First Presbyterian Church at Symphony Circle

In 1887, following a much publicized period of discernment and debate concerning moving the congregation away from Shelton Square, Mrs. Trueman G. Avery, a faithful member of the congregation who lived at the site now occupied by Kleinhans Music Hall, donated a parcel of land across the circle at the corner of Wadsworth and Pennsylvania Streets in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Austin. Thus begins the story of the present edifice, designed by the renowned architectural firm of Green & Wicks. Following a well published design competition the winning design by Green & Wicks stood out from the other three finalists, it was noted for its Romanesque exterior, Byzantine-revival styled sanctuary and tall central tower that would dominate the skyline of late 19^th century Buffalo through the present day.

Ground breaking took place and the first services were held in the newly built chapel on September 11, 1889, then on December 13, 1891 the first services were held in the newly constructed sanctuary. However the new building was not dedicated until after the completion of the tower on May 16, 1897. The dedicatory sermon that day was preached by the Rev. Francis L. Patton, D. D., President of Princeton University, which was the Alma Mata of the pastor, Dr. Samuel S. Mitchell, who would, following his retirement in 1904, return there for a year to lecture on the English Bible.

Curiously, with the dedication of the new edifice came his reinstallation as pastor. That event occurred on June 24th, 1897 when Dr. Mitchell was once again installed as pastor of the “New” First Church. The Rev. Henry Elliott Mott acted as moderator; the installation sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Van Vranken Holmes; the charge to the congregation was given by the Rev. Henry Ward; the charge to the people, by the Rev. William Waith and the installation prayer was offered by the Rev. William Burnett Wright.[i] It was also during this time in 1897 that Welcome Hall formally opened. The building, designed by the same firm Green & Wicks, was located at 404-408 Seneca St. as a mission of First church to the community.

During the Pan American Exhibition of 1901, Theodore Roosevelt worshiped here both as vice-president and following the assassination of William McKinley. Dr. Mitchell breakfasted with Theodore Roosevelt on the morning following his inauguration and there is some evidence to support that they were on familiar terms with each other, due in part possibly to Dr. Mitchell’s pastorate in Washington, D.C. from 1869-1878.

With Dr. Mitchell’s retirement in 1904 came the pastorate of Dr. Andrew Van Vranken Raymond, D.D., who came to the church from the office of president of Union College. Dr. Raymond served first as “supply pastor”, but then following the death of his wife in 1907, decided to accept the call as pastor. It was during Dr, Raymond’s tenure as pastor that on February 2nd, 1912 the Church celebrated its centennial in style, with the sanctuary decorated for the occasion.

The building has undergone several modifications over the years, most noted was the Removal of the old Roosevelt organ in 1915 which was replaced with the Austin Organ, then the redecoration of the sanctuary in 1924 under direction of Mr. William Carson Francis, a fourth-generation member of the congregation. Memorial windows of exquisite design and color were installed at that time. In 1925 the cornerstone for the Parish House was laid, the new parish house was dedicated in February, 1926 both during the pastorate of Dr. George A. Buttrick, D.D.

On November 5^th, 1931, Dr. Ralph B. Hindman was installed as pastor and because of the economics of the times; the church was forced to give up the mission of Welcome Hall following the retirement of Rev. William E. McLennan, who had been the director since 1909. The building and mission was sold to the City of Buffalo where it remained in operation as a community center before being closed and torn down a few years later.

In 1949 because of concerns voiced by parishioners in the main sanctuary that the noise made during the children’s services was disturbing worship, the chapel was redesigned, this included reorientation of the chapel chancel, replacing the pews, enclosing the staircase to the sanctuary balcony, changing the lighting fixtures and replacing the glass windows with special dedicated stained glass windows. In 1957, the old Roosevelt organ was also replaced, this time with a new Schlicker organ. The next major renovation of the Chapel took place in 2004 during the pastorate of the present minister Dr. Geri Lyon. This time the pews were removed, new chairs purchased, the chapel was repainted and the floor refinished.

The sanctuary was remodeled again in 1955 during the tenure of Dr. Hindman’s pastorate. This time a canopy was added above the pulpit, ornate carvings installed behind the chancel and a second doorway added on the right side of the chancel. Also, an extension of the existing balcony outside the Historical Hall was added to connect the Parish House with the Old Library, additional bathrooms and storage was added in this new connecting balcony area.

In 1959 during Dr. Theodore G. Lilly’s pastorate, the church merged with First United Presbyterian Church. With this church, which stood on the north-east corner of Summer St. and Richmond Ave. additional gifts for expansion became available; this was realized in 1968, during the pastorate of Dr. Arthur W. Meilke, D.D. The sanctuary underwent additional modifications, this time, the chancel was extended, the communion table enlarged by the same craftsmen that carved the original table, the pulpit and lectern were also redesigned, and the dividing wall in the chancel was removed to reduce congestion. The ornate, carved chancel and pulpit railings were reused around the pulpit and lectern. The effect gave parishioner a better view of the chancel, opening it up too. Also redesigned was the Youth Center in the Parish House.

The old Austin Organ with Squire Haskin at the organ. (Source: Church Archives)

The Austin organ installed in 1915 was now over a half century old and Squire Haskin, who was the organist & choirmaster since 1936, was a close friend with Dr. Robert Noehren, well-known concert organist, organ designer and native of Buffalo, NY. In 1969 the old Austin Organ gave its final performance and was dismantled and replaced with a customized organ of Dr. Noehren’s design. This instrument when dedicated was known as the Noehren organ until 1986, following Squire Haskin’s untimely murder less then a day before his retirement celebration was to commence. Dr. Noehren had returned to Buffalo for that celebration and instead performed for his memorial service along with other notable guest organists. Dr. David Bond, who was Squire Haskin’s hand-picked successor assumed his duties a few weeks earlier then was expected, and has been organist and choirmaster since that tragic event.

The Noehren Organ (now Squire Haskin Memorial organ since 1986) Source: Church Archives

Following the sudden death of Dr. Mielke’s first wife Hazel on April 1^st 1973 funds were raised for a memorial cross to be erected in place of the Tiffany chandler. This chandler was then moved to the Historical Hall where it remained until only recently being sold to a private party somewhere in Texas.

During the pastorate of Rev. Gilbert Horn, the first two rows of pews were removed and stored in the basement below the chapel. This was done to accommodate the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra that held concerts and rehearsals there on occasion. Unfortunately, those pews were stored in less then favorable condition and because of poor humidity they have been rendered useless due to dry rot. Other then some minor restorations and repainting the sanctuary remains as you see it today.

---

[i] Annual Church Report of 1898, Church Archives