The Westminster Church Was founded September 3, 1854 by a group of 40 residents locally in the Buffalo NY area. Jesse Ketchum who had a congregation in North Buffalo a Christian Civic leader took 10 faith renowned members and provided the land for Westminster Church. He also founded the chapel in 1847 here before other parts of the church were added and constructed. In 1858 land the cornerstone for the sanctuary and by 1859 the first sermon that took place was in 1859 for the Synod Of Genesee 

In the 1870s Westminster started many different programs throughout the Buffalo NY area such as smaller Chapels, Missions,  and Sunday Schools. Even the church started the Young People's Association and a Women's Missionary Society  which  provided gifts for local and overseas missionary efforts. Dr. Joseph P. Cochran in 1880 formed the Westminster Hospital in  Uremia, Persia. It was then moved to Kermanshah, this hospital was supported by Westminster until after World War II. The church also worked with spreading there territory by starting up schools in the Midwest, working with the Native American people as well. So the church's involvement in the community was very great in the 1800s.

In 1894 the church formed the Westminster Community House which was established on the East Side it was only the second one of its kind in the country. A linen sale took place to cover the funding for it. Dr Holmes who was in care of the congregation from here till 1932 which had over 1500 members strong. Then in 1932 Dr. Albert G. Butzer took over as pastor. He had all the sanctuary redecorated and gothic stained glass windows. In 1858 a newe Aeolian-Skinner organ was donated to the church. Also under this pastor he had the Sunday School assembly room redone which was dedicated to Holmes and now is the chapel which you will see in the photos below. Because of this transition the library was used for gatherings rather then the assembly room. Then Dr. Kiely in 1962 took control of the congregation. He started the "Ecumenical Minister" program which allowed clergy from other countries to stay in Buffalo a extended time. Along with that he was part of the additions added to the school and dedicated it to Albert G. Butzer in 1967.

In 1971 again another change in the Congregation took place by Reverend Thomas P. Stewart he stayed with the church for most of his life till he passed in 1994. But during that time he started many adult programs that dealt with human sexuality, alcohol anonymous groups, suicide recovery, parents and friends of gays and lesbians, and much more. He also had the Westminster memorial garden and church yard established which is an old Christian tradition on having burials of members of a parish adjacent from the church itself. Also the Benedict house and habitat for humanity housed the annual spaghetti dinners were started which is a large event in the Buffalo area.  During this time Stewart was asked to assist the temple of Zion while renovations were done at the church in 1992. Some of the things that were added or redone are a passage from the Sanctuary to the offices, glass protection added, new larger doors, wood work was touched up, chandelier rebuilt, new carpets added along with new colors worked into the ceilings, new hard wood flooring and much more. 

From 1994 to 1998 the church staff ran the congregation or rather associate  pastors. Then in 1998 Dr Thomas Yorty was installed into the church services. He strengthened the programs having to do with communion and healing services. He also did the Vigil for the slaying of Dr Slepian and the service for Thomas E. Swan who perished in 2001. Swan was well known for his ministry music with the church and also contributed  to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

So as you can see the church has a rich history of events and many have came and went over the last 150 years. Many have worshipped and assisted with the church and many have passed but perhaps some have decided to stay in spirit here. This is a beautiful church. The walkways are in stone, there are benches and trees all over, rod iron surrounds the back of the church with a playground and school which at one time had 200 students. Everything is almost connected and at night when you walk around it you can see the ministers house dimly lit, or the office hall lights on with the old wooden doors when you peer into the windows. Again another European looking church in the Buffalo NY area. With age and history usually comes alot of ghost and although to some the history does not matter much to me it is important into shaping the supernatural feeling that surrounds the place.

Lastly I would like to talk a little bit about the architecture since it is a beautiful church. The Romanesque Revival design was by the architect, H.M. Wilcox who designed most of the church. The materials were used from Canada which were a yellowish type of brick. The small arches were Lombardy Architecture which was common in Italian structures. The gothic revival windows in the sanctuary are from 12th and 13th century European cathedral styles. The library in the school and parish hall living quarters is  is a norm keep type of style. The school which is behind the church was once a stable and is Victorian. So we have many different styles that surround this church. As far as the symbols and stained glass go there is  218 symbols and things to look for in just the sanctuary itself. There are 127 biblical stories, 56 Judeo-Christian Symbols on the walls, windows Etc. There is 33 events associated with the church itself depicted in the windows. The 10 windows alone in the front cover the old and new testament. The front window is dedicated to Holmes which serviced the church. So a lot of beauty and work has gone into this church.

© By

Rick-AngelOfThyNight

Sources: Westminster Church