We have a grand 179-year history beginning in Buffalo, but in 2025, we celebrated 70 years in Williamsville. On June 5, 1955, the cornerstone of a new home for North Presbyterian Church was laid at 300 North Forest Road and on December 8, 1955, the first worship service was celebrated in the current sanctuary.
The population of Buffalo grew rapidly in the early 19th century, especially after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. Between 1832 and 1845, three Presbyterian churches were in existence within the city of Buffalo: First Presbyterian, Central, and Lafayette. By 1846, these three churches were overflowing on Sunday mornings, and it was perceived that another church was needed. So, on March 25, 1847, 20 men and 23 women, all members of First Presbyterian Church, agreed to “enter upon a new enterprise.” The site chosen for the new church was on Main Street between Tupper and Chippewa, near the current location of Studio Arena Theatre. The name “North” was chosen because, at that time, the location seemed quite far to the north of the other Presbyterian churches. This new church was dedicated on December 29, 1847.
When North Church celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1897, Buffalo was a thriving city of 170,000, with fifteen railroads and 1,137 manufacturers. Large residential areas were established farther to the north, east, and west of Delaware Avenue. By 1900, the Session and members realized that North church could no longer survive downtown and voted to move northward toward the center of the newly emerging residential communities. Ground was broken for construction of a new North Presbyterian Church at the corner of Utica Street and Delaware Avenue, and the new building was dedicated on January 6, 1907.
By the mid-1930s, a number of changes in the community brought about a significant decline in membership. For example, a large number of Presbyterian churches existed within a relatively constrained geographic area; the Great Depression had a catastrophic effect upon membership, with many formerly self-sufficient and wealthy members facing bankruptcy; and World Wars I and II brought about many social and economic changes, including gasoline rationing, which affected the ability of certain church locations to draw new membership. As a result of these conditions, when Rev. Martyn Keeler became pastor in 1950, North Church faced seemingly insurmountable financial difficulties and dwindling membership.
On Sunday, October 12, 1952, a small group of individuals met in the home of Warren and Alice Swager, newcomers to the village of Williamsville. The Swagers had great concern over the lack of a Presbyterian church to serve Williamsville and the surrounding communities. The group showed tremendous interest and a willingness to devote time and energy to the establishment of a Presbyterian church in Williamsville. As Secretary, pro-tem, of the group, Mr. Swager wrote a letter to the Session of North Church stressing the urgent need for a Presbyterian Church in Amherst. This invitation was accepted by North Church, and its building at Delaware and Utica was closed on December 31, 1952. This building is currently home to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
Finding itself without a permanent building on January 1, 1953, the congregation of North Church met for worship in the cafeteria of Park School, which was located on Harlem Road in Snyder. The Park School congregation grew, attracting new members from the Town of Amherst. On May 24th of that year, the congregation approved the purchase of the Kuhn farm at North Forest and Union Roads in Williamsville. Ground was broken for a new church building—the third in the church’s history, and on December 8, 1955, the church was dedicated. That site remains the current location of North Presbyterian Church.
In summary, over the past 179 years (1847-2026), North Presbyterian Church has been located at thee different locations and its congregation has been led by 31 pastors, interim pastors, and/or assistant and associate pastors. Two of these pastoral callings (Revs. Keeler and McFarlane) each extended over a 20-year period. The membership of the congregation is currently around 400 individuals.
