Submitted Photo First United Presbyterian Church Pastor Thomas R. Burian and Hanover Historian Vince Martonis hold photo prints of Rev. Chalon Burgess of Silver Creek next to the recently restored painting of Rev. Burgess.

SILVER CREEK – The First United Presbyterian Church of Silver Creek recently welcomed Hanover Historian Vince Martonis to a church breakfast where he unveiled a painting which was restored for the church.

The painting of Rev. Chalon Burgess was done by Silver Creek artist Amos Wight about 1850. Martonis borrowed it to use in his 2023 presentation about the art of Amos Wight and Ammi Farnham. After the presentation, and with the help of Ron Raczka, he took the painting to the Meibohm Art Gallery in East Aurora where professionals cleaned it and fixed some light damage over a three-month period.

Rev. Chalon Burgess was the son of Dr. Jacob Burgess who settled in Silver Creek in 1811 and was the first doctor in the village. He was born in Silver Creek in 1817, and he attended Fredonia Academy and Hamilton College. After some years as a teacher and a principal in area schools, he attended a theological seminary and eventually assumed the role of Silver Creek church pastor from 1875 to 1891.

During his pastorate, he increased membership by nearly 100. He was a scholar and an author. Burgess Street in the village is named after the family.

The painting will be mounted on a wall in the church chapel. Martonis will furnish an engraved metal plaque to be placed on the wall under the painting.