Brief History of the Church of Advent

The Church of the Advent was founded in September , 1904 as a mission of the Church of Good Shepherd in Buffalo, to serve Episcopalians in the recently established village of Kenmore. Services were initially held in members' homes, then in the village hall/fire hall on Delaware Avenue. In 1910 a mission building was built at the corner of Eugene and LaSalle Avenue. Then years later, Advent was incorporated as a self-supporting church within the diocese. 

As Kenmore and the church grew, new property was purchased on Delaware Road. The cornerstone for the building , which now serves as the parish hall, was laid in June, 1923, and the first services held on Christmas Eve of the same year. Worship took place on the second floor, with the church hall and kitchen on the first floor and the Sunday School in the basement. 

Long range plans call for eventual expansion, and by 1951, continued population growth in Kenmore and nearby parts of the Town of Tonawanda provided the need, so in May of 1951 ground was broken and in September the cornerstone laid for the new church, which was dedicated a year later. Capacity for worship was increased from about 170 to some 300. 

Throughout its almost hundred years of existence, Advent has been an integral part of the community, housing not only its own organizations, but also community groups. Its members continue to be active participants not only in their parish but also in the economic, social and cultural life of the village, the town and Western New York.