About Sts. Peter and Paul · Williamsville, New York
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Latin-rite parish in the heart of Williamsville, New York, one of the oldest Catholic communities in the Diocese of Buffalo. The parish was established in 1836 by the young St. John Neumann and still gathers for Mass at its 1860s stone church on Main Street, the second-oldest parish in the diocese. Today it serves as both a worship site and a hub for a parish school, faith formation, music, and a wide range of outreach ministries serving Williamsville and the surrounding Buffalo suburbs.
- Established
- 1836
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul
- Rector
- Rev. David Bellittiere
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
Saints Peter and Paul offers a rare combination: a deep historical Catholic community (the second-oldest parish in the Diocese of Buffalo, founded by a saint), a downtown Main Street location in the village of Williamsville, a parish-run classical Catholic school (K-8 plus preschool and a homeschool hybrid program), and a large portfolio of active lay ministries. Whether a family is looking for daily noon Mass, a vibrant faith formation program, a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, a Respect Life committee, a Mothers and Munchkins playgroup, a Legion of Mary praesidium, a men's or women's prayer group, or simply a way to give back through the Community Clothing Exchange, the parish provides ready-made ways to worship, serve, and belong.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:15 pm (prior to the 4:30 pm Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Parish History
Saints Peter and Paul was founded in 1836 when the young priest John Nepomucene Neumann was sent to take charge of the mission outside Buffalo and establish headquarters in Williamsville. He found about forty scattered German Catholic families and a stone church under construction on Main and Grove Streets, built on land donated by a non-Catholic villager, Oziel Smith, in 1834. Neumann completed the church, opened one of the area's first Catholic schools, and served as pastor until 1840, when he left to join the Redemptorists; he was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977. The present stone church was built during the Civil War in 1862–1865 and still serves the parish today, making SSPP the second-oldest parish in the Diocese of Buffalo. A 1990 historical marker on the site was placed by the parish and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.
- Founded July 12, 1836 by St. John Nepomucene Neumann
- Land donated in 1834 by Oziel Smith on condition the church be built of stone
- Original church completed late 1836; present stone church built 1862–1865
- Parish school established by Neumann in 1836 — one of the area's first Catholic schools
- Neumann canonized a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1977; feast day January 5
- Historical marker placed 1990; listed by Village of Williamsville Historic Preservation Commission 11/25/1991
- Past 175th anniversary celebrated under Rev. Jerome Kopec
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, a senior parochial vicar, a parochial vicar, and a deacon, supported by a team of parish and school staff. The Pastor is Rev. David Bellittiere; the Senior Parochial Vicar is Rev. Msgr. Paul Litwin; the Parochial Vicar is Rev. Moses Ikuelogbon; and Deacon Charles Esposito assists. Parish trustees are Mr. Joseph Hejaily and Mr. Robert Grinewich.
- Pastor: Rev. David Bellittiere
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. Msgr. Paul Litwin
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Moses Ikuelogbon
- Deacon: Mr. Charles Esposito (716-207-6630)
- Pastoral Associate: Mrs. Roberta Spencer
- Director of Music: Ms. Julie Arlotta
- Secretary: Mrs. Barbara Crage (ext. 200)
- Building and Grounds Manager: Tina Evers (ext. 203)
- Maintenance: Mr. Wayne Maleck (ext. 204)
- Parish Trustees: Mr. Joseph Hejaily and Mr. Robert Grinewich
Saints Peter and Paul School (Catholic Classical Education)
Saints Peter and Paul School (ssppschool.com) is the parish's Catholic classical school for preschool through 8th grade, continuing a tradition of Catholic education begun by St. John Neumann himself in 1836. The school follows the classical Trivium model — grammar, logic, and rhetoric — integrating Latin, the Great Books, phonics-based reading, hands-on science, the Socratic method, and Catholic moral formation. There is also a flexible Hybrid and À La Carte program for homeschool families in grades 1–8, including a two-day on-campus option (grades 3–8) and individual classes in Latin, science labs, math, Phys. Ed., art, music, and IEW writing. Tuition assistance is available through the Angel Fund Scholarship, the BISON Children's Scholarship Fund, and FACTS payment plans.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Hybrid homeschool program (grades 1–8) and À La Carte classes
- Classical Trivium curriculum: grammar, logic, rhetoric
- Latin, Great Books, phonics, Socratic discussion, hands-on science
- Principal: Dr. Rose Hershenov (716-632-6146 ext. 243)
- School Office: Mrs. Christie Bartels and Mrs. Greta Pinto (716-632-6146)
- Angel Fund Scholarship and BISON Fund scholarships available
- Weekly Mass for all students
Family Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation at Saints Peter and Paul is described by the parish as a continuous, lifelong process in which parents are the primary teachers of their children. The Family Faith Formation program supports parents in grades K–9 and coordinates preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Volunteers are invited to become catechists at every grade level, with training provided.
