c.1892 New York Church Conversion W/ Stained Glass, Ballroom, Library! Under $175K

Early History & Foundations (1813–1849)

• Formal Organization: The congregation was officially organized in 1839 by the Baltimore Presbytery following an 1838 petition signed by nine local individuals.

• Early Buildings: The community built an original First Presbyterian Church building on Main Street around 1832. Early leadership included figures like Rev. Andrew Boyd Cross and Rev. E.N. Bosworth, who served as the first resident minister starting in 1849. A new church structure was erected in 1849, and a corporate charter was granted in 1852.

The Chestnut Street & Main Street Era (1867–1892)

• Chestnut Street Site: In 1867, land at 10 Chestnut Street was purchased for $200, and a frame church building was erected there in 1870 for roughly $5,000.

• Fire and Reconstruction: Twelve years later, in 1882, the Chestnut Street frame church was destroyed by fire.

• Red Brick Church: Following the fire, an adjacent lot was purchased, and a red brick church was constructed at a cost between $12,000 and $18,000.

The 1892 Building and Closure

• 25 South Main Street: The prominent church building located at 25 S Main St (at the corner of South Main Street and Franklin Street) was built around 1892 as the First Presbyterian Church of Franklinville.

• Artifact Donations: Before closing its doors permanently, the Franklinville Presbyterian Church donated historic artifacts—including documents from the 1832 Main Street church, a coal foot warmer, and an 1829 communion set—to the Cattaraugus County Museum and the Ischua Valley Historical Society.

Conversion to a Private Residence

• Real Estate Transition: Following the cessation of church services, the landmark 1892 brick building at was put on the market and subsequently transformed into a unique multi-bedroom private home.

• Architectural Features: The residential conversion retained historic elements such as original stained-glass windows while repurposing the former sanctuary into a grand ballroom and adding a custom library, living quarters, and modern amenities.