You may never have seen Holy Cross Church, tucked away on the western edge of the city of Buffalo, off Niagara Street. And you may be surprised to learn it was once the largest parish in the Diocese. In 1939, the parish had 3,700 families and 18,000 parishioners. Before urban renewal, Buffalo’s lower west side was once the most densely settled of places in the state outside New York City. And before changes in transportation, it was once directly connected to one of the most bustling waterfronts on the Great Lakes.
Today, Holy Cross serves a community that is economically depressed, cut off from its waterfront, and suffering the ravages of blight and disinvestment. Like its surrounding neighborhood, Holy Cross struggles with financial challenges, yet remains vibrant and vital. Now under the wing of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, along with two sister parishes on the west side, Holy Angels is a bilingual parish, with Sunday Masses in both English and Spanish. Once a month, there is even a Mass in French. The church is active with VOICE Buffalo, and participated in the procession at this week’s Buffalo appearance by Labor Secretary Thomas Perez.
For over half its history, Holy Cross Church was under the leadership of Father Gambino, appointed priest before the church was constructed in 1915. In 1960, it was the scene of one of the most tragic events in the modern history of the Buffalo Diocese, the murder of Father Belle, who is remembered in the name of the adjacent Father Belle Center.
In 2005, Allentown’s Immaculate Conception parish merged with Holy Cross, and the beautiful Immaculate Conception window was moved to Holy Cross, where it is on display in the sanctuary.
Below, see a timeline of the history of Holy Cross.
Holy Cross Church continues to serve the lower west side’s dwindling Italian-American community, and also people with roots in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. Father Quilin Bouzi, O.M.I., is pastor. Father David Muñoz, O.M.I. also celebrates Mass at Holy Cross, as well as once a week at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, where he is well-loved.
Today‘s Buffalo Mass Mob (at 10AM) is an especially exciting one for me. It’s happening on the lower west side, the part of the city where I live. I first approached the church on behalf of the Mass Mob team nearly a year ago, after the success of the Mass Mob at Holy Angels church, also overseen by the Oblates (see article I wrote for Artvoice here. It’s gratifying to be able to continue, even if in a small way, to support the Oblates’ ongoing mission on the west side.
This Mass Mob also comes on the heels of what, for me, was our most inspiring Mass Mob to date, at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. I talked about that inspiration, and also my views about urban church closings, in an Artvoice cover story in January.
Thanks to everyone who is planning on attending Buffalo Mass Mob, as we celebrate Mass at Holy Cross today!
HOLY CROSS CHURCH HISTORY TIMELINE
October 1, 1914 – Bishop Colton and his Council meet and formally decree a new parish to be formed to the north of St. Anthony of Padua’s. This new parish is to serve the growing Italian population of Buffalo’s West Side. On this day, Bishop Colton appoints Fr. Joseph Gambino pastor of the new parish. At this time, the St. James Mission building at 252 Front Avenue (now called Busti Avenue) is vacant. Bishop Colton allows Fr. Gambino to use its upper room as a temporary church.
October 11, 1914 – In the upper room of the Saint James Mission building, Fr. Gambino celebrates the new parish’s first Mass. Around this time, it is decided to name the new parish Holy Cross.
Monday, March 15, 1915 – Msgr. Nelson Baker breaks ground for the new Holy Cross church, at the corner of Maryland and Seventh streets.
Sunday, September 5, 1915 – Father Thomas Walsh, Chancellor, celebrates the first Solemn High Mass in the new Holy Cross church.
December 1939 – Holy Cross is the largest parish in the Diocese of Buffalo, with 3700 families and 18,000 parishioners.
Sunday, September 26, 1948 – Bishop John F. O’Hara breaks ground for the Holy Cross School at Niagara and Maryland Streets.
September 1949 – Bishop John F. O’Hara blesses the new Holy Cross School in time for the beginning of the school year. Six Felician Sisters staff the school the first year.
Sunday, June 30, 1968 – Msgr. Gambino, age 89, retires as pastor of Holy Cross Parish.
June 24, 1984 –Holy Cross school closes.
May 25, 26 or 27, 2005 – Immaculate Conception Church at 150 Edward Street closes. Bishop Edward Kmiec approves a recommendation to merge Immaculate Conception and Holy Cross Parishes, with the merged parishes based at Holy Cross.
May 2014 – Bishop Richard Malone appoints Fr. Quilin Bouzi, O.M.I. pastor of Holy Cross, Our Lady of Hope and Holy Angels Parishes, effective May 15, 2014.