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Our Origins 

       In the midst of the War Between the States, the small hamlet of Lower Ebenezer was home to The Community of True Inspiration, alternately known as the Ebenezer Society, which would incorporate as the more widely recognized Amana Society after they migrated to Iowa. It also was home to a small, dynamic, and energetic group of German immigrants, who had brought with them their evangelical roots, which were soon woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Believing in Christ’s teaching of brotherhood of man, these Evangelists met in private homes once a fortnight for services with an ultimate goal of building a house of worship.
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Recruiting Rev. Kniest, the pastor of Zion Evangelical Church of Buffalo, to lead their worship, these faithful followers reached the first rung of their ambitious ladder on October 1, 1863, when they officially organized as a church.

Descendants of such families as Nicholas Stellwagen, George Frey, Ernst Hayn, Kenard Dotch, Wilhelm Volher, Ferdinand Huebel, Johann Weyer, Johann Walker, and Christian Menning carry the legacy of having forefathers who sowed the seed for what would become the third oldest continuously serving church in the Town of West Seneca.

The second rung was reached on February 3, 1865, when a parsonage was purchased at 633 Main Street. Worship services were held on the ground floor with living quarters for the pastor and his family above. While the purchase price is unknown, records indicate the committed members pledged to amortize a five hundred and twenty-dollar debt for their first house of worship.

Rather interestingly, it was about this time when the Ebenezer Society deeded their cemetery on Main Street to what is now the Ebenezer United Methodist Church and our church, as they departed for Iowa. A provision in the deed restricted the charge to open a grave to two dollars!

One can easily envision funeral services at the church/parsonage followed by a procession on Main Street to the Lower Ebenezer Cemetery. While the cemetery has not been active for decades, the joint ownership arrangement continued until 1963 when the congregations of both churches passed resolutions transferring ownership to the Town of West Seneca.

Slow but steady growth led the congregation to seek larger accommodations in 1870, and the sale of the original structure was contemplated. The generous offer of land at 630 Main Street by Nicholas Stellwagen altered this original plan. Meanwhile, on January 3, 1871, the church officially incorporated as The Evangelical Reformed Church at Ebenezer, Erie County, New York.

On August 6, 1871 the congregation voted to build a house of worship on the newly donated site, which was to become the permanent home of Ebenezer Church.

With pledges and donations totaling eight hundred dollars, the congregation met a second time on October 29, 1871 and approved plans for a new edifice not to exceed three thousand dollars. A proud congregation dedicated their new church on September 8, 1873.

By 1877, more newcomers to Lower Ebenezer had joined the church. This created a need for an addition on the rear of the church for a Sunday School room. A buggy shed was also erected at the rear of the lot where the combined church/parsonage stood. No longer used for worship services, this building was now being used exclusively for the parsonage.

Ebenezer Church was served by a number of pastors during its early years, both students and visiting ordained ministers in order to provide for the life of the church.


Pastor Mueller and the Confirmation Class of 1910

The year 1911 heralded the beginning of the forty-one year pastorate of Rev. Herman F.W. Schultz, by far the longest in the history of the church.
At the beginning of his term as pastor, Ebenezer was a rural hamlet, dominated by the rich farmland with the railroad as its border to the north. Rev. Schultz
Delivering his first sermon on February 1st of that year to a small congregation who could only afford the smallest of salaries, Rev. Schultz envisioned the prospects of growth and dedication. Believing in the assurance of God and the teachings found in Samuel, the biblical source of our name Ebenezer, Rev. Schultz brought the congregation through the most difficult of times with his steady, firm and dedicated leadership. For it was this often quoted reference from Samuel, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us", that these German immigrants found comfort and reassurance as they began a new life and a new church in Ebenezer.

Many folk stories as well as cherished memories are held by the elder members of Ebenezer Church about these early days of the church when Union Road was just a cow path dotted by farms. Main Street was called Ridge Road and the area around East and West Road was called "The Back of the Moon". As children, they swam at Mill Road Dam in the summer and skated in nearly flooded fields in the winter. Some walked over the Mill Road Bridge to Sunday School, summer and winter to receive an award for perfect attendance.

In his very first year of leadership, the steadily growing congregation wanted Rev. Schultz to have a new parsonage. The old parsonage, the one once used as a combined church/parsonage, was moved from 633 Main Street to a site at 1471 Union Road. A new parsonage was built on the Main Street site.

