Herman J. Hahn was born on January 31, 1888 in Kansas and studied at Elmhurst Illinois College and Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis. Before coming to Buffalo, he was a pastor at churches in New Orleans, Louisiana, Valley City, Ohio, and Toledo, Ohio. In 1922, he became pastor of Salem Evangelical Church located in the Riverside neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. He continued in that position until his death in 1948. Hahn was active with the Socialist Party in Buffalo and was associated with the Revolutionary Policy Committee of the Socialist Party. He ran for various local and state offices on the Socialist ticket, including mayor of Buffalo in 1933, 1937, and 1945.

Hahn protested against war and social injustice and made substantial contributions to the labor struggle in Buffalo in the 1920's, 30's and 40's. In 1927, Hahn was briefly jailed and was fined for his participation in the protests in the Sacco-Vanzetti trial in Boston, Massachusetts. During a time when such action was unpopular, Hahn remained committed to a church that was politically and socially aware and looked out for those that were subject to discrimination. After a year long illness kept him from much activity, Hahn died in June of 1948 in the town of Tonawanda, New York.

The Riverside Salem United Church of Christ as it is known today, was founded in January of 1892 by thirteen German-speaking families. The church was located at Garfield and Calumet Streets in the Riverside area of Buffalo and was built the following year in 1893. Under Hahn's leadership, the church became an important voice for social justice and continues that commitment today.

1892

Organized, January 24

1893

Church built at Calumet and Garfield Streets in Buffalo, New York. Rev. Kohler, pastor

1894-1899

Rev. Peter C. Bommer, pastor

1895

Addition built

1899

Rev. Nussman becomes pastor

1904

Rev. Sandresky becomes pastor

1914

Rev. Oberkirker becomes pastor

1916

Rev. Grotefend becomes pastor

1917

Parsonage built at 23 Calumet Street

1920-1922

No pastor

1922

Fire, not major. Repairs to church and rededication. Purchased three lots on Tonawanda Street behind church

1922-1948

Rev. Herman J. Hahn, pastor

1950

Congregation acquires Three Arrows Cabin on Grand Island, New York

1950-1953

Rev. Alan B. Peabody, pastor

1955

Rev. Robert T. Adams becomes pastor

1956

Mary Lou Bischmann becomes associate pastor

1957

Major fire on February 10

1958

Church rebuilt on same site. Renamed Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed)

1959

Bischmann becomes pastor of Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ and St. Peter's

1960-1962

Bischmann, interim pastor

1963

Rev. James D. Hakes becomes pastor