Buffalo Religious Arts Center Blog

"Volunteers bring in another statue for our collection. Is is St. Stanislaus Kostka

This past August the Buffalo Religious Art Center acquired a new statue.  It’s the statue of St. Stanislaus Kostka (also spelled Koskkawhich).  For many years, he had resided in the basement of Assumption Church on Amherst Street.

St Stanislaus died at the very early age of 19, just after becoming a novice.  For this reason he is  depicted as a young man wearing a vestment (a long headdress worn by bishops and senior abbots as a symbol of office).  It was also said, that he was loved by children.  So, also many times, he is shown holding a child.

Left: St. Stan Kostka Right St. Stanislaus

Our progress continues!  Recently, we received four display cases.  At the moment we’re still figuring out where they will be located, but we do know what will fill them.

Two of the four are going to house two statues of the Infant of Prague.  The array of outfits are going to be the backdrop for the statues.  I literally gasped when I saw the outfits.  Their colors are brilliant.  I then pulled them from the plastic covers and felt the material.  They are made from only the best fabric.  The velvet on some was so rich.  And to think they were all handmade by older women of the church that the Infants came from – such patience.   I have to admit, I was a little envious of some of the dresses.  If only I was a little shorter

More on the Infant of Prague:

http://www.pragjesu.info/en/history_infant_jesus.htm

“The Harmonia Chamber Singers” sang at the Buff Rel Ats Center on Sunday May 22, 2011.

Harmonia was voted Best Vocal Ensemble in Artvoice’s Best of Buffalo 2011.  We would like to thank Robert Pacillo, Director and we hope to see you again next year for another concert!!

The Buffalo Religious Art Center was alive with the hum of pipe organ this past week.   Peter Gonciarz, a senior at Villa Maria College, showed off his talent by playing a variety of different pieces.  He began playing at age 13 when his church paid for organ lessons, and he has been playing ever since.  By now, he has played at a number of churches.

It was about a year ago that Peter called up the B.R.A.C. to ask if he could come play.  He had heard that the church still had it’s original 1932 Schlicker organ.  The organ was hand-made right at the Schlicker Organ Company in North Tonawanda.  Like other church organs, it was built for that church.  No where else would it’s sound ring truer.  That, matched with such a talented player, creates an incredibly angelic sound.

We’ve posted the new tours for our 2011 season, as well as many special events throughout the upcoming year. Be sure to check them out under our Visit Us link!

Buffalo Religious Arts Center Docent-Led Tours
Come see the beautiful Romanesque St. Francis Xavier Church as it undergoes its transformation into Xavier Hall, the new home of the Buffalo Religious Arts Center. Learn the history of this uniquely American bascillica-styled landmark of Black Rock, and see the growing collection of the Religious Arts Center, including items from St. Mary’s of Sorrows, Queen of Peace, Temple Beth El, and icons from the Russian Orthodox Church.

When: Saturdays 1pm; other times available by appointment
Where: The Buffalo Religious Arts Center
Cost: $10 adults; $5 students; members free
More Information: Call 716.481.2350

Splendors in Stained Glass

Explore an underappreciated part of Buffalo’s fabulous architectural legacy: stained glass windows by some of the most important European, American and Buffalo artists and studios. Be prepared for oohs and ahhs and, don’t forget to bring your camera and binoculars! Co-sponsored by Buffalo Tours.

When: Wednesdays at 1pm
Where: Meet at the following locations:
June 15: St. Ann’s, 491 Emslie St; walk to St. Stanislaus
July 20: Corpus Christi, 199 Clark St; walk to St. Adalbert’s
Aug 17: Westminster Presbyterian, 724 Delaware Ave; to Trinity Episcopal
Sept 21: First Presbyterian, 21 Church St, Lockport; walk to Grace Episcopal
Cost: $10 per person, $5 for students

Black Rock Tours

Discover the rich art, history, and architecture of this little-known riverside community that dates back to the early 1800s. Admission includes a guided tour inside the Buffalo Religious Arts Center in the former St. Francis Xavier Church.

Co-sponsored by Buffalo Tours

When: July 16, Aug 20, Sept 24 at 2pm
Where: Meet at Amherst St & Niagara St
Cost: $10 per person, $5 for students

Garden Tour Events

On Sat, Aug 6th, 2011 the Black Rock & Riverside Tour of Gardens will be held. Visitors to the area could stop by and see one of Buffalo’s incredible sites, The Buffalo Religious Arts Center which will be opened that day from 11am to 4pm. Tours of the former church are usually $10.00 per person but if you are on the Tour of Gardens the admission fee is $8.00.

