A Closer Look: First Presbyterian Church
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
First Presbyterian Church boasts Buffalo's oldest congregation, dating back to 1812. Its current home, built beginning in 1889, was designed by renowned architect E.B. Green. Let's take a closer look.
Towering view
First Presbyterian Church in Symphony Circle in Allentown, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021.
Golden arch
First Presbyterian Church was designed by E.B. Green and opened in 1891 in Symphony Circle. The church's congregation – founded in 1812 – is considered to be the oldest in Buffalo.
Tiffany chandelier
One of three Tiffany chandeliers that are miniature copies of the great candelabra in Sancta Sophia in Constantinople.
Colorful masterpiece
The 1925 stained glass window made by Louis C. Tiffany rises above the choir gallery.
Signed
The signature of Louis C. Tiffany in his 1925 window above the choir gallery.
Kaleidoscopic
Detail of the 1925 stained glass window made by Louis C. Tiffany above the choir gallery.
Changing light
Detail of the 1925 stained glass window made by Louis C. Tiffany above the choir gallery.
Favrille glass
Detail of the 1925 stained glass window made by Louis C. Tiffany above the choir gallery.
Masterful tones
Detail of the 1925 stained glass window made by Louis C. Tiffany above the Choir Gallery.
Catching the light
Detail of the 1925 stained glass window made by Louis C. Tiffany above the Choir Gallery.
Colorful array
Detail of the 1925 stained glass window made by Louis C. Tiffany above the choir gallery.
Sancta Sophia replica
One of three Tiffany chandeliers that are miniature copies of the great candelabra in Sancta Sophia in Constantinople.
Gold leaf
Gold leaf lines the dome inside the altar at First Presbyterian Church.
E.B. Green's take on Romanesque
First Presbyterian Church was designed by E.B. Green and opened in 1891 in Symphony Circle.
Looking upward
Gold leaf and stencils adorn the sprawling ceiling above the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church.
Steeple detail
The steeple of First Presbyterian Church in Symphony Circle in Allentown.
Iron arch
The iron archway at the entrance to First Presbyterian Church, which was designed by E.B. Green and opened in 1891.
Wind damage
The finial atop the steeple at First Presbyterian Church in Symphony Circle in Allentown was damaged in a windstorm.
Keeping watch
Detail of an angel carved in the Medina sandstone at First Presbyterian Church.
Medina sandstone
A series of arches with intricate carvings in Medina sandstone atop the columns punctuate the front entrance to First Presbyterian Church.
Welcoming committee
Detail of an angel carved into the sandstone amid an intricate pattern atop a column on the exterior of First Presbyterian Church.
Stone face
Detail of an angel carved in the Medina sandstone at First Presbyterian Church, which was designed by E.B. Green and opened in 1891 in Symphony Circle.
Glory of God
Detail of the inscription below the stained glass window in the east transept at First Presbyterian Church.
Noehren Organ
The Noehren Organ in the choir loft in First Presbyterian Church was installed in 1970 as the third organ in the sanctuary. This is the last and largest organ made by Robert Noehran, a Buffalo native who was the chair of the organ department at the University of Michigan when he built the church's organ.
Mercury mosaic
"The Ascension" mercury mosaic window was installed in 1892 in the west transept by the Ford Co. of Boston. The mercury mosaic technique was used for about a decade before it was discovered that mercury made the glass artisans sick and eventually killed them.
Romanesque arches
First Presbyterian Church was designed by E.B. Green and opened in 1891 in Symphony Circle.
Christ the King
Christ the King window from Tiffany Studios in 1916.
Woodwork
The wood carvings behind the altar of First Presbyterian Church.
Tillinghast windows
Detail of an 1894 panel by Mary Tillinghast in First Presbyterian Church.
Sacred space
First Presbyterian Church was designed by E.B. Green and opened in 1891 in Symphony Circle.
Intricate carving
Detail of carving at the top of a column in the rear of the sanctuary in First Presbyterian Church.
Narthex
A feature of the Romanesque design, the entrance to First Presbyterian Church is through a low portico called a narthex, which is intended to evoke the lowliness of mankind. Upon entering the nave, the eyes are brought up toward Heaven by the expansive space.
Boat hull ceiling
The roof of Hindman Chapel is designed in the Anglican tradition of an interior of the hull of a ship.
Belgian relief
Detail of the Willet windows, which depict "works of Christian mercy," in the Hindman Chapel at First Presbyterian Church.
Armenian relief
Detail of the Willet windows, which depict "works of Christian mercy," in the Hindman Chapel at First Presbyterian Church.
1776
Detail of the Willet windows, which depict "works of Christian mercy," in the Hindman Chapel at First Presbyterian Church.
Displaced persons
Detail of the Willet windows, which depict "works of Christian mercy," in the Hindman Chapel at First Presbyterian Church.
Visiting nurses
Detail of the Willet windows, which depict "works of Christian mercy," in the Hindman Chapel at First Presbyterian Church.
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