Senate Resolution No. 465

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the First
Presbyterian Church in Lockport, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
200th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church in Lockport, New
York; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1823, 30 men and women signed the charter of
the First Presbyterian Society of the Villages of Lockport; Pastor
Aratus Kent was the first to lead the church, and through the years,
many more were to follow; currently, it is led by Reverend William James
Hardy who has served the congregation since 2009; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the Church has moved to three buildings
on two locations and gone through international wars and numerous local
changes; and

WHEREAS, In addition to being a sanctuary for all, the First
Presbyterian Church is known for its music, peanut brittle,
community-out-reach programs, reformed worship and its stained-glass
windows; and

WHEREAS, The Tiffany glass windows were added throughout a period of
years, beginning with "They Came to the Master," in 1900, and concluding
with "Isiah" in 1953; and

WHEREAS, Donated in 1950, the chancel window depicts Jesus with his
right hand raised in the traditional gesture of a teacher; surrounding
him are scenes of the life, work, and recreation in and around Lockport;
designed by Stephen Palmer and a committee of church members, the images
including Fort Niagara (History), Main Street (Business), Erie Canal
(Waterways), Farm (Agriculture), Factory (Industry), Niagara Falls
(Nature), The Union School (Education), a local house (Home), Court
House (Law), and a stagecoach (Transportation); and

WHEREAS, At the bottom of the window is the log school where the
congregation was formed in 1823, and the words, "In Him all things are
held together."; and

WHEREAS, The First Presbyterian Church stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church,
fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in those
values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend William James Hardy, First Presbyterian
Church in Lockport, New York.