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A Brief History of St. Bonaventure Parish

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:28:16 GMT

St. Bonaventure Parish

In November 1917, Most Reverend Dennis J. Dougherty, Bishop of Buffalo assigned Reverend Henry R. Shnur, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Varysburg, New York to begin a new Roman Catholic Parish in West Seneca. Father Schnur and two friends stopped at a store at the corner of Harem Road and Seneca Street to inquire about the possibility of purchasing land and buildings around which to construct the new parish. The owner of the store, Mrs. Reinfleish showed them an adjoining building that was used as a dance hall that was available for sale. The following day, Father Schnur purchased the building, and began to assemble a team of parishioners to renovate the property into a worship space and rectory. With the dedicated help of many parishioners, furniture was purchased and construction begun. On December 2, 1918, the first Mass was celebrated in the new Church, named St. Bonaventure Church, under the patronage of the Seraphic Doctor and follower of St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Bonaventure Church was legally incorporated on May 27, 1919. At its inception, St. Bonaventure Parish was poised for growth as Father Schnur purchased additional property on which to build a parochial school and a larger church as the parish population grew. In 1927, the parish conducted a lawn fete to raise funds for construction. Unfortunately, Father Schnur did not live to realize has dream of erecting a parochial school as he was called to his eternal reward on September 28, 1927.

Following his death, Monsignor McDonald was assigned temporary administrator. Reverend Patrick Brady was later appointed pastor, and he continued to help the parish flourish by his strong leadership. He purchased a house on Harlem Road which served as the rectory and renovated the interior of the first Church. Father Brady died on July 23, 1936 after a brief illness, and Reverend John K. Potoczak was appointed administrator.

Shortly thereafter, in late 1936, Reverend Bernard Gill was named pastor, and extensive improvements were made to the parish complex. In 1939, Father Gill was transferred and Reverend Francis Hunt was appointed as the new pastor. He served in this capacity until he was transferred to a new parish.

In November 1942, Reverend Charles E. Kemp was named pastor, and worked earnestly for the growth of the parish. During his pastorate, many positive enhancements were made to the parish including the renovation and beautification of the property as well as the purchase and dedication of a Hammond organ, dedicated to all of the men and women of the armed forces who served during World War II. Father Kemp and the parish joyfully celebrated the growth of the community with a mortgage burning ceremony in 1946, signaling the beginning of a new era.

In March 1950, ground was broken for the school building. Father Kemp was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Buffalo in 1953, again creating a vacancy for a new pastor. Succeeding Father Kemp, Reverend Dennis J. Donovan assumed leadership of St. Bonaventure Parish. During his pastorate, the school expanded, and new classrooms were added. Additional improvements were made possible by a building development fund spearheaded by Father Donovan. The money from this campaign allowed for the construction of an auditorium in the school as well as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy who at the time staffed the school. Father Donovan retired in June 1962.

Reverend Charles Gampp succeeded Father Donovan as pastor, and saw both the completion and the dedication of the new school auditorium and convent. Father Gampp began to implement the liturgical changes promulgated by the Second Vatican Council. In 1967, Father Gampp retired and there was again a need for a pastor.

In October 1967, Reverend Arthur Sullivan became pastor of St. Bonaventure Parish, continuing to implement the renewal of Vatican II. Due to changes in the liturgy where the priest now faced the assembly during the celebration of Mass, the church sanctuary was renovated to include a new altar built by Charles Derry and Frank Pieber, members of St. Bonaventure Parish. Youth Masses with contemporary music were introduced and for the first time, guitar music accompanied the liturgical singing. At this time, the parish council was formed to assist and advise the pastor.

In 1968, St. Bonaventure Parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee with the celebration of a Pontifical Mass celebrated by Most Reverend James A. McNulty, Bishop of Buffalo. As the parish continued to flourish, Father Sullivan observed his Silver Jubilee of ordination. In May 1969, parishioners participated in an “Open Housing Signature Campaign,” indicating support for the right of all persons regardless of race, creed or national origin to live in a place of choosing, according to their means.

During Father Sullivan’s tenure, the large parish debt was eliminated and the community grew spiritually through the ministry of many transitional deacons assigned to the parish. Many parishioners recalled that a deep love and respect for the Mass was fostered at this time in their history. Father Sullivan was transferred in March 1973, opening the door for the next pastor.