The very considerable sum of one thousand dollars was raised by the Young People’s Society and donated to the church for the down payment on Rev. Schultz’s new home. It was this very home that many of these same young people were to meet with Rev. Schultz when the planned to marry. Acting as a marriage counselor, Rev. Schultz would meet them on his porch. Sitting in easy chairs, he addressed the issued of marriage, but frequently turned to his favorite fishing stories – particularly about the large ones that didn’t get away!! He is fondly remembered for his very homespun approach, as well as a sage.

It was 1915 and the consistory again was faced with the pleasant, but vexing problem, of providing for a congregation outgrowing its present facilities. The records tell of an attempt to enlarge the church in 1916 at a cost not to exceed thirty thousand dollars. This proposal had to be abandoned when it was found the high cost of building materials made it impossible.

In 1920, the congregation approved an expenditure of forty to fifty thousand dollars for a new building, which was to become the worship area of the existing church.
 

To become affectionately known, as "The Red Brick Church on the Hill", the new building was lovingly built by the members themselves with Rev. and Mrs. Schultz counted among those who contributed many hours of unselfish labor. All organizations contributed time, talent, and money in a combined effort to see a dream come true.

While the cash outlay amounted to forty one thousand dollars, the actual cost will never be known since the men of the church did all the work without the aid of an architect.

History records that only one non-member, Joseph Birkmeyer, a mason contractor, living on Union at Summit, was partially paid for his services as a general contractor while generously donated many hours of time and talent. William Koerner was in charge of the carpentry and woodworking. He is credited for most of the design work. The Stellwagens utilized the wood finishing skills they used daily as piano finisher in the nationally known Kurtzman Piano Factory to finish the interior of the Sanctuary. Members of the building committee included John Snyder, John A. Stellwagen Sr., Fred Kracht, Henry Bugelmann, Frederick Snyder, Alfred Metzger, Martin Kracht, and Charles Beman.

Walter Scharlock, John Stellwagen Jr., Frank Bender, Fred Willert and Henry Frey Sr. were responsible for the hauling of building supplies, purchase, supervision, and accounting.
While most of the basement was dug 
with a gasoline fired boiler steam 
shovel, the lower four feet were dug 
by hand when an error was discovered 
in the depth for the basement.
The wooden forms for the concrete 
walls were made by hand, which was
the customary procedure of the day.
Farm trucks belonging to members of the church hauled bricks from a brickyard in Jewettville about three times a week. Art Willert recounts driving a Maxwell truck belonging to his father Frank. A Covered delivery truck with
fashionable side curtains belonging to Henry Frey Sr., a local merchant, was driven by Rev. Schultz.

The original church was turned 90 degrees onto a new foundation and was to become the rear section of the new church, housing the Sunday School rooms. Today it provides the library, offices, and mother’s room.

Rev. Schultz and the Confirmation Class of 1933.
Those who remember the days of Sunday School classes meeting in the old section, will remember the huge door, which divided the new and old sections of the building. The door, now permanently secured in an open position in the attic area of the Sanctuary, was raised to accommodate the overflow attendance at the Christmas and Easter services. It became necessary to raise and lower the door almost weekly as the membership mushroomed during the late 1950's.

Many stories abound around the construction days of the new church. The one most often told is that of a deliveryman approaching a workman in overalls wielding a pick and shovel and asking for Rev. Schultz. The workman replied, "I’m Rev. Schultz."

The cornerstone was laid in 1921, and the "Red Church was dedicated May 14th, 1922.

During that same period, the village was also experiencing many changes. The famed tornado that tore a swath down Main Street, leaving room curtains flying in the trees and roof strewn over fields, also destroyed the buggy shed behind the parsonage. By this time, lumber had been occupying the buggy shed more than horses and buggies.

The children of German immigrants were learning English in school. German services were held on Sunday morning with services in English on Sunday evening. Eventually, the German services were once a month and then only on Good Friday. The church records tell of German services being discontinued on a Good Friday in the late 1930’s with only two faithful attendants remaining, Mrs. Rose Rilling and Mrs. Tillie Zarnikau. Edward Kissinger, Frank Bender, Henry Frey Sr., and John Stellwagen were appointed to translate to constitution and by-laws from German to English, since many members now had little or no knowledge of German.

Thus, another milestone was reached. One, which in many ways was regrettable, since part of our early heritage, was to pass into history as the German language was discontinued.

