The Buffalo Religious Arts Center
Welcome. Please join us in our effort to create a space that preserves and celebrates the religious art of the immigrant, ethnic heritage of Buffalo.
Links:
Art Focus - Xavier Hall From the continuing series of stories on art being donated to the Buffalo Religious Arts Center.
by Brian Castner
May 8, 2008 - As we begin collecting art from around Western New York, we can't forget about the wonderful items already present in Saint Francis Xavier Church.
For example, consider this hand carved wooden podium, donated by the Esser family (as per the carving in the front). The detail is amazing, and needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.
The Esser's are an old Black Rock family, and there is an Esser Street around the corner from Xavier Hall. If you have any stories, or more information on this piece, please contact us.
Art Focus - Baptismal Font from Saint Mary of Sorrows
From the continuing series of stories on art being donated to the Buffalo Religious Arts Center.
by Brian Castner
May 5, 2008 - Another outstanding addition to the collection from Saint Mary of Sorrows is this baptismal font. Carved from white marble, the eight sided font is perched atop a column and base, and crowned with the magnificent shining cross.
How many children were baptized here during the 100 years this font was in service? A significant portion of the upper East Side called Saint Mary of Sorrows home. We are not only seeking an "adopter" of this font, but memories and stories of its history as well.
And finally, a round of applause for Stone Art Memorial Company of Lackawanna. Their crew not only did an outstanding job moving several pieces into Xavier Hall, but they also donated a large portion of their services. Thank you very much for your help.
Art Focus - Statue of Saint Mary of Sorrows
The first of a series of stories on art being donated to the Buffalo Religious Arts Center.
by Brian Castner
May 2, 2008 - Our goal at the Buffalo Religious Arts Center is to preserve our religious artistic heritage for future generations. A great first example of that is this wooden statue of Saint Mary of Sorrows, from the merging parish of the same name.
Modeled on cathedrals in the Rhinelands, Saint Mary of Sorrows Church was built in 1891 on Genesee Street in Buffalo, and the attached school was the home of this statue for many years. Beloved by the school children, when the main complex was converted into the King Urban Life Center, this statue was moved into the small chapel next door, where religious services continued to be held until late last year. Now it has been generously donated to the Buffalo Religious Arts Center, and added to our growing collection.
Hand carved in Germany at the turn of the last century, the detail of this rare wooden statue is exquisite; note Saint Mary's haunting face and piercing dagger. We are currently seeking an "adopter" of this statue (an individual or group we can recognize in the display of this statue in the future museum) to donate funds to transport, restore, and remount this art work. Please help by contacting us today.
Plans for Xavier Hall Taking Shape
by Brian Castner
May 1, 2008 - As we near our closing date with the Diocese of Buffalo for the purchase of the Saint Francis Xavier Church complex in Black Rock, plans are already underway for the best way to convert the church into Xavier Hall, a destination gallery space for the religious artistic heritage of Buffalo.
We envision multiple rows of displays, with backlit stained glass windows dividing the space in creative ways to form smaller, more intimate areas to access the chalices, statues, and other items in the collection. Of course, the interior art already in place, in the form of the painted murals, stained glass windows, and exquisite pillars and capitals would remain center stage, and the focal point of any plans.
What are your ideas? As the community's center of religious arts, and a place for us to celebrate common religious heritage, we are always seeking community input. Please contact us to join our cause, and let us know your ideas.
The "Adopting Art" Program
April 28, 2008 - The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is excited to kick off our "Adopting Art" program, to help us save the most cherished relics, statues, or religious art pieces at parishes that are closing and merging with surrounding communities.
Who better knows the most valued works at each church than their own parishoners? For this reason we are seeking donors from those closing churches to come to us, and together we can select items to be saved for future generations in Buffalo museum of religious art.
In the coming weeks we will start highlighting specific works that we would like to see end up as part of our collection of religious heritage. But in the meantime, if you know of a piece at your home parish that is closing, contact us so we can begin working with you now.
Fundraising Push for Saint Ann's
April 25, 2008 - The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is seeking donors to ensure Saint Ann's Church and Shrine remains intact after it is closed at the end of this year.
As you know, the Buffalo Religious Arts Center is converting two church sites, Saint Francis Xavier in Black Rock, and Saint Ann's Church and Shrine on the East Side, into a destination museum for the religious art of the immigrant heritage of Buffalo. Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, we have secured the purchase price of both facilities, and will be closing soon on the Saint Francis Xavier property (more news on this soon).
But to ensure that we can purchase Saint Ann's as it is, and keep it fully intact, with every window, statue and altar in place, we are seeking donors to help us raise $100,000 by the end of this year. Please contact us at info@buffaloreligiousarts.org or (716) 835-3345 to learn more about our plans, and how you can help.
And check back in on us often, as in the coming weeks we will start highlighting the beauty, history, and value of items in our growing collection, and items we are trying to save throughout Buffalo by keeping them here for future generations.
Full Esser Podium
Detail from podium
St Mary of Sorrows Baptismal Font
The guys from Stone Art Memorial
Statue of Saint Mary of Sorrows
The nave of Saint Francis Xavier Church
Column detail at Saint Francis Xavier
The high altar and frescoes at Saint Ann's Church and Shrine
Detail of Zettler window at Saint Ann's
