Posts Tagged acquisitions

The Christmas season may be over for another year, but at the Buffalo Religious Arts Center, we are still proud to show off some newly acquired items with a Christmas theme.

The parish of Blessed Trinity Church has generously donated the full nativity set from the former Saint Gerard’s Church, a parish it merged with in 2008. The complete set, which includes over two dozen pieces, is of great cultural and historic value to the people of Buffalo.

Saint Gerard’s Church was founded in 1911, and is a one-third reproduction of St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls in Rome. While this nativity set was not present from the beginning, it is an important part of religious activity for a large portion of St. Gerard’s history, and the Buffalo Religious Arts Center is proud to be its new home.

The Religious Arts Center is now home to a variety of pieces, great and small, high art and cultural touchstones, and all of historic value that tell the story of the faithful in Western New York. Check back soon for more information on future tours.

by Brian Castner

The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is pleased to announce that it now owns the Saint Francis Xavier Complex, located at East and Amherst Streets in Black Rock. Included in the purchase is the Roman Basillica style church built in 1913, the 27,000 square foot school, and the Parish House. An anonymous donor provided funds for the entire purchase cost.

The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is converting the church into Xavier Hall, the first gallery dedicated to religious art in the United States housed in a former church. It will concentrate on the heritage and history of Buffalo, as told by the religious art created by its immigrants. Not affiliated with any specific denomination, the Buffalo Religious Arts Center seeks to display art of all faith traditions.

“This gallery is not just for the faithful, though the deep faith embodied in these works is apparent to all,” said Brian Castner, Executive Director. “If you love art, if you love architecture, if you just love Buffalo and its history, there is something for you at the Religious Arts Center.”