Photo – Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News
(Eight unique panels with the angels’ wings folded encircle the high altar at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, while a mural above depicts Christ enthroned.)
Opening up the Buffalo News today and finding Corpus Christi on the front page of the Lifestyles section truly made my day…but that is only the start of it…of the 15 churches featured in the “Art Sanctuaries” piece by Charity Vogel, four are from the Broadway-Fillmore area (Corpus Christi, St. Ann’s, St. Adalbert’s and St. Stan’s).
This is a clear illustration of what we have here in B-F in terms of churches which are not only neighborhood treasures, but treasures for WNY as well…it also is a clear illustration of what we will lose if St. Adalbert’s and St. Ann’s close.
These buildings are alive…they don’t have to be restored like the Central Terminal…everything must be done to ensure that they remain alive for generations to come….they are a testament to the neighborhood’s cultural heritage and are an enduring legacy of beauty given to us by B-F’s forefathers and mothers…buildings built by people with modest lifestyles and a lot of faith.
If you are reading this from oustide of the Historic Polonia District or if you used to go to one of the churches in the neighborhood, consider coming home to one of the churches.
It is like Father Anzelm of Corpus Christi says…the extra 10-15 ride on a Sunday morning to attend church in Polonia isn’t all that much of a sacrifice.
