St. Aloysius

Our History

St. Aloysius has served the Springville area since 1853, when Bishop John Timon established it for Irish and German Catholic farmers who had begun settling the area around 1840. After early Masses in a former Presbyterian mission station on Franklin Street, the parish built a frame church in 1876, opened a school in 1883, and dedicated a larger school around 1905 — that Colonial Revival rock-faced concrete-block building later received a 1948 addition. Growing attendance led to planning for a new sanctuary in the early 1940s, but World War II and postwar shortages delayed construction until groundbreaking in spring 1953, with the present 700-seat Gothic Revival stone church completed in October 1955 to a design by Buffalo architect Joseph Fronczak. The parish complex remains a contributing property to the West End Historic District.

Parish Family & Diocese

St. Aloysius is part of the Diocese of Buffalo and serves as the principal worship site of the Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community (Family #33), a 'family of parishes' grouping that also includes St. Mary's Arcade, St. Mary's East Arcade, and St. Joseph's Holland. The parish has published diocesan decrees concerning the merger of St. Aloysius and St. Joseph and the reduction of St. John the Baptist and St. Mary's East Arcade.

• Diocese of Buffalo
• Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community (Family #33)
• St. Mary's Arcade (Saturday Vigil 7:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM)
• St. Joseph's Holland (Sunday 11:00 AM)
• St. Mary's East Arcade

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Rev. Daniel J. Fawls as pastor, with Rev. Jozef Dudzik serving as Senior Parochial Vicar. Permanent Deacons Jeff Forster and Richard F. Maciewicz assist with sacramental and parish life. Faith Formation is directed by Theresa O'Neal, and parish music is led by Director of Music Maureen Dash.

• Rev. Daniel J. Fawls — Pastor
• Rev. Jozef Dudzik — Senior Parochial Vicar
• Deacon Jeff Forster — also leads 'Men of the Challenge' men's ministry
• Deacon Richard F. Maciewicz
• Theresa O'Neal — Director of Faith Formation
• Maureen Dash — Director of Music

Parish Ministries

A wide network of lay ministries supports parish life at St. Aloysius. From the long-standing Altar Society and Knights of St. John to newer outreach such as the Elizabeth Ministry for expectant and new mothers and a Bereavement Support ministry, parishioners of every age and stage can find a way to serve. The 'Men of the Challenge' men's ministry is led by Deacon Jeff Forster.

• Altar Society — Jean Koessler, (716) 592-7066
• Bereavement Support — Karen Schlageter, (716) 592-7965
• Director of Music — Maureen Dash, (716) 592-7360
• Elizabeth Ministry — Dianna Havens, (716) 592-7195
• Faith Formation — Theresa O'Neal, (716) 592-4869
• Knights of St. John — Charles Skelton, (716) 592-3121
• 'Men of the Challenge' Men's Ministry — Deacon Jeff Forster, (716) 432-8717
• Prayer Requests — Karen Schlageter, (716) 592-7965
• Sisters of St. Francis Convent — (716) 592-7601, 71 W. Main, Springville

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith Formation at St. Aloysius is directed by Theresa O'Neal and prepares children and families for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation, with both sacraments celebrated annually in the parish. Sacramental preparation photos and announcements are featured on the parish homepage each year.

• Director of Faith Formation: Theresa O'Neal, (716) 592-4869
• First Communion preparation celebrated each spring
• Confirmation preparation celebrated annually

Sacraments & Devotions

The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons before the Vigil Mass, and the Bereavement Support and Elizabeth ministries accompany families through difficult times and the arrival of new life. Eucharistic Adoration and a regular Rosary complete the devotional life of the parish.

• Baptism (contact the parish office)
• First Communion and Confirmation (annual preparation)
• Marriage (contact the parish office)
• Anointing of the Sick / Bereavement Support
• Confession: Saturday 3:00-3:30 PM or by appointment
• Elizabeth Ministry for expectant and new mothers
• Rosary half hour before Mass

Outreach & Community Life

Beyond the church walls, St. Aloysius operates the Springville Food Pantry and hosts a Women's Book Club and Friendship Project that meets on Thursdays from 9:00-10:30 AM in the St. Aloysius Parish Hall. The parish also regularly runs 'essential products' supply drives (such as feminine hygiene products and towels) for neighbors in need, with collection bins behind the pews during designated weeks.

• Springville Food Pantry
• CCCC Women's Book Club / Friendship Project — Thursdays 9:00-10:30 AM, Parish Hall (call Tracey at 774-545-0163)
• Essential products supply drives for neighbors in need

Cemeteries

The parish oversees multiple historic Catholic cemeteries serving the Cattaraugus Creek Catholic Community. Hours and contact numbers for each are listed on the parish contact page.

• St. Aloysius Cemetery — Monday and Friday 9:00 AM-noon, (716) 592-2701 ext. 213
• St. John the Baptist Cemetery — (716) 592-2701
• St. Mary Cemetery
• St. Peter & Paul Cemetery — (716) 572-8456

Parish School (Closed 2022)

St. Aloysius Catholic School operated continuously from 1883 and had been housed in the same ca. 1905 Colonial Revival school building (with a 1948 addition) on the parish campus. In 1997 it became a regional school supported and governed by 11 parishes. After enrollment dropped to 50 students pre-K through eighth grade with only 13 registrations for the following year, the Board of Trustees recommended closure and the Diocese of Buffalo accepted the recommendation in June 2022, helping current students find placements at other Catholic schools.

• Founded 1883, in the 1905 Colonial Revival school building (1948 addition)
• Became a regional school supported by 11 parishes in 1997
• Closed June 2022

Visiting & Contact

The Parish Family Office is open Tuesday 9:00 AM-2:00 PM at St. Aloysius, and Monday and Thursday 9:00 AM-2:00 PM at St. Mary's Arcade. The Business Office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. General parish email is [email protected]; parish secretary email is [email protected]; bulletin email is [email protected].

• Parish Family Office at St. Aloysius: Tuesday 9:00-2:00, (716) 592-2701
• Parish Family Office at St. Mary's Arcade: Mon & Thu 9:00-2:00, (585) 492-5330
• Business Office: Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00-12:00, [email protected]
• Bulletin email: [email protected]