Save Our Sacred Sites

“Churches are not just places of worship; they are symbols of our community’s history. The architectural beauty and spiritual significance of these sacred sites are irreplaceable, and if locally landmarked and added to the National Register of Historic Places, they will have an opportunity to play a significant role in our future, too. ”
– Bernice Radle, Executive Director

Why We Started the Save Our Sacred Sites Initiative

Buffalo’s historic churches are more than architectural landmarks—they are sacred spaces that have served as spiritual, cultural, and social anchors for generations. In recent years, the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo launched its“Road to Renewal” initiative, resulting in the merger and closure of over 70 churches across Western New York. Many of these closed churches were listed for sale with restrictive covenants attached—provisions that prohibited certain future uses for 50 years, yet allowed unrestricted development if the building was demolished after just five years. These covenants created a troubling incentive for demolition, placing our sacred heritage at risk. In response, Preservation Buffalo Niagara established the Save Our Sacred Sites Initiative to protect these irreplaceable places of worship.

We work independently of religious institutions, but we often work in collaboration with the people of faith who have worshipped, served, and gathered in these spaces. By securing legal protections and advocating for thoughtful reuse, we aim to keep these sacred sites part of Buffalo’s living story.

How is this funded?

Nearly all of our local landmark applications are made possible through the generosity of congregations and community members. Preservation Buffalo Niagara provides a dedicated donation platform for each church, allowing supporters to directly fund the preservation of the sacred spaces they care about. Once a church reaches its fundraising goal, we begin the extensive process of research, writing, application preparation, and public hearings required for landmark designation.

While many of our Catholic church applications have been funded this way, the success of the Save Our Sacred Sites Initiative has inspired congregations from other denominations to take action as well. Seeing the value of landmark status, thesecommunities have independently funded their own applications, demonstrating a shared commitment to preserving Buffalo’s spiritual and architectural heritage. The historic status that being a local landmark also allows the congregations to apply for Sacred Space funding that is often only available to sites with historic status.

Disclosure: PBN is not being paid by the Catholic Church. PBN is a non-profit dedicated to saving historic buildings in WNY, and your donations are tax-deductible. 

Active Landmarking Projects

Greater Faith Temple Church Of God In Christ: 480 Hickory Street, Buffalo, NY 14204

Originally constructed in 1860 as the Second German Baptist Church, 480 Hickory Street is a rare surviving example of Vernacular Romanesque architecture in Buffalo. Over its 160+ year history, the building has served a diverse array of religious, civic, and educational functions—from housing German immigrant congregations and athletic clubs to serving as a school annex. Since 1955, it has been home to Greater Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, a vibrant congregation that continues to anchor the community through worship, education, and cultural programming. In a powerful demonstration of stewardship and pride, the congregation reached out to Preservation Buffalo Niagara and is fully funding its own local landmark application to ensure the building’s legacy is preserved for future generations.

Centennial AME Zion Church: 127 Doat Street, Buffalo, NY 14211

127 Doat Street has long served as the home of Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, a cornerstone of Buffalo’s East Side faith community. The church has played a vital role in the spiritual, cultural, and civic life of its neighborhood, hosting generations of worshippers and community events. In a remarkable act of initiative and pride, the congregation reached out to Preservation Buffalo Niagara to pursue local landmark designation, and they need your help to fund it!
Please click here to donate to this landmark application.

 

St. Jude Center: 760 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203
(Hospital Hill Historic District, tabled with the Buffalo Preservation Board)

The proposed  Hospital Hill Historic District captures a rare collection of eight intact 19th-century brick residences just north of downtown Buffalo. Among them is the St. Jude Center at 760 Ellicott Street, a former Italianate residence dating to the 1870s that has served the community since 1969 through chaplain services, bereavement support, and wellness programs. The district reflects Buffalo’s rich German-American heritage and its transformation into a medical hub, with ties to early brewers, merchants, and healthcare pioneers.

Completed With Local Landmark Status

  • St. Thomas Aquinas RC Church
    450 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220
  • St. Rose of Lima RC Church
    500 Parker Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216
  • St. John Kanty RC Church
    101 Swinburne Street, Buffalo, NY 14212
  • St. Stanislaus RC Church
    123 Townsend Street, Buffalo, NY 14212
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help
    115 O’Connell Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14204
  • St. Michael RC Church
    651 Washington St, Buffalo, NY 14203
  • The Delaine-Waring AME Church
    688 Swan Street, Buffalo, NY 14210
  • St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church
    1140 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220

Determined Eligible by the state historic preservation office

  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help
    115 O’Connell Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14204

    Donate to the Save Our Sacred Sites Initiative Below:

     

Grant Funding for Sacred Sites

Contact Us:
For landmarking inquiries, media inquiries, further information on donations, media, or to volunteer, please contact us at: emily@pbnsaves.org

Watch our talk on “Reimagining Churches” below: