Save St. Adalbert Basilica!

Despite being self-sustaining, Bishop Kmiec has ordered the shutdown of St. Adalbert Basilica on Stanislaus Street.  The last day as a full time church is scheduled for this upcoming Sunday. The people strenuously objected, much to the dismay of those who prefer to believe that demographers and the bishop can do no wrong.  As fast as the signs went up, some people felt a need to tear them down.  Ha...missed one...

Painting for Preservation did its last Art-In to bring attention to the plight of the devastated parishioners, and as a show of support. You can read about it in the Buffalo News, as well as view a few pictures here. Note the scaffolding...the people haven't given up.

It was a beautiful day, and wonderful homemade food and music were provided by the parishioners for all to enjoy. The keyboard player also played the sax, and as I was wandering down a side street she let loose with a plaintive solo that just seemed fitting, echoing through the quiet neighborhood.

There is an Ethiopian Orthodox Church across the street, and a few streets over I spotted some new domes peeking up over the houses. Later on I went over to check it out...

...and did a little research once I got home. While the main church is now a mosque/school (other building appears unused), the Holy Mother of the Rosary Polish National Cathedral was built in conjunction with St. Adalbert...sort of...Seems that back in the day the parishioners got in a bit of a battle with each other, things got ugly. Then the Diocese tried to dictate the outcome...some things never change. From my favorite church history site (click on link to read the rest):

The seat of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese of the Polish National Church, former parishioners of St. Adalbert's Church on Stanislaus Street founded the church after a period of discord resulted in their departure. Throughout the early years of St.Adalbert's, constant turmoil existed among the immigrant congregation. Some of the members were at odds with the Catholic Diocese over who controlled the property and buildings which they had built and maintained through their contributions. On 27 July, 1895 after an extended period of violence and bloodshed, the church enlisted the assistance of police in having thediscontented parishioners removed from church property. After their dismissals, they banded together and purchased property on Sobieski Street. On 8 August, 1895 they celebrated their firstmass on the vacant lot.

After enduring throughout the years, St. Adalbert should be saved and savored, not merely somewhat preserved, to gradually fade away. The faithful should be rewarded, not shunted off to another parish. Multiple priests staff the moneyed...surely some could be spared where the need is greater....Save St. Adalbert Basilica!

Anyway, the Art-Ins are done for the season, however samples of the artistry produced will be on exhibit at the Statler Hotel during the National Preservation Conference.  Until next year...

The Fairfield Library

I almost hesitate to call this gem the Fairfield Library, because it isn't a library anymore...

...even though there are still books on the shelves...

As a matter of fact, it's for sale by the City of Buffalo, if you know anyone that wants it and can work their way through the hurdles set up to prevent poor ownership.  Problem is, the City isn't the best owner either. Apparently the neighbors have taken it upon themselves to cut the grass, tend the gardens, and pick up.  Read more on Painting for Preservation.

Originally it was a Unitarian Church, intended as an easier place to attend, back in the day when transportation was always an issue. Eventually they merged back with the main church on Elmwood.  Then the Lutherans  moved in, but they were busy building a bigger church, so they moved on also. Sort of a starter church I guess, of which there are a few that I know of, but the rest weren't designed by prominent architect William Sydney Wicks. It still has the bones of a church, from the front view, the side entrance, the windows, the stained glass (see books picture above), and so on.

 ...the roots of that black walnut tree may take over, left unattended...

Anyway, then the City took the church over, made it a library, and the rest is history, so to speak.

There are a few ideas floating around out there for potential reuse: a community lending area, or an art school, or a combination of the two. My own thought revolved around making it trendy residential with an open floor plan, perhaps with a home office in the basement area, which is probably already finished, judging from the staircase going downwards.  The choir loft would make a nice sleeping area too...wouldn't even have to add a spiral staircase! Alas, I think a large obstacle is the heating bill.  Probably not very energy efficient, although if someone were to go green, the angles for solar panels might be ideal.

On a fine summer morning, however, the library preened for the artists gathered around...

Still beautiful, still dignified, after all these years...

Lyth Cottage

The Lyth Cottage has been fairly accurately described as the Little House on the (Urban) Prairie. John Lyth started the first construction tile company and settled in the area of Jefferson/Northland because at the time it was considered country. To look at it now, it seems as though it's almost becoming one with nature once again.

It's located on Harwood Place in the Hamlin Park neighborhood. The street itself was once the driveway for the main house at 183 Northland. Luke Easter, of baseball fame, lived in this house also at one time.

Stables were located in the middle area. The street itself was deeded to the City of Buffalo in 1866. 16 Harwood was most likely the maid's cottage, and another cottage nearby (now demolished) was probably also for the help. It's being refurbished with love now, and lots of work!

A former owner drove up to see what was going on, and a nice gentleman, who enjoys walking the neighborhood (and also checked out a previous event at an old hardware store), stopped by to chat.

It seems he and his family once lived on the street right next to the remaining cottage. He is in total agreement that houses were built much better back then, and it's too bad they've been left to deteriorate. Being vacant, especially in winter, is hard on the housing stock.  The group has noticed that many times people will stop by and tell stories of back in the day, or else to find out about the building that they've walked by hundreds of times but never thought much about until now. Now they see it with new eyes.

FixBuffaloToday has done extensive research on the buildings, so I won't repeat it here. While you're at it, check out the update on Buffalo Rising regarding the new owner via the Homestead Program.

The Painting for Preservation Group organized the Art-In last Saturday, and I tagged along. A morning well spent! Check out the sidebar for the Painting for Preservation blog to get info on the next happening!

Art-In at St.Vincent's Orphanage

This was going to be some nice wordy post to explain the pictures, but I've been procrastinating a bit...what else is new...Instead, a brief explanation:

St. Vincent's Female Orphanage (I didn't realize it had been gender specific; read history if you're interested) is being renovated, and by this August it will be reborn as the Health Sciences Charter School!

Meanwhile, an Art-In was held there last Saturday, organized to bring attention to a site worth preserving, and in part to celebrate that it is becoming a reality!

The Wall

I could gush on and on about how great the Roger Waters / The Wall concert is, but instead I'll post a few pictures. However, it really needs to be experienced in person to fully appreciate it...So glad I went!

While the visuals mean all things, different things, depending on your knowledge and outlook, I read online that some people were offended by his politics...Maybe they should have just stayed home then, listened to the CD, and continued to pretend that it doesn't mean anything at all...but they would be wrong...

The pictures would have been better with my larger camera, but figuring there might be a problem with recording devices, I went through the trouble of smuggling my camera in only to hear Waters acknowledge that many had the devices and to just please not use a flash...doesn't mean the guys at the gate would have let them in though.

The best concert t-shirt, seen on the little kids dancing on one part, wasn't even on sale: "Fear Builds Walls"...think about it.