Corpus Christi R. C. Church Complex

Corpus Christi (Church)
Location 199 Clark Street, Buffalo, New York
Country  United States
Denomination Roman Catholic
Website Corpus Christi Church
History
Founded 1898
Founder(s) Hyacinth Fudzinski
Dedicated 1907
Architecture
Status Parish church
Functional status "Active"
Completed June 13, 1909 (church)
Construction cost US$200 thousand
Specifications
Capacity 1,650
Length 170 feet (51.8 m)
Width 90 feet (27.4 m)
Materials Onondaga limestone faced with Medina sandstone
Corpus Christi R.C. Church Complex
Corpus Christi R.C. Church, March 2009
Location 199 Clark St., Buffalo, New York
Coordinates 42°53′29″N 78°50′10″W / 42.89139°N 78.83611°W / 42.89139; -78.83611Coordinates: 42°53′29″N 78°50′10″W / 42.89139°N 78.83611°W / 42.89139; -78.83611
Area 2.4 acres (0.97 ha)
Built 1900
Architect Schmill and Gould
Architectural style Romanesque
NRHP Reference # 07000630[1]
Added to NRHP June 27, 2007

The Corpus Christi R.C. Church Complex is a series of several buildings located on Buffalo's historic East Side within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. The complex contains the Kolbe Center, Sears Street Hall, Rectory, Convent and the huge sandstone church that towers over the neighborhood. The complex school was closed in 1982 and has been razed.

History

Corpus Christi was the seventh Polish parish established in Buffalo. The Church was founded by Fr. Hyacinth Fudzinski, a Franciscan friar from Czarnków, Poland. The church was established to serve the religious needs of the growing Polish community of the East Side. The church community grew in the early 20th century as immigrants poured into the neighborhood.[2] The church has suffered the problems that have plagued other inner-city churches across America the past 30 years. As parishioners moved to the suburbs, the church became increasingly empty during masses and the school was closed in the early 1980s.

Building

Corpus Christi contains 3 large bells, all in the north tower. The largest bell dates to 1898, the smaller bells were installed in 1948. All were cast by the Meneely Bell Foundry in Troy, NY. The crosses atop the towers were filled with letters from the parish's school children before they were affixed to the cupolas. The original church windows were made by Franz Mayer works in Munich, Germany.[3]

Present day

In June 2003, the Franciscan Friars decided that they could no longer administer to the community due to financial and other concerns. This announcement led to the creation of a committee named "The Friends of Corpus Christi", who sought to find another order to lead the faithful. This search yielded results when the Pauline Fathers agreed to take over the Church property and continue the rich heritage. The Paulines currently have two priests and one brother administering to the parish community. The current Pastor is Fr. Anselm Chalupka.[4]

The Complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[1]

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 Staff (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ Claire L. Ross (December 2006). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Corpus Christi R. C. Church Complex". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2009-12-24. See also: "Accompanying eight photos".
  3. ↑ Ederer, Martin (April 2009). "Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church". The Pauline Fathers & Brothers. CHURCH PAMPHLET.
  4. ↑ Corpus Christi Church. "History". Retrieved 2011-05-01.

External links

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