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In 1836, Alexander Campbell, the founder
of our sect in this country, made a tour of Western New York and
organized congregations in Clarence, North Lancaster, Williamsville,
Buffalo and Lockport. In some of these places, a group of "Campbellites"
had organized before Campbell's visit. At that time, Western New
York was sparsely populated and travel was difficult. Alexander
Campbell was forced to travel by stagecoach or boat. In 1853, a
church was organized in Tonawanda and the first building was
constructed in 1857. Another church was started in December 1867
when Tobias Witmir of Williamsville preached a sermon to a
congregation of nine people at the invitation of David Young.
This meeting was held in a schoolhouse on Military Road, three miles
from the village of Suspension Bridge, New York. Mr. Witmir
continued to preach every Lord's Day until December of 1868 at which
time there were twenty one baptisms. This church was known as
the "Christian Church" of Suspension Bridge, New York. The legal
records indicate that the Christian Church of Suspension Bridge was
known as the "Church of Christ" from 1870 to 1897. Although the
last names of "Moss", "Oliphant" and "Betty" appear in the church's
records as ministers, a Reverend Oliver G. Hertzog was the first
full-time pastor. He began his work with the church October 1870
and continued for three years. During this time, Reverend Hertzog
conducted meetings in Sanborn and Pekin, New York. These
meetings resulted in the "Pekin Church of Christ". Mr. Witmir
made it possible for Reverend Hertzog to attend these meetings by
driving him to and from Pekin in a horse and carriage. At first,
the meetings were held in the old Congregational Church in the village
of Pekin and then in homes. During the summer months, meetings
were held in the large barn of Abraham LeVan. In 1888, the
congregation was large enough to demand a building.
Abraham LeVan who was from Milton, Pennsylvania, was of the "Campbellite"
belief, and seemed to have the greatest influence in establishing the
church in Pekin. From 1888 to 1911, there was a good-sized
congregation, but after three years, membership dwindled. In
1921, a Brother Stille was brought in as minister for one year.
In 1922, an evangelist named Brother R. Schell preached.
Brother Harry Dart and family moved to the Pekin area from
Hubbardsville, New York in 1928. It was through his teaching that
the small band was held together. Dart was able to engage
Brother Alex Stewart from Toronto for several summers. Brother
Stewart came over on the lake every summer during good weather and
would preach both morning and evening services. When Brother
Stewart could no longer come, a Brother W.F. Cox from Beamsville,
Ontario drove over on Sundays. He continued preaching until
around 1939.
By early 1939, attendance was so low that it was decided after much
deliberation to close the Pekin Church and try to start a new church
in Niagara Falls, New York. Brother Dart and Brother Stanley
Hughes were able to rent a store on eighteenth Avenue and Brother O.H.
Tallman was engaged as minister. The congregation remained there
for about two years and then moved to a larger store on Buffalo
Avenue.
During the 1940s, the membership increased and it was decided
to build the LaSalle Church of Christ on Military Rd. In March
of 1947, members of the church, through the financial aid of the
Skillman Avenue Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas were able to begin
construction of the present building. Much of the labor on the
$35,000.00 building was provided by skilled hands within the
congregation itself. An addition was added to the building in 1977.
Presently. our congregation numbers around one hundred and fifty.
As a congregation and individually, we are actively involved in
finding ways to serve the Lord. We support several
missions and benevolence programs such as the widows, orphans and
lepers in India and babies in Zambia. Please see our Missions section for a more complete list.
The future of the LaSalle Church of Christ will be bright because
we want to become and are working toward becoming a model church like
Thessalonica - "a model to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia."
1Thessalonians 1:7. We will accomplish our goal through the
innovative and empowering ministries that help us to continue to
evangelize the world (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-1) and equipping
the saints through their work of service (Ephesians 4:11-16).
Come and dream with us of how to make a better world by bringing God
into it. (Ephesians 2:11-13)
Chronology of Ministers of the LaSalle Church of Christ:
Bro. O.H. Tallman - 1939-1947
Bro. Allan Killam
Bro. Pierce Brown - 1947-1949
Bro. Eugene Perry - 1949-1950
Bro. Warren Whitelaw - 1950-1951
Bro. Charlie Rice - 1951-1952
Bro. Roy K. Akers - 1952-1957
Bro. Walter Larkins - 1957-1958
Bro. Al Hartwigsen - 1959-1969
Bro. Charles Pennington - 1969-1976
Bro. Al Hartwigsen - 1977-1993
Bro. Tyler Young - 1993-1996
Bro. Jeff Bowers - 1997-2000
Bro. Howard Vosburgh - 2000-2001
Bro. Ray Johnston - 2002-2006
Bro. Jack Openshaw - 2007-Present
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