Senate Resolution No. 697
BY: Senator RATH
COMMEMORATING the 185th Anniversary of Saints
Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church of
Williamsville, New York
WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 185th Anniversary of Saints Peter and Paul Roman
Catholic Church of Williamsville, New York, to be celebrated with a
myriad of events on Sunday, May 23, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, during this momentous "1836 Event - Honoring
Faith. Community. History," the parish will formally introduce its new
pastor, Reverend Matt Nycz; and
WHEREAS, In 1836, a newly ordained Catholic priest from the Czech
Republic, Reverend John Neumann, founded what is now known as Saints
Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church is the second
oldest in the Diocese of Buffalo and its school is the longest
continually operating Catholic school in the Diocese of Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, On July 12, 1836, John Neumann, a 25-year-old recently
ordained priest, arrived in Buffalo, New York; the young priest was
eager to engage in the missionary life among the widely scattered
Germans of the area; and
WHEREAS, Sent to take charge of the mission outside of Buffalo and
to establish headquarters in Williamsville, Father Neumann found a
mission of about 40 families, some living in the village, with others
scattered throughout the surrounding district; and
WHEREAS, Some years before, the people had determined to establish a
church in the village; the project had been encouraged by the resident
pastor in the Buffalo area, but the necessary impulse to begin the
project was lacking; and
WHEREAS, In 1834, Oziel Smith, a non-Catholic wishing to establish a
community church in the village, offered to donate a small parcel of
land for that purpose upon condition that the church would be built of
stone; the land was situated at the western corner of Main and Grove
Streets; the offer of it was accepted and everyone helped in its
construction; and
WHEREAS, When Father Neumann arrived in July of 1836, the walls of
the church were already erected, though the building could boast neither
roof nor floor when the services were first held within the unadorned
walls; a temporary altar and a few rough benches were the only signs
which showed that the church was being used; and
WHEREAS, Finally, towards the end of the year, the church was
completed and the young pastor, seeing the need of the children for both
secular and religious instruction, now assumed the duties of a teacher;
he held classes first in the home of a parishioner and then in a small
rented building; his pastorate continued here until the autumn of 1840,
at which time he joined the Redemptorist Society; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, this humble and dedicated priest was canonized a
saint by Pope Paul VI; his feast is celebrated on January 5th; and
WHEREAS, In the years immediately following Father Neumann's
pastorate, a number of priests served for two- or three-year periods,
including a Jesuit community of four priests; by 1856, the need for a
new and larger church was recognized and a plot of land was purchased
from Betsy Grove in 1857, the location where the church continues to
stand today; and
WHEREAS, The home of Betsy Grove was moved to make way for the
construction of the church; this house then served as a school; the
dedication of the new church took place in 1866; the stone for the
church was taken from a quarry then at Main and Kensington, and two
large bells for the church tower were purchased in 1868 for the clock
tower; they joined a smaller bell which had been cast in Strasburg in
1806, and which is currently positioned next to the flag pole on the
west side of the church; and
WHEREAS, During the pastorate of Monsignor George Zimpfer
(1945-1973), the church was renovated, and a new tower bell was donated
by the pastor and the parishioners; and
WHEREAS, Under Monsignor David Gallivan, old rectory quarters in the
school building were changed to parish offices and meeting space to
accommodate growth; a house was purchased on Glen Avenue, which serves
as the current rectory; and
WHEREAS, Monsignor Gallivan was in the new rectory just a few months
when Reverend James O'Connor arrived in 1999, during which time, the
interior of the church was repainted to reflect the beauty of her gothic
architecture; and
WHEREAS, Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church's latest
pastor, Reverend Jerome Kopec began his pastorate on January 22, 2005,
and served the parish for 15 years; during his tenure, the parish
celebrated its 175th Anniversary and many new enhancements were added to
the church, including the erection of the Everlasting Prayer Garden; and
WHEREAS, Today, Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church stands
on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the
coming decades, while retaining that spiritual resolve which has so
characterized its glorious past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 185th Anniversary of Saints Peter and Paul Roman
Catholic Church of Williamsville, New York, confident that this
commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the
dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church of
Williamsville, New York.