- Director of Religious Education K–9: Mrs. Roberta Spencer — 716-632-2678 ext. 232
- Sacramental Coordinator: Mrs. Casey Hanley — 716-632-2678 ext. 233
- Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Laurie Schlosser — 716-632-2678
- Catholic Milestones program
- Catechist recruitment and training available in all grades
Outreach, Social Action and Respect Life
Outreach at Saints Peter and Paul is organized through a wide range of committees and the parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference (founded 1942). Together they operate a weekly food pantry, assist with clothing drives, help families at Thanksgiving and Christmas, distribute Sharing Bowl funds, and support the downtown Buffalo dining room. The Respect Life Committee raises awareness of the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death and engages in peaceful pro-life activities and legislative education. A parish partnership links SSPP with Holy Cross Parish.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — food pantry Saturdays 9:00–11:00 am; meetings 2nd and 4th Saturdays 10:00–11:30 am in the school Board Room
- Social Action Committee — Sharing Bowl, Thanksgiving/Christmas family assistance
- Respect Life Committee — meets 3rd Tuesday 7:00–8:30 pm, school Board Room
- Community Clothing Exchange — annual October event
- Holy Cross Parish partnership
- Mitten Tree and Legislative Weekends
Prayer Groups and Devotions
The parish is home to a large number of prayer and devotion groups that meet in the Neumann Rooms, the school Reading Room, the school Board Room, and the parish Prayer Garden. Together they cover Marian devotion, Scripture study, men's spirituality, contemplative prayer shawls, and the Medjugorje messages.
- Beneath Mary's Mantle — monthly Rosary, 2nd Saturday at 9:00 am
- Legion of Mary — Thursdays 9:15 am, Neumann Rooms
- Bible Study — 3rd Saturday at 9:00 am, school Reading Room
- Medjugorje Prayer Group — Tuesdays 1:30–3:30 pm, school Reading Room
- Men of St. Joseph — 2nd Thursday 7:00–8:30 pm, Neumann Rooms
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — 1st Tuesday Sept–June, school Board Room
- Cause of Joy: Mothers and Munchkins — Tuesdays 9:00–11:30 am, Neumann Rooms
- St. Ann's Sodality — 1st Sunday 10:30 am–12:30 pm, Neumann Rooms
- St. John Neumann Guild
Parish Grounds, Cemetery and Prayer Gardens
The Saints Peter and Paul campus on Main Street includes the 1862–65 stone church, the parish school building, the parish office at 17 Grove Street, the SSPP / St. Michael's Cemeteries, and several prayer and cremation gardens. The Everlasting Prayer Garden, the Marion Prayer Garden, and the Risen Savior Cremation Garden at SSPP Cemetery were added under the pastorate of Rev. Jerome Kopec, alongside refurbishment of the church itself.
- Original Main and Grove Streets parcel (donated 1834 by Oziel Smith)
- SSPP / St. Michael's Cemeteries
- Risen Savior Cremation Garden at SSPP Cemetery
- Everlasting Prayer Garden
- Marion Prayer Garden
- 1990 historical marker and 1991 historic preservation designation
Parish Office, School Office, and Practical Information
Parish business is conducted from the parish office at 17 Grove Street, Williamsville, NY 14221-5434, while the church itself stands at 5480 Main Street. The school office runs separately at 716-632-6146. The parish website (ssppchurch.com) carries the live-streamed Mass, news, bulletins, ministry contacts, and stewardship information.
- Parish Office: 17 Grove Street, Williamsville, NY 14221-5434
- Phone: 716-632-2559 — Fax: 716-204-0329
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm; closed Sat/Sun
- School Office: 716-632-6146
- Religious Education Office: 716-632-2678
- Live-streamed Mass available on the parish homepage
- Social media: facebook.com/ssppchurchWilliamsville/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