Jul 23, 2023 | Architecture, News & Photos, Upcoming Events
Church cornerstone dedicated by Bishop Turner on August 7, 1923.
Blessed Trinity R. C. Church, a Buffalo Landmark since 1977, is observing the centennial of the laying of its cornerstone on Sunday, August 6, 2023. Rev. Robert L. Gebhard, Jr., Senior Parochial Vicar, will conclude the 10:00 AM Mass with an outdoor rededication ceremony commemorating the original dedication by Bishop William Turner on August 7, 1923. It marks the beginning of a five-year centennial observance of the building’s construction from 1923-1928.
The anniversary event will begin with the Sunday worship service including hymns accompanied by Music Director Elizabeth Bailey-Sands Clay on the church’s original 1927 Tellers-Kent organ. It concludes with a reception in the parish hall at which members of the church’s docent team will be recognized.
Long considered one of the finest examples of Lombard-Romanesque architecture in the United States, the building’s distinctive features include handmade Harvard bricks laid in a medieval fashion; extensive use of terra cotta, both structural and decorative; and more than 2000 Christian symbols displayed in its art and architecture. In addition to being the first landmark named by the City of Buffalo’s Landmark and Preservation Board in 1977, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is recognized as a New York State Historic Site.
Jun 3, 2023 | Architecture, News & Photos
A view from the loft reveals some of our Sacred Sites visitors who remained for the closing musical presentation on May 21, 2023.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick
May 21st Sacred Sites Open House ~ Docents and greeters alike were pleased with the turnout at this year’s Sacred Sites Open House. Blessed Trinity was one of more than 100 houses of worship celebrating the New York Landmarks Conservancy‘s 50th anniversary celebration by participating in their statewide Sacred Sites Open House Weekend. We welcomed more than 50 visitors, doubling our 2022 numbers, and 27 stayed to enjoy the 3pm finale. Elizabeth Clay made a presentation on the church’s 1927 Tellers-Kent organ, and members of the choir performed a mini concert. Many thanks to docents Eleanor Ash, Tom Brodfuehrer, Elizabeth Clay, Mickey Dick, Darvan Draper, Rafael Rondon, Nancy Yager and Palma Zanghi; as well as Vera Andrew and Mary Karlis who acted as greeters.
Apr 14, 2023 | Architecture, News & Photos
Photo credit: Char Szabo-Perricelli
Blessed Trinity’s Sacred Sites Open House
Sunday, May 21, 2023
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Blessed Trinity Church celebrates the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s 50th anniversary by participating in its statewide Sacred Sites Weekend. This year’s theme, Congregations and Communities, seeks to “highlight how sacred sites create community connections….” We invite the public to learn about our Landmark site and the connections our faith community has made over more than a century at an Open House on Sunday, May 21.
This year’s Open House coincides with the church’s construction centennial, its cornerstone having been laid on August 7, 1923. Members of our docent team will welcome you and share their knowledge about this “made in America” treasure considered to be the purest replication of twelfth century Lombard-Romanesque architecture in the United States. But there is more to our story than the church’s handmade bricks set in a style dating back to the Middle Ages, extensive use of terra cotta, fascinating medieval iconography and display of more than 2,000 Christian symbols. We want you to know about our faith community, its neighborhood outreach and its building preservation efforts — most recently, reconstruction of the church stairs and front plaza and repairs to its tile roof.
And no introduction to Blessed Trinity would be complete without music. The church’s original 1927 Tellers-Kent organ underwent major renovations in 2022, and the instrument will be featured in musical interludes during the Open House with a concluding performance at 3 PM.
So bring your questions about the architecture, art and history of Blessed Trinity Church, its East Side neighborhood and its welcoming congregation, and join us on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 1-3 PM. And don’t forget your camera for the Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Photo Contest.
Located at 317 Leroy Avenue, the church is wheelchair accessible with ample off-street parking.
Feb 14, 2023 | Architecture, News & Photos
Photo Credit: Ray Ordinario – Ft. Erie, ON
Blessed Trinity Welcomes Explore Buffalo
Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Click HERE to reserve your place.
Built between 1925 and 1928, Blessed Trinity Church is considered to be the purest replication of twelfth century Lombard-Romanesque architecture in the USA. In addition to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, it is a NYS Historical Site and was the first architectural landmark recognized by Buffalo’s Landmark & Preservation Board in 1977.
Experienced docents will be on hand to highlight the building’s history and design and share their knowledge of its unique handmade bricks set in a style dating back to the Middle Ages, the extensive use of terra cotta in its construction, and the fantastic array of Christian symbolism found in its sculpture and artwork. Weather permitting, the 90-minute tourism opportunity will include an interpretation of the building’s ornate facade.
Located at 317 Leroy Avenue in Buffalo, the church is wheelchair accessible with ample off-street parking behind the church and adjacent to the east side door.
Dec 3, 2022 | Architecture, News & Photos, Upcoming Events
Blessed Trinity Welcomes Explore Buffalo
for the first tour of 2023.
Saturday, January 7 at 2:00 p.m.
Click HERE to reserve your place.
Built between 1925 and 1928, Blessed Trinity Church is considered to be the purest replication of twelfth century Lombard-Romanesque architecture in the USA. In addition to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, it is a NYS Historical Site and was the first architectural landmark recognized by Buffalo’s Landmark & Preservation Board in 1977.
Experienced docents will be on hand to highlight the building’s history and design and share their knowledge of its unique handmade bricks set in a style dating back to the Middle Ages, the extensive use of terra cotta in its construction, and the fantastic array of Christian symbolism found in its sculpture and artwork. The Christmas setting will be a bonus for visitors to this church that needs no decoration. Weather permitting, the 90-minute tourism opportunity will include an interpretation of the building’s ornate facade.
Located at 317 Leroy Avenue in Buffalo, the church is wheelchair accessible with ample off-street parking behind the church and adjacent to the east side door.
Sep 24, 2022 | Architecture, News & Photos, Upcoming Events
Photo Credit: Steve Mangione
Explore Buffalo®, is a non-profit organization providing opportunities to discover Buffalo’s great architecture, including Blessed Trinity. Visit https://explorebuffalo.org to reserve your place for our unique All-Hallows Eve/All Saints Day tour on Sunday, October 30 at 12:30 p.m. Think skulls, devils, monsters and graveyards are just symbols we associate with Halloween? You’ll find them all in the medieval iconography displayed on the church facade. Inside, marvel at a saintly procession in the church’s great dome mural as docents highlight the spectacular interior details of the church and its extensive display of Christian symbolism. Visitors will be treated to All-Hallows’ Eve selections on the church’s 1927 Tellers-Kent pipe organ.
Completed in 1928 at a cost of over a half million dollars, the church is considered one of the purest examples of 12th Century Lombard-Romanesque architecture in the United States. The exceptional level of artisanship involved in its creation marks Blessed Trinity as a work of art that can never be replicated.
The church is located at 317 Leroy Avenue in Buffalo. It is wheelchair accessible with plenty of off-street parking.
