The UU Church of Buffalo - A Continuing History
The Unitarian and Universalist Churches in this city were both organized in 1831, when Buffalo was still a village. The two congregations merged in 1953, when the First Unitarian Church of Buffalo and the Universalist Church of the Messiah joined to begin worshiping as the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo at 695 Elmwood Avenue at West Ferry Street. Nationally, the two denominations merged in 1961.
The first Unitarian Church building in Buffalo (pictured left) was erected on a lot at Franklin and Eagle Streets. Its cornerstone was laid in 1833. Among those contributing towards its construction was Millard Fillmore, church member and future U.S. President, who later welcomed John Quincy Adams and Abraham Lincoln as guests in his pew. Lincoln’s visit occurred during his stop in Buffalo, on the way to Washington for his inauguration. Other Unitarian churches (at Delaware & Mohawk in 1879, and Amherst & Fairfield in 1897) were built prior to the current church.
The cornerstone for the first Universalist Church was laid near Washington & Swan Streets in 1832. Later locations were Main & Huron (1866), North & Mariner (1892), and Lafayette & Hoyt (in 1911). The building at Lafayette & Hoyt still stands.
Both faith traditions have long histories of social action and civil engagement. As the Civil War began, care packages were delivered to soldiers boarding trains en route to the battlefields. More than a century ago, our members were providing services and advocating for immigrants in dire need. Unitarians were leaders in the creation of public schools in Buffalo in the late 1830s. In 1904, the Unitarian Church was a major supporter in the establishment of Neighborhood House, providing education and social services to indigent and immigrant populations in Buffalo. In the late-1960s, UUCB was the site of a demonstration against the Vietnam War draft, providing physical and symbolic sanctuary for draft resistors. In the early 1990s, UUCB underwent the process of becoming a Welcoming Congregation, officially adopting that designation in 1995.
In adherence to our Seven Principles, we continue to engage locally and nationally in Social Justice issues, including education and environment, immigration, ethical eating, community support, adoption, reproductive rights, homelessness and hunger.
The Unitarian and Universalist Churches in this city were both organized in 1831, when Buffalo was still a village. The two congregations merged in 1953, when the First Unitarian Church of Buffalo and the Universalist Church of the Messiah joined to begin worshiping as the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo at 695 Elmwood Avenue at West Ferry Street. Nationally, the two denominations merged in 1961.
The first Unitarian Church building in Buffalo (pictured left) was erected on a lot at Franklin and Eagle Streets. Its cornerstone was laid in 1833. Among those contributing towards its construction was Millard Fillmore, church member and future U.S. President, who later welcomed John Quincy Adams and Abraham Lincoln as guests in his pew. Lincoln’s visit occurred during his stop in Buffalo, on the way to Washington for his inauguration. Other Unitarian churches (at Delaware & Mohawk in 1879, and Amherst & Fairfield in 1897) were built prior to the current church.
The cornerstone for the first Universalist Church was laid near Washington & Swan Streets in 1832. Later locations were Main & Huron (1866), North & Mariner (1892), and Lafayette & Hoyt (in 1911). The building at Lafayette & Hoyt still stands.
Both faith traditions have long histories of social action and civil engagement. As the Civil War began, care packages were delivered to soldiers boarding trains en route to the battlefields. More than a century ago, our members were providing services and advocating for immigrants in dire need. Unitarians were leaders in the creation of public schools in Buffalo in the late 1830s. In 1904, the Unitarian Church was a major supporter in the establishment of Neighborhood House, providing education and social services to indigent and immigrant populations in Buffalo. In the late-1960s, UUCB was the site of a demonstration against the Vietnam War draft, providing physical and symbolic sanctuary for draft resistors. In the early 1990s, UUCB underwent the process of becoming a Welcoming Congregation, officially adopting that designation in 1995.
In adherence to our Seven Principles, we continue to engage locally and nationally in Social Justice issues, including education and environment, immigration, ethical eating, community support, adoption, reproductive rights, homelessness and hunger.
The UU Church of Buffalo – Historic Architecture
When completed in 1906, the ‘English Country Gothic ‘ church at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and West Ferry was acclaimed for its charm and beauty. It stands today as a stunning example of early 20th Century Arts and Crafts aesthetic.
Buffalo industrialist and philanthropist, John J. Albright sold the land for the church to the congregation at a bargain price; the building was sited at the western end of Albright’s West Ferry Street estate. The architect, Edward Austin Kent, of a prominent Buffalo family and a member of the church, designed a building of simplicity and charm. (Kent is also notable for being the only resident of Buffalo to die in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. He was a true hero of the catastrophe, going below several times to alert passengers and assist them to lifeboats on the deck.)