The “Red Church On The Hill”

While the nation enjoyed unprecedented prosperity during the “Roaring Twenties:, the village of Ebenezer remained a sleepy town with many of its residents enjoying community sponsored events.  Ebenezer Church formed one point of an irregular triangle which provided much of the entertainment of the community.  The Vigilant Fire Company and the Masonic Temple being the other points.  The youth attended Ebenezer School from kindergarten through grade twelve on Mill Road.  Virtually all the members of Ebenezer Church at the time attended the Ebenezer School and many followed on into the activities in the triangle.  Ebenezer Church’s influence was thoroughly woven into the fabric of the community.

 Firmly established as a force in the community, the church’s traditions became a matter of community pride.  Non-members as well as members looked forward to annual events such as: The Mother and Daughter Banquet with Mrs. Edward B. (Catherine) Matteson as chairman.  To this day they are remembered as “just wonderful”.  Subsequently, Father and Son Banquets became a regular event as well.

 Harry and Carl Speigel recall during the late 20’s and early 30’s, a Boys Club was organized by William Wagner, a member of our church.  About 25 boys from the church and community met in the church basement.  “Bill” as he was called by his Boys, conducted meetings consisting of business, devotions, games, and refreshments.  All took an active part, enjoying the fellowship.  A high-light every summer was the picnic and wiener roast at the swimming hole in Cazenovia Creek at Gebauer’s Farm in East Seneca.

 For the ladies, Mrs. Schultz very graciously opened the parsonage for the annual tea.  This was the social event of the year.

 The traditional summer church picnics were held at Lein’s Park, presently the site of Houghton College Campus.  On pleasant days the open trolley cars would take the picnic goers to the park to enjoy the amusements and the dinner prepared by the women of the church.  Two favorite rides were The Lover’s Tub and The Carousel.  Made in Tonawanda by local artisans the Carousel is especially remembered for its horses that rocked back and forth.  Live bears and deer also provided entertainment for the children.

 For many, the center of activity for youth was Ebenezer Church. The Young People’s Group danced in the Ladies Aid Room, which is now the church office.  Since this was a “verboten” activity in the eyes of the Church Board, a sentry, usually Charles Holstein, was posted at the door to alert everyone if a board member should happen to wander into the building.  Rollerskating on the concrete floor in the basement was always popular, but had to be discontinued since it created too much dust.

 While the depression years struck this farming community as it did the rest of the nation, it never dimmed the faith, hope, love, and spiritual leadership of Ebenezer Church.  Many shared their homes and possessions with those who were even less fortunate.

 It was during these difficult years that Ebenezer Church prepared for, and celebrated its Seventy-fifth anniversary on October 23, 1938, with services in the morning and evening.

 In preparation for the anniversary, the interior of the church was redecorated at a cost of $900.00, which was shared by the Ladies’ Aid Society and the Sunday School.  Anniversary gifts were received from the Ladies Aid Society, The Young Peoples Society, The Missionary Society, the Sunday School, and the Men’s Club.  The Girls’ Guild presented an organ lamp.  Mrs. Agnes Willert, representing a group of ladies of the church, presented a beautiful cross, which adorns the altar to this day.  The Epiphany Guild presented a pair of brass altar vases and a robe for the minister.

 When the nation entered World War II following Pearl Harbor, husbands, fathers, and sons of Ebenezer Church were called to serve in the armed forces.  We were truly blessed – there is no record of any servicemen from Ebenezer Church lost during the war years.

 In September 1943, the John Stellwagen family again came to the assistance of the church, donating a strip of land to provide for a driveway on the west side of the church.  Recorded in the minutes of the congregation as “The gift of the Stellwagen family in memory of their parents”, Edward Kissinger wrote:  “The history of the church that has been written gives a prominent place to your family, since the original plot of land, on which the first church was built, was given by a member of your family.  The history of the church that is still to be written must also give recognition to what you have done; in this way it will live on as long as the church stands to carry on its work”.

 It was also about this time in our history that the leadership of the church called a special worship service to launch a fund raising campaign to pay off the existing mortgage.  Being very successful, the congregation celebrated with a mortgage burning on February 3, 1946, two days following the 35th anniversary of Rev. Schultz’s  first sermon at Ebenezer.

