BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The parade of Catholic churches closing their doors marches on as the Buffalo Diocese continues with its plan to resize and reshape moving forward.
The Buffalo Diocese announced in May it would be shutting down 34% of its parishes and 38% of its worship spaces.
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All Saints Roman Catholic Church held its final mass on Saturday afternoon. A flood of memories came rushing back for many parishioners, remembering a lifetime of milestones.
"This was an integral part of the neighborhood, when I was a kid I think there were 3,000 families that belonged here," said Joseph Golombek, North District Common Council Member.
"[She] taught music here for 40 years, just came to pick up her picture," said Bill Peffer, who drove from Boston to pick up a picture of his grandmother that hung in the church.
Community members came together for a celebration following the mass. Peffer says it took him 40 minutes to park, showing how important it was for people to come out.
"It should be a funeral mass, rather than a celebration," said Golombek. "It's a sad day for the Riverside community."
7 News reached out to Father Bryan Zielenieski who's leading the Road to Renewal, and he said, "A new owner will be taking possession of this property," but doesn't know the exact date.
Holding back her emotions, Diane Colby, a parishioner at All Saints Church, previously sat to speak with 7 News from the pew she sits in each week. You can watch the report below.