Constructed of Indiana limestone, the building features arched windows of stained glass, a crenulated turret, and oak doors decorated with wrought-iron fleur-de-lis. Its simplicity and strength contrast with its setting; the grounds of the church, resembling an old-style English perennial garden, are a tribute to the work of dedicated volunteers. From early spring to late autumn, its natural beauty is shared with the many visitors and neighbors who pass by, or stroll through the grounds. The garden has been recognized for its excellence, having received multiple Buffalo in Bloom city garden awards.
Our Sanctuary has been called “one of the best Arts and Crafts spaces in Buffalo.” Its design represented a return to hand craftsmanship (as reflected in the woodwork) and natural forms and light (as illustrated in the stained glass windows). With seating for 400, the room gives the impression of both spaciousness and intimacy. An outstanding feature of the Sanctuary is the great oak hammer beam ceiling, soaring from stone corbels, which are about ten feet above the floor. The walls and floor are of the same stone as the exterior. Their plainness serves as a foil to the oak and glass decorative elements.
The Gothic design continues in the dark oak woodwork, in keeping with the architecture of the whole. Hand-carved, quarter-sawn oak is used for the reredos (the screen behind the pulpit), as well as for the beautiful ‘windscreen’ at the rear of the room. Ogee (wishbone-shaped) arches, and spires decorated with crockets (which look like Brussels sprouts), are Gothic motifs. The simple pews are also of oak. The stained glass windows, in “art nouveau” style, were designed by Harry E. Goodhue, of Boston.
The pipe organ in the choir loft at the rear of the room was the gift of the family of parishioner Ethan Howard. Built by the Hutchings-Votey organ company in 1906, it was rebuilt in 1960 by the Delaware Organ Company of Tonawanda, NY.
Architectural tours of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo are offered every August as part of the annual Elmwood Festival of the Arts. The tours are free, and open to all.
When completed in 1906, the ‘English Country Gothic ‘ church at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and West Ferry was acclaimed for its charm and beauty. It stands today as a stunning example of early 20th Century Arts and Crafts aesthetic.
Buffalo industrialist and philanthropist, John J. Albright sold the land for the church to the congregation at a bargain price; the building was sited at the western end of Albright’s West Ferry Street estate. The architect, Edward Austin Kent, of a prominent Buffalo family and a member of the church, designed a building of simplicity and charm. (Kent is also notable for being the only resident of Buffalo to die in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. He was a true hero of the catastrophe, going below several times to alert passengers and assist them to lifeboats on the deck.)
Constructed of Indiana limestone, the building features arched windows of stained glass, a crenulated turret, and oak doors decorated with wrought-iron fleur-de-lis. Its simplicity and strength contrast with its setting; the grounds of the church, resembling an old-style English perennial garden, are a tribute to the work of dedicated volunteers. From early spring to late autumn, its natural beauty is shared with the many visitors and neighbors who pass by, or stroll through the grounds. The garden has been recognized for its excellence, having received multiple Buffalo in Bloom city garden awards.
Our Sanctuary has been called “one of the best Arts and Crafts spaces in Buffalo.” Its design represented a return to hand craftsmanship (as reflected in the woodwork) and natural forms and light (as illustrated in the stained glass windows). With seating for 400, the room gives the impression of both spaciousness and intimacy. An outstanding feature of the Sanctuary is the great oak hammer beam ceiling, soaring from stone corbels, which are about ten feet above the floor. The walls and floor are of the same stone as the exterior. Their plainness serves as a foil to the oak and glass decorative elements.
The Gothic design continues in the dark oak woodwork, in keeping with the architecture of the whole. Hand-carved, quarter-sawn oak is used for the reredos (the screen behind the pulpit), as well as for the beautiful ‘windscreen’ at the rear of the room. Ogee (wishbone-shaped) arches, and spires decorated with crockets (which look like Brussels sprouts), are Gothic motifs. The simple pews are also of oak. The stained glass windows, in “art nouveau” style, were designed by Harry E. Goodhue, of Boston.
The pipe organ in the choir loft at the rear of the room was the gift of the family of parishioner Ethan Howard. Built by the Hutchings-Votey organ company in 1906, it was rebuilt in 1960 by the Delaware Organ Company of Tonawanda, NY.
Architectural tours of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo are offered every August as part of the annual Elmwood Festival of the Arts. The tours are free, and open to all.
UUCB History on Display
For those interested in our church history, there is a display cabinet in our Parish Hall where exhibits showcasing various events, documented and illustrated with materials from our archives, are displayed. Church historian, Bill Parke, updates the displays regularly, and they can be viewed at any time.
For those interested in our church history, there is a display cabinet in our Parish Hall where exhibits showcasing various events, documented and illustrated with materials from our archives, are displayed. Church historian, Bill Parke, updates the displays regularly, and they can be viewed at any time.