Reprinted with permission as a public service by the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier, now the Preservation Buffalo Niagara
ASSEMBLY HALL OF THE OPEN BRETHREN - 1911
111 Elmwood at Allen (NE)
Architect: U. G. Orr
Founded 1875A group of people, desiring a place of worship free of all affiliations and creeds, initially organized The Assembly of the Open Brethren. They began by establishing a Sunday morning Bible study on the second floor of a building on Main Street near Allen.
Quickly outgrowing this space, they moved to Allen Street, where they continued to prosper. In 1887, having once again outgrown their rented space, they moved to the site on which the present building is located and rented the small brick cottage which was on the property.
In 1910, continuing to grow, they purchased the property and built the present structure the following year.