Buffalo Presbyterian Church

History

Buffalo Presbyterian Church is the oldest organized church society in the city of Buffalo, Minnesota, and was the first church building to be built in the city.  Missionaries from the Synod visited Buffalo as early as the winter of 1867, but it was decided to wait for several years to see how the community would grow.  In November of 1875, eight people from Buffalo formally petitioned the Presbytery Committee on Missions to organize the Buffalo Church, and the first congregational meeting was held on December 27th of that year.

On January 7, 1877, the first church building was dedicated in downtown Buffalo.  The bell, which is still in the church today, was a gift from a New Yorker who was visiting Buffalo that summer.  As the congregation grew, additional room was needed from the Christian Endeavor Society and Sunday School.  Since a new heating system was also needed, a major remodeling and addition was done in 1892, at a cost of $700.00.

In November of 1884, a great revival was held at the church and many new members were added to the congregation.  In 1906, the renowned evangelist Billy Sunday was the speaker at another revival.  From that time up until the late 1930's, revivals were common and were often a joint venture of three of four Buffalo area churches.

The church was remodeled and enlarged in 1924.  The beautiful stained glass windows were donated and installed at that time.  Major remodeling was done to the lower level and sanctuary in 1953 and again in 1969.  The pipe organ was installed and dedicated in 1986.

In March of 1992, the congregation held a historic meeting where it voted to build a new facility at a new location.  This new fully accessible, one level building features a beautiful sanctuary, flexible education/fellowship space, offices, a heritage room, youth room, nursery, and plenty of room for expansion as the congregation grows.  The location is in a new, rapidly growing residential area of Buffalo, near a new high school and convenient to major roads.  Much of the "old church heritage" was incorporated into the new building, including the stained glass windows, pipe organ and pews.

Since its beginning, Buffalo Presbyterian Church has been a congregation steeped in community outreach and involvement.  It's a warm and friendly place of worship, Christian education and fellowship.  The church endeavors to make the message of salvation through Jesus Christ relevant in today's world and extend God's hand of love to those in need.