7. 110 Franklin Street
110 Franklin Street
 The lot on the corner of Franklin and Eagle was purchased for $2,000 and contracted the prolific local builder Benjamin Rathbun to construct a $6,000 Unitarian house of worship. With twelve members at the time, it was a brave undertaking. Within three years, through wise investing primarily in real estate, they were able to retire the debt on the building.
During his tenure, Rev. Hosmer twice enlarged the building between 1833 and 1859. The congregation remained active in the building through 1880 except for a short period in 1859 when fire damaged it. While repairs were being made, they met in the Niagara Street Methodist Church (destroyed) across the street from their building.
Throughout the early years of the church, many notable politicians worshipped there, primarily as guests of Millard Fillmore. Three presidents have worshipped in this building.
- Millard Fillmore was a charter member of the Church.
- John Quincy Adams' diary for October 29, 1843 noted that he attended church with Fillmore, hearing a sermon by Rev. Hosmer.
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- One of the children of Rev. Hosmer recalled, "In 1861, a noteworthy scene was held in the church at Buffalo. Mr. Fillmore stood in his usual place ... By his side stood a man, gaunt, sallow, who, with melancholy face, bent reverently at the sound of prayer. The minister spoke with solemn words; then coming from his pulpit, looked for a moment into the serious eyes of the visitor, while he pressed his hand. It was Abraham Lincoln passing on to the fulfillment of his stormy destiny."
First Unitarian Church moves to Delaware Avenue: As the area surrounding the church became increasingly commercial, the members decided to relocate to a more suitable location. In 1879 they broke ground for their second house of worship on Delaware between Mohawk and Huron (destroyed). Upon moving there in 1880 they became known as the Church of Our Father.
The congregation remained at the Delaware Avenue location until initiating plans for their building on West Ferry and Elmwood in 1904.
110 Franklin St. sold and enlarged:
With their departure from 110 Franklin, the Unitarians sold the building to Stephen G. Austin in 1880. He employed F. W. Caulkins to convert the building to offices by adding a third floor and lengthening the Eagle Street facade of the building.
Text and photo courtesy of Chuck LaChiusa.
Credits
Scripts: Denise Prince and Jane Kwiatkowski
Voice: Christopher Jamele of Jamele Freelance Services
Audio production: John Davis of Eclectic Electric
This project was made possible in part with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Tour content courtesy of Buffalo Tours.
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