcity of churches of this denomination long the Niagara Frontier is found in the amicable settle- ment made between the Presbyterian and Congregational churches early in the Nineteenth Century, whereby over 300 Congregational churches in New York State were turned over bodily to the Presbyterians. Allowing for normal growth, these 300 churches number today up into the thon- sands.
In spite of this handicap, which turned over the immi- gration of the New England Congregational churches into the Presbyterian Church, and made it a powerful organiza- tion throughout the State, the Congregationalists were the first to organize a church in Niagara County.
THE FIRST CHURCH.
When the Legislature of New York State created Ni- agara County (which included the present County of Erie), in 1808, there was but one town within its borders, the town of Cambria. As early as 1817 Rev. David M. Smith called together six of the residents of this town-Josiah Owen, Susan Owen, Thomas Chamberlain, Jonas Chamberlain, Rachel Mills, and Hannah Crocker-and organized eccle- siastically the First Congregational Church of Cambria. The Holland Purchase Company donated 100 acres of land to this church because it was the first to organize a religious society in the county. This tract of land, afterwards ex- changed for the present property, is situate west of Lock- port, near the Gulf. This church was organized legally by the Hon. Robert Fleming, of the Court of Common Pleas,
in 1821. Until 1836 meetings were held in school houses and dwellings. On March I of that year a church building was dedicated on the present site ; in 1878 the present build- ing was occupied and dedicated.
The first settled pastor was Rev. Silas Parsons, 1827- 1831. The longest pastorate was that of Rev. E. Parmely, 1845-1856. The church recently celebrated its eighty-fifth anniversary, and under the leadership of the Rev. John W. MacCallum, is strong and sturdy, exercising a wide influence for miles around.
BEGINNINGS AT LOCKPORT.
The second Congregational Church organized in the county was the First Congregational Church of Lockport. This church was brought into existence in consequence of division of opinions among members of the First Presbyte- rian Church upon the slavery question, and also on matters of church polity. About forty dissenters met June 7, 1838, and under the leadership ,of Rev. H. G. Nott, of Buffalo, organized the First Congregational Church of Lockport. For a while meetings were held on Main street, the Rev. William Bacon supplying the pulpit. The next year a committee selected a location on the corner of Niagara and Church streets as the site for the new church. On January 12, 1840, the congregation met for the first time for religious services within its walls. The society had grown from forty to 150 in this short time. November 2, 1854, was a dark day for the church, as the edifice was de- stroyed by fire, and only $1,000 of insurance was available. The society, however, rallied nobly and within a week had secured financial support sufficient to warrant an immediate rebuilding of the church edifice upon a larger scale. The following January (1855) meetings were held in the chapel of the present edifice.
Of the many godly and worthy men who have occupied the pulpit of this church since its organization, special men- tion might be made of Rev. Joseph L. Bennett, who had the longest pastorate; Rev. J. W. Cooper, D. D., and J. W. Bailey, recently called to Fort Wayne, Ind., after ten years of most successful labor. The church today numbers about 450 members, and is enjoying a season of marked prosperity under the leadership of Rev. G. W. Gallagher.
INNIAGARA FALLS.
Next in order of organization is the First Congrega- tional Church of Niagara Falls (formerly Suspension Bridge). Here again Congregationalism was the pioneer. Under the leadership of George Watson there was organ- ized July 3, 1853, in the brick school house, what afterward became the First Congregational Sabbath School. Shortly after this, principally through the earnest work of Harry P. Witbeck, the first religious society in the village of Suspen- sion Bridge was organized, and on June 19, 1854, incorpora- ted according to the laws of New York State.
March 15, 1855, James Vedder generously gave to the society a site for the church edifice, and on the 27th of the same month the church was formed with eight members. On September 10 the cornerstone was laid, and on Septem- ber 25 the first pastor, Rev. J. O. Knapp, installed. At this installation Rev. James H. Dill, father of the present pastor, gave the right hand of fellowship.
The church was finished and dedicated October 29, 1857, entirely free from debt. Since its organization, in 1855, there have been fourteen pastorates. Rev. C. M. Bar- tholomew served the church for nine years, the longest pas- torate and the most successful in the history of the church. Many new problems confront the church today, owing to the
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
transitional character of Niagara Falls into a great manu- facturing center. The present pastor, Rev. Arthur Cush- ing Dill, is well equipped by wide experience to lead the church during this crucial period.
