We continue the series on walking Buffalo, from the intrepid couple who walked every day—no matter the weather—in the first 30 months of Covid. They think (without being systematic) they walked every street in Buffalo, and many in other cities and towns, taking some 20,000 photos, some of which are shared in this series. While not itineraries, we hope to encourage others to “walk the walk,” to see, observe and appreciate Buffalo—and beyond. William Graebner and Dianne Bennett are also 5 Cent Cine’s film critics, here.
Today’s photo-essay: Church Board Advice
Following the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, the migration of thousands of people into Western New York was accompanied by an evangelical religious revival. The “Burned-over District” that encompassed the revival was centered in the Genesee Valley but also included Buffalo, where the Ebenezer Colonies (the True Inspiration Congregations) settled in what is now West Seneca, before moving on to Iowa and becoming the Amana Colony.
Since then, Buffalo (and Beyond) has been a city of churches—first Protestant, then, with the late-19th century arrival of Polish and Italian immigrants, predominantly Catholic. The Great Migration that began in the 1910s brought mainly Black-served churches north, including those that were Baptist, Church of God in Christ (on our walks, we learned what “COGIC” refers to), and singular denominations.
The evangelical fervor that characterized the Second Great Awakening of the 19th century is much weaker now, but the impulse to reach out remains, revealing itself on church notice boards that dot the city and environs. Some are clever, some serious, some clever and serious, and some—in these times—offer a perspective on dealing with Covid-19.
On the clever side, this church board uses the double meaning of the word “assembly” (to put together, to get together):
Similarly, this church board employs the word “serve,” referring to both sports and the act of giving oneself to others, to offer life advice:
More than one church board we’ve seen features a word left out—a participatory device that invites the viewer to fill in the blank.
Harvest House Ministry’s “Retreat Center,” a social service agency rather than a church proper, changes its board regularly. This iteration uses word play to offer advice on how to live life:
“Get Serious About Being Saved [The] Time is Coming Soon” – I’m thinking of George Carlin’s riff on “in a little while.”
This Main Street board (above, right) gets right down to the serious business of religion—salvation.
Nothing could be more serious than the prospect of going to Hell:
Churches had different reactions to Covid. In August of 2020, this East Side church took an optimistic approach:
At St. Bernard’s Parish in Kaisertown, it seems that “healing” can take place on “bingo” night (and maybe it can):
More than a year later, a Methodist church in Cleveland Hill remained upbeat, while relying on Jesus, specifically, rather than God. Despite the apparent optimism, this missive could also be read as suggesting that eternal life was the ultimate solution to Covid.
The notice board at this East Delavan church mentions Covid-19 and offers a rather arduous path to “healing”:
Seems like a lot to ask. Would three out of four do the trick?
Also see:
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo – Look Up! Roofs and Roofers
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo – Buffalo’s Mini-Marts
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo – Remembering 9/11
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo – Street Humor
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo – The Yard as Spectacle
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo – Beware of (the) Dog
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo — Halloween
How to Take a Walk in Buffalo: Little-Known Trails and Paths
© William Graebner
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