Corpus Christi Church will host a relic of John Paul II. It is a rare opportunity for the Buffalo and Western New York community to pray with relics of John Paul II, as they stop in Buffalo on their way around North America.

A reliquary containing the blood of Blessed John Paul II, can be seen. The relic will be on display for the public on Wednesday, May 8th at the 7:30am and 11:30am Masses and on the Solemnity of the Ascension and Thursday, May 9th from 10am until 8pm with Masses at 11:30am & 6:30pm at the church located at 199 Clark Street, Buffalo, 14212.

The relic has been traveling across the Eastern United States and will arrive here from Pennsylvania on the way to Montreal, Canada.

This special Honor was arranged through Rev. Sławomir Oder, Postulator of the Sanctification Process of Blessed John Paul II and Rev. Rafał Walczyk, O.S.P.P.E. from the Church of St. Casimir in Yonkers, NY.

Pope John Paul II was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on May 1, 2009. Before being elected Pope, John Paul II visited Buffalo in 1969 and 1976.

Corpus Christi church has been serving East Buffalo’s Historic Polonia since 1898. The church is on the state and national lists of historic places.

http://corpuschristibuffalo.org/

First Presbyterian, Blessed Trinity, Corpus Christi, Forest Lawn Chapel &
Buffalo Religious Arts Center Join Statewide Open House

The National Trust Conference, hosted in Buffalo in October 2011, put our city’s architectural treasury of civic, sacred and residential landmarks “front and center” for a national audience. In the aftermath of this high profile event, a new collaborative, titled the Buffalo Alliance for Sacred Places, was formed “to promote the preservation and appreciation of the art, architecture and history of Buffalo’s houses of worship.” The member organizations are First Presbyterian Church, Blessed Trinity Church, Corpus Christi Church, the Chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery and the Buffalo Religious Arts Center. Each site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Buffalo Alliance sites have chosen to participate in The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s third annual Sacred Sites Open House Weekend on May 18-19, joining dozens of religious institutions throughout New York State in welcoming the public to special programming during this unique event, as follows:

Blessed Trinity Church, 317 Leroy Avenue
Tours/Open House
Saturday, May 18 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Information at: www.blessedtrinitybuffalo.org or 716-833-0301

Blessed Trinity is recognized as the purest replication of Lombard-Romanesque architecture in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The extensive use of terra cotta in its construction (1923-1928) provided for one of its most unique features: an elaborate display of medieval iconography created by Rev. Thomas Plassmann, then President of St. Bonaventure University. The church contains more than two thousand symbols which depict this “summa” or summary of Christian beliefs in ceramic tiles, paintings and sculpture, and docents will be available to help interpret them.

The Buffalo Religious Arts Center, 157 East Street
Tours/Open House
Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Information at: www.buffaloreligiousarts.org or 716-481-2350

The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is located in the former St. Francis Xavier Church, in the historic Black Rock neighborhood on the West Side of Buffalo. This unique gallery is dedicated to the preservation of Buffalo’s rich religious heritage through the collection and display of art and artifacts from many of the area’s closed houses of worship. The artifacts on display include stained glass, statuary and paintings, all of which reveal the story of the many immigrants who settled in Buffalo.

Corpus Christi R. C. Church, 199 Clark Street
Saturday, May 18 from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Information at: www.corpuschristibuffalo.org or 716-896-1050

On Saturday at 11:00 a.m., Henry Swiatek, a specialist in church painting and restoration, will give a presentation in the chapel on the significance of recently restored murals in this space. The chapel is located in the former convent building on Clark Street, to the right of the church.

Corpus Christi Church is located on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and was honored in 2010 with a Preservation Buffalo Niagara Preservation Award. The iconic mural above the church altar, considered one of the most significant pieces of ecclesiastical artwork in the United States, was recently restored to its original splendor. This exquisite artwork is a rendering of a Vatican masterpiece by celebrated, Renaissance painter Raphael Santi. The mural was originally painted in the 1920’s by Marion Rzeznik and Gonippo Raggi, both of whom are considered premier, 20th century artists of ecclesiastical paintings.

First Presbyterian Church, One Symphony Circle
Tours/Open House
Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Information at: www.firstchurchbuffalo.org

First Presbyterian Church, a Buffalo city landmark, was the first faith community in Buffalo. Founded in 1812, it is often referred to as the “Mother of All Churches.” Even Teddy Roosevelt worshipped here! The Romanesque church was designed by Buffalo architects Green and Wicks. Notable features include the main dome, towering 64 ft. above the floor of the nave, decorated in a Persian design. The apse features four medallions depicting the Four Evangelists, adapted from carvings on the doors of St. Mark’s in Venice, Italy, while the chandeliers are copies of those in Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

Chapel at Forest Lawn, Delaware & West Delavan Avenues
ChapelTours/Open House
Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Information at: www.forest-lawn.com or 716-885-1600

Forest Lawn’s historic chapel was constructed in 1882, 32 years after the first burial took place, using plans created by Joseph Earnshaw, an engineer from Cincinnati. The facility was constructed using limestone from Forest Lawn’s own quarry. In 1933, the Wurlitzer pipe organ –made in North Tonawanda, NY – was installed. The chapel’s terrazzo floors and vaulted ceilings provide ideal acoustics for recitals and receptions.
Renowned local architect Edward B. Green was contracted to design a crematory and a columbarium for the chapel; they were completed in 1933. A chancel was also added, as well as a cloister. In 1954, the portico was constructed, extending from the chapel entrance to the road.

