In 1903, a group of believers known as Randall Church purchased a lot at the corner of Main Street and Spring Street in the Village of Williamsville. Here they constructed a stone building drawn in part from the Glen Park quarry for the completion cost of $23,000. This was the first building in Williamsville to be lighted with gas lamps having their own manufacturing plant. The church moved to this new location from a building on Cayuga Road that is still standing today. The text "Ye Old Church House" can be seen while driving by, enscripted above the front door of this private residence.
Some of our people will recall in 1960 when the youngest and oldest members of the congregation broke ground for a new facility our current location 6301 Main Street Williamsville. David Rowe was the youngest at 3 yrs old, and Clarence Brown was the oldest at 80. Because of growing attendance, even while holding two Sunday morning services, the existing church in the village had grown very cramped, and the church moved to it's new larger home in July of 1961 at a price tag of $450,000. This was only the educational wing however, and in April of 1970 the full sanctuary was dedicated and completed for an additional $500,000. Friends, this was no small feat! God had provided a way!
Interestingly enough, in that same era of local history, the Clarence Church of Christ vacated a building they also had outgrew in the Clarence Hollow. In 1969 they moved to their current location on Old Goodrich Road, in Clarence. Since then, the previous building at 10678 Main Street, Clarence housed a sewing center for decades, before becoming an antique store in 1995. Currently however, it is in disrepair and has been vacant for 7 years. Bottom line. This old church building is for sale now, more than 50 years since it was last a house of worship. We believe Clarence Hollow is a key gathering place for many living in the Clarence zip code, and it may be time to be a place where the Gospel rings out once again.
We are a church that plants churches. In 2013, we planted Renewal Church with First Baptist North Tonawanda, and God blessed with a $1.6 million dollar facility. Isn't God good! Six years later, we believe God may be asking us to consider re-planting in Clarence in partnership with a small congregation at Harris Hill Baptist. Perhaps by helping them re-start new here. We are praying for wisdom. We are praying about a purchase. Won't you be in prayer with us?
Some of our people will recall in 1960 when the youngest and oldest members of the congregation broke ground for a new facility our current location 6301 Main Street Williamsville. David Rowe was the youngest at 3 yrs old, and Clarence Brown was the oldest at 80. Because of growing attendance, even while holding two Sunday morning services, the existing church in the village had grown very cramped, and the church moved to it's new larger home in July of 1961 at a price tag of $450,000. This was only the educational wing however, and in April of 1970 the full sanctuary was dedicated and completed for an additional $500,000. Friends, this was no small feat! God had provided a way!
Interestingly enough, in that same era of local history, the Clarence Church of Christ vacated a building they also had outgrew in the Clarence Hollow. In 1969 they moved to their current location on Old Goodrich Road, in Clarence. Since then, the previous building at 10678 Main Street, Clarence housed a sewing center for decades, before becoming an antique store in 1995. Currently however, it is in disrepair and has been vacant for 7 years. Bottom line. This old church building is for sale now, more than 50 years since it was last a house of worship. We believe Clarence Hollow is a key gathering place for many living in the Clarence zip code, and it may be time to be a place where the Gospel rings out once again.
We are a church that plants churches. In 2013, we planted Renewal Church with First Baptist North Tonawanda, and God blessed with a $1.6 million dollar facility. Isn't God good! Six years later, we believe God may be asking us to consider re-planting in Clarence in partnership with a small congregation at Harris Hill Baptist. Perhaps by helping them re-start new here. We are praying for wisdom. We are praying about a purchase. Won't you be in prayer with us?
Pastor Milo
@milowilson
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