wow I didn't realize there was a church of this style in Buffalo. This is a rather unique building even in a city with as many churches as we have. What a shame. Reminds me of many of the churches I visited in Rome.

If St. Gerard's is indeed going to be torn down, I hope some of the following happen: The windows, pews and other iconic things be removed and stored somewhere. Even if these things are sold, they should be sold by the Church and not by some random robber.

What I am guessing is, is that the Diocese can sell the property faster with out a big old church. Who knows what will go there, maybe a parking lot.

nicely put sbrof. From the selfish childlike parishoners to the higher ups that act like parents too scared to disapline their kids the Catholic Diocese is a mess. Spoiled kids and clueless parents give us a wonderful mess. Save the "you must say "Merry Christmas"" speech and instead get your ass down to worship with those truely in need. This is also known as being christian.

Of coarse Jesus wouldn't say to build something like this, but these were built by parishoners in a growing metropolitan area who we so devout they put thier time, talent, money and dedication into these testaments of thier faith while living in modest homes nearby. Today we have cheapy built places of worship while the onus is put on the individual and thier own private homes.

For a while I went to church just to help perserve a place like this even though I wasn't at all religious. That the own religion puts zero value in them or those in need around them can sum up exaclty why the religion holds zero value to me.

Religion aside, I'm also amazed that we as a society are not concerned with the potential loss of these structures. Why are we so disinvested in our area? why does our pride stop at our property line? Are that scared of failure that we need to separate ourselves from everything? Are we content with asphaut parking lots and cinder block buildings as the nicest things we have to offer as a society?

Places like this will never be built again in our lifetime or possibly ever. I wish someone could put some $$$ figures on what it would cost to build something like this out of the same materials today. But we are content with knocking them down, never to be seen again continuing the slide of this area to having nothing of value. Lets just keep building the crap that has a return on investment of 5 years and is truely disposable like everything else in our lives.

Timatbuffalo

There are many great re-uses for these beautiful properties, one being a mausoleum. I have often wondered with the use of land and the large expense of labor why with great buildings like these that they wouldn’t serve our people as places of rest. There would then be a trust to keep the maintenance of the property forever and with the high cost of mowing all the time, trimming and plowing. I am quite sure the neighbors would rather be inside to visit their departed in a magnificent structure than outside in the rain and cold. Cremation and internment in a beautiful urn or vault would allow a great deal of parishioners to stay in their neighborhood and families to visit comfortably. Give it some thought.

Merry Christmas!

I love the idea of a library....and I think there are alot of people that would support increasing the subsidy to the Erie County Library to take these buildings for Books. I mean it wouldnt be permanent perhaps a decade and by that time a re-development opportunity would have presented itself

If a former church could be converted into a community center, an auditorium, a performing arts, a museum, etc

There are quite a few churches that are closing and we have a responsibility to keep these churches intact and find a re-use for them even if its temporary because these neighborhoods will have a much harder time coming back if these churches are lost.

and even though bailey and delevan isnt the best area...its still a very dense area and its not as far gone as the Fillmore area or the Jefferson/Michigan areas....which means that this could very easily be converted into a number of community uses.....especially if there is a light rail extension to the airport, or a reactivation of the Central Terminal or if growth along the Bailey corridor.

The saddest thing about Buffalos inner city neighborhoods and suburbs is that they lack town centers which could act as a meeting place....but this could be a great first step for this area.

PS I havent checked but was there a religious school associated withthis church....is it possible a charter school might be interested in this building and then the church could really act as a community center, school auditorium, etc.

Well the church could have made a stand but they follow exactly what wizardofza said, new new new. Consume new land in the burbs and leave those in the big bad city to rot.

Why preach to help the poor near the poor, it makes more sense to teach about helping those in need surrounding by no one in need. It is so horribly anti-christian it amazes me. Feed the needs, clothe the naked, live humble lives.... all of these things hit a real note in these neighborhoods. But instead they attend an auditorium called a church and drive home in a Hummer wearing their 300 dollar Sunday best.

These neighborhoods are never without hope, but without the institutions that inspire hope (the church) it might as well be. What is more depressing than living near an abandoned church.

Might as well go and post a sign on the front door that says Even god doesn't want his house here, why the hell are you still here?..

National Trust has an important link with additional resources on their site - Historic Houses of Worship.

Absent some strategic planning and proactive and sustained community involvement St. Gerard's will certainly share the same fate as other east side sites such as St. Matthew's (Ferry/Moselle) and Transfiguration (Sycamore/Mills).

Last I heard St. Matthew's is still for sale. Structurally it appears to be in very good shape and might appeal to a group of artists for some amazing loft conversion project.

Didn't Jesus head toward the undesirable cesspools rather than away from them? Just a thought.

The library idea would only work assuming the existing library buildings could be re-used or something.. Then again many library buildings are rather nice structures and the library system just went through the process of being downsized themselves.

Still such a shame this interior of this church is really unique.

Not really that bold. You can read all about it in the Bible.

tinker,

No, that is how Denizen described it.

I'm just guessing here, but I'm sure that the diocese is flipping the bill for the demo of the church.

NOTE: the link "for more information on the building" has changed. It's now: http://www.buffaloah.com/a/eastdel/1190/hp/hp.html