As Forest Lawn embraces its new purpose as a cultural destination for local residents and tourists alike, the chapel has become an integral part of many events and activities. Over the past few years, the chapel has hosted more than 5,000 guests for such special events as lectures, concerts, special group tours, symposiums and more. Forest Lawn is the only local full-service cemetery for traditional and cremation arrangements listed on the State and National Registries of Historic Places.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Since 1986 The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites program has supported more than 675 religious institutions throughout the state which have received over $7.7 million in matching grants. Sacred Sites is the country’s oldest and largest statewide grant program to help landmark religious properties. Corpus Christi, Blessed Trinity, First Presbyterian and the Buffalo Religious Arts Center have all received matching grants from the Sacred Sites program.

For additional information on the Sacred Sites Open House Weekend, visit www.nylandmarks.org or the Buffalo Alliance for Sacred Spaces—>

Now it’s time to shine a spotlight on our city’s equally impressive sacred sites.
While Americans flock to the great churches of Europe, there are equally
extraordinary houses of worship to be explored right here in our own
backyard. These landmarks need your help. Now, for the cost of a bus tour,
you can be a superhero.

The tour includes:

Blessed Trinity Church
317 Leroy Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14214

http://blessedtrinitybuffalo.org

The purest replication of Lombard Romanesque architecture in the United States, noted for its unique brickwork and extensive use of ceramics.

First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo
One Symphony Circle
Buffalo, New York 14201

http://firstchurchbuffalo.org/

The oldest faith community in Buffalo, established in 1812, features Tiffany designed
stained glass windows.

Corpus Christi Church
199 Clark Street
Buffalo, New York 14212

http://corpuschristibuffalo.org

Saved from closing in 2004, highlights include exquisite stained-glass windows and an iconic mural, considered to be one of the most significant examples of ecclesiastical artwork in the United States.

Buffalo Religious Arts Center
157 East Street
Buffalo New York 14207

http://buffaloreligiousarts.org/

Established to collect and preserve art from houses of worship that have closed in Western New York. This collection of stained glass windows, statuary, and works of art provide a unique insight into Buffalo’s
culture and history.

A portion of the tour proceeds goes directly to maintain these irreplaceable sites
So grab a friend, play tourist for the day, and help save some of Buffalo’s heavenly landmarks.

Contact Know How Tours at 716-649- 9694 to make your tour reservations
for August 28, 2012. $79.00 per person

Blessed Trinity RC Church is the site of Architecture and Music, a special event on July 22, 2012, including a concert at 2:30 p.m. by The Camerata di Sant’ Antonio, under the direction of Christopher Weber, preceded by a church tour led by Camerata violinist and local author, Martin Ederer. Prof. Ederer’s tour and presentation on the history and unique architecture of the National Landmark church will begin at 1:30 p.m.

The Camerata is composed of seasoned orchestra musicians whose primary goal is to present concerts that preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of our community. Their musical performance at Blessed Trinity, including works of Mozart, Bach, Grainger and Britten, is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts. A free will offering will be taken, and a reception will follow the concert.

Blessed Trinity is located at 317 Leroy Avenue, Buffalo 14214; there is off-street parking behind the church.

http://www.blessedtrinitybuffalo.org/

On Sunday June 10, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church will join with Corpus Christi Church to commemorate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Catholics from all around Buffalo and Western New York are invited to participate.

The observance will begin at 3:00p.m. at St. Stanislaus Church, located at 123 Townsend Street in Buffalo, for a traditional outdoor procession with the Most Blessed Sacrament. In keeping with tradition, the procession will pause for devotions at four outside altars created specifically for this feast. The procession will end at Corpus Christi Church, located at 199 Clark Street, followed immediately by Benediction and Holy Mass.

Read full story—>

The combined church choirs of Blessed Trinity, St. Louis, and St. Joseph University present a choral “Extrava-Gala” to benefit the restoration of Blessed Trinity’s Teller-Kent Organ. You can look forward to well-chosen favorites from each choir’s repertoire, and with Nick DelBello, Roland Martin and Frank Scinta wielding their batons, there are sure to be a few surprises. A post-concert reception in St. Charles Hall will provide an opportunity to meet the choristers and their directors.

Suggested donation: $10 (Off-street parking behind the church).

More info: http://www.blessedtrinitybuffalo.org/events.html

Photos by Margaret Dick unless noted otherwise.

The Buffalo News was kind enough to come and cover this past weekend’s Scared Sites events in and around Buffalo!

Click here to view photographs on the Buffalo News—>