First Presbyterian Church
The First Presbyterian Church in Manchester (later Niagara Falls) was initiated in 1824 by the Rev. David Smith, Isaac Smith family, Mrs. Stephen Childs and Abraham Mesler. On November 28, 1826 a public meeting was held to officially organize the “ First Presbyterian Society of Niagara.” The congregation originally met in the schoolhouse at Falls & Mechanic (later, Prospect Street) until 1831, when a new wooden church was built at the corner of Falls & First Street. The Union Chapel was a small building built by General Whitney, for the use of all denominations including the Methodists and Episcopalians. The original bell (now located within the existing First Presbyterian church tower) was hung outside because there was no steeple. It is believed that this was the first church building built in the community of Manchester, later Niagara Falls.
The Union Chapel was later sold to the Methodists and the purchase price applied to the cost of a new building, the present day church. The lot the Church stands on and much of the $8,000 in construction costs came from the Porter Family. It is believed that construction was started in 1849 and completed by 1852. The clock in the steeple, installed in 1850, was known as the village clock.
In 1869, the Church was out of debt and began making extensive repairs in 1871. In 1879, a large addition was built at the rear of the Church for the Sunday School. Prior to this the Sunday school was meeting in the basement of the Sanctuary. The addition was originally called the Chapel, but is now known as Fellowship Hall. The Sunday school of First Presbyterian has done much to help bring renovations to the physical Church. The Sunday school raised $1490 dollar to help build what is now Fellowship Hall. The Sunday school also began a fundraiser to help pay for the remodeling of 1899.
In 1889, a large edition was added to the south side of the Church and the Sanctuary was doubled in size. This remodeling was finished in 1904. The steeple was removed and parapets were installed in 1914. In 1922 a stained glass window was added to the Sanctuary. This window originally faced towards the parishioners but today is reversed and faces Fellowship Hall. A front entrance, made of two glass doors, was added to Fellowship Hall and a study and fireside room was added.
Additional renovations to the Sanctuary occurred between 1956-1957 when most of the wood paneling and pews were changed from walnut to oak. The stained glass window that faced the Sanctuary was reversed to face the Fellowship hall. The fireside room and library were updated and the basement renovated into Sunday school rooms.
In 1958, the former YMCA building, immediately north of the Church, was purchased to expand facilities for the Sunday school and children’s activities. In the 1970s, the Church was caught up in the “Urban Renewal Program” which among other things resulted in the demolition of the YMCA building. The vacant lot was later sold back to the Church for a dollar and converted into Fleming Park. In 1974 Fleming Park was dedicated to the Flemings, long time members and patrons of the Church.
In 1973, the entrances into the Sanctuary were remodeled. The round arched double doors was shortened and a new elevated entrance way installed. The ceiling was renovated in the Sanctuary a ceiling dome added. Besides structural changes, a PA system and new air conditioning was added. Between 1998-1999 the stone exterior was re-pointed and refurbished and the cornices and the verge boards repaired and repainted.
- Adapted from the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Board
The Union Chapel was later sold to the Methodists and the purchase price applied to the cost of a new building, the present day church. The lot the Church stands on and much of the $8,000 in construction costs came from the Porter Family. It is believed that construction was started in 1849 and completed by 1852. The clock in the steeple, installed in 1850, was known as the village clock.
In 1869, the Church was out of debt and began making extensive repairs in 1871. In 1879, a large addition was built at the rear of the Church for the Sunday School. Prior to this the Sunday school was meeting in the basement of the Sanctuary. The addition was originally called the Chapel, but is now known as Fellowship Hall. The Sunday school of First Presbyterian has done much to help bring renovations to the physical Church. The Sunday school raised $1490 dollar to help build what is now Fellowship Hall. The Sunday school also began a fundraiser to help pay for the remodeling of 1899.
In 1889, a large edition was added to the south side of the Church and the Sanctuary was doubled in size. This remodeling was finished in 1904. The steeple was removed and parapets were installed in 1914. In 1922 a stained glass window was added to the Sanctuary. This window originally faced towards the parishioners but today is reversed and faces Fellowship Hall. A front entrance, made of two glass doors, was added to Fellowship Hall and a study and fireside room was added.
Additional renovations to the Sanctuary occurred between 1956-1957 when most of the wood paneling and pews were changed from walnut to oak. The stained glass window that faced the Sanctuary was reversed to face the Fellowship hall. The fireside room and library were updated and the basement renovated into Sunday school rooms.
In 1958, the former YMCA building, immediately north of the Church, was purchased to expand facilities for the Sunday school and children’s activities. In the 1970s, the Church was caught up in the “Urban Renewal Program” which among other things resulted in the demolition of the YMCA building. The vacant lot was later sold back to the Church for a dollar and converted into Fleming Park. In 1974 Fleming Park was dedicated to the Flemings, long time members and patrons of the Church.
In 1973, the entrances into the Sanctuary were remodeled. The round arched double doors was shortened and a new elevated entrance way installed. The ceiling was renovated in the Sanctuary a ceiling dome added. Besides structural changes, a PA system and new air conditioning was added. Between 1998-1999 the stone exterior was re-pointed and refurbished and the cornices and the verge boards repaired and repainted.
- Adapted from the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Board
