A Closer Look: Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
A closer look inside Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on Amherst Street in Buffalo. Designed by Karl and William Schmill, the cornerstone was laid in 1914.
Towering over Black Rock
An aerial view of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Amherst Street.
Choir loft view
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Black Rock.
Angels overhead
An angel looks down from the choir loft inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Altar arches
The ornately stenciled wood panels inside the dome above the altar at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Symbolic saint
The statue of St. Francis Xavier was moved to the church when St. Francis Xavier Church was merged with the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Namesake artwork
A depiction of the Assumption of Mary above the altar at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Artist Joseph Slawinski created the altar panels using the ancient Etruscan art form called sgraffito, in which layers of pigmented cement are applied then scraped away by the artist.
Eucharistic symbols
A detail of pelicans, among a series of Eucharistic symbols above the altar at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Artist Joseph Slawinski created the artwork using the ancient Etruscan art form called sgraffito, in which layers of pigmented cement are applied then scraped away by the artist.
Black Madonna of Czestochowa
Detail of the three-dimensional icon of the Lady of Czestochowa also made by artist Joseph Slawinski hangs above a side altar inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pope St. John Paul II
A statue of Pope St. John Paul II on a side altar at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As then Cardinal Wojtyla, His Holiness visited the church and presided over a Mass on Sept. 17, 1969.
Relic of a saint
A relic of Pope St. John Paul II on display at a side altar in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Murder of St. Stanislaus
Detail of a stained glass panel depicting the murder of St. Stanislaus inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to your word
A stained glass panel depicts the Annunciation of Mary with her response in Polish, which translates to "Let it be done to me according to your word," at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Anthony of Padua
Detail of a stained glass panel depicting St. Anthony of Padua holding the Baby Jesus in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Adalbert
A stained glass panel depicting St. Adalbert inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
David defeats Goliath
Detail of a stained glass panel depicting the Biblical story of David and Goliath inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Angels gather
Detail of angels in a stained glass panel inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Jesus falls
One of the Stations of the Cross inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Wood and stencils
The view up at the different styles of stenciled wood panels on the ceiling inside Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Angles and arches
Detail of the wooden ceiling inside Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart of Jesus stands with open arms inside the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
A statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Buffalo.
Infant of Prague
The Infant of Prague is displayed at a side altar in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Crucifix
A Crucifix in front of the massive pipe organ in the choir loft at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Francis of Assisi
A statue of St. Francis of Assisi contemplating his death stands in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Amherst Street icons
An aerial view of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Amherst Street.
Assumption Church
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Amherst Street.
This series has taken Buffalo News photographers inside, outside, above and, on occasion, underneath local landmarks and to places most people…