As a follow up to yesterday’s blog post, I checked my records for pictures that I took while visiting the New York State Archives to see if the Works Progress Administration (WPA) had included the St. Paul’s Lutheran on Akron Rd. in their Survey of State and Local Historical Records in 1937… And I found one!

Attached written summary:

“St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1830-1920 (consolidated with the First English Lutheran Church), Akron Road, three miles south of Lockport, Lockport, Niagara County.

Organized as Freidens Lutheran Church in 1830, by a group of German settlers. The first church building was a log structure, which was torn down and replaced by a rectangular brick building in 1849. This building was sold in 1920 and is now used as a residence. In 1867, the organization was taken in charge by the First Engligh Lutheran Church. The church name was changed in 1884 and the organization absorbed by consolidation in 1920. The church building was dedicated in 1849. The first settled clergyman was the Rev. John Keller, 1830-31.

See: Mrs. Laura Keck Shults, One Hundredth Anniversary of the First English Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls, 1937, 64pp.

Church Records, 1830-67, 2 vols., kept by pastor in church safe. Includes, minutes, baptisms, confirmations, marriages, members, and deaths; also Financial Records. 1867-1920 are in records of First English Lutheran Church, Deeds and Incorporations, Niagara County Clerk, Lockport.”

Here is the front of the WPA survey:

And the back of the WPA survey:

Now to see if our NCGS Library has a copy of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the First English Lutheran Church as mentioned in the report. And, if not, if we can find a copy to add to our holdings.