Westminster Presbyterian Church - Table of Contents

2004 Holmes Chapel - Westminster Presbyterian Church
724 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY
located on Millionaires' Row

Dr. Samuel Van Vranken Holmes was installed as Pastor of Westminster in 1893. His forty year pastorate was marked by distinguished leadership in Biblical scholarship, preaching, and social service.

He initiated an annual series of lectures at the Teck Theatre on Main Street, bringing a ministry to the community at large in 1924. He saw the possibilities of extending this work via radio and the first live broadcast of worship at Westminster was carried by WGR in 1925. This broadcast ministry continued for fifty years earning the distinction of being the longest such series.

At the time of Dr. Holmes' retirement in June 1932, the congregation numbered 1800 members.

For more information about Dr. Holmes, see History.

The chapel was designed by S. Merrell Clement, Jr. (1887-1943), architect, son of  Stephen Merrell Clement (1859-1913) (of 786 Delaware, president of the Marine Bank), and grandson of Stephen Mallory Clement (1825-1892), (of 737 Delaware, earlier president of the Marine Bank).

The windows given by Norman P. Clement (1885-1951), brother of the architect, were probably given in memory of their father, Stephen Merrell Clement (1859-1913), so no "Jr.", which would only apply to the architect.

Stephen Merrell Clement (1859-1913) was styled "Jr." at the Marine Bank, and in business circles in general, to distinguish him from his father. He also adopted his family branch's spelling of Merrell.

- Peter W Clement, AIA

See also John McClive, Linking With the Comos in Sacred Places Correlates Westminster's art treasures with Gothic history


Click on illustrations for larger size -- and additional information


Christ the Teacher

 

Tracery


Altar - chalice and grape vines

Needlepoint cushion

Needlepoint cushion

Pulpit

Pulpit - detail

Pulpit - detail

Lectern


Trussing

 

 



Special thanks to John McClive for his assistance

Photos and their arrangement © 2004 Chuck LaChiusa
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