History of Amherst Presbyterian Church
(formally known as 2nd United Presbyterian Church of Buffalo)
1888 – 1904
The Second United Presbyterian Church was organized on Hamburg Street as a mission from First Church in Buffalo. Several Interim Pastors served the church at that time. In 1904, Rev. Walter M. Hopping (1904-1937) became our first full time pastor.
1907
A brick Gothic structure was built at the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and West Humboldt Parkway. As the church congregation grew, that church was sold, and a larger church was built on Humboldt Parkway at the corner of East Ferry Street.
Early Mission Work
During our first 50 years, we assisted new congregations, which included South Park and Riverside churches. Our Endeavor Society gave stained glass windows to Riverside Church. Our women’s association also provided funds for the missionary work of Mary Logan, a Presbyterian Missionary to China.
Pastors
Rev. Walter M. Hopping (1904-1937)
Rev. Clyde L. Meyers (1937-1942)
Rev. Ray G. Woodbury (1943-1950)
Rev. Alexander Mills (1951-1969)
Rev. Dean Young (1969-1973)
Rev. Peter Leathersich (1974-1979)
Rev. Lewis Bigler (1980-1987)
Interim Pastor, Rev. Shirley Kamaras
Rev. David A. Smith (1989-2014) [Pastor Emeritus]
Interim Pastor, Rev. Martha Carlson
Rev. Amir Tawadrous (2018-Present)
Moves
The congregation voted to relocate to Amherst, and the first service in our present building was Easter Sunday, April 6, 1958. In 1985, the church name was changed to Amherst Presbyterian Church, to more closely reflect our current location.