| Back to PGSNYS Home Page | Polish Parishes in WNY Index |
| Address: | 522 South Park Avenue Buffalo, New York 14204 |
|
| Telephone: | 716-854-7193 | |
| Founded: | Aug 1920 | |
| Pastor: | Rev. Dennis Riter | |
| Mass Schedule: | Saturdays 6 PM ; Sundays 9 AM & 12 noon Spanish | |
| Parish Census: | 160 Families | |
| School: | Closed in 1979 | |
| Year Built: | 1923 | |
| Style: | Brick Combination Building |
Buffalo's waterfront area at one time was the location of many grain mills and steel plants. The opportunities for employment were the reason Poles were attracted to the southside of the city. Although never a great number inhabited this section, enough could be found to organize a Polish parish by 1920. At a meeting held in the home of Mr. Franciszek Ryszka, a committee of dedicated Poles met with Rev. Mieczyslaw Tymek and Rev. Wladyslaw Brejski to discuss the future of St. Valentine Parish.
With diocesan approval, Fr. Brejski was appointed first pastor. Accepting the hand of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, the newly formed parish used their church hall until their facility on South Park Ave. was completed in 1922. Fr. Brejski contracted the architect, George Dietel, to design the new combination church/school building. The teaching of the parish children was entrusted to the Felician Sisters who began teaching in 1920 and served until the school was closed in 1979. During this period the Diocese also tried to close the parish and merge it with the Irish parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, but opposition by the parishioners made the authorities reconsider.
With few young families and the majority of parishioners now elderly, the situation has changed. A larger number of Hispanic residents are now in the area and St. Valentine has been named as a mission parish to serve the new immigrant population. the Rev. Dennis Riter serves as a shared pastor with Our Lady of Perpetual Help.