History

HISTORY 1800's

North Presbyterian Church was organized on April 30, 1891 as part of the Niagara Presbytery. Prior to that Presbyterians in North Tonawanda had attended First Presbyterian Church, Tonawanda. The Rev. Henry Sanborne was ordained and installed at the first minister of the church.

The congregation purchased a church building at 195 Schenck Street and met there for 8 years. The building now is home to the Ghost Light Theater group. On May 17, 1898 ground was broken for a new church at 168 Payne Avenue. The cost of the building, lot and adjacent manse at 166 Payne was $29,000.

1900-1950

An adjacent building was built by the men of the church in 1920 and opened in the 1921 at the rear of the church’s lot. The new Parish House contained two bowling alleys and other facilities for recreation and program activities. Bowling was discontinued because of neighbor’s complaints and eventually the building was demolished in 1929.

The upstairs of the manse was converted into apartments in 1948, with the Pastor still maintaining the downstairs residence.

1950-1970

1960-Present

In 1955 poured cement floors replaced the original wooden floors in the basement of the Church. A new manse at 170 Christiana Street was purchased in 1958 and the ground floor of the old manse was converted to the Ministers Study, secretary’s office and class rooms in 1965.

The original cupola of the church was removed in 1963. The Parish House at 166 Payne was demolished in 2008 to accommodate parking. The church offices were relocated in the basement of the Church.

In 1970 the manse on Christiana Street was sold and replaced by one at 99 Pinewoods Drive, which served until 1990 when sold.

What started as the congregation of 73 members in 1891 today has a membership of 148. Membership peaked in 1966 with total of 561 members. The church has been served by 16 installed ministers

168 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 (716) 693-7030