Blessed Sacrament

About Blessed Sacrament Church

Blessed Sacrament describes itself as a warm, welcoming parish in the heart of the city, just a stone's throw from Elmwood Village and the Delaware District. Whether a person is a long-time parishioner, searching for a new parish, or new to the Church, the parish community is committed to receiving them. The parish's stated purpose is simple: to love God, love neighbors, and make disciples.

Our History

The parish's story stretches back to October 2, 1887, when the cornerstone of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament was laid at 1025 Delaware Avenue. From Bishop Ryan's private chapel to a full parish, from being relocated in 1911 to make way for a new cathedral, to its restoration as Blessed Sacrament after the New Cathedral's 1976 demolition, the church has been a downtown landmark for more than 135 years.

• 1887 — Cornerstone laid for Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Bishop Ryan announces Rev. James F. McGloin as first Rector
• 1889 — Chapel dedicated, seating 288, serving ~50 families
• 1908 — Chapel rededicated as a 'church'; McGloin's title changes from Rector to Pastor
• 1911 — Church and Bishop's Residence relocated northeast to make way for new cathedral
• 1915 — St. Joseph's New Cathedral opens; Blessed Sacrament reduced back to 'chapel' as parish becomes New Cathedral Parish
• 1976 — New Cathedral demolished by order of Bishop Edward D. Head; parish reverts to Blessed Sacrament
• 1981 — Sanctuary remodeled per Vatican II liturgical directives
• 1993 — Exterior repointed with historically appropriate mortar (in part via a $35,000 NY Landmarks Conservancy grant)
• Late 1990s — Interior refreshed with new altar, tabernacle table, ambo, and kneelers

Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles

The parish frames its life around a clear mission: to love God, love neighbors, and make disciples. Its vision is to live this out as a worshipping, welcoming community. The five guiding principles are Faith, Hope, Love, Mercy, and Justice, each expressed in concrete ways — joyful liturgical celebration, reaching out to all in the parish and beyond, being open and accepting, offering assistance to those in bodily and spiritual need, and cooperating to serve the common good.

• Faith — Trust in God's plan
• Hope — The joy of being open, welcoming, and accepting of all
• Love — Reflects God's love and is expressed in joyful liturgical worship
• Mercy — Assistance to those in bodily and spiritual need
• Justice — Cooperating so that society serves the common good

Parish Life and Events

Blessed Sacrament highlights a thriving community life. The parish describes itself as a uniquely thriving space for seekers, with committed ministries, fun programming for children, and plenty of service opportunities. Year-round events range from Buffalo Bills tailgates and concerts to public offerings such as Taizé prayer — with the parish noting that 'we know how to have fun but our faith always comes first.'

• Buffalo Bills tailgates
• Concerts
• Taizé prayer (public prayer service)

Staff and Leadership

The parish is staffed within the Downtown Buffalo Family of Catholic Parishes (Family #22) of the Diocese of Buffalo. Rev. Raymond G. Corbin serves as Pastor of the family of parishes, supported by family priests, a permanent deacon, and lay staff in music, faith formation, and parish leadership.

• Rev. Raymond G. Corbin — Pastor
• Rev. Jacek P. Mazur — Family Priest
• Rev. Msgr. Salvatore (Sal) Manganello
• Rev. Benjamin Fiore, SJ
• Rev. Richard Zanoni, SJ
• Deacon Thomas (Tom) LaBelle — Permanent Deacon
• Tony Domzal — Director of Music Ministry
• Cory Gallagher — Cantor
• Ashlee Campbell — Director of Faith Formation
• Josephine DiLiberti — Sacristan
• Paul F. Jones — Parish Trustee
• Mary C. McCracken — Parish Trustee
• Michael P. Pitek III — Parish Pastoral Council President

Downtown Buffalo Family of Parishes

Blessed Sacrament is one of five parishes in the Downtown Buffalo Family of Catholic Parishes (Family #22) in the Diocese of Buffalo, which also includes St. Louis, St. Joseph Cathedral, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Michael. Being part of a family of parishes means sharing priests and resources across the downtown area, while still maintaining Blessed Sacrament's own identity, staff, and pastoral council.

• St. Louis, Buffalo
• St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo (Rev. Sean Paul Fleming, Rector)
• Blessed Sacrament, Buffalo (this parish)
• St. Anthony of Padua, Buffalo
• St. Michael, Buffalo

Architecture and Historic Significance

The Gothic Revival church at 1029 Delaware Avenue was designed by Chicago architect Adolphus Druiding and built in 1887 alongside Bishop Ryan's residence. Its most extraordinary moment came in 1911, when the entire structure was physically moved 300 feet northeast by the Gus Britt Company of Buffalo to make room for St. Joseph's New Cathedral. Today the building is recognized within the Linwood Historic District of Buffalo.

• Architect: Adolphus Druiding (Chicago)
• Style: Gothic Revival
• 1911 relocation: 300 feet NE by Gus Britt Company of Buffalo
• Listed within the Linwood Historic District of Buffalo
• Former cathedral boiler building now serves as the sacristy

Contact and Visit

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at (716) 884-0053 or by email at [email protected]. The contact page on the parish website offers a Google Map for directions and a contact form for inquiries, with replies typically within 48 hours. The parish invites visitors to stop by in person at the rectory.

• Phone: (716) 884-0053
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 1029 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209
• Website: http://www.blessedsacramentbuffalo.org/