EAST AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
During the pastorate of Rev. Edward B. Furbish over the First Congregational Church of Lockport certain dif- ferences of opinion upon matters of church discipline arose among the church members, which eventually led to the withdrawal of fifty-seven members in April, 1890. These protestants resolved to organize a new Congregational Church in the eastern part of the city, on East avenue, to be called the East Avenue Congregational Church of Lock- port. At a council, called on April 17, and presided over by Rev. Frank S. Fitch, D. D., of Buffalo, the new organization was formed and accepted into Congregational fellowship. On April 20 the first preaching service was held in Adkins Hall, which for the time became the headquarters of this new and vigorous society. The East Avenue Church is the youngest of the five Congregational churches in the county, and the most aggressive.
The present site on East avenue was purchased for $5,000, and the present commodious and beautiful chapel. erected at an expense of about $20,000. On June 14, 1892, the chapel was dedicated. During the financial panic of the nineties the struggling people had all they could do to meet their heavy financial obligations. But by great heroism and self-sacrifice they succeeded not only in holding their own, but actually reduced their indebtedness by several thousands of dollars. At last their brave efforts have been rewarded, and the future is full of promise and hope. The membership is about 250. Many of the charter members are still in active service, but the strong men who organized the church have nearly all "passed over."
The first pastor was Rev. Herbert P. Brown, under whose supervision the chapel was constructed and dedicated. Rev. J. W. Tate was his successor. In May, 1899, the pres- ent pastor, Rev. George A. Brock, a Niagara County lad, began his work. A heavy debt has been successfully and speedily financed; there have been nearly 100 additions to the church, and just at the present time the society is ex- pending $2,500 on the building of a new front and interior decorations, which will make the East Avenue Chapel one of the cosiest and most useful religious edifices in the City of Lockport.
One of the striking features of this church is the large and flourishing Bible school, which has been for many years under the efficient and successful superintendency of George B. Thompson, who is one of the best known Sunday School workers in New York State.
Lutheran Church.
BY REV. H, J. WATKINS.
The Lutheran Church of Niagara County dates its ex- istence from February 20, 1837, when the first church or- ganization, being English, was effected in Lockport under the pastorate of Rev. John Selmser, missionary of Hartwick Synod, New York. The organization at that time took the name of the German Lutheran and Reformed Church, but it was reorganized as early as March 9, 1837, under the cor- porate title of "Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Town of Lockport," which name was changed May 30, 1889, to "First English Lutheran Church of Lockport." The first church was built of brick, 60x44, on the triangular park op-
posite the now electric depot, and was torn down and re- built on the present site, corner of Locust and Walnut streets, the work being completed July 1, 1849, at a cost of $2,800, besides old material and donations of labor. On June 12, 1887, the church celebrated its jubilee, observing services for a week, under the auspices of the different so-
KE
REV. H. J. WATKINS.
cieties. The pastors from the organization of the church to the present time have been fourteen, viz :
Rev. John Selmser, 1836 to 1845.
Rev. Nicholas W. Goertner, 1845 to March 4, 1847.
Rev. Edward Meyer, May 23, 1847, to the fall of 1847. Rev. Thomas Lape, February 24, 1848, to April, 1850. Rev. H. L. Dox, June 30, 1850, to May 26, 1855.
Rev. H. W. Luckenbach, Oct. 1, 1855, to Oct. 1, 1857. Rev. P. A. Strobel, January 25, 1858, to August 1, 1860. Rev. H. L. Dox, April, 1861, to March 1, 1863.
Rev. S. R. Griffith, November 25, 1863, to Dec., 1865. Rev. M. Ort, September 1, 1867, to September 1, 1874. Rev. D. M. Moser, July 16, 1875, to June 1, 1879.
Rev. W. B. Thompson, August 1, 1879, to April 1, 1880. Rev. Philip Graef, July 11, 1880, to May 1, 1883.
Rev. H. J. Watkins, September 29, 1883, up to the pres- ent time.
Rev. W. B. Tomlinson died after a brief, but success- ful, pastorate of but eight months.