For more information on The Garden Tour see their website: www.brrgardenwalk.com

When: Sat, Aug 6th 11am-4pm
Where: self-guided tours in the Buffalo area
Cost: $8 per person (regular Center admission is $10)

Tiffany Tour of Churches Bus Tour

A part of the Buffalo Artchitecture and History talks and tours.

Visit the lush interiors of Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, First Presbyterian Church, and the Church of the Good Shepherd, all known for their astounding display of Tiffany stained glass.

This guided, six hour tour includes transportation, admission to the Buffalo Religious Arts Center, lunch at Chef’s, and a special organ recital at Xavier Hall.

When: Sat, Nov 19, 2011 9am-3pm
Where: Meet at the Buffalo Religious Arts Center: 157 East Street
Cost: Reservations required: $65 ($50 for Buffalo Tours members)

We’ve posted the new tours for our 2010 season, as well as many special events throughout the upcoming year. Be sure to check them out under our Visit Us link!

Be sure to check out these tours and upcoming events:

Buffalo Religious Arts Center Docent-Led Tours
Come see the beautiful Romanesque St. Francis Xavier Church as it undergoes its transformation into Xavier Hall, the new home of the Buffalo Religious Arts Center. Learn the history of this uniquely American bascillica-styled landmark of Black Rock, and see the growing collection of the Religious Arts Center, including items from St. Mary’s of Sorrows, Queen of Peace, Temple Beth El, and icons from the Russian Orthodox Church.

Stained Glass Windows in Buffalo
Co-Sponsored by Buffalo Religious Arts Center and Buffalo Tours. See our Tours page for details.
These 2-hour walking tours average 45 minutes per building, with a 15-minute walk between buildings, and a 15-minute walk returning to the starting point. Tours include information on buildings’ designer and fabricator, buildings’ content and iconography, and the style and fabrication techniques of the buildings.

Buffalo’s First Lady: Frances Folsom Cleveland
Learn the history of First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland, born on Edward Street in Buffalo.
May 29-30, 2010

Hutchinson Family Revival Reenactors
Our country’s history mirrored in 19th Century music performed by the Hutchinson Family Revival.
June 5, 2010

Fashion Show: Antique Clothes Modeled by Historic Characters
See clothing styles from the 1860-1960, each modeled by a famous lady from the period.
July 17, 2010

Holiday Churches Bus Tours
Coming in December – all new churches for 2010! Visit the lush interiors of Delaware Avenue Baptist Church, St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, and the Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. This six hour, guided tour includes transportation, entry into each church, admission to the Buffalo Religious Arts Center, lunch at Chef’s, and a special organ recital at Xavier Hall. Reservations Required.

We’ve recently done a complete website makeover and are excited to put it to use during our new 2010 season!  Let us know what you think, and we look forward to seeing you all this Spring!

We were recently featured in the Plain Dealer (based in Cleveland, OH).  Check out the article here:

http://blog.cleveland.com/pdextra/2010/02/museum_in_closed_catholic_chur.html

by William Koch

The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is pleased to announce that the former St. Francis Xavier Church, Rectory and School have been added to the National Historic Register as of August 20th, 2009.

This National Historic Register recognition highlights not only the architectural significance of the complex, but also its importance to the history of Buffalo.  All three buildings on the St. Francis Xavier Complex were included in the designation.

The parish of St. Francis Xavier dates from the 1850’s, but the oldest structure is the sturdy three story school built in 1894.

The Romanesque Basilica style church, designed by Max Beierl of the locally prominent firm Lansing and Beierl, was completed in 1913 and contains stunning murals by Benedictine Monk Fr. Raphael Pfisterer and unique stained glass windows by F.X. Zettler. These windows were made in Munich, Germany.

St. Francis Xavier Church closed as a parish in 2007. Since then the Buffalo Religious Arts Center has been caring for the maintenance and preservation of these three buildings.
The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

When we started our internship program, our goals were simple: receive high quality assistance with our tough projects, and hopefully provide different kind of learning experience for the students. Receiving an award for our program was never a thought.

But that’s just what happened last week, when the Buffalo Religious Arts Center was named the Outstanding Non-Profit Internship Site for 2009 by the UB School of Management. It was a surprising honor, but a great testament to our wonderful interns, who have done marketing research, started our accounting books, and putting us on FaceBook, among many other projects.

Thank you to Carrie Gardner, the Director of the program, for this recognition. With the help of our interns, volunteers, members, and friends, the Religious Arts Center is growing every day.