 We are indebted to Mrs. Gladys Bauer Devine, a lifelong member, for preserving the following poem written by Mrs. Edward B. (Catherine) Matteson, as a tribute to Reverend Herman F.W. Schultz on the occasion of his thirty-firth anniversary as pastor of Ebenezer Church.  Unedited, it truly reflects the love, devotion, and nurturing spirit of Rev. and Mrs. Schultz and the small congregation clinging so firmly to their values and beliefs.
 
 

AULD LANG SYNE

I choose AULD LANG SYNE, as my theme,
For most fitting it would seem
To call to mind our old acquaintance,
And days of AULD LANG SYNE
Will you all take a trip with me,
By way of Memory’s Lane,
Thirty Five Years to be explicit and plain
When Rev. and Mrs. Schultz took over their
MINISTERIAL REIGN?

I fancy it was not a glowing picture,
For our Pastor and Wife to see,
This little country village as
Their future home to be,
The Biblical name Ebenezer, may have proven
Their inspiration and glee,
Remembering the words of Samuel,
“Hitherto, hath the Lord helped us”
Caused their doubts to flee,
And settled down with their lot,
To a very great degree.

Our AULD ACQUAINTANCE,
Also brings so clear to mind,
Our Pioneer Christians, for such
They were true and tried,
I feel that they inherited some of their faith
From the dear old Puritan stock
Who landed on Plymouth Rock.
With reverence and awe this I say,
For they were the ones who
Paved the way, for the rearing of our
Parsonage, and our beautiful church we are
Privileged to claim as our church home today.

 I regret I cannot each one of their names
 commemorate,
 But I transferred my membership to this church
at a much later date.
 And not one would I omit from memory’s slate.
 A debt of gratitude to these Godly people,
 We will ever owe for the sacred trust and
 The blessed heritage, they have bequeathed to us.

The old parsonage served not only as a home for
Pastor and Wife, also housed the Sunday School,
Which proved I am certain the children’s delight,
As they gathered there each Sunday, stormy or bright,
Many did walk, a very few might ride,
But be that as it may, they came from all parts,
Of the surrounding country side.
No active Ladies Aid, existed at this early date,
But a Young People’s Society took its place, by this group
The Sunday School was aided, by way of
 Superintendent and teacher at a very high rate.

 Rev. Schultz and family came to Ebenezer in the
  early months of Nineteen
 Hundred and Eleven, to be exact February 5th of
  that year
 He preached his first sermon.

The promise was made by the Church Board,
 and their small
Group of Members as well, a new parsonage
 would be built,
And completed by the next fall, if we would answer in
 the affirmative their call.
And that was a time when man’s work proved
 genuine law.

 The men of the church, to the very last one,
 So our AULD LANG SYNE ran.
 Concluded, by the unanimous vote
 “IT SHALL BE DONE”.
 “A NEW PARSONAGE SHALL TAKE THE PLACE
  OF THE OLD ONE”.
 The plans were completed, the building begun
The Young People’s Society, again,
  proved the main stay.
 For all good men from the start of the
  parsonage building,
Until the O.K. appeared on all papers,
  and the building was done.

This same group, even before the old building
Was taken away, sold as a dwelling
Down Union Road way.
They planned a Bazaar, and considered it play.
The rooms of the old parsonage,
 were used as their booths,
Where their goods displayed a gorgeous array.
This proved such a success their bazaars became
 an annual event.
For some time after, held each fall on Main Street.
In the Vigilant Fire Hall.

 I am positive, Mrs. Schultz by this time felt
  much at home,
 And worked so well with this group.
 For she was well fitted to be the leader of any troop.
 Their labors rewarded, by a closer fellow-ship,
 And a great amount of innocent fun,
Besides, having in cash, a very fine sum,
 To turn over to the building committee,
When their work was done.

Where could we have located our Pastor and family
While the rearing of the new Parsonage was under way?
The answer is clear as down through the records
we trace,
An apartment was provided, In the Old Witzig Place.
No great distance, at all, for them to even walk,
Back to their new home sweet home in the fall.

 The years from 1912 to 1922 were busy ones
  we never could doubt,
 We feel safe to say these years proved their
  Reconstruction period,
 Such as we hear today so much about,
 A church membership of only one hundred and
  sixty persons.
 Such a few, and a Thirty Thousand Dollar mortgage
 Presented to their view, such conditions,
  required Faith
 Like Abraham of old to ever carry them through.
 And to use the railroad phrase,
  certainly they all climbed aboard
 The construction train, instead of the wrecking crew.

May 14th, 1922 – The Dedication Service took place,
So sacred and sublime.
The members all felt then, they must treble their
 efforts and time,
That this church should stand,
As a beacon of light,
For God, and Man, and the Right.
Rev. Fred W. Knatz assisted at this time,
And we welcome him with sincere delight and his wife
To witness the burning of the mortgage and as a guest.
At our Fellowship Banquet, To-Night.

 (click here to move to top of right column)

 Our ladies accepted their challenge
“Treble Your Efforts”
 Worked with all their might
 Booked everything for service
 That came within their sight
 It qualified just and right.
 To the members of the Ladies Aid, of the
  Ebenezer Evangelical and Reformed Church,
 I give this toast tonight.

Somebody said, “The thing could not be done”.
But the Ladies Aid to the very last one,
Wouldn’t say, No! Until they tried.
If they worried they hid it,
So they joined right in, and started to sing,
As they tackled the thing that could not be done
AND THEY DID IT!

Rev. Schultz served the Ladies Aid, as their chairman,
All these past years, he has become such a
  settled factor
I have my fears, if he ever should resign
  from this post,
It would bring many tears.
Mrs. Schultz, it is thoroughly understood.
Stood shoulder to shoulder,
In every church endeavor,
We can truthfully say,
Without any idle talk or fuss, Our pastor and Wife,
Are two, as David refers to his men,
“THAT ABODE BY THE STUFF”.

Our ladies ever eager, in a spiritual way,
New heights to gain, a Missionary Society, later
Presented its miniature reign.
A small group at first,
Which met in the homes, but the membership
Increased to such an extent, their meeting place
Transferred again from the home to the church.
This society, not only afforded our own spiritual life
To grow, but gave us an opportunity to form
A Girl’s Missionary Guild, wherein we could
Train and show, by our example,
 our girls the way they should go.
A grander group of girls you will never find, I know
And Mrs. Phillip’s I am sure will bear me out
This is positively so.

 When the merger of the Evangelical and the
  Reformed arrived,
 No matter how hard they tried
 To join the Women’s Guild
 They could not decide.
 For by this time, many had grown much older
 And taken their honeymoon ride,
 But in spite of all that the sentiment ran
 To retain their own separate clan.
And later one from this depleted group
 The Epiphany Group sprang.
 The service rendered to our church,
  by this small group
 Is varied and wide, and all so cheerfully done,
When the mortgage drive was on.
 It contributed a very financial sum.

The Woman’s Guild is the last Woman’s organization
To be formed in our church to date, we claim.
Our former Missionary Society,
Welcomed this larger membership to gain.
Our former name became void
And the Woman’s Guild assumed its name.
For the work is very much the same.
I am proud to announce, Mrs. Schultz,
Who is capable and fit,
Will serve as our President
Through the year Nineteen Forty-six.

So our church as far as our ladies work is concerned,
Is well established to answer any call
Be it great or small.
We are formed for our Master’s service,
As concrete as the bricks of our church wall.
United we stand – to rally – to work – to give
Until God’s Kingdom reigns, from shore to shore.

This is the time for Thanksgiving and praise,
We all know the early congregation, with Rev. Schultz
Worked early and late, our heavy mortgage
 to even obtain
Now to know it is a thing of the past,
And witness the burning of same,
Is a crowning Glory,
Few Pastors ever claim!

 These have been mountain top experiences
Both Pastor and Members will be happy to tell.
But the after slump, we always fear,
I feel I might give a recipe for cheer,
If you use it you will never Rue,
Come out to church next Sunday,
Fill to over flowing each pew,

If I knew you and you knew me,
How little trouble there would be.
We pass each other on the street,
But just come out and let us meet
At church next Sunday.

 Each one intends to do what’s fair
 And treat his neighbor on the square,
 But he may not quite understand
 Why you don’t take him by the hand
At church next Sunday.

This world is sure a busy place
And we must hustle in the race.
For social hours
Some are not free
The six week days, but all should be
At church next Sunday.

We have an interest in our Ebenezer, town,
The dear old place must not go down,
We want to push good things along.
And we help some if we are strong
At church next Sunday.
Don’t knock and kick
At everybody on the map,
But push and pull and boast and boom,
 our church and town
And use up all the standing room
 AT CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY!!

- Written by
Mrs. Edward B. (Catherine) Matteson
February 5, 1946

 Remembered as “just a wonderful woman” and a pillar of the community, many of our senior parishioners remember Mrs. Matteson’s many years of dedicated service to her church.  Dating back to the 1920’s, they can recall the New Movement Bible Class she taught for many years.  It was this class that donated all the silk for the church’s first Christian Flag which was made by Sophia Holstein, Emilie Bauer, and Anna Pletscher.

 Mrs. Matteson is also credited with organizing and leading the Girls Guild at the church.

 It was March 1951 when Rev. Schultz officially notified the church board of his intention to retire in November of that same year.  Mrs. Schultz was to organize the Dorcas Circle later that year as a social group for young women as well as a service group to care for small children during worship services.  This was to be her last major contribution to the life of the church.

 Truly, a pastorate, and an era unparalleled anywhere, was coming to a close.

 Rarely is it given to one man, as it was given to the Reverend Herman F.W. Schultz, Pastor Emeritus of Ebenezer Church, to serve as spiritual guide to a congregation … and a community … through such a vital period of transition.

 At the end of Reverend Schultz’s pastorate, the community was well on its way toward becoming an extension of the Buffalo metropolitan area.  Many of the farms had given way to housing developments and the railroad had become only one of the many industrial and commercial activities which gave life to the community.

SUBURBIA

 In the spring of 1951 a pulpit committee was appointed and charged with the awesome tasks of searching for a new pastor.  One who could grasp the reins of a now thriving church, but faced with the growing pains of suburbia, as West Seneca was becoming the most rapidly developing community in West Seneca.

 They found their pastoral leader in a dynamic young minister who was currently serving Emmanuel Evangelical and Reformed Church in Buffalo.  Born and raised in Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church in Buffalo, Rev. John F. Steve thoroughly understood the needs, hopes, dreams, and desires of the people at Ebenezer.

 The pulpit committee had visited many churches and talked with numerous prospective pastors but none had left the impression of dynamic leadership they sensed in Rev. Steve.  Edward Huber, Charles Holstein, Henry Scheuneman, Ralph Young, John Schneider, Harold Franklin, Carl Lein, Howard Harkeroad, Arthur Bender, Alfred Rebman, Walter Scharlock, Rev. Schultz, Kenneth Hinterberger, William Schaller, and Mrs. Esther Ehrich vividly recalled their visit as the pulpit committee to Emmanuel Church.  Mrs. Ehrich reminisces: “After forty-one years with a pastor, to many of us the only one we had ever known, who was a giant of a man but very average in stature, we were awed at this very tall, handsome, young, flaming red-haired pastor leading his choir down the left aisle of the church to the choir loft”.

 The Eden Theological Seminary graduate, class of 1938, accepted the call following a trial sermon on August 5, 1951.  Rev. Steve began his twenty-seven year pastorate on November 11, 1951.  The formal installation was Sunday, December 2, 1951.

 Mrs. Esther Miller Ehrich has since served on every pulpit committee, or search committee as they are now known, accepting the challenge whenever a new assistant, associate or pastor administrator was to be called.

 In 1953, Mrs. Edna Miller Rebman graciously accepted Rev. Steve’s request to organize the first Vacation Bible School at Ebenezer.  A most successful adventure, forty-one students attended the first two week session with Mrs. Ehrich, assisted by Mrs. Olive Breeze, teaching kindergarten and first grade.  The Vacation Bible School was just a beginning of many of Rev. Steve’s innovative and progressive approaches of service to Christ and mankind.

 The sign on Seneca Street welcoming visitors to Ebenezer had faded and was soon to disappear.  We became more commonly known as living in the Town of West Seneca.  Rapidly we were becoming a “bedroom community” of commuters who had left the city to live in a quiet and restful atmosphere.

 This sought-after atmosphere brought nothing but the opposite for the leadership of Ebenezer Church.  Membership exceeded church capacity.  We now had 850 members with an average of 350 attending Sunday services in a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 250.  The old section of the church, with its large wooden door and curtains to divide space for Sunday School classes, could no longer accommodate the children of all the young families joining the church.  Parking spaces were at a premium.  Most everyone was now driving to church.

 To address the financial needs this rapid growth created, a Kingdom Roll Call, commonly know as “an every member canvas”, was held for the purpose of establishing a budget for 1954.  Known by a variety of names, the most recent being the Pony Express, this annual pledge commitment continues today.  It is interesting to note that the 125 anniversary year budget is approximately seven times the $24,170 budget of 1955.

