Welcome Letter From Rev. Dr. Thomas H Yorty

Dear  Visitors;

On behalf of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, a warm welcome to our new website.

Westminster is a diverse congregation with members drawn from downtown, where our campus is located , and all of Western New York.   Founded in 1854, today we are a uniquely progressive and yet traditional mainline Presbyterian congregation of roughly 1,000 members. We are an open and welcome community.    For more than 25 years we have been a More Light congregation.

Westminster has a long history of commitment to building a stronger healthier community in Western New York, and as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church(USA) and Presbytery of Western New York to seeking progress toward a more just and peaceful world. Our Early Childhood Program founded more than fifty years ago to benefit children of all races and religious backgrounds, is recognized as one of the finest  preschool programs in Western New York. Ten years ago we fostered the establishment of a Not-For-Profit Corporation, Westminster Economic Development  Initiative, Inc. (WEDI) to enhance our ministry serving  the West  Side of Buffalo.  The Church and WEDI provide after school tutoring for disadvantaged children, and projects of WEDI are designed to have  more direct economic effects—partnering with Habitat for Humanity, assisting entrepreneurs in start-ups of micro businesses and mentoring for small business owners.

Westminster has long been known for its inspiring worship and music programs, its commitment to effective  youth ministry and education[link] and a rich array of multi-faith collaboration with our neighbor, Temple Beth Zion as well as the Islamic Society of the Niagara Frontier.

We believe in a faith that is grounded in the heart, and that takes seriously the life of the mind.  The congregation expects a strong pulpit presence, and excellence in music is an important part of our worship.   Our adult education includes opportunities each week:  to hear from community leaders and experts about local, national and global issues; to support and learn from one another about the life we share in the Spirit and spiritual formation; and to explore the wisdom and daily relevance of the Bible and the importance of Biblical study.   

On behalf of the congregation I hope the information we have gathered here on our website will provide answers to questions or concerns you may have about Westminster—and respond to perhaps prompt further inquiries about us. I would be delighted to respond personally to any questions or concerns you may have.

Immediately below is a description in a little more detail and depth of our mission, our vision, our philosophy and our efforts to live them out as we seek to be faithful to the God who has so richly blessed us and calls us to be a blessing to others.

Sincerely,

Thomas H. Yorty, Senior Pastor