Biography

"In 1851 the pastor, Rev. Skinner, was experiencing some physical difficulties which necessitated the search for an assistant. In the spring of that year a young graduate from Auburn Seminary was asked to come to preach for three months. The Reverend William Waith served the society for those three months and for the sixty years beyond. In 1852 a brick chapel was built immediately to the west of the church building. This was used for small services and prayer meetings. It was also used for worship services while renovations were done to the original sanctuary. In 1891 a manse was built for Rev. Waith and his family to the west of the chapel. In 1903 the chapel was razed while plans for church expansion was explored.

Finally in 1925 a brick educational wing was built at a cost of $35,000. Connecting to the south end of the sanctuary in the three story building included classrooms and a large fellowship hall, named Waith Memorial Hall in honor of the late pastor.

Rev. Waith began his ministry in 1851 and continued until his retirement in 1911, for a total of 60 years. Through some snag in paperwork or the inattention given to details, Rev. Waith continued as supply pastor for 50 years until someone noticed the lacking detail. Some members wanted him to resign; others wanted installed as pastor. After much decisiveness and discussion Dr. Waith was formally installed in 1901 as called pastor. Rev. Waith continued in his pastorate for another 10 years; age and his declining ability to minister to his congregation led to his retirement in June of 1911. His departure left a well-founded church with a strong congregation.

During his pastorate he not only saw the church flourish, but also the community around it. While the town was primarily a rural farm area, the village was the commercial center for both the village and town. It featured not only residential and retail, but also many lumberyards and factories."(1)

"HONOR AGED PASTOR

Buffalo Ministers Give Dinner to Dr. Waith, Who is 90 Years Old. The Reverend William Waith, 90 years old last Friday, was in a reminiscent mood last night at the dinner given in his honor by the Buffalo Ministers' association. Ever since the inception of the association, about 48 years ago, Dr. Waith has been a member. He told the ministers at the dinner of some of the problems the association has met in that time and he charmed them with some personal stories and descriptions of ministers who have come and gone.

Dr. Waith attended the meeting of the association in the afternoon. There were 36 ministers present and at the conclusion of the meeting they adjourned to the First Congregational church, where dinner was served by the women of the church. The Reverend Frank B. Fitch acted as toastmaster. Among those called on were the Reverend Henry Ward, the Reverend George Whitman, the Reverend J. C. Taylor and C. E. Rhodes. The women of the church presented to Dr. Waith a bouquet of flowers and the association gave him a book.

Dr. Waith despite his advanced age is in good health and retired from his ministerial work at Lancaster only two years ago. He occupied the pulpit of the Presbyterian church there for almost 60 years. A week ago yesterday he delivered a sermon at the church.

Dr. Waith was born in London, Eng., and came to this country when eight years old with his father. He studied for the ministry at the Theological Seminary in Auburn. A few years after his graduation there the University of Hamilton conferred the degree of Ph. D. upon him. Dr. Waith has devoted much time to the study of languages and is well known as a Latin scholar." (2)

Sources

• (1) Lancaster Presbyterian website
• (2) Buffalo NY Evening News, 3 Feb 1914
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=73684073