Preservationists push to designate 5 Buffalo churches as historic landmarks

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) As the Buffalo Diocese moves forward with the merging and closing of dozens of churches, efforts continue to try to save some of these historic structures.

"We are submitting 5 local landmarks to be reviewed by the Buffalo Preservation Board next week," said Bernice Radle, Executive Director
of Preservation Buffalo Niagara(PBN), a local not for profit organization.

"This is about our history. It's about the architecture and it's about the future of these buildings. And it also protects the taxpayer," she noted.

The cost of demolishing any one of these buildings, potentially at taxpayer expense, is estimated at over a million dollars. Radle said it's in the region's best interests to see that these buildings are safe and protected.

Applications for landmark status are being submitted for Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Old First Ward, St. John Kanty on the East Side, St. Stanislaus in the Broadway Fillmore area, St. Thomas Aquinas in South Buffalo, and St. Rose of Lima in North Buffalo.

The next step is for the Buffalo Preservation Board to vote on the applications September 5. If approved, a final vote would come from the Buffalo Common Council.

Radle thinks approval would ensure that the community has a say in the future of these buildings.

She does not see landmark status as a detriment to potential developers.

"It helps them understand the history of the structure. They could potentially get historic tax credits, but they also have to maintain historic standards. And here in Western New York, we know that historic preservation is very important to our community. It's the DNA of our neighborhoods," she added.

The response to the push for landmark status has been, in one word, "overwhelming," said Radle.

"We have had hundreds and hundreds of people who have donated in small and big amounts. I was quite surprised by the amount of love
and commitment from people on this. People clearly care about these churches. It's home."

You can learn more about PBN's "Save Our Sacred Sites Campaign" HERE .