 It was indeed a very happy occasion for our church to have the parking problem solved in September, 1955.  Mr. William Schaller informed the church he would purchase the Leech property at 623 Main Street, build a parking lot, and donate it to the church in memory of his late wife, Florence.  Gratefully accepting the gift, our church assumed the responsibility for removing the house on the Leech property.  Sold for $1.00 to the West Seneca Historical Society for their museum, it was moved to the Mill Road site where it stands today.  The parking lot was completed the following year and dedicated on September 9, 1956.

 By now the Sunday School had a membership of 450 students and thirty dedicated teachers.  Additional leadership was a necessity.  Recommending to the consistory (also known as the church board) the creation of a Board of Christian Education and a full time Christian Education Director were just the first steps Rev. Steve took to address the needs of the youth and future leaders of the church.

 In rapid succession, Mrs. Claralice Nicolas was appointed the first Christian Education Director in October, 1955.  The following month a special congregational meeting approved the purchase of the Gress property which was formerly the Nicholas Stellwagen homestead, at 616 Main Street for $17,000 and the church consistory appointed a steering committee to study and return with a recommendation for Christian Education Building.  Mr. Elmer Rebman was named chairman and Mr. John Schneider co-chairman.

 The following November (1956), at another special congregational meeting, it was voted to proceed with the construction of our current Christian Education Building at the cost not to exceed $200,000.  Ground breaking ceremonies took place on September 14th of the same year, with the customary copper box of mementos encased in the cornerstone.  Financed mostly through a well organized fund drive, the congregation was able to retire the remaining $50,000 mortgage by 1971.

 It was a great day when the Sunday School classes left their curtain-divided rooms in the rear of the church and the Masonic Temple (where some classes were now meeting since there was just no more space in the church) and met for the first time on March 15, 1959 in a brand new building designed to provide all the amenities for a complete Christian Education program.  The formal consecration and dedication of the new facility took place on June 14, 1959.

 While it appeared that all the activity was concentrated on Christian Education, it was not the case.  Simultaneously, renovations and repairs were taking place in the church and the parsonage across the street.  An organ console was installed; the choir loft rebuilt; and new carpeting was laid in the sanctuary.  The interior of the church was painted and the roof repaired.  The parsonage was modernized and redecorated.

 In the early part of 1958, our church was notified by the Synod that negotiations were under way to merge the E. & R. churches with the Congregational Christian Churches and became known as the United Church of Christ.  This merger was approved by our Congregation in January, 1959.  We were to become Ebenezer United Church of Christ, following the official merger many months later.

 The rapid pace of progress and expansion continued.  With the Sunday School in its new home, the area they vacated was converted into additional seating capacity and the chancel was altered to provide for better viewing from the new seating area.  We could now accommodate 350 at worship services.

 As the church and Sunday School grew, an Assistant Pastor was necessary.  The first student Assistant, Larry H. Blunden, served in this capacity during the summers of 1959, and 1960, and on March 19, 1961, accepted the call to be the first full time Assistant Pastor. In more recent years assistant pastors became associates, beginning with the pastorate of Rev. Wayne Olmstead and Rev. Steve assumed the role of Pastor Administrator.

 To provide for additional housing for our Pastors, the John Stellwagen homestead, at 620 Main Street was purchased from the estate for $24,000.00 plus a $2000 bequeath in 1961.

 A revised Constitution to more accurately serve our present day needs, was approved at a Congregational meeting in the fall of 1962.

 Adequate parking was an ongoing problem that accompanied continual growth.  With the new Christian Education facility now in full operation, the church leadership sought solutions to the parking problem.  A generous benefactor of the church came forward and donated the necessary funds in 1966 to purchase the property on the west side of the new Christian Education Building from Mrs. Gertrude Frey, and convert it into a second parking lot.  Many of our older members will recall, as youngsters, buying cookies and rye bread from Mrs. Frey when she and her family operated at bakery in the front section of her home.

 And here we raised our Ebenezer; “hitherto the Lord has helped us”, as recorded in Samuel.  About a century of time and patience, laced with much hard work and sacrifice, brought us to a large suburban church meeting the needs of our members, our community, and the larger kingdom through our extensive commitment to the missions of the world.

 When we couldn’t afford to do it all, we did much ourselves so there would be something for others less fortunate than we.  Rev. Schultz proposed and took a reduction in salary and re-roofed the parsonage himself in the depression years.  The Consistory members and others kept our property in repair.  On numerous occasions the Consistory minutes note necessary repairs, painting, and decorating was done by the Consistory members themselves as an economy measure so the available funds could be stretched to serve other needs and concerns.