In April 1973, Reverend Richard Crumlish was welcomed as pastor. He added air conditioning to the church, an enhancement which endeared him to many parishioners. Father Crumlish served as pastor for 24 years, and in 1993, St. Bonaventure Parish observed its diamond jubilee. Father Crumlish worked hard at ongoing improvements for the parish community which included the installation of stained glass windows, a new organ and the residing of the church to preserve its rustic look. Father Crumlish retired in 1997 after which the Eudists, a religious order of priests began administering the parish.

Under the tenure of the Eudists, St. Bonaventure parish became a center of Eudist apostolic activity which included retreat ministry, spiritual direction and counseling. Reverend Ben Drapeau capably served the parish from 1997-2001, and Reverend Ronald Bagley continued as pastor from 2001 until 2005.

From 2005 until 2008, Reverend James Bastian, a diocesan priest, was appointed pastor of both St. Bonaventure and St. William Parishes, which were linked, as a diocesan restructuring plan, known as the Journey of Faith and Grace began. This program was implemented by the Diocese of Buffalo under the leadership of Most Reverend Edward U. Kmiec. At this time, many parishes were closed or merged due to the declining population of Western New York, limited financial resources to sustain parishes and the shortage of clergy. Under Father Bastian’s tenure, St. Bonaventure School closed in 2007after over 50 years of serving the people of West Seneca. Low enrollment and lack of financial resources to sustain the school were cited as reasons for its closing.

In 2008, St. Bonaventure Parish merged with St. William Parish, and the new entity became known as Blessed John XXIII Parish with worship services conducted at the former St. William Site. Blessed John XXIII Parish became known as St. John XXIII Parish when the late pope was canonized a saint on April 27, 2014. The St. Bonaventure worship site was leased to an Anglican congregation for a few years, and by 2016, all of its buildings and properties were sold to outside interests. Today, the beautiful statue of St. Bonaventure handcrafted of basswood, which once adorned the St. Bonaventure Church is displayed prominently in the sanctuary of St. John XXIII Church.

A Brief History of St. William Parish

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:16:32 GMT

St. William Parish

As early as 1920, there was a desire and hope of starting a new parish in the Winchester area of West Seneca. In the summer of 1925 a census was taken by St. John the Baptist Parish and the results revealed that the Catholic children of Winchester had very little instruction in the faith. Reverend William Bernet, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish sent Reverend Alfred Hagemier to serve as a catechetical instructor in the Winchester Public School at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Breidenstein. In 1926, land was purchased at the corner of Harlem Road and Arcade Street for the purpose of erecting a church. The new parish was incorporated as St. William Roman Catholic Church Society with Reverend William Bernet as pastor and Mr. Alexander Switzer and Mr. Joseph Breidenstein as lay trustees.

At its inception, the Winchester Fire Hall served as a temporary church where parishioners could attend Mass. The first building constructed for the new parish was the rectory which when completed served as a church, meeting space, gathering space for social activities and the living quarters of the resident clergy. Through the generosity of the men of the parish, who donated their time and talent to build the structure, construction quickly proceeded, and the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass was celebrated for the first time in the new rectory-church combination building.

Father Hagemier continued his energetic and zealous work at St. William with splendid progress until March 1928 when he was transferred to St. Boniface Church. After Father Hagemier’s departure, Reverend Charles Schreckenberger was appointed pastor on March 4, 1928. Shortly afterward, the Winchester Fire Hall was purchased from the Pennsylvania Railroad. The building was moved from Indian Church Road to the west of the rectory and remodeled into a church. The original furnishings which included the pews, altar rail, confessionals and Baptismal font as well as the Mass vestments were donated by Blessed Trinity Church in Buffalo.

On May 14, 1928, ground was broken for St. William’s School and the cornerstone was laid in June 1928. In September of that year, school opened with an enrollment of 25 pupils under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy. The total cost of building the school was $36,939.00.

Reverend John Hippchen succeeded Father Schreckenberger as pastor in 1929, and he remained at St. William until his death on December 2, 1931. Father Hippchen was sorely beset with the financial problems brought on by the Great Depression of the 1930’s. In 1932, Reverend John Collins was appointed pastor, and for three years, and he struggled to keep St. William’s solvent and open. Despite his efforts and the sacrifices of the people, the new parish sank further into debt. One-third of the wage earners of the 75 families who belonged to St. William was out of work and forced on welfare relief.

