About St. Joseph University Parish · Buffalo, New York
St. Joseph University Parish is a historic Roman Catholic parish serving the University Heights neighborhood of Buffalo, New York, and the South Campus of the University at Buffalo. Founded in 1850 by German and French immigrant settlers, the parish merged with the UB Newman Community in 1991 to become a university parish, and today partners with the UB Newman Center and Buffalo State Newman Center as a Family of Parishes formed in 2023. Known for its diverse, inclusive community and its vibrant liturgical music, the parish celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2025 and remains a spiritual home for nearly 2,000 families, UB students, faculty, and young families in the city.
- Established
- 1850
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel J. Serbicki
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
St. Joseph University Parish is the spiritual home of nearly 2,000 families in Buffalo's University Heights neighborhood and the entire South Campus of the University at Buffalo. The parish explicitly lives by the mantra 'All are welcome' — racially, ethnically, economically, and generationally diverse — and is known across the diocese for its inclusive atmosphere. Members find a strong worship life with daily Mass, a 7 p.m. student Mass during the university year, a contemporary music ensemble, robust faith formation for youth and adults, an active social-justice ministry, and a parish elementary school. For UB students, faculty, young families, and long-time neighborhood Catholics alike, St. Joe's offers a vibrant community in which to pray, serve, and belong.
Mass times at St. Joseph University Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM
- By request
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Joseph University Parish describes itself as a Catholic community that 'fosters an atmosphere of welcome to all.' Attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and nourished by vibrant liturgy, the parish is committed to providing a home and a haven to visitors and permanent members alike. Its mantra — 'All are welcome' — is more than a slogan; it is the parish's identity. The community is rich in diversity: racially, ethnically, economically, and across age and life style.
- Mantra: 'All are welcome'
- Liturgy at the heart of parish life
- Welcoming new parishioners through an online Parish Registration Form
- Parishioner contact: Jessica Slammon, [email protected], 716-833-0298
175 Years of Parish History (1850–2025)
St. Joseph University Parish traces its origins to 1833, when the Lamb of God Chapel was built to serve Catholic families in the Northbush area north of Buffalo. The mission was served by the future St. John Neumann (1837–1840), Redemptorist preachers, and Jesuits who arrived from Quebec in 1848. In 1849 Bishop John Timon purchased four acres in Elysville (today's University Heights) and a frame church seating 240 was dedicated on 6 January 1850.
- 1833: Lamb of God log chapel built by Rev. Nicholas Mertz
- 1837–1840: Rev. (later St.) John Neumann serves the Buffalo mission
- 1848: Jesuits arrive from Quebec under Rev. Joseph Fruzzini
- 19 April 1849: Bishop Timon purchases the Main Street site
- 6 January 1850: First frame church dedicated
- 1882: Sisters of St. Joseph take over the parish school
- 1885: Rev. George Zurcher brings stability after 26 pastors in 35 years
- 1894: Second (brick) church dedicated by Bishop Stephen Ryan
- 1908: Rev. Joseph Schemel ushers in new growth (later Monsignor; serves until 1944)
- 4 October 1925: Cornerstone laid for the present church
- 1 December 1926: Current Norman Gothic Revival church dedicated
- 1962–1965: Parish welcomes Vatican II reforms under Msgr. Albert Rung
- 1967: One of the first elected Parish Councils in the Diocese of Buffalo
- 1991: Merger with UB Newman Community creates St. Joseph University Parish
- 1999: Major church renovations
- 2020: Parish pivots to livestreamed Masses during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2023: Forms a Family of Parishes with UB and Buffalo State Newman Centers
- 2025: Celebrates 175th anniversary
Architecture & Sacred Art
The present St. Joseph University Parish church, dedicated 1 December 1926, was designed by the Buffalo firm Bley & Lyman in the Norman Gothic Revival style. Built of brick trimmed with Indiana limestone, the building measures roughly 190 by 80 feet and cost about $375,000. A 125-foot tower anchors the north corner of the façade, and the steeple — octagonal, copper-sheathed, and topped with a fleur-de-lys finial — is the building's most distinctive feature.
- Architects: Bley & Lyman of Buffalo
- Style: Norman Gothic Revival
- Façade: crocketed gable, rose window with flame-motif tracery, niche statues
- Steeple: octagonal, copper-sheathed, fleur-de-lys finial
- 1968 sanctuary murals of the life of St. Joseph by George Raggi of Milwaukee
- Altarpiece and statuary imported from Pietrasanta, Italy
- Major renovations completed in 1999
Pastoral & Office Staff
St. Joseph University Parish is led by a pastor supported by a parochial vicar, permanent deacons, a parish manager, faith-formation director, music staff, social-justice ministry, and office staff. The parish office can be reached at (716) 833-0298.
