Buffalo Rising Online

Dec 14th 2007, 9:27am By queenseyes

It seems like there has been more and more people calling for answers regarding the status of our magnificent churches. It's an East Side concern as well as a West Side Concern. There is no pocket in the city that is not directly affected by the status of a nearby church. We've seen intricate windows removed by people who want to make a quick buck. We've seen music a music superstar come to the rescue of a church in jeopardy of demolition. We've talked to pastors, and have taken tours... churches are constantly in our thoughts and on our minds.

Maybe it's the steeples that act as navigation marks as we travel from district to district. Sometimes it's the bells (real or fake) that we hear when we walk around on a Sunday morning. Going to a wedding in Buffalo can be awe inspiring... sometimes it's hard to pay attention to the ceremony when the host church is so mesmerizing. As churches continue to reinvent themselves... to stay relevant in an ever-changing society, it's always great to hear a success story or two.

When we spoke with Tim Tielman last week (unfortunately this coming Monday's recording was lost), he told us his thoughts regarding the status of many churches. He said that the churches that had applied for landmark status were smart in doing so. This forward thinking was an excellent way to secure future funds for increasingly expensive repairs. He said that for so long many churches were hesitant to do so, and that's a shame, because there is a ton of money out there for the ones that make the list.

Just this morning I received news that Corpus Christ Church, a landmark located on the East Side of Buffalo, has been awarded $450,000 for roof and tower repairs. The church was recently added as a New York State Landmark and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The money comes from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) - Governor Eliot Spitzer has announced grants totaling $25.3 million to go towards a number of different means, including historic preservation efforts. This past November, Corpus Christi was awarded a $45,000 challenge grant by The New York Landmarks Conservancy which, when combined with the EPF grant (matching and a reimbursement) means that the church must continue to step up its efforts to obtain charitable year-end donations.

To lean more about the church, please visit their website.