About Holy Cross · Buffalo, New York
Holy Cross Parish is a multicultural Roman Catholic parish on Buffalo's Lower West Side, founded on 14 June 1914 by Rev. Joseph Gambino to serve the growing Italian immigrant community. The parish is staffed by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) and is currently administered as part of the Diocese of Buffalo's Family of Parishes #23, alongside nearby Our Lady of Hope and formerly Coronation. Today it serves roughly 800 families, offering Mass in both English and Spanish, with a strong outreach to the changing neighborhood around Maryland and Seventh Streets.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- Holy Cross (the True Cross of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Quilin Bouzi, OMI (Parish Administrator, effective November 30, 2025; previously Rev. Felix Nyambe, OMI)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Holy Cross is an anchor parish in a changing Lower West Side neighborhood, with Mass in both English and Spanish every Sunday, a Miraculous Medal novena in Spanish on Thursday evenings, and a Spanish prayer group that meets Monday nights. It is staffed by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and joined with Our Lady of Hope in the diocese's Family #23, so parishioners benefit from shared Oblate clergy and faith-formation resources. With about 800 families, it offers a tight-knit bilingual community, religious education for children, and active outreach to the homebound and local poor.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 4:20 PM
- Or anytime upon request
- (Diocese directory also notes: half hour before each weekend Mass)
Parish History
Holy Cross was born of Bishop Colton's recognition that Buffalo's Italian population was spreading westward along the Niagara waterfront in the 1910s. After Rev. Angelo Luigi Strazzoni scouted sites in 1913, Rev. Joseph Gambino was appointed on 14 June 1914 to organize the new parish. The community first worshipped at the St. James Mission on Front Avenue, then at the former West Side Presbyterian Church on Busti, before Gambino purchased the present Maryland-Seventh site for $7,000. Architect Pascal Cimini designed the church; Rev. Nelson Baker broke ground on 25 March 1915 and dedicated the $57,500 building on 5 September 1915. By the 1930s the parish had grown to roughly 18,000 members and expanded the building under architect George J. Dietel, with interior murals by Luigi Avoglio.
- Founded 14 June 1914 by Rev. Joseph Gambino
- First Mass for new parishioners: 11 October 1914 at St. James Mission, 250 Front Avenue
- Architect: Pascal Cimini; cornerstone laid April 1915; dedicated 5 September 1915 by Rev. Nelson Baker
- 1931 new front added; 1938 rear extended 32 feet by architect George J. Dietel (capacity ~1,200)
- Interior murals by Luigi Avoglio; Italian Madonna statues brought from old-country churches
- Established the mission of Our Lady of Loretto on 15th Street in 1925
- Current congregation: roughly 800 families
Faith & Community
The parish describes itself as 'a multi-cultural parish, a foundation for everyone to come together for the greater good of the community.' Through the Parish Council and other formal groups, members help shape the direction of both the parish and the wider Lower West Side neighborhood. The Eucharist is the center of parish life, and the parish commits itself to gospel living and the evangelization of all people.
- Parish Council and other formal groups provide leadership opportunities
- Welcomes people of different languages and origins
- Parish serves as a stable anchor in a changing neighborhood
Sacraments
Holy Cross prepares parishioners for Baptism, Matrimony, and the Anointing of the Sick. Parents and godparents must complete a Baptismal Preparation Program before scheduling a baptism; couples should contact the parish office before booking wedding plans; and the office will bring Communion and the Anointing of the Sick to anyone who is homebound in an emergency.
- Baptism – Baptismal Preparation Program required
- Matrimony – contact parish office before making other arrangements
- Sick & Homebound – pastoral visits with sacraments available on emergency call
- Reconciliation – see Confession schedule
Religious Education & Staff
Faith formation for children is coordinated by Jodi Miller. The parish is administered by Nancy Cannizzaro, who also serves as Organist and Choir Director. Two permanent deacons — Miguel Santos and Jorge Silva — assist with liturgy and ministry, especially in reaching the Spanish-speaking community.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Jodi Miller
- Parish Office Manager / Organist / Choir Director: Nancy Cannizzaro
- Permanent Deacons: Miguel Santos, Jorge Silva
Pastoral Leadership (Oblates of Mary Immaculate)
Holy Cross is staffed by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). Following Bishop Michael Fisher's December 2025 clergy assignments, Rev. Quilin Bouzi, OMI was named Parish Administrator of Family #23 (Our Lady of Hope and Holy Cross) effective 30 November 2025, after Rev. Felix Nyambe, OMI was reassigned outside the diocese by his Provincial. Rev. Ronel Bernadin, OMI joins as Parochial Vicar. Rev. William Mason, OMI remains in residence.
- Parish Administrator: Rev. Quilin Bouzi, OMI (effective Nov. 30, 2025)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Ronel Bernadin, OMI (effective Nov. 30, 2025)
- In Residence: Rev. William Mason, OMI
- Former Administrator: Rev. Felix Nyambe, OMI (now reassigned by his Provincial outside the diocese)
- Holy Cross is part of the Diocese of Buffalo's Family of Parishes #23 with Our Lady of Hope
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
The parish office is at 345 Seventh Street, Buffalo, NY 14201, and is open Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. The parish is associated with two nearby educational partners: a Head Start at 150 Maryland Street (852-8373) and Catholic Academy at 1069 Delaware Avenue (716-885-6111). The parish asks anyone moving in or out to register so they can be considered an active member.
- Rectory/Parish Office: 345 Seventh St., Buffalo, NY 14201
- Phone: (716) 847-6930; Fax: (716) 847-6934
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.holycrossbuffalo.com
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (other times by appointment)
- Head Start: 150 Maryland St., 716-852-8373
- Catholic Academy: 1069 Delaware Ave., 716-885-6111
- Parish registration requested for newcomers
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Gambino1914 – (mid-1920s)
Founding pastor; appointed by Bishop Colton on 14 June 1914. Built the parish from the Italian immigrant community, purchased the Maryland-Seventh site, and oversaw construction of the 1915 church. Later honored as a Domestic Prelate by Bishop Turner on 12 October 1924.