At the January 9, 1986, meeting of the Buffalo Landmark and Preservation Board, St. Mary of Sorrows was officially declared a Buffalo Landmark. The Landmark Board was aided in its deliberations by a resolution sponsored by Council Majority Leader James Pitts and Fillmore District Council Member David Franczyk calling for the building to be designated a landmark. The resolution unanimously passed the Common Council. The New York State Office of Historic Preservation also sent a letter declaring the building eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Soon after the building was designated, an application for permission to demolish the church was filed by the Diocese. This application was denied by the Landmark Board at their February 13th meeting. At that meeting the Board was told by the attorney for the church that even if supporters raised the money to restore the building the church would not accept it.

Even though the Landmark Board denied the demolition permit,this is only a temporary reprieve as the permit will be automatically granted in six months.

In the continuing effort to save St. Mary's, the Preservation Coalition held a "teach-in" Saturday February 22 at the Polish Community Center, 1081 Broadway.

John Conlin, Vice-President of the Coalition, discussed the historic and aesthetic importance of the building. Using slides, he illustrated Chicago architect Adolphus Druiding's special interpretation of the Romanesque revival style at St. Mary of Sorrows. As an original contribution to the Buffalo cityscape, Druiding's choice of Rhenish sources, such as Worms Cathedral, affirmed the identity and the traditions of the German Catholic congregation. Conlin also focused on the building's importance in Buffalo's urban fabric. Its asymmetrically placed tower, one of the highest in the city, pins the church to its irregular lot and serves as the focal point for the streetscape and the neighborhood. Conlin concluded with the hope that the trumpeting angel atop the church is signaling its salvation.

David A. Franczyk, Fillmore Common Council Member, has been involved from the outset in the move to save St. Mary's. Saturday, he dynamically emphasized the importance of preserving outstanding architectural monuments throughout our neighborhoods as tangible evidence of the city's diverse ethnic heritage and acknowledged that the loss of a building of the quality of St. Mary of Sorrows will leave us in a sterile environment.

Michael Williams. legislative aide, represented Ellicott District Common Council Member James W. Pitts. Pitts could not attend due to a death in his family. Williams stated his and the Council Member's commitment to saving St. Mary of Sorrows ''because never, never again will a building this beautiful be built in Buffalo.''

Robert J. Kresse, Trustee of St. Mary of Sorrows, provided background information on events leading to Bishop Head's decision to demolish the church. The parish had its engineer check the building to see what maintenance and repairs were necessary; he found the building structurally sound but in need of new pointing estimated to cost about $7,500. However, when the engineer of the diocese checked these findings, he offered a dramatically different view. The diocese says the building requires repairs costing between $800,000 and $1.5 million. This discrepancy between the two estimates has not been explained or resolved.

Kresse asked those present to sign and distribute a petition of the Friends of St. Mary of Sorrows to Bishop Head asking him to set aside his decision to demolish the church. Handsomely restored after a disastrous fire in 1947, St. Mary of Sorrows will reach its hundredth anniversary on August 15, 1986, the fateful day on which city codes would permit demolition work to begin. We must ensure that this grand building was not saved from the flames only to fall prey to the wrecking ball. St. Mary of Sorrows must not meet the same end as Buffalo's New Cathedral; the church must be allowed to enter gracefully into a second century.

Anyone interested in helping to save the church by making a financial contribution, serving on a telephone committee, obtaining signatures on petitions, serving on a fundraising committee, writing letters, obtaining donated services and materials for church repair, or in other ways should contact Mr. Kresse. 1320 Liberty Building. Buffalo New 14202.

ñSteven Janke

St. Mary's Parish: A History Originally known as the Church of the Seven Dolors (Sorrows),the parish was formed in 1872. On October 20th of that year a two story brick building was opened for church and school purposes. Father Theodore Voss and Chrysotmus Wagner were the first Pastors. They were succeeded by Dr. Anton Heiter in 1880. In 1884 the church was rebuilt and made much larger. A new school, convent and rectory were also built in that year. The church in a year or so again had to be enlarged, or another built! The latter course was decided upon. The groundbreaking for the new church, the present St. Mary's took place on August 15, 1896. On September 11, 1891, the new edifice was dedicated. It had cost about $150,000. In 1895 a new school was built on Guilford St. A German orphan asylum was opened in 1874, run by the Franciscan Sisters who conducted the school Dr. Heiter was pastor of the Church of the Seven Dolors for more than thirty years and took a prominent part against the Socialistic movement in Buffalo in the early part of the twentieth century. He was succeeded by Rev. George Weber in 1911. The school was a large one, having more than 1,400 pupils in 1914 when the Catholic population of the parish was about 5,000. ñ Jerry Malloy

Related site: ST. MARY OF SORROWS (CHURCH OF THE SEVEN DOLORS), by R. Steven Janke