We are excited to celebrate the people behind this year’s most inspiring preservation projects at the 2025 Preservation Awards. Join us on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at The Caz (2221 Seneca Street) to celebrate the region’s most impactful preservation projects at Preservation Buffalo Niagara’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Please note: The Caz will stay open until 8:30 PM for the Afterparty! Enjoy great company and live music for an extra hour — Thank you, Jake!!
For more information on the Preservation Awards, please click here.
To purchase tickets for the Preservation Awards, please click here.
The Revival of Trinity Episcopal Church in Middleport
At the heart of Middleport, New York, stands Trinity Episcopal Church, a testament to faith, resilience, and the enduring power of community. Established in 1865 as the Middleport Mission, the congregation broke ground on its now-iconic brick, Gothic-style church in the spring of 1869, on land generously donated by Mrs. Avery DeLano. The first services were held in the church’s finished basement on Christmas Day, 1869, with the full structure completed by the spring of 1872, just as the congregation gathered the final funds needed to add its distinctive tower.
A defining feature of Trinity Episcopal is its Barkhoff Church Organ, installed in 1906 by the Barkhoff Church Organ Co. of Ohio for $1,200 – a piece of history that still fills the sanctuary with rich, resonant tones more than a century later.
However, like many historic buildings, Trinity Episcopal faced significant challenges after years of vacancy, including deteriorating masonry, damaged windows, a leaking roof, and outdated plumbing and electrical systems. Recognizing the importance of this local landmark, Hellner Development took on the formidable task of restoring the church, completing the work in just three months in September.
Their efforts included:
- Masonry Restoration – Repairing and preserving the brickwork that defines the church’s Gothic style.
- Window Restoration – Protecting the character and craftsmanship of the original stained glass.
- New Roof and Plaster Repair – Ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of the building.
- Organ and Systems Upgrades – Breathing new life into the 1906 pipe organ and modernizing electrical and plumbing systems.
- Exact Reproduction Front Doors – Honoring the church’s original design with faithfully recreated doors.
For its exceptional restoration and continued role as a place of faith and community, we are proud to honor Trinity Episcopal Church with the 2025 Preservation Award for Sacred Site.
Congratulations to Hellner Development, the Casanovas, and all those who have brought this beautiful piece of Middleport’s history back to life.