St. John’s traces its history back to the first Anglican
services held Western New York. Nearby Fort Niagara fell to the
British in 1759 during the French and Indian War, and Anglican
services replaced Catholic services in the chapel of the French
Castle. These services are thought to be the first Anglican and
the first Protestant services held in all of Western New York.
The Founding of St. John's Episcopal Church As the settlement
grew around the Fort in the 18th and 19th centuries (now the
Village of Youngstown and the Town of Porter) several faith
communities were formally organized, including St. John’s
Episcopal Church in 1868. The original congregation met in
private homes and for a time shared worship space with a
Methodist congregation in the Brick Church on Main Street, now a
residence. Ordnance Sgt. Lewis Leffman The present church
building was built in 1878 on land donated by Ordnance Sergeant
Lewis Leffman. Sgt. Leffman was one of Niagara County’s most
well know personalities, and when he died, h