History of St. Andrew's
We are a diverse community of faith called to love and worship . . .
St. Andrew’s was established in 1949 when two seminarians came to Newfane to survey the area for the need of an Episcopal Church. Our first service was held in the Newfane Town Hall on June 19, 1949. Soon, a need was felt for more permanent quarters and “the Burt School House” along the bank of Eighteen Mile Creek was purchased. The first service was held in the new chapel in February 1950 through the tireless efforts of members of the new and growing congregation.
St. Andrew’s was admitted to the Diocese of Western New York as an organized mission at the 1950 Diocesan Convention. On July 5th 1953 the first Vicar was called. St. Andrew’s growth soon made it necessary to build onto the brick schoolhouse. The new church was built to integrate with the existing building and the cornerstone was laid on April 14, 1955. A celebration dedicating the new church took place on November 25, 1956. November 1974 marked the celebration of our 25th Anniversary and the burning of our mortgage. Our congregation applied for parish status in 1986, which was granted a year later. This was the fulfillment of a long-time vision.
We renovated the undercroft in 1994, creating two Sunday school classrooms. This space provided us with distinct worship areas that allow our children to sing, pray, and learn. In 1998 we remodeled our rear entrance, making our building handicapped accessible. This was an effort that was made possible through fundraising and a generous bequest. Presently, we have a Covenant Agreement with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wilson to share our pastor. This provides both parishes with a greater availability of pastoral services, additional fellowship, and educational resources.
We are actively involved in ecumenical activities and are committed to representing the Episcopal Church in central Niagara County. Our annual Fish Fry dinners began in 1989, and we now serve over 2,000 dinners during the six weeks of Lent. On the last Sunday of each month we welcome about 100 people to our Community Lunch, free of charge. Our annual Bazaar in November brings together over 200 people to shop for crafts, homemade foods, and to share a chicken and biscuit lunch; half the proceeds from the Bazaar are given to local community organizations. We share leadership in an ecumenical services for Thanksgiving and Good Friday, and every July we host an ecumenical service of prayers and hymns—the Loaves and Fishes Community Gathering—to benefit the community Food Pantry.
St. Andrew’s was established in 1949 when two seminarians came to Newfane to survey the area for the need of an Episcopal Church. Our first service was held in the Newfane Town Hall on June 19, 1949. Soon, a need was felt for more permanent quarters and “the Burt School House” along the bank of Eighteen Mile Creek was purchased. The first service was held in the new chapel in February 1950 through the tireless efforts of members of the new and growing congregation.
St. Andrew’s was admitted to the Diocese of Western New York as an organized mission at the 1950 Diocesan Convention. On July 5th 1953 the first Vicar was called. St. Andrew’s growth soon made it necessary to build onto the brick schoolhouse. The new church was built to integrate with the existing building and the cornerstone was laid on April 14, 1955. A celebration dedicating the new church took place on November 25, 1956. November 1974 marked the celebration of our 25th Anniversary and the burning of our mortgage. Our congregation applied for parish status in 1986, which was granted a year later. This was the fulfillment of a long-time vision.
We renovated the undercroft in 1994, creating two Sunday school classrooms. This space provided us with distinct worship areas that allow our children to sing, pray, and learn. In 1998 we remodeled our rear entrance, making our building handicapped accessible. This was an effort that was made possible through fundraising and a generous bequest. Presently, we have a Covenant Agreement with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wilson to share our pastor. This provides both parishes with a greater availability of pastoral services, additional fellowship, and educational resources.
We are actively involved in ecumenical activities and are committed to representing the Episcopal Church in central Niagara County. Our annual Fish Fry dinners began in 1989, and we now serve over 2,000 dinners during the six weeks of Lent. On the last Sunday of each month we welcome about 100 people to our Community Lunch, free of charge. Our annual Bazaar in November brings together over 200 people to shop for crafts, homemade foods, and to share a chicken and biscuit lunch; half the proceeds from the Bazaar are given to local community organizations. We share leadership in an ecumenical services for Thanksgiving and Good Friday, and every July we host an ecumenical service of prayers and hymns—the Loaves and Fishes Community Gathering—to benefit the community Food Pantry.