In 1935, Reverend James Carter became pastor of St. William, and remained at St. William for barely a year. Sadly, he was forced to close the school in 1936 because he could not afford to heat or maintain the building.

Reverend Francis Growney was appointed temporary administrator of St. William Church in 1936, and many anticipated that the church would close. After six months, Father Growney requested and was granted an extension of his appointment for an additional six months. When his appointment was made it was temporary, and in anticipation that the parish would close. After another six months, Father Growney requested and was granted a second extension of his appointment for an additional six months. Father Growney worked hard to keep the parish open and running as smoothly as possible, as he managed the parish funds wisely.

In 1937, Bishop John A. Duffy began his tenure as Bishop of Buffalo, and he appointed Father Growney pastor of St. William, a position which he retained for 37 years. Under Father Growney’s guidance St. William Parish expanded and flourished as the Great Depression came to an end.

In the late 1930’s and 1940’s, Father Growney became well known for his radio novenas in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. He also conducted a radio novena for American service men and women during World War II and was instrumental in counseling and consoling many who served in the Armed Forces.

During the summer of 1937, an outdoor Mass was started for the ill and the aged. An outdoor altar and Mount Calvary Shrine were built on the parish property, the very spot where the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in 1927. Father Growney was assisted in celebrating the beloved outdoor Masses by Reverend Constantine J. Flizewski and Reverend Joseph Kelly, S.J. These Masses became very popular and attracted thousands of the faithful to attend them.

After considerable effort by many parishioners, St. William School was reopened in 1946 with Sister Mary Claudia, RSM, at the helm.

In the 1950’s, St. William Parish continued to grow under the guidance of Father Growney, and the need for a new and larger church became evident. Since funds were needed to build a church, a fund drive was begun, donations solicited and with much sacrifice and help from many friends and parishioners, a new church was built. On August 11, 1957, Most Reverend Joseph A. Burke, Bishop of Buffalo, consecrated the new edifice. The Tudor Gothic Limestone church cost $400,000.00 and seats 700 people. The altars are made of Italian Monteverde marble, and the Stations of the Cross are modeled after those in the famous Munich Cathedral in Germany. The stained glass window in the choir is of St. Genesius, the patron saint of actors, and St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music and church organists. St. William Church is a monument of faith and love for God.

Early in 1991, Reverend James L. Breitnauer became Pastor of St. William. He focused on building the faith of the children through good catechetical instruction, believing in the value of a strong Catholic Education. While St. William’s school was closed to full time students, the Religious Education Program was of primary importance to him. As an educator for many years, he loved the challenge of teaching children, and taught religion classes at the parish regularly. Father Breitnauer also loved classical music and encouraged the parish organist and soloists in their ministries. He was instrumental in inviting various musical groups to perform in the church, especially around Christmas time. Members of the parish enjoyed many wonderful performances from gifted musicians and vocalists. Parishioners were shocked and saddened when Father Breitnauer suddenly died on August 22, 1999.

In October, 1999, Reverend Robert Wardenski was appointed Pastor of St. William Parish. Under his guidance and leadership, the parish continued to grow in faith. Father Wardenski remained at St. William until 2005, when he was transferred to Immaculate Conception Parish in East Aurora. Reverend James Bastian was appointed pastor of both St. William and nearby St. Bonaventure Parish for three years, and due to the restructuring plan of the Diocese of Buffalo known as the Journey of Faith and Grace, the parishes were linked. In 2008, Reverend Dennis Wolf was named pastor, and St. William and St. Bonaventure merged into a single worshiping community. The newly merged parish community was renamed Blessed John XXIII Parish until he was canonized a saint on April 27, 2014. The parish was then renamed St. John XXIII parish. Father Wolf remained pastor until his death on November 28, 2014. Following the death of Father Wolfe, Reverend Monsignor Kevin O’Neill was appointed temporary administrator until December 6, 2015, when Reverend John E. Stanton was appointed administrator. He was subsequently appointed pastor on August 24, 2017. Under Father Stanton’s leadership, a regular program of Bible Study and spiritual growth has been initiated as well as physical improvements to the campus.