About St. Aloysius Gonzaga · Cheektowaga, New York
St. Aloysius Gonzaga is a Roman Catholic parish in the Cleveland Hill neighborhood of Cheektowaga, New York, just outside Buffalo, founded on March 28, 1940 as the suburban ring around Buffalo expanded northward. Now part of the Bread of Life Catholic Community (Family #16) in the Diocese of Buffalo under Pastor Fr. David Bellittiere, the parish is served by a team of senior parochial vicars, parochial vicar, a pastoral associate from the Sisters of St. Joseph, and several deacons. Known locally as 'St. Al's', the parish continues to celebrate daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses, and Eucharistic Adoration despite a 2007 school closure and a Vatican appeal of a diocesan merger decision.
- Established
- 1940
- Patron
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga
- Rector
- Rev. David Bellittiere
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
St. Aloysius Gonzaga (locally 'St. Al's') offers a classic parish rhythm — daily 8 a.m. Mass, two Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, and Tuesday-through-Thursday Eucharistic Adoration — alongside the warm community of a long-established neighborhood church on Cleveland Drive. As part of the Bread of Life Catholic Community with five other parishes, St. Al's members benefit from shared clergy, parish-wide faith formation, and outreach like Vacation Bible School, while still having a close-knit identity rooted in its 1940 founding and beloved Mortimer Murphy–designed sanctuary.
Mass times at St. Aloysius Gonzaga
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
- Anytime upon request
Adoration times
- Tuesday 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Welcome to St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish
The parish website opens with a simple welcome from 'St. Al's' on Cleveland Drive, posting the regular Mass schedule (Saturday Vigil 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Weekdays 8 a.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Holy Days 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.) and inviting visitors to call (716) 833-1715 or stop by the rectory at 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14215. Confessions are heard Saturday 4:00–4:45 p.m. or anytime on request.
- Mailing address: 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14215
- Parish phone: (716) 833-1715
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stalschurch.com/
History of St. Aloysius Gonzaga
Founded March 28, 1940 under Bishop John Duffy, the parish was one of the first Cheektowaga congregations born of post-war suburbanization. Founding pastor Rev. Walter Gonter (1891–1953) said Mass in a temporary frame structure for ten months before the present church was dedicated in 1941. Designed by architect Mortimer Murphy, the Late Gothic Revival/Tudor Revival church became the spiritual home of a parish that doubled to about 1,800 families by 1952, prompting sacristy expansions in 1952 and 1953.
- Founded March 28, 1940
- Founding pastor: Rev. Walter Gonter (1940–1953)
- Parish boundaries carved from St. James, St. Benedict, and Christ the King
- Church dedicated 1941; architect Mortimer Murphy
- 1952: parish reaches ~1,800 families; sacristy additions 1952–1953
School, Convent & Catholic Education Legacy
A parochial school opened in 1948, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph, with a convent for the sisters erected in 1962. The nearby Bishop Neumann High School was founded in 1959 in large part to serve the Catholic educational needs of St. Al's graduates. The grade school closed in 2007 due to declining enrollment, a familiar story across the inner-ring Buffalo suburbs, though the parish's commitment to faith formation continues through its Religious Education program.
- Parochial school opened 1948
- Sisters of St. Joseph staffed the school
- Convent built 1962
- Bishop Neumann High School founded 1959
- Parochial school closed 2007
Mergers, Family of Parishes & the Road to Renewal
In 2009 the parish absorbed Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Buffalo as part of the diocesan Journey in Faith and Grace. In 2022 the Diocese of Buffalo grouped St. Aloysius into Family #16 — the Bread of Life Catholic Community — sharing clergy and programming with St. Leo the Great (Amherst), St. Benedict (Eggertsville), Christ the King (Snyder), Infant of Prague (Cheektowaga), and Ss. Peter & Paul (Williamsville). In 2025 a Road to Renewal decision to merge St. Aloysius into Christ the King Parish in Snyder was appealed to the Vatican; the church remains open and active while the appeal proceeds.
- 2009: Immaculate Heart of Mary merged into St. Aloysius
- 2022: Joined Family #16 / Bread of Life Catholic Community
- 2025: Scheduled merger to Christ the King appealed to the Vatican
- Parish remains open during appeal
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
The parish is pastored by Fr. David Bellittiere as Moderator of the Bread of Life Catholic Community and is served by a team of senior parochial vicars, parochial vicar, a Sisters of St. Joseph pastoral associate, and several deacons drawn from across Family #16. Music ministry is led by Music Director Lee Peters, and the Religious Education Office (716-836-9657) is coordinated by Robert F. Rybarczyk.
