Sacred Heart

01/04/2015 3 albums Share: Facebook , Twitter , Google+ Album RSS

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was built in 1913 thanks to a generous purchase by the Larkin Company of the original church property, to use for future expansion. Designed by Architects Schmill & Gould, the property featured an English Gothic church, school, convent and rectory. The school opened on October 30, 1914, the Sisters moved into the convent on November 13 (a Friday!), 1914, 3 large bells were moved from the former church to the new belfry in mid-November 1914, and the church opened to the public March 21, 1915. The Church held 576 people, and ultimately cost $165,000. The Diocese closed the church in 1973.

The Diocese sold the property in 1977 to a Ukrainian congregation. However a large propane explosion nearby in 1983 damaged the church and they lost a majority of the stained glass windows. (http://www.thecompanyofficer.com/2010/12/27/buffalo-box-191-north-division-december-27-1983/) Afterwards they were unable to keep up with the property.

Ronald P. Kirk's Witness Cathedral of Faith congregation purchased the complex, apparently at the urging of then Mayor Jimmy Griffin, which included the Sacred Heart School in addition to the church and parish buildings, in 1988. It has sat empty since 2007 or 2008. After a December 2008 storm the school building collapsed. It was razed in January 2009 in an emergency demolition order to the tune of $160,000. Rev. Kirk and his parish still owe the City for the demolition costs.

Rev. Kirk now ministers his congregation at the former St. John the Baptist Church at 60 Hertel Avenue. The church was purchased in 2009 for $250,000 from the Plaza Group. The congregation and Rev. Kirk have essentially abandoned the Sacred Heart Church and have made no efforts to secure the property. It was offered up in a City tax auction in 2009 for $15k but received no bids.

The City ordered the demolition of the Church in 2012, but it has not yet happened. An arson fire in early 2016 damaged the rectory attached to the rear of the church.