BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A major victory for Catholics in a West Side Buffalo community: Holy Cross Church on Seventh Street will remain open, despite earlier plans for its closure.
7 News Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley was the first to learn the church will continue serving its parishioners.
The church, located on Seventh Street, was initially slated to close under the diocese's "Road to Renewal" plan.
In May 2024, the diocese announced it would be shutting down 34 percent of its parishes and 38 percent of its worship spaces as it looked to "rightsize and reshape." At the time, Holy Cross was slated to remain open.
The diocese said it was then suggested that Holy Cross close after a review meeting with its Family of Parishes representatives last summer.
In September 2024, the diocese announced its final decisions on which parishes and worship sites would be closed or merged and Holy Cross was on the list.
According to the diocese, the counterproposal was challenged and reviewed which led to the change.
“Following a thorough review, acknowledging the diverse communities and needs that Holy Cross ministers to including the Rwandan, African and Hispanic communities on Buffalo’s West Side, Holy Cross will remain open. The church deemed essential for ministry and mission has been placed on a watch list to help the parish deal with the financial stability that is needed. The watch list is designed to help parishioners and community members recognize their direct involvement in making the parish successful for the future.”
The diocese said Family of Parishes’ Families 21 and 23 will merge to form a new family that includes Blessed Trinity, St. Martin de Porres, SS. Columba-Brigid, Our Lady of Hope and Holy Cross churches.
A Victory for the Community
Casimiro Rodriguez, President of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, even though he is not a parishioner at Holy Cross, called it a major victory for the West Side community.
“That’s very impactful and very good news for the community,” Rodriguez said. "And for the parish to continue to stay open. It sends a strong message and statement not only to the community but to the area."
A Change of Heart
The Diocese initially recommended keeping Holy Cross open in May of last year, but a counterproposal issued by the church’s family of parishes led to the announcement in September that the church would close. However, after a comprehensive review by Father Bryan Zielenieski, who leads the "Road to Renewal" plan, the Diocese reconsidered its decision.
Father Zielenieski explained, "Looking at their financial situation, sacraments, the ministers that are taking place...the impact in the community -- and all that...it was deemed needed to keep that Holy Cross parish open for the West Side...for the ministries that are there."
He also added that an earlier counterproposal from the parish team was rejected.
A Diverse and Vital Parish
Holy Cross Church is vital to the Catholic faithful on Buffalo's West Side, serving a multi-cultural congregation. The church holds Sunday Mass in Spanish.
Rodriguez emphasized the diversity of the church.
“It's a parish that serves many ethnic backgrounds. It's a very diverse congregation, as a matter of fact it is one of the most diverse congregations, I would say, in the city of Buffalo,” reflected Rodriguez.
Still on the Watch List
Despite the positive news, Holy Cross is not entirely “out of the woods.” The Diocese has placed it on a watch list, which means the church will have to meet specific ministry and financial benchmarks to ensure its sustainability in the future.
Father Zielenieski addressed concerns about the watch list.
“People are viewing the watch list as...you know...step one to closing...well really, watch lists are an opportunity for the community to become involved.” He further reassured the community, stating, “These are benchmarks that we’re hoping we can help Holy Cross achieve...it’s a sign of the viable parish that we know that you are.”
For now, the church with more than a century of history on Buffalo's west side will continue to serve its congregation.