- Rev. David Bellittiere — Pastor (Moderator, Bread of Life Catholic Community)
- Rev. Joseph C. Gatto, STD — Senior Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Msgr. Paul A. Litwin, JCL — Senior Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Moses Ikuelogbon — Parochial Vicar
- Sr. Maryann Kolb, SSJ — Pastoral Associate
- Deacons Steve Czamecki, John Coughlin, Charles Esposito, William J. Hynes Jr., Robert Warner, Brian Walkowiak
- Lee Peters — Music Director
- Robert F. Rybarczyk — Religious Education Coordinator
Devotions
The parish keeps a small but steady devotional life: weekly novenas to St. Theresa and St. Anthony on Tuesday mornings before 8 a.m. Mass, and Lenten Stations of the Cross on Fridays after the morning Mass — a tradition many longtime parishioners look forward to each Lent.
- St. Theresa & St. Anthony Novena — Tuesday before 8 a.m. Mass
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays during Lent after morning Mass
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation at St. Aloysius Gonzaga is coordinated through the Religious Education Office. Families seeking Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, or Marriage should contact the rectory at (716) 833-1715. Anointing of the Sick is arranged through the parish office, and Reconciliation is heard weekly on Saturday afternoons or by request.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion & Confirmation (Religious Education / RCIA)
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Saturday 4:00–4:45 p.m. or by request)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Although the parochial school closed in 2007, Religious Education remains a vital part of parish life, coordinated by Robert F. Rybarczyk and reachable through the Religious Education Office at (716) 836-9657. As part of the Bread of Life Catholic Community, St. Al's also shares in parish-wide initiatives such as Vacation Bible School and sacramental prep programs offered across the six-parish cluster.
- Religious Education Office: (716) 836-9657
- Coordinator: Robert F. Rybarczyk
- Shared Vacation Bible School (Bread of Life)
- RCIA / adult initiation available
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music is led by Music Director Lee Peters, who supports the parish's weekend Vigil, two Sunday Masses, weekday Masses, and Holy Day liturgies. The sanctuary's acoustic and visual setting — set inside Mortimer Murphy's Late Gothic/Tudor Revival space — gives the music ministry a memorable backdrop for feasts and holy days.
- Music Director: Lee Peters
- Music at all weekend, weekday and Holy Day Masses
- Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga (June 21) is a parish highlight
Parish Hall & Community Life
The Parish Hall (716-836-4617) hosts faith-formation gatherings, fellowship events, and ministry meetings. A beloved tradition is the sale of 'Al's Note Cards' at the rectory — packets of ten cards featuring a sketch of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, ideal for notes to former parishioners, sympathy cards, or gifts to family members 'connected' to St. Al's. Rectory office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Parish Hall phone: (716) 836-4617
- Rectory office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- 'Al's Note Cards' available at rectory for $5 (pack of 10)
- Knights of Columbus, women's and men's fellowship across Family #16
Getting Involved & Visiting
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at any weekend Mass; the easiest first step is to introduce yourself to a greeter or to Fr. Bellittiere after Mass. To register as a parishioner, volunteer with a ministry, enroll children in Religious Education, or arrange a Baptism or wedding, contact the rectory at (716) 833-1715 or [email protected].
- Register as a parishioner via the rectory
- Volunteer in Religious Education, Music, Adoration, or outreach
- Contact: (716) 833-1715 / [email protected]
- Address: 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14215
The Bread of Life Catholic Community
St. Aloysius Gonzaga is one of six parishes that make up the Bread of Life Catholic Community (Family #16) in the Diocese of Buffalo, sharing clergy and programming with St. Leo the Great (Amherst), St. Benedict (Eggertsville), Christ the King (Snyder), Infant of Prague (Cheektowaga), and Ss. Peter & Paul (Williamsville). The community's website (breadoflifecatholiccommunity.org) hosts a unified calendar, ministries hub, and contact page.
- St. Leo the Great (Amherst)
- St. Benedict (Eggertsville)
- Christ the King (Snyder)
- Infant of Prague (Cheektowaga)
- Ss. Peter & Paul (Williamsville)
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Cheektowaga)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Walter Gonter1940 – 1953
Founding pastor; celebrated Mass in a temporary frame structure for the first ten months and oversaw the 1941 dedication of the current Mortimer Murphy–designed church. Died in 1953.
- Rev. David Bellittierecurrent
Pastor of the Bread of Life Catholic Community (Family #16), which includes St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Leo the Great, St. Benedict, Christ the King, Infant of Prague, and Ss. Peter & Paul.