Delaine Waring AMEC, Buffalo

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 “We Move Forward In God” 

At the New York Annual Conference convened at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Buffalo, in June 1952, Presiding Bishop George W. Barber granted Rev. Joseph A. DeLaine an open appointment with the charge to organize a second A.M.E. church in the city.

On July 2, 1956, Delaine Waring A.M.E. Church was formally organized. The first worship service was held at Meadows Funeral Home, where twenty-eight persons joined on that inaugural day. The church was named in honor of Judge J. Waites Waring and its founding pastor, Rev. Joseph A. DeLaine.

Rev. DeLaine served as pastor until 1957.

In 1957, Rev. Otis Outen succeeded Rev. DeLaine. During this period, the congregation worshipped at Liberty Baptist Church before relocating to the Christian Center at 280 Hickory Street, where services continued until April 1961.

With the assistance of Presiding Elder J. W. Moses and the New York Annual Conference, the congregation successfully purchased its present location. Rev. Outen remained pastor until December 1961.

In December 1961, Rev. O. Urcille Ifil, Sr. was appointed to continue the church’s development. Under his leadership, Delaine Waring hosted the New York Annual Conference in May 1962.

During Rev. Ifil’s tenure, the church’s name was changed to St. Matthew A.M.E. Church. His appointment concluded in November 1964.

At the Fall Convocation of November 1964, held at Bethel A.M.E. Church in New York City, Rev. S. Frank Emmanuel was appointed pastor of St. Matthew A.M.E. Church. Under his leadership, a resolution was introduced to restore the church’s original name.

Bishop Bright honored this resolution at the New York Annual Conference in May 1965, and in April 1966 the church’s name was officially restored to Delaine Waring A.M.E. Church. Rev. Emmanuel continued as pastor until 1968.

In December 1961, Rev. O. Urcille Ifil, Sr. was appointed to continue the church’s development. Under his leadership, Delaine Waring hosted the New York Annual Conference in May 1962.

During Rev. Ifil’s tenure, the church’s name was changed to St. Matthew A.M.E. Church. His appointment concluded in November 1964.

At the Fall Convocation of November 1964, held at Bethel A.M.E. Church in New York City, Rev. S. Frank Emmanuel was appointed pastor of St. Matthew A.M.E. Church. Under his leadership, a resolution was introduced to restore the church’s original name.

Bishop Bright honored this resolution at the New York Annual Conference in May 1965, and in April 1966 the church’s name was officially restored to Delaine Waring A.M.E. Church. Rev. Emmanuel continued as pastor until 1968.

 The following pastors continued to guide the congregation in the years that followed:

• Rev. Floyd Black (1968–1969) 
• Rev. Theodore Hudson (1969–1970) 
• Rev. C. M. Huff (1970–1971) 
• Rev. G. Grant Crumply, Supervising Pastor (Bethel A.M.E.) (1971–1972) 
• Rev. John Caper (1974–1977) 
• Rev. Henry Lewis (1977–1984) 
• Rev. Henry Wynn (1984–1991) 
• Rev. William Simon (1991) 
• Rev. John Rolls (1991–1992)

At the New York Annual Conference of 1992, Bishop Frank C. Cummings appointed Rev. Robert L. Reynolds as pastor. Rev. Reynolds served faithfully for fifteen years, working to elevate the spiritual life of the congregation while strengthening the church’s institutional foundation.

Under his leadership, the Fellowship Hall and parsonage were renovated. During his tenure, Delaine Waring hosted the First Episcopal Organizational Meeting in 1996, which established the Western New York Annual Conference. The church also hosted the Sixth Session of the Western New York Annual Conference in 2003 and the Western New York District Conference in 2006.

Rev. Reynolds further served the conference as Statistical Secretary and as an instructor at the Western New York Ministerial Institute.

In early 2007, Rev. A. Iona Smith Nze was appointed to succeed Rev. Reynolds as pastor of Delaine Waring A.M.E. Church. That same year, Bishop Norris appointed Rev. Nze as Director of Public Relations at the Eleventh Session of the Western New York Annual Conference, held at Baber A.M.E. Church in Rochester, New York. 

Delaine Waring A.M.E. Church stands as a witness to faithful organization, steady leadership, and enduring commitment to the mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. From its founding vision to its continued service, the congregation has embodied its guiding affirmation: We Move Forward In God.