By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has announced the consolidation of three parishes in Cheektowaga and Buffalo's Kaisertown neighborhood.
St. Bernard's Church on Clinton Street near South Ogden will close, while St. Casmir Church on Cable Street will become an oratory, open for one weekly Mass and special occasions.
Those two parishes will become part of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, which is further down Clinton Street on the Cheektowaga side of the city line. The diocese says changing demographics was one factor in it's decision.
St. Czestochowa Parish has the largest congregation of the three and is the most cost effective to operate. The number of practicing households there has increased over the last two years, while the other two parishes have seen declining enrollment.
"Please note that at this point, this is a proposal," diocesan spokesman Kevin Keenan said in an email. "If it is approved, transition teams from St. Bernard and Our Lady of Czestochowa parishes would determine a merger date, which would likely be in late spring or early summer."
St. Casimir Church, designed by Chester Oakley, is an outstanding example of Byzantine architecture. Much of the ornate artwork was done by Oakley's assistant, Joseph Fronczak. The church was landmarked by the Buffalo Preservation Board in 1972 and the diocese will work to preserve the building which is in need of repair.