Diocese opens first new church in years

SWORMVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - It's been five years since the Buffalo diocese opened up a new church, but that changed Saturday afternoon.

You can tell how popular St. Mary's is just by trying to find a place to park. The parking lot is full and cars are parked all along the side of the road. Cars even had to park on the grass. However, some are questioning how the diocese can be opening a new church when so many others have closed. But unlike some other parishes, attendance at St. Mary's continues to skyrocket.

Every seat is taken inside the new St. Mary's Parish in Swormville. At a cost of $7 million, the new building accommodates 1,000 people.

Church Communications Coordinator Karen Karazewski said, "Our old church, which will be known now as, "The Chapel," seated about 450 individuals, and it was from the Civil War era. There were little to no comforts. The bathrooms were outside."

"It was tight, especially on holidays and first communions, the church was very packed. There was a lot of people standing. It would get very warm, too. We didn't have air conditioning. But yeah, it was a pretty snug fit," said Andrew Benk.

Saturday's dedication comes at a time when other parishes in the Buffalo Catholic diocese are closing. In many cases, the cause is declining enrollment. St. Mary's does not have that issue.

Karazewski explained, "It's a very young parish, so we are blessed and fortunate to have come this far."

Most Rev. Edward Kmiec said, "It's all about the demographics. Where are the people? As we are very aware, here in the Buffalo area downtown and other places, center city and the early rings are pretty well depleting now in population. We had to merge them, try to make our parishes stronger there. And there's still quite a number there. However, here is where the people are now."

The growing parish realized it was in desperate need of space eight years ago. Its legacy dates back to the 1800's. Hundreds of volunteers lent a helping hand, some with specific skills that allowed them to do some of the work themselves. The hand-crafted altar is one example.

"I couldn't wait to see the new church and the bishop, you know, the bishop's celebrating mass here. It really is just exciting to see a community that needs this big church, and all the new families going to be coming here," said Joanne Cole.

The old church will now be used for daily masses, weddings, and funerals.