Corpus Christi Church Celebrates Historic Landmark Designation, 100th Anniversary of the Laying of the Church Cornerstone


(Courtesy WGRZ)

November 1st is All Saints Day, a time when the Roman Catholic Church remembers those, known and unknown, who were early witnesses to the Christian faith. At Corpus Christi Church, this observance took on even greater significance as the parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of the laying of the church cornerstone and the recent designation of the church complex as a New York State landmark and its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The ceremony began with a Mass of Thanksgiving and Commemoration at 11:30A.M., with Fr. Anzelm Chalupka, Pastor of Corpus Christi Church, as Principal Celebrant. The Mass was con-celebrated by the Very Reverand Krzysztof Wieliczko (Provincial of the Pauline Order in North America), Msgr. Matthew Kopacz, former Pastor of Corpus Christi Rev. Anthony Konieczny, Fr. Nicholas Swiatek and Fr. Zbigniew Frankowski. Andy Golebiowski, who is President of the Parish Council, was Master of Ceremonies. The guest choir, under the direction of Choirmaster Bruce Woody, gave a special performance for this joyful occasion.

J. Winthrop Aldrich, New York State’s Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation, presented the landmark designation and spoke on the importance of preserving New York State’s most architecturally, historically and culturally significant houses of worship. William Koch, past president of the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier, discussed the importance of the landmark recognition. The impact of this honor was made immediately clear when Mayor Byron Brown declared November 1, 2007 Corpus Christi Day in the City of Buffalo.

Buffalo Common Council President David Franczyk and New York State Assemblymember Crystal Peoples, who have been strong supporters of Corpus Christi’s recent revitalization, spoke eloquently of the hope that this church brings to its impoverished neighborhood. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, a staunch champion of Buffalo’s East Side, was also represented at this event.

During his sermon, Rev. Chalupka asked the question, “Who are today’s saints?” The answer was before him, in the hundreds of worshippers who took part in the Mass and dedication ceremony. These are the people who have “kept faith” with Corpus Christi during the last century. It is the ushers, whose attire in crisp white shirts and black tuxedos signals to all visitors a reverence for this sacred place . . . it is the generations of countless parishioners who have worked tirelessly to carry on the congregation’s Polish culture and traditions . . . it is the individuals who stepped forth to save the parish from closing nearly five years ago . . . it is the clergy who located a new order of priests to administer this church . . . and it is the Pauline Priests and Brothers who “took a giant leap of faith” to come to Buffalo to give new life to this cherished parish.

On July 14, 1907, the entire parish of Corpus Christi celebrated the consecration of the cornerstone for their beautiful new church. It was an occasion made possible by the tremendous sacrifices and deep faith of hundreds of immigrant families. As noted by Parish Council President Golebiowski, our ancestors could not have imagined that less than one hundred years later, their once vibrant neighborhood would hold so little promise, and that their beloved church would be in danger of closing. Having sacrificed so much themselves, they would expect those who came after them to protect and nurture what they so lovingly created. And that is exactly what is happening today.

How fitting that Corpus Christi – built by faith, saved by faith, and growing in faith – stands at the “Superman” corner of Clark and Kent Streets, for it is a legion of super-heroes who have watched over this church for the last 100 years. All Saints, by any other name.


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5 thoughts on “Corpus Christi Church Celebrates Historic Landmark Designation, 100th Anniversary of the Laying of the Church Cornerstone

  1. Thank you Carol for contributing the story!!!

    I wish I could have made it on 11/01…guess I will just have to another hundred years…

  2. I am a former parishioner of Corpus Christ Church. My grandparents, Bronislawa (Bertha) Raczka & Joseph Raczka, were contributing donors at the beginning of the Church and their names are engraved on a copper plaque which is hanging in the vestible of the Church. My father, Edwin J. Raczka, was also a member of the Church. Both of grandparents were laid to rest in Lucki Urban’s Funeral Home which is the Church’s Funeral Home. I live in Vero Beach, FL now with my husband for almost 4 years, but I do miss Buffalo, NY very much. I’m so happy to learn that Corpus Christi Church is still thriving after the Franciscan Father’s took leave. Congratulations to all those in Buffalo who attend Corpus Christi Church. The Church is as beautiful as ever!

    1. The funeral home you refer to was Kaz Urban Funeral Home on Clark St. Lucki-Urban was a furniture and appliance store on Broadway, a block from Fillmore Avenue.

  3. I wish I could have the records of the Switkowski family of Lombard and Clark Streets sent to me. My father loved the parish and especially the Black Madonna.

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