Founded in 1878, Holy Trinity went on to "mother" 7 other churches. At the time German immigrants used English for work but expected church sermons in German. But then a group of about 30 "upstarts" wanted to have religious services in English. William Hengerer (remember the old department store of that name? same guy), was one of those founders. They left their church (St John's Lutheran), and formed Holy Trinity, with services in English.
The first sermon was in 1879 at the English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.
Then they grew. And grew. So many of the parishioners became active in the establishment of several other Lutheran congregations. This did not matter, Holy Trinity remained very strong and prospered. In 1899 they bought the land (then an orchard!) where Holy Trinity now stands. In 1903 the cornerstone was laid. The first services held there in 1905.
The style is Gothic, and it holds almost 1000 people. Unobstructed views of the pulpit throughout. At the time it cost almost $150,000 (today that would be over $4 million). Calvert and Kimberly (from NYC) made the Tiffany Style windows.
Holy Trinity Lutheran is the mother church of seven other Lutheran Congregations:
1894 - Church of the Atonement, Northland Avenue,
1695 - Church of the Redeemer, West Ferry,
1904 - Grace Church, Cazenovia Street,
1910 - Church of the Reformation, Pine Ridge,
1911 - Church of the Resurrection, Doat Street,
1912 - Parkside Lutheran, Depew at Wallace and
1919 - Kensington Evangelical Lutheran, Kensington Avenue.
Buffalo has amazing churches. I'm lucky enough to have been in many of them for various events over the years. And many are open during the day just to visit. read more