 Our missionary support, both at home and abroad, has always been taken as a serious commitment.  We opened our facilities to the community, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts Morning out for Mothers (MOMS) and the Mini Moppets (Nursery School) to name a few.  When the West Seneca School Board approached the Consistory seeking the use of the new Christian Education building to house elementary grades for the burgeoning school population, we entered into an agreement to accommodate them until sufficient schools could be built.

 Addressing the needs for those abroad, a group of eager and concerned women of the church organized the Willing Workers in response to a call from missionary support when the Consistory was unable to provide what they thought should be our commitment to those in need far beyond West Seneca and often the nation.  From our Good Neighbor Fund to Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) we have established ourselves as leaders in our conference for homeland and worldwide missions.

 At the annual congregational meeting in January, 1977 Rev. Steve announced his resignation and retirement, to be effective September 30, of the following year.  From a simple church and parsonage twenty-seven years ago, we had grown to a complex through the guidance, nurturing, and dynamic leadership of Rev. Steve.  Always a dominant force in the community, we were now serving the needs of a very large and diverse suburban town.

 To find a successor to two exceptional pastors who had served Ebenezer for the last sixty-eight years was no easy task.  The Consistory appointed a search committee in the fall of 1977.  Its members were to represent all the various organizations, age groups, and interests, of our membership.

 Charged with this responsibility were:  Carl Bender, Sr., Dawn Dehlinger, Margaret DeGraff, Esther Ehrich, Richard Guyette, Ginger Heck, Gerald Kallin, Anna Pumphrey, Al Rasp, Shirley Scanlon Heltman, Cathy Smith, Harry Speigel and Robert Yates, Sr.

 The Search Committee elected Al Rasp and Esther Ehrich co-chairmen.  Mrs. Ehrich also served as corresponding secretary, while Cathy Smith served as recording secretary.

 Looking for that person with vision, insight, and administrative talent to dedicate his ministry to Ebenezer would lead the Search Committee to examine thirty-seven profiles of pastors across the nation.

 Al Rasp and Richard Guyette interviewed prospective candidates and their references on long distance phone lines while other members visited local churches.  The committee as a whole met twice a month for seven months, interviewing candidates, reviewing profiles, and hearing reports from sub-committees.

 Robert Yates and Shirley Scanlon Haltman flew to the state of Maine one weekend after the committee was greatly impressed by Rev. David W. Smith during a formal interview at the church in February 1978.  Following an informal gathering at the home of Anna Pumphrey, a luncheon to meet church leaders at the home of Esther Ehirch, and a trial sermon in May of 19978, Rev. Smith received a call from the membership of Ebenezer upon the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee.  Rev. Smith and his family arrived on September 1st of that year and served as co-pastor with Rev. Steve for that month to ensure a smooth transition and take advantage of the invaluable guidance the retiring pastor could provide.

 Three years hence, on November 1, 1981 Rev. John Steve was named Pastor Emeritus by a unanimous vote of the Consistory in recognition of his many years of dedicated service. The Rev. Steve must certainly be recognized as among our most influential pastors not only among our church, but among the Westen Synod.

On November 19, 1978, the Rev. Mr. David Smith continued in Rev. Steve's footsteps.  To quote a reference listed in Rev. Smith’s profile:  “First and foremost, he’s a pastor to his flock”. His ministry still continues among us as he maintains contact among select parishoners.

After Dr. Smith's ministry, the church duly called the Rev. Dr. Ralph Anderson to serve with us. Dr. Anderson began his ministry with us in November 1991.
 

 Since Dr. Anderson's ministry began with us, all former church debt has been repaid, an endowment fund has been well established, and our church family now looks proactively towards the future. Under his capable leadership many new persons have joined with us as we towards God's guidance in the 21st Century.

The re-establishment of an Associate Pastor's position has been been implemented. On August 13, 2000, Ms. Julianne Singer was called to further our ministry in Christ's name.
The Rev. Singer was ordained here at Ebenezer on January 6, 2001 (her birthdate, too!), and has since left to answered a call in a new location.

 
On January 1, 2002, the Reverend Gary H. Gossel, who grew up in the Ebenezer Church, began his ministry with us as Associate Pastor.

 
 
 
 
 

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