On April 4, 1937 at 9:45 AM, seventeen (17) people attended the first service of what was to become Curtis Park Presbyterian Church. The Sunday School that day also had twenty-one (21) children present which comprised two classes. The original church, Curtis Park United Presbyterian Church, was located in a building which had held a real estate business (Church) and another building (Sunday School
) which had held a lunch counter, which sold hot dogs. Both buildings faced Eggert Road between Sheridan Drive and Niagara Falls Boulevard and edged the site of what had been the Curtiss Airfield. This site has since been designated a national landmark. Curtis Park Church held its first session meeting on December 26, 1937, moderated by the Reverend Billica, celebrated its first communion in April 1938 with thirty-eight (38) charter members, and was incorporated on July 14, 1938. Curtis Park was a “mission church” for Riverside Presbyterian Church. In 1941, a single wood frame building was constructed using volunteer labor and was dedicated in June of that year. The original sanctuary was to seat one hundred and fifty parishioners (150) and several years after construction, the building was turned around to face Woodland Drive instead of Eggert Road while at the same time being bricked in. There was an educational wing added starting in 1952 and completed in 1953. The sanctuary was then renovated in 1968. The inscription on the cornerstone of the educational wing is “The Truth of God: Forbearance in Love”. Curtis Park offered a number of activities in the early years including a Spring strawberry festival as well as a chicken dinner in the Fall. The Church at one time also offered bus service to and from Sunday School. Despite its humble beginnings, through the years Curtis Park Church and its congregation grew to become a center of activity and worship for many and today continues to be the Church of members of some original founding families, as well as several extremely long-term members and supporters. The church family has always enjoyed a camaraderie and concern for each others welfare and well-being, and has filled a void in the lives of its participants by allowing everyone to participate in all aspects of our church life. Our services have included and continue to include music with an active choir open to all, Sunday School, confirmation classes and various pageants celebrating the religious history that we all treasure. As part of our community outreach program, we have established a two conductor Bell Choir, which performs at various times throughout the year at nursing homes, hospitals, etc. to the enjoyment of all who attend, as well as during Sunday service at least once a month. Our Mission programs that we have developed are focused on primarily supporting several food banks in Western New York by taking up collections from the surrounding streets in the church community once a year. Members and friends also bring in food on a weekly basis to be distributed to University Presbyterian and the North Tonawanda Food Pantries. We have also had several clothing drives and fund-raising drives to support our military personnel and veterans, presently serving or who have served, and have been able to contribute many dollars worth of new and gently used clothing. We also have an angel tree and Toys for Tots program during which new toys are donated to needy children through local sponsors. We have an active Women’s Group which meets together monthly in each others homes for a good time together. We have a Rally Day picnic in September and various coffee hours, advent luncheons, and other celebrations, not the least of which was our 75th Anniversary Party in 2012. From time to time, we have yard sales to benefit various fundraising needs, and always enjoy fellowship with each other as well as with potential new members and visitors. In January 2013, we welcomed our new Shepherd, Pastor Mark Woodward who will lead us into the next chapter of our spiritual journey. Curtis Park is a good Christian church; friendly and warm that makes you feel part of a family who truly cares, through the hospitality to all who enter our door, and we feel it is a role model for Presbyterian churches everywhere.
