|
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In the fall of 1825, two missionaries were sent by the Massachusetts Missionary Society to Western New York. Under the ministry of Ezra Going, meetings were held in the village and the Transit school house. As a result of this work, the First Baptist Church of Amherst was organized with six men and twelve women on June 8, 1826. The church went through difficult periods and at times it seemed as though the doors would be closed. It was in 1832 that the Baptist Association recommended that the church be dissolved. Through the determination of the eleven members, the ministry continued. In 1837 Brother John Coe was chosen to serve as deacon. Historical notes read, "From this time onward the church began to `lengthen her cords' and `strengthen her stakes' and `let her light shine.'" On August 26, 1840, their new church on Cayuga Road in Williamsville was dedicated and incorporated as the Baptist Society of Amherst. By 1841, the only Sunday School in this area belonged to this church. Issues of the times had their influences. Temperance was a prime concern along with slavery. From the minutes of the Buffalo Baptist Association of September, 1843: "They complain that some are too much engrossed with the cares of the world, yet say they, `we are making some advances in the divine life.' They have no fellowship for the slave holder or his apologist: believe that all secret societies are contrary to the practice of the Apostles, and are calculated to disturb the peace of Zion." Weekly Church Covenant meetings were held. Their sole purpose was to meet with those desiring membership or to discuss matters pertinent to the constituent's walk with the Lord. In 1852, the membership was 149. A pew could be rented for life for $45.00. Between 1826 and 1902 there were approximately twenty-six pastors. According to the records, the church was without a pastor many times because many of them wished to move west to unexplored territories. As far as can be determined, about 630 people united with the church between 1826 and 1902. 1859-Rev. William Randall became pastor. In 1861 he enlisted in the army during the Civil War. At Gettysburg he was severely wounded, honorably discharged and returned to Amherst in 1865 where he again became Pastor. His wife, Helen M. Randall, "was a pillar and a steadfast supporter of the church in its every relation, giving liberally and yet with discrimination to every worth object, and she was blessed with a goodly portion of this world's goods." Being financially well off when she passed away in 1890, Mrs. Randall endowing the church with $30,000 of which $10,000 was to be used toward a new building. The remaining $20,000 was put in a trust fund from which we still receive interest yearly. When the Cayuga Street church was not suitable to be used, and needed too much repair, some of Mrs. Randall's estate was used in the building of the church at 5586 Main Street, where the Prudential Insurance Building now stands. In March of 1874, twenty persons, young and old, were baptized in the mill race of the Williamsville Flour Mill located on Spring Street. We quote, "The weather being so cold that their clothes froze on them before they could be taken home. Some went to neighbors nearby, others went home by horse and sleigh. It was said that no one took cold." In 1880, a baptistry was installed in the church and February 29 of that same year it was used for the first time. It took eight to ten hours to pump water from the well in the parsonage yard. 1902-1920 - John Naylor, pastor (18 years) As the Buffalo area began for grow, the trustees determined to move to the center of Williamsville where much of the increase in suburban growth would occur. "His earnest labors are bearing fruit. All meetings well attended. The Young People are being gathered and the people look forward hopefully for a season of prosperity and of spiritual ingathering." 1921-1924 - Arthur Fowler, pastor (3 years). During his tenure the parsonage on Cayuga Road was enlarged. 1926-1928 - (Two short pastorates) Edwin Griffen, R. Wendell 1928-1933 - Arthur Williams, pastor (5 years) The core of his ministry was the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that only through a personal belief in Christ as Savior can we experience Salvation. "We preach -- Christ -- The Bible -- only and always. The Book -- The Blood -- and the Blessed Hope" were the words on the sign in the front of the church. During this time, the missionary program was started. The church withdrew from the Northern Baptist Convention (now known as the American Baptist Convention) in 1929. A new constitution was formulated. The parsonage was sold, and a new parsonage at 44 Milton Street was purchased. 1933-1937 - Clarence Keen, pastor (4 years) Pastor Keen was known for his thorough Bible teaching. He taught a Bible class of 400 each week at the Statler Hotel in Buffalo. The church grew under his thorough Bible teaching. Daily Vacation Bible School was started in 1935. 1937-1943 - Frank Waaser, pastor (6 years) A large choir was formed and directed by Paul King, head of the music department of Amherst High School. 1944-1952 - John Greening, pastor (8 years) Rev. Greening's ministry was one of spiritual blessing. Souls were saved and members increased. A live radio ministry was begun every Sunday morning from 9:00 - 9:15 from Kenmore station WXRA. An educational wing was added to the church. 1952-1983 - Stanley Lewis, pastor (33 years) Pastor Lewis quickly won the love and confidence of the congregation and the church grew and made great strides under his ministry. 1950- Christian Service Brigade ministry organized. 1954- Pioneer Girls ministry organized. 1954- John B. Will called as assistant to Pastor Lewis. He directed the music program and youth work. 1960- Growing attendance made it necessary to have two morning services. Ground was broken for new facilities (our present location). 1961- Our first services were held in the educational building. Our present gymnasium was used as the church auditorium. 1964- The Youth Building was erected. 1968- Ground breaking ceremonies were held on the main building. 1970- On March 8, the first service was held in the new sanctuary. The cost was $650,000. Approximately 1,000 people attended the first concert on the Moler Pipe Organ. Dr. Vernon Grounds gave the dedication address on April 4. 1971- Senior Adults Ministry started (continues today). Other pastoral staff during Stanley Lewis' ministry: Stanley Lewis served as Associate pastor from 1983-1985 while K.C. Knappen was beginning his ministry at Randall. Stanley Lewis was named pastor emeritus in 1985 when he retired from the church. 1983-1993 - Kenneth C. Knappen, pastor (10 years) During Pastor Knappen's ministry at Randall, our first pictorial directory was published, our youth went on mission trips to Dallas, the Dominican Republic, JARS, and Chicago. The "Supper for Six" program was instituted, and our women's Creative Christian Living ministry began. In 1986 a spiritual gift survey was taken and an Internship program developed. Other pastoral staff during K. C. Knappen's ministry: 1993-1995 - John Tornfelt, pastor Other pastoral staff during J.V. Tornfelt's ministry: 1997-present - Paul Decker, pastor. 2004-2006 - Josh Stamp, Choir Director and Organist (part-time) May 2, 2004 - A special celebration was held to honor Pastor John (Jack) Will for 50 years of ministry at Randall as Associate Pastor. |
