History | Chinese Communities
During the 1950s a Chinese Club was formed, and members met regularly at the International Institute. During the late 1960s, a Chinese school met on Sundays at the Trinity Methodist Church in Amherst. The group met for a few years, but discontinued due to a lack of members. In 1981, a new Chinese School was established, at first connected with the Chinese Christian Church. The Church had begun as a Bible study group in 1978.
The Chinese Club of Western New York (CCWNY) was formally established as a tax-exempt organization in 1988. The Club began a second Chinese School in 1986, because the community need for children to learn Chinese writing and culture had grown so large the church building could no longer house them.