North Tonawanda History Museum © North Presbyterian Church

114-year old Presbyterian organization in a 107-year old church building.

In the early days of the settlement of North Tonawanda , adherents of the Presbyterian faith crossed over to the First Presbyterian Church in Tonawanda to worship. Organized on April 30, 1891, North Presbyterian Church was originally located at 195 Schenck St. in a little building which still serves as a church. They had 73 parishioners.

Ground was broken at 168 Payne Avenue on May 17, 1898. Dedication services were held on January 31, 1899. The burning of the mortgage on this building took place on July 4, 1920. Ray H. Bennett presented the Bennett Memorial Organ in memory of his mother on October 10, 1920. At this time, the chancel of the church was enlarged to accommodate 30 people. In 1921, the Men's Brotherhood constructed a Parish House behind the church, containing two bowling alleys and other facilities for recreation and program activities, but it was demolished in 1929. In May 1966 a parish house was constructed next door.

Over the years, a number of North Tonawanda's prominent citizens were parishioners of the church, including McLeans, Rumbolds, Wagenschuetz's, Humphreys, Herschells, Spillmans, and even Henry P. Smith, III, who served as Mayor and Congressman. Jean Swetland, a nationally-famous lyric soprano from North Tonawanda , who performed in Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1951 as well as in a pops concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 1949, sang locally at the North Presbyterian Church on a number of occasions. Jean, who lived at 350 Thompson Street with her mother, Mildred, and sister, Viola, also sang at resort hotels in the Adirondacks and the Catskills and also performed with the Little Orchestra Society in Town Hall, New York, in 1950 and with the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Photo: North Presbyterian Church 2005, courtesy of Museum member & volunteer Betty Brandon