Feb 3, 2021 | Architecture, News & Photos
Now that repairs to the tile roof of the church – part of our grant project – have been completed, restoration of interior artwork and repairs to the ceiling of the church have begun. Master plasterer Josh of Mader Construction Co., Inc. helped parishioners to appreciate the process by setting up a display in church. In this photo, you can see the molds he makes to recreate deteriorated ornamental pieces. For additional photos, visit our Facebook page. The work is expected to continue through March 2021.
Sep 1, 2019 | Alumni News & Photos, Architecture, News & Photos
The church bell which hung in the former church and school
building from 1909 until 2018 is now permanently
displayed on Leroy Avenue.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick
Welcome Home St. Helena ~ The first building constructed by Blessed Trinity parish was a combination church/school building completed in 1907 at 307 Leroy Avenue. Two years later, a bell manufactured by the McShane Bell Company in Baltimore, Maryland was installed in its steeple. It was customary for a church bell to be given a saint’s name, and Blessed Trinity’s bell – a gift of parishioner Helena Eckard — was named “St. Helena” after her patron saint. The 2017 sale of the former church/school building (visible on the right side of this photo) necessitated removal of the bell. This challenging task took place in October 2018 with the help of the building’s new owner, John Cozzarelli. Repair and restoration of the bell was entrusted to the Verdin Bell Company at its Cincinnati, Ohio facility, and on August 27, 2019 the refurbished bell was installed on a newly-built concrete pedestal located on the church lawn. The parish is grateful to alumni of Blessed Trinity School, the Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity, and two benefactors whose contributions preserved this important part of parish history, and to Mr. Cozzarelli who provided equipment and workers each time the 1,200 pound bell was moved. Decorative work on the pedestal having now been completed, the century-old bell is fully restored and ready to peal once more. Hidden from public view for 110 years, “St. Helena” is now a new Leroy Avenue destination, available for all to see. Please stop for a visit and photo-op.
Apr 26, 2019 | Architecture, News & Photos
Examples of medieval iconography on church facade
Photo by Steve Mangione
WGRZ-TV’s Kevin O’Neill and his photographic assistant, Charles, visited Blessed Trinity very early Thursday morning April 25, for a “Daybreak” feature. They also did a much lengthier Facebook Live session with members of our docent team. [Click HERE to view this sneak peek]. We invite you to experience Blessed Trinity on Sunday, May 19, from 12 Noon-3pm when our docents will share even more information than we were able to give our friends from Channel 2. We will be participating in the NY Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Open House weekend, with Buffalo’s Blessed Trinity supplying the “medieval” in their 2019 theme, “Medieval to Modern: Celebrating New York Religious Art and Architecture.” Come be amazed at this WNY treasure trove of religious art and architecture. And it goes without saying that you are always welcome at our worship services (Saturdays at 4:30pm; Sundays at 10am).
May 22, 2018 | Architecture
The May 22, 2018 Buffalo News (pages B-1 and C-12) highlights architectural features of our church in a pictorial array. To really appreciate the fine work of their photographer, Derek Gee, and view places in the church that you can’t normally see, visit the Buffalo News Photo Gallery. It includes 100 photos taken of our church!
May 22, 2016 | Architecture
Blessed Trinity participates annually in The New York State Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Open House Weekend, taking place May 21 and 22, 2016. Click HERE for more information about this opportunity to visit our church and other local houses of worship.
While you’re in the neighborhood, you might want to compare the medieval form of brick laying displayed in Blessed Trinity Church with that of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House, located less than a mile from the Church at 125 Jewett Parkway.
May 20, 2012 | Architecture
The National Trust for Historic Preservation 2011 Conference in Buffalo put our city’s architectural treasury of civic, sacred and residential landmarks “front and center” for a national audience. In the aftermath of this high profile event, a new collaborative titled the Buffalo Alliance (the “Alliance”) for Sacred Places has been formed “to promote the preservation and appreciation of the art, architecture and history of Buffalo’s houses of worship.” The initial member organizations, which began meeting in January, 2012, are Blessed Trinity, the Buffalo Religious Arts Center, Corpus Christi RC Church, and First Presbyterian Church. The group chose to participate in The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Open House Weekend on May 19-20, 2012 as their first collaborative initiative. Over the two-day period, Blessed Trinity welcomed 98 visitors including residents of Rochester, Toronto, Pennsylvania and Michigan. We anticipate an increase in church tours as one result of this collaborative and are looking to expand our team of parish docents. If you are interested in becoming a Blessed Trinity docent, click HERE to leave a message for Judy Casassa or Mickey Dick. To learn more about the other Alliance sites, click HERE. We would also appreciate your becoming a friend of our Alliance on its Facebook page.
