A lot of land was donated by members, including the stone used to build the church. The cornerstone was laid on September 10, 1855. The main auditorium was finished in Fall 1857 and on October 29, 1857 First Congregational Church was dedicated. A quick glance at old records and you will find membership to include numerous pioneer families of Niagara Falls, many of which streets are named after today. Candles were first used to light the auditorium, which gave way to gas in 1860. Then later electricity was added to the church. First Congregational Church’s story is one that has seen the growth and decline of Niagara Falls. Still today, it is a very relevant house of worship in the city at a time in which we are seeing churches close.

To view all collection information, finding-aids, and inventories please visit: http://library.buffalostate.edu/archives/mfc/firstcongressional

• Birth Records; Cradle Roll; 1900-1910
• Birth Records; Cradle Roll; 1956
• Board Meeting Minutes; Deacons Deaconesses; April 1944-Sept. 1949
• Board of Trustee Minutes; June 1900-Oct. 1924
• Board of Trustee Minutes; Nov. 1924 - Dec. 1944
• Clerk Records; 1855-1889 - multiple pages missing
• Clerk Records; April 1890-Jan. 1907
• Clerk Records; Jan. 1927-Jan. 1942
• Clerk Records; March 1907-Dec. 1926
• Council Meeting; Feb. 1966-April 1971
• Council Meeting; Jan. 1973-Dec. 1980
• Council Meeting; March 1981-March 1987
• Diary; Marcus Adams Diary; History of the Church; 1854
• Guest List; Centennial Celebration; 1954
• Guidelines for Churches in Niagara Falls; 1964
• History; Annual Meeting Information; 1855
• History; Constitution for the First Congregational Church; 1966
• History; History of the Church; 1945
• History; Newspaper Article; Niagara Gazette; 75th Anniversary; Oct 27, 1930
• Membership List; 1855-1903
• Officers, Organizations, Members, and Honor Roll Publication; 1919
• Organizations; Christian Endeavour Society; 1910
• Organizations; Christian Endeavour Society; 1924
• Organizations; Christian Endeavour Society; 1926-1930
• Organizations; Women's Missionary Society; April 1894-April 1898
• Organizations; Women's Missionary Society; Jan. 1917-Dec. 1925
• Organizations; Women's Missionary Society; May 1884-Oct. 1886
• Organizations; Women's Missionary Society; May 1898-Nov. 1916
• Organizations; Women's Missionary Society; Oct. 1886-March 1894
• Pilgrim Church Reg 1956-57
• Records of Pew Rents - 1915 -1917
• Secretary Book 1912-1920
• Standard Rule and Form Manual; 1915
• Various Membership Lists; 1936
• Womens Directory; 1944