Since September, 1883, the congregation has grown from eighty members to 240. Besides the running expenses, since 1883, the congregation has spent, for church and street repairs over $3,500, purchased and placed in the church a pipe organ, bought a fine parsonage, and paid into the be- nevolences of the Synod over $8.300.
The church in Lockport has a property valued at over $12,000. The doctrinal basis of the church may be judged by the "doctrinal position" stated in its constitution. adopted by the congregation May 30, 1889, viz:
I .- The existence of one God.
2 .- The trinity of the Godhead.
3 .- The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
4 .- The universal depravity of man.
5 .- The Saviour's vicarious sufferings and death.
6 .- The justification of the sinner by faith in the Son of God.
7 .- The necessity of the Holy Spirit to regenerate and sanctify the soul.
8 .- The one holy Catholic (or universal) church.
9 .- The divine institution of the ministry, baptism and the Lord's supper.
10 .- The necessity of repentance and good works.
II .- The return of Christ to judge the world in right- eousness.
12 .- The resurrection of the dead.
13 .- The immortality of the soul.
14 .- The everlasting blessedness of the righteous.
15 .- The eternal punishment of the wicked.
A church south of Lockport, known as the "Brick Church," now St. Paul's English Lutheran, has a member- ship of twenty-three, and with the Lockport church at one time formed a strong pastorate. Some three years ago $500 was spent in refitting the building. This organization and the Lockport church are the only English Lutheran churches in the county in connection with what is known as the "General Synod North," a body representing 200,000 members.
The history of the German Lutheran Church of the county is distinct from the English, more in church polity than in doctrine, and comprehends the history of three synods.
EVANGELICAL MISSOURI SYNOD.
About fifty-four years ago a large number of Prussians migrated to this country, landing in Buffalo, whence a num- ber came to Niagara County, forming their first congrega- tion at Bergholtz, then organizing churches at Wolcotts- ville and Martinsville. This synod has now in the county fourteen congregations, nearly every one of which has, in addition to its church building, a parsonage, a cemetery, a home for the school teacher, and a school building in which the regular parochial school is held, taught by a regularly employed teacher.
The following church statistics are given with a great deal of completeness :
MEMBERS *SOULS
Bergholtz-Rev. O. H. Restin,
800
Martinsville,-Rev. P. Lowe,.
800
Wolcottsville-Rev. C. Lohrman,
800
Wolcottsburg-Rev. W. Weber,
800 Niagara Falls-
240
North Ridge and Wilson-Rev. E. J. Hahn,
250
1500
St. Johnsburg-Rev. F. Engelbert,
150
800
Lockport-Rev. A. E. Michel.
115 700
Co. Line and Lake Road-Rev. O. Mappes, North Tonawanda-Rev. A. Hering,
33
250
N. Tonawanda (Eng.) -Rev. A. T. Bonnet, 40
Newfane-Rev. W. Strathman, 40
300
Pekin-Rev. C. Frankenstein 20
... ..
Gratwick-Rev. T. Andree
50
* "Souls " means all that have been baptised, including infants.
Besides these regular congregations there are mission stations at Hartland Corners, Lewiston, Youngstown, Mid- dleport and High street, Lockport.
The churches that have no Sabbath Schools have what are called "Kinter Lehre," where children and parents are gathered together and the children are all taught the Bible truths by the pastor alone, in the presence of the parents. All the churches of this "Missouri Synod" cling closely to
the Word of God as the "only infallible rule of faith and practice." They all practice close communion, and put great emphasis on their opposition to all secret organiza- tions.
BUFFALO, OR GRABAU, SYNOD.
A small synod of Germans in the county is called the Buffalo, or Grabau Synod. The difference between this synod and the "Missouri synod" is found probably in the fact that the revolt of Rev. Grabau and his friends was founded upon his claim that the divine rights which the congregation claimed belonged to the pastor alone. The polity of the church of this synod, therefore, is more of a hierarchial nature, its head, called the "senior ministerii," being located, at present, at Bergholtz. The synod has churches at Bergholtz, with a good sized membership; at Wolcottsville; its largest church, served by Rev. Knue- bel; a church at Niagara Falls, Rev. Nemeshe, pastor ; also one at County Line; here also and at County Line are mis- sion stations, served by Rev. Saban.
GERMAN VEREIN UNITED SYNOD.
The "German Verein (United) Evangelical Synod of North America" has six congregations in the county, the largest of which is "St. Peters," Lockport, organized July 8, 1865. In 1864 the church building was erected, on the corner of South and Locust streets. In 1883 the tower was built, and a spacious Sunday School room was added in 1885. The congregation has a membership of 110 families. Connected with the church are the Ladies' Aid Society, forty members; Sewing Circle, sixteen members; Christian Endeavor, twenty members. Services are held in both Ger- man and English. The present pastor is Rev. Paul E. Zeller, who has served the congregation with great ability since September, 1899. The property of the congregation consists of the church edifice, parsonage, janitor's dwelling and a fine cemetery on Niagara street. With the exception of a few hundred dollars St. Peter's church has no debt.
Other churches of the Synod in the county are :
Friedents, North Tonawanda, Rev. H. Haupt, pastor, 108 members.
St. Paul's, Shawnee, Rev. H. Haupt, pastor, 42 mem- bers.
St. Paul's, Wendelville, Rev. J. Stilli, pastor, 95 mem- bers,
St. Stephen's, Middleport, Rev. J. Stilli, pastor, 20 members.
St. Peter's, North Tonawanda, Rev. F. Hhanzumpt, pastor, 58 members.
The General Body to which these churches belong has a membership of 922 pastors, 1,153 churches, a publishing house, two secretaries, several Orphanages and Deacon- ness' Homes, and a mission in India.
Besides the above Lutherans, there have been in exist- ence a couple of independent congregations in the county, called by the name of "Allrecht's Brueder," but of their present existence and work I am unacquainted.
Universalist Church.
BY REV. OTIS F. ALVORD
The doctrines of Universalism have been preached in Niagara County from a very early day. Some of the older members of the denomination put it as far back as 1810. Services were held in the County Court House before the first Universalist Church was built. The church at Mid- dleport was constructed in 1841, and the church at Lock-
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
port in 1843. The Niagara Association of Universalist Churches was formed seventy years ago, this year celebra- ting its seventieth anniversary. Thus it will be seen that the Universalist denomination is one of the oldest in the county.
The preaching of the doctrines of this church began because of the revolt from the harsh preaching of the Cal- vinistic faith a century ago. Many ministers were loth to leave their ecclesiastical associations, but a few from some of the older religious bodies espoused the newer faith, and being unable to propagate it in their old connection, with- drew and traveled throughout the country, preaching wher- ever opportunity offered. At first churches were organized slowly, and the preaching was more or less intermittent.
From data at hand, which has been rather hastily col- lected, the Middleport church would seem to have been the first church formed in the county. It was built, as has been stated, in 1841. Services have been continued, practically uninterrupted, up to the present time. Of late years there have been somewhat frequent changes in the pastorate. Since 1882 the following pastors have served the church : Rev. E. Hathaway, 1882-85; Rev. T. C. Druley, 1886-89: Rev. W. A. Pratt, 1891 ; Rev. W. I. Towsley, 1892-94 : Rev. Alonzo Chase, 1895 ; Rev. R. T. Sawyer, D. D., 1896. Rev. G. A. Kratzer, the present pastor, began his pastorate in 1898. The membership of the church today is 139. There are 130 members of the Sunday School, and the valuation of the property is $12,000.
The church at Lockport was built two years after that at Middleport, in 1843. In its earlier years it was an ex- ceptionally flourishing and powerful organization. Among the pastors at that time were Rev. William Bunker, Rev. William B. Cook, Rev. J. J. Austin, Rev. Charles F. Lee, Rev. Richmond Fiske, Rev. Mr. Baker, Rev. H. B. Smith (brother of B. N. Smith and P. M. Smith, of Lockport,) and Rev. S. G. Davis. Since 1882 the following pastors have served the people: Rev. H. A. Westall, 1882; Rev. J. H. Farnsworth, 1883; Rev. F. A. Gray, 1884-87; Rev. G. W. Powell, 1888-92; Rev. T. B. T. Fisher, 1893-95; Rev. J. A. Copeland, 1896-97; for the next two years the church was
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