Buffalo Mass Mob usually organizes the Masses we Mob in two-to-three month windows. We threw that type of planning out the door with Mass Mob 44. Why? St. Stanislaus Church on Buffalo’s East Side is celebrating its 150th Anniversary of Sunday, June 4th, 2023 with Mass at 12:00 PM. Our group decided that we need to invite people to celebrate with St. Stan’s. The parish community was established in 1873. The steeples of the church still rise proud over East Buffalo. The parish has continually worshiped on Peckham St. since the 1800s. This type of Mass Mob gets to the core of what Buffalo Mass Mob is about.
St. Stan’s, with its rich cultural history in Buffalo’s Polish community, isn’t called the Mother Church of Buffalo’s Polonia for nothing. 🇵🇱 This is where Buffalo’s Polonia started. As much as the Polish community has moved on from the city’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, St. Stan’s remains as a living breathing connection to the area’s cultural heritage. How many historic sites in Buffalo function exactly as they did in the 1800s? Not many, but St. Stan’s still does. This church needs to be supported for what it is, a connection to our heritage. It is also a legacy church for the Polish community in Buffalo. Many Poles in Buffalo and Western New York can trace their roots here. Their ancestors built places like St. Stan’s as a way to keep Polish culture and customs alive in America.
Whether you are Polish or not, come celebrate St. Stan’s 150th Anniversary on June 4th. The church’s impact on Buffalo’s history is remarkable.
More on St. Stan’s legacy.
The history of St. Stanislaus Church in Buffalo is deeply intertwined with the Polish community and the city’s development. Here is an overview of its historical significance:
St. Stanislaus Church was founded in 1873 to serve the growing Polish immigrant population in Buffalo. At that time, Buffalo was experiencing a surge in immigration, with many Polish immigrants seeking better opportunities in the United States. These immigrants brought with them their strong Catholic faith and a desire to establish a place of worship that reflected their cultural and religious traditions.
The church was named after St. Stanislaus, the patron saint of Poland. Initially, services were held in a small wooden structure until the construction of a more substantial church building could be completed. The current church building, designed by architect Louis A. T. Sullivanesque, was completed in 1886.
Over the years, St. Stanislaus Church played a pivotal role in the lives of Polish immigrants and their descendants. It served as a spiritual center where the community gathered to worship, celebrate sacraments, and preserve their cultural identity. The church became a focal point for social and cultural activities, hosting events such as Polish festivals, parades, and concerts.
St. Stanislaus Church also played a significant role in the fight for social justice. During the early 20th century, the church and its community actively supported labor movements and advocated for fair treatment and better working conditions for Polish immigrants and other workers in Buffalo.
In 1957, tragedy struck St. Stanislaus Church when a fire destroyed much of the original interior. However, the community rallied together to restore the church, preserving its historical and architectural significance. The interior was reconstructed with great care, and the church reopened in 1963, once again becoming a center of faith and cultural activities.
Today, St. Stanislaus Church continues to be an important spiritual and cultural hub in Buffalo. It remains deeply connected to the Polish community and serves as a reminder of the rich heritage and contributions of Polish immigrants to the city’s history. The church has been recognized as a historical landmark and has welcomed visitors from all backgrounds who appreciate its architectural beauty and cultural significance.
St. Stan’s website: http://ststansbuffalo.com/
Mass Mob 44 Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1289918028593006
Join us!