- Rev. Daniel J. Serbicki — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. James Monaco — Senior Parochial Vicar & Campus Minister ([email protected], Ext. 319)
- Rev. Jacob Ledwon — Weekend Associate
- Deacon Peter Donnelly — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Thaddeus V. Pijacki — Permanent Deacon
- Patricia Bubar Spear — Pastoral Associate & Youth & Young Adult Minister
- Lynn Cercone — Parish Manager (Ext. 317)
- Diane Brennan — Director of Lifelong Faith Formation (Ext. 310)
- Maria Chomicka — Organist & Choirmaster (Ext. 357)
- Heather Lovelace — Contemporary Music Ensemble Director (Ext. 358)
- Dennis Walczyk — Social Justice Ministry ([email protected])
- Rebekah Stiller — Stewardship Coordinator (Ext. 313)
- Kristen Brill — Director of Stewardship
- Athena Schmidt — Safe Environment Coordinator
- Mary Crocker — Administrative Assistant
- Jessica Slammon — Administrative Assistant (Ext. 303)
- MJ Key — Sacristan
- John Riccione — Maintenance (Ext. 319)
School Administration
St. Joseph Parish School, located at 3275 Main Street (just behind the church), has been in continuous operation since 1850 and is one of the oldest parish schools in the diocese.
- Mark Mattle — Principal, (716) 835-7395 Ext. 326, [email protected]
- M. Anne Wojick — Director of Curriculum & Partnerships, (716) 835-7395 Ext. 327, [email protected]
- School address: 3275 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214
Campus Ministry
St. Joseph University Parish's Campus Ministry provides a spiritual home for the South Campus of the University at Buffalo, serving on- and off-campus undergraduate students, international students, graduate students, and dental and medical students. Campus Ministry gives the UB community an opportunity to socialize in ways consistent with Christian values through discussion groups, retreats, socials, meals, fellowship, volunteer service, and spiritual programs.
- Sunday 7:00 PM student Mass (when University is in session)
- Discussion groups, retreats, socials
- Meals and fellowship
- Volunteer service opportunities
- Spiritual programs and mentoring
- Exam Care packages for students
- Holiday meal hosting for students
- Contact: Fr. Jim Monaco, 716-833-0298 Ext. 319, [email protected]
- Maria Chomicka, Campus Minister, Ext. 357, [email protected]
Lifelong Faith Formation
The parish's Lifelong Faith Formation program serves youth, middle and high school students, and adults, providing sacramental preparation (including First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation) and ongoing faith education. Adult inquirers prepare for initiation through the RCIA.
- Faith formation and sacramental programs for youth, middle and high school, and adults
- Contact: Diane Brennan, Director, Ext. 310, [email protected]
- Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation preparation
- RCIA for adults seeking initiation
Music & Liturgy
Music is at the heart of St. Joe's worship life. The parish offers both a traditional choir and a Contemporary Music Ensemble (CME), founded in the 1990s, that blends traditional hymns with contemporary sounds. Music at St. Joseph's is, in the parish's words, 'not just music — it was ministry.'
- 10:00 AM Sunday Mass features the Choir
- 11:30 AM Sunday Mass features the Contemporary Music Ensemble
- Maria Chomicka — Organist & Choirmaster (Ext. 357)
- Heather Lovelace — Contemporary Music Ensemble Director (Ext. 358)
Social Justice & Outreach
The parish is deeply committed to social justice from the local to the global level, seeking to be 'a strong voice for the voiceless, especially the poor and vulnerable.' The Social Justice Ministry coordinates the parish's outreach efforts.
- Contact: Dennis Walczyk, [email protected]
- Volunteer service opportunities
- Social justice programming and advocacy
- Support for the poor and vulnerable in the city and beyond
Stewardship, Giving & Getting Involved
Parishioners are invited to share their time and talent through the Commitment to Parish Life (CPL) program, volunteer service, and financial giving through the parish's WeShare online platform.
- Commitment to Parish Life (CPL) — formal pledge of time, talent, and treasure
- Online giving via WeShare: https://stjosephbuffalo.weshareonline.org/
- Volunteer / Ministry Contact Form on the parish website
- Rebekah Stiller — Stewardship Coordinator (Ext. 313)
- Kristen Brill — Director of Stewardship
Contact, Location & Online Presence
St. Joseph University Parish is located on Main Street in Buffalo's University Heights neighborhood, adjacent to the South Campus of the University at Buffalo. The parish maintains an active presence on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
- Address: 3269 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214
- Parish Office Phone: (716) 833-0298
- Fax: (716) 833-7339
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stjosephbuffalo.org
- Facebook (parish): facebook.com/StJosephBuffalo
- Facebook (campus ministry / UB-St. Joe's): facebook.com/UBStJoes
- Instagram: instagram.com/ubstjoes
- YouTube: youtube.com/c/StJosephUniversityParish
- Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Fruzzini, S.J.1848–1850
First Jesuit assigned to the Northbush mission; fluent in French and German.
- Rev. John Neumann1837–1840
Served the Buffalo area including the Lamb of God Chapel before leaving for Philadelphia; later canonized as a saint.
- Rev. George Zurcherfrom 1885
Ended 35 years of pastoral instability; oversaw growth of the Buffalo Plains neighborhood.
- Rev. Joseph Schemelfrom 1908
Brought new life and direction; later Monsignor; served until 1944.
- Msgr. Albert Rung1945–1971
Guided implementation of Vatican II; established one of the diocese's first elected Parish Councils in 1967.