SOSS Update: Four Local Landmark Hearings on 12/19 at the City of Buffalo Preservation Board!

On Thursday, December 19, the Preservation Board will consider local landmark status for three remarkable churches—All Saints Roman Catholic Church, St. Martin of Tours, and St. Michael’s Church—as well as the Brewers Hill Historic District. These sites reflect the architectural beauty, cultural significance, and historical depth of Buffalo, and this public hearing offers a chance to support their recognition and protection.

Each local landmark application was researched, drafted, and submitted through our Save of Sacred Sites initiative launched in June 2024 as a result of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo closing 78 churches in WNY. The City of Buffalo Preservation Board is meeting Thursday, December 19th at 3 pm in Room 901. You can read through the meeting agenda here.

Brewers Hill Historic District

PBN has submitted the Brewers Hill Historic District for local historic designation as part of the Save Our Sacred Sites initiative! This nomination was inspired by the closing of the St. Jude Center, now listed for sale by the Catholic Diocese. You can find the application data here.

Located just north of downtown Buffalo near the medical campus, the Brewers Hill district features eight historic buildings on Washington and Ellicott Streets. These structures, dating back to the mid-19th century, are the last remnants of a once-thriving residential neighborhood. The proposed district showcases a variety of architectural styles, including Italianate, Second Empire, and Queen Anne. Read about all about the proposed local historic district here.

St. Michael’s Church

651 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203

Nestled in the heart of downtown Buffalo, St. Michael’s Church stands not just as a place of worship, but as a symbol of historic preservation. Designed by architect Patrick C. Keeley, this Romanesque Revival masterpiece showcases 19th-century craftsmanship through its use of indigenous materials like Buffalo limestone, Lockport silver limestone, and Albion sandstone. Keeley, whose prolific career included over 600 churches nationwide, left an indelible mark on American religious architecture, with St. Michael’s exemplifying his visionary skill.

The church’s resilience is further highlighted by its reconstruction after a devastating fire caused by a lightning storm in 1962. Under the guidance of architect Roswell E. Pfohl, the restoration preserved the historic exterior while incorporating innovative elements such as steel trusses and a concrete roof deck. The integration of 19th-century stained-glass windows, alongside new duplicates crafted by Franz Mayer’s studio, underscores the church’s blend of historical preservation and modern restoration techniques.

St. Michael’s Church at 651 Washington Street.

All Saints Roman Catholic Church

205 Esser Avenue Buffalo, NY

Located at 205 Esser Avenue, All Saints Roman Catholic Church is a multi-building complex constructed between 1911 and 1959. Founded by Bishop Charles H. Colton, the parish began with a small frame church built in 1911 that tragically burned down just two years later. The parish quickly rebuilt, erecting a Collegiate Gothic-style school and church designed by Esenwein & Johnson, which became a cornerstone of the Riverside community. In 1938, a new Colonial Revival-style church, featuring a stunning Wurlitzer Pipe Organ from the Hotel Statler ballroom, was added to accommodate a growing population. A Colonial Revival-style convent, designed in 1951 by George A. Dietel and Edward A. Pauly, served as a residence for 18 nuns and later became the parish rectory. Over the decades, additional structures, including a two-story school expansion in 1958, further solidified their role as a community hub for worship, education, and fellowship.

St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church

1112 Abbott Road Buffalo, NY

St. Martin of Tours, located at 1112 Abbott Road, was designed in the Mid-Century Modern architectural style. Built between 1949 and 1959 by Backus, Crane, and Love, the church features a front-gabled roof, brick exterior, and an exposed frame bell tower housing bells salvaged from St. Patrick’s Church after its demolition in 1982. The parish was established in 1926 to meet the spiritual needs of the rapidly growing community, with land donated by the Kinsey Real Estate Company. The original frame church, designed by George Dietel, was replaced in 1959 with the current structure to accommodate the burgeoning parish of 1,800 families.

December Preservation Advocacy & Fundraiser Dates!

Our December Events Calendar is PACKED! We have advocacy, education, art, and exercise (bowling!) this month! See our events below.

Local Landmark Hearings at the City of Buffalo Preservation Board – 12/19

Join us at City Hall on 12/19 at 3 pm (Room 902) to support and advocate for the local landmark applications for St. Martin of Tours, All Saints, St. Michaels, and the Brewers Hill Historic District. These hearings are open to the public and each application will be reviewed and decided on by the City of Buffalo Preservation Board. If the applications are approved, they will go onto the Buffalo Common Council for a decision in early 2025.

Can’t come? Send an email of support to info@pbnsaves.org. The email doesn’t have to be long or include fancy language – just a reminder that our history matters and we want to celebrate and protect it.

Do you own a historic home in a historic district – join us on 12/19? (Elmwood, Allentown, Hamlin Park & More)

Join us on 12/19 for our Historic Homeowner Tax Credit Workshop! This virtual event is FREE and will have Tom Yots from Preservation Studios and Francis Stern from SHPO available to answer questions. We will review the application process and discuss what repairs and rehab work qualify for the tax credit. Let us help you save money on those repairs for 2025!

Preservation in Focus: Photography From The 2024 Tour Season at the Richardson Campus.

Join us on Friday, December 20th from 6pm – 8pm in the Lipsey Architecture Center at 444 Forest Ave. Buffalo NY. This event is free but we ask that you sign up here so we have a proper headcount for refreshments!

Bowling & Pierogi: A FUNdraiser for Preservation

Buy your tickets here!

Bowling & Pierogi: A Fundraiser for Corpus Christi & Preservation Buffalo Niagara

When: Saturday, December 28, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: Bowling: Corpus Christi Church Athletic Club –165 Sears Street, Polonia District, Buffalo, New York
Tours: Corpus Christi Church — 199 Clark St, Buffalo, NY 14212

Step back in time and bowl on Corpus Christi’s vintage bowling lanes, which are now open for the first time in years! Your ticket includes a guided tour of this stunning church, a game of bowling, shoe rental, and a serving of Babcia’s Pierogi.

Extras:

Babcia’s Pierogi will have additional food available for purchase.

A craft table will keep the kids entertained while you enjoy the event.

Proceeds support both Corpus Christi Church and Preservation Buffalo Niagara’s vital work.

Team Bowling: Have a group of 4 or more? Email Emily@pbnsaves.org to reserve your lane, as there are limited lanes available (first come, first served).

Join us for an afternoon of fun, food, and preservation in action. See you there!

PBN Local Landmark District Update: Brewers Hill Historic District

SoSS Update: A Local Historic District!

Advocacy need: We will alert you when the public hearing is scheduled. If you’d like to submit a letter of support, email it to info@pbnsaves.org and we will print it and provide it to the City of Buffalo.

Key Highlights:

Historic Significance: The district’s development began in the 1830s, driven by German immigrants and other settlers.
Architectural Gems: The eight contributing buildings, including the St. Jude Center, are rare examples of late 19th-century residential architecture.
Preservation Efforts: Early preservationist Austin Fox played a crucial role in saving these buildings in the 1980s.
National Recognition: In 2016, these buildings were deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. This is a huge lift and one that does not come lightly. This helps strengthen our application.

The adaptive reuse of these buildings to serve the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus underscores their continued relevance and utility. Designating Brewers Hill as a historic district will ensure these significant structures are preserved while honoring the legacy of the community that once thrived here.