First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda Celebrates 120 Years, Locke, article, transcription (Tonawanda News, 1972-06-03).png
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Title
First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda Celebrates 120 Years, Locke, article, transcription (Tonawanda News, 1972-06-03).png
Description
This article from the Tonawanda News (June 3, 1972) celebrates the 120th anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda. It recounts the church's origins in 1830, the early rivalry with Methodist congregations, and its official formation in 1852 under Rev. Alexander Rankin. It details the difficulties in securing a meeting place, the generosity of early members, and the eventual organization of the congregation and construction of a church building.
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First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda celebrates 120
In 1830, Albert H. Tracy, one of the men who helped to lay out Tonawanda, donated a lot on North Canal Street (now North Niagara) for a church building.
Because of the religious indifference in the young community, the lot remained vacant for 11 years. In 1841, John Simson led a movement to build a church on the lot. This church, when completed, was known as the Union Free Church and was used on alternate Sundays by the Baptists, Methodists and Universalists. The few Presbyterians who lived in Tonawanda worshipped with one of these denominations. Most chose the Methodists services.
However, as time went on, the differences in belief along with the “coldness” of the Presbyterian attitude as compared with the “emotionalism” of the Methodists led to friction between the two groups of worshippers. A separation was inevitable. In 1864, the Methodists left the Union Church, building completed their own church building that had been started a few years earlier on a lot donated to them by Col. John Sweeney.
It was at this time that the Rev. Alexander H. Rankin, a Presbyterian minister living at Napoleon chance to stop over in Tonawanda on his way from Buffalo. In the course of a conversation, a Mr. Patterson said, “Mr. Rankin, why can’t you come and preach for us? We can’t find a place.” “Why I can if you make me a place.” The matter was reported to Lewis Payne and Dr. Jessie Locke, both Presbyterians.
They at once met the matter and requested of the Methodists the use of their church on the Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. The request was granted.
Mr. Rankin promised to preach and Mr. Patterson circulated the notice inviting everybody to attend. At the appointed hour the minister was in hand and a crowd had gathered. When they found the Methodist Church, but the door was locked and no one could be found who had a key. Soon one of the officers of the Methodist Church, learning of the situation and filled with indignation at the slight, climbed in at one of the windows and opened the door.
This was the first Presbyterian “service” ever held in the Tonawandas. Mr. Rankin continued to come and preached several Sunday afternoons in the Methodist Church. There was little group of Presbyterians meeting every Sunday. By this time the Methodist Church withdrew its consent and they formally organized as the First Presbyterian Church.
First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda
This new life of the young church was to acquire a permanent place of worship. It first was compelled to rent a hall in the Miller building, being delay repeatedly in building. Negotiations were opened by the Rev. James Parsons and Dr. John Simson and purchase of a lot was made on Main Street.
This they did at a cost of $2,300 of which Mr. Smith paid one half.
The time passed on and the Rev. Edgar Dorr, later was unable to because Mr. Locke was unable. The people, many of them by Mr. Rankin, showed a warm interest. On to their buildings and the Presbyterians turned with fervor to house of the Lord and its use.
After a thorough remodeling, they returned to the hall they had purchased, and for several years worship was held in it. New pews were laid and a new bell purchased for the church. The church library began with a small group of 100 books.
The first minister for the newly organized First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Frederick C. Williams, began his duties in May 12, 1852 — the same year the first parson was united with the church after its organization was Margaret Dean, Jan. 23. Brought here from the Collegiate Church of New York City. On the same day, Mrs. Sarah A. Austin and Henry Tinker joined in profession of faith. Mrs. Tinker was the sister of Mrs. Sarah A. Austin, who was the daughter of John Austin who was born January 20, 1794. Also joined in the same day was a Miss Eldridge and a Miss Sunderland of Tonawanda. Following, Goodrich, Kendell, and a ministered to the early members: Franklin Goodell, William C. Partington, and Cornelius Hunt all served.
During the ministry of the Rev. Edgar Dorr, the Sunday School was organized. He ministered here from 1853 to Jan. 1, 1855. One record shows that 12 members joined during his ministry. Many of them were former Presbyterians who had been members in other communities and brought home to other people the need for the support of the ministry and regular services and the payment of pew rents, when it was a dismissed idea with the weakened and those whose affections and love was needed.
The Rev. E.W. Kellogg served from January 1855 until again in 1870 when the total annual subscription was $880. Mr. Rankin again served for a time. He is listed in one record as having married seven couples, four of them in 1854 and one in 1856. He appears to have served many times. He was held in high regard and was always welcome in the homes. His daily walk was a blessing and an example of life for the young men of the church who were brought in for “thorough effort.” He was a man of vigor, strength, and friendliness so amply rewarded.
On May 5, 1871, the Rev. Dr. Rankin sat as annual salary of $800 per year. In his later life he chose to reside in Tonawanda. He continued his faithful labors and had charge of the church and was called upon in emergency and his counsel was most sought. The church was his home and work.
Plans were laid for a new church to be built of wood, 40 x 80 ft. A subscription to raise money for the church produced $5,600. The offer was accepted and on June 7, 1875 the new church was dedicated. The cost of the church was $8,000 of which the church owed $3,000.
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First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda celebrates 120
In 1830, Albert H. Tracy, one of the men who helped to lay out Tonawanda, donated a lot on North Canal Street (now North Niagara) for a church building.
Because of the religious indifference in the young community, the lot remained vacant for 11 years. In 1841, John Simson led a movement to build a church on the lot. This church, when completed, was known as the Union Free Church and was used on alternate Sundays by the Baptists, Methodists and Universalists. The few Presbyterians who lived in Tonawanda worshipped with one of these denominations. Most chose the Methodists services.
However, as time went on, the differences in belief along with the “coldness” of the Presbyterian attitude as compared with the “emotionalism” of the Methodists led to friction between the two groups of worshippers. A separation was inevitable. In 1864, the Methodists left the Union Church, building completed their own church building that had been started a few years earlier on a lot donated to them by Col. John Sweeney.
It was at this time that the Rev. Alexander H. Rankin, a Presbyterian minister living at Napoleon chance to stop over in Tonawanda on his way from Buffalo. In the course of a conversation, a Mr. Patterson said, “Mr. Rankin, why can’t you come and preach for us? We can’t find a place.” “Why I can if you make me a place.” The matter was reported to Lewis Payne and Dr. Jessie Locke, both Presbyterians.
They at once met the matter and requested of the Methodists the use of their church on the Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. The request was granted.
Mr. Rankin promised to preach and Mr. Patterson circulated the notice inviting everybody to attend. At the appointed hour the minister was in hand and a crowd had gathered. When they found the Methodist Church, but the door was locked and no one could be found who had a key. Soon one of the officers of the Methodist Church, learning of the situation and filled with indignation at the slight, climbed in at one of the windows and opened the door.
This was the first Presbyterian “service” ever held in the Tonawandas. Mr. Rankin continued to come and preached several Sunday afternoons in the Methodist Church. There was little group of Presbyterians meeting every Sunday. By this time the Methodist Church withdrew its consent and they formally organized as the First Presbyterian Church.
First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda
This new life of the young church was to acquire a permanent place of worship. It first was compelled to rent a hall in the Miller building, being delay repeatedly in building. Negotiations were opened by the Rev. James Parsons and Dr. John Simson and purchase of a lot was made on Main Street.
This they did at a cost of $2,300 of which Mr. Smith paid one half.
The time passed on and the Rev. Edgar Dorr, later was unable to because Mr. Locke was unable. The people, many of them by Mr. Rankin, showed a warm interest. On to their buildings and the Presbyterians turned with fervor to house of the Lord and its use.
After a thorough remodeling, they returned to the hall they had purchased, and for several years worship was held in it. New pews were laid and a new bell purchased for the church. The church library began with a small group of 100 books.
The first minister for the newly organized First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Frederick C. Williams, began his duties in May 12, 1852 — the same year the first parson was united with the church after its organization was Margaret Dean, Jan. 23. Brought here from the Collegiate Church of New York City. On the same day, Mrs. Sarah A. Austin and Henry Tinker joined in profession of faith. Mrs. Tinker was the sister of Mrs. Sarah A. Austin, who was the daughter of John Austin who was born January 20, 1794. Also joined in the same day was a Miss Eldridge and a Miss Sunderland of Tonawanda. Following, Goodrich, Kendell, and a ministered to the early members: Franklin Goodell, William C. Partington, and Cornelius Hunt all served.
During the ministry of the Rev. Edgar Dorr, the Sunday School was organized. He ministered here from 1853 to Jan. 1, 1855. One record shows that 12 members joined during his ministry. Many of them were former Presbyterians who had been members in other communities and brought home to other people the need for the support of the ministry and regular services and the payment of pew rents, when it was a dismissed idea with the weakened and those whose affections and love was needed.
The Rev. E.W. Kellogg served from January 1855 until again in 1870 when the total annual subscription was $880. Mr. Rankin again served for a time. He is listed in one record as having married seven couples, four of them in 1854 and one in 1856. He appears to have served many times. He was held in high regard and was always welcome in the homes. His daily walk was a blessing and an example of life for the young men of the church who were brought in for “thorough effort.” He was a man of vigor, strength, and friendliness so amply rewarded.
On May 5, 1871, the Rev. Dr. Rankin sat as annual salary of $800 per year. In his later life he chose to reside in Tonawanda. He continued his faithful labors and had charge of the church and was called upon in emergency and his counsel was most sought. The church was his home and work.
Plans were laid for a new church to be built of wood, 40 x 80 ft. A subscription to raise money for the church produced $5,600. The offer was accepted and on June 7, 1875 the new church was dedicated. The cost of the church was $8,000 of which the church owed $3,000.
Date
1972-06-03
Citation
“First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda Celebrates 120 Years, Locke, article, transcription (Tonawanda News, 1972-06-03).png,” North Tonawanda History, accessed June 22, 2025, https://www.nthistory.com/items/show/280.