Contacts|Meeting Times

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