A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, at 199 Clark St., was built from 1907-1909 and is the seventh Polish parish established in Buffalo. Founded by the Rev. Hyacinth Fudzinski, a Franciscan friar from Czarnków, Poland, the church was built to serve the spiritual needs of the quickly growing Polish community living in the neighborhood on the East Side. The Franciscan Conventual Friars gave up the parish at the end of 2003. The church today is run by the Pauline Fathers, and still offers a Polish Mass at 11 a.m. Sundays. Father Michael Czyzewski is the pastor.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Corpus Christi Church was established in early 1898 by the Rev. Hyacinth Fudzinski, a Franciscan Conventional friar from Czarnkow, Poland.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Bishop Stephan Ryan and Bishop James Quigley authorized a new parish to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Polish immigrant community in one of the most densely populated parts of Buffalo.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
The cornerstone of the present Romanesque church designed to alleviate the overcrowding problem was laid in 1907. Designed by local architects Schmill and Gould, it was completed in 1909.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Corpus Christi was the seventh Polish parish established in Buffalo and the sixth on the East Side.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Eventually, Corpus Christi parish grew into a six-building complex: the church, friary, convent, school (which is no longer standing), Corpus Christi Club and Ladies' Club. Corpus Christi consequently served as a focal point of the neighborhood.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
The chapel at Corpus Christi Church was renovated in 2005-2006. It repurposed some items such as the stained glass and altar from nearby churches that closed.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
In 1900, work began on building the present rectory, and in 1905 on the sisters' convent. The number of parishioners continued to increase, and in 1907 construction of the present church began and was completed in 1909, funded at the then astronomical amount of $200,000. The beautiful church built of red sandstone still rises above the rooftops of the East Side with its twin spires topped by gold crosses that were filled with hundreds of letters to Jesus written by the schoolchildren at the time of its construction.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
The Rev. Justin Figs launched his "Father Justin Rosary Hour" from Corpus Christi in 1931. It continues as the longest running Polish radio program in the United States.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
The stained-glass windows at Corpus Christi were made by Franz Mayer Works of Munich, Germany, and were installed in 1928.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
The stained-glass windows at Corpus Christi were made by Franz Mayer Works of Munich, Germany, and were installed in 1928.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Colors from a stained-glass window are reflected in the seat of a pew at Corpus Christi Church.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Ropes hang from the three bells in the north bell tower. They are named Franciscus, Antonius and Hyacinthus. All were cast by the Meneely Bell Foundry from Troy.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
A brass hole seen near the floor on a pew is part of the built-in central vacuum system.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Although none of the mural work is signed, the style is indicative of the work of painter Marion Rzeznik, who worked closely with Gonippo Raggi when the artist was working at Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Dominating the apse is a rendering of Raphael Santi's famous Disputa or Disputation of the Holy Eucharist.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
It is believed that artist Marion Rzeznik painted himself in the dome over the altar between artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, left, and Leonardo da Vinci, right.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Dominating the apse is a rendering of Raphael Santi's famous Disputa or Disputation of the Holy Eucharist. It depicts the Church's illustrious theologians and mystics trying to understand the mysteries of the Eucharist. Since this was a Franciscan church, the artist added some Franciscan scholars missing from Raphael's original work.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Dominating the apse is a rendering of Raphael Santi's famous Disputa or Disputation of the Holy Eucharist.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
The church has a calendar of saint relics, one for each day of the year.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Because the parish was built by common working-class Polish immigrants, the statues of St. Peter and St. Paul are shown painted in their peasant colors sitting on each side of the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue on the altar.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Part of the organ pipes shine in the light in the choir loft. The Rev. Norbert Zonca, pastor from 1960-1969, made many repairs and improvements to the church buildings. One of the most significant improvements he made was the rebuilding of the church organ at the cost of more than $20,000.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
Statues of angels look over the sanctuary.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
An angel looks over the choir loft.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
The Kolbe Center, across the street from Corpus Christi Church, was home to two kindergarten classrooms on the first floor.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
A table used by girls studying to become nuns had a drawer where they could keep a bowl, cup, plate and eating utensils.
A Closer Look: Corpus Christi Church complex
In the 1950s, the Athletic Club had well over 800 members who had use of a gymnasium, bowling alley, shuffleboard and a spacious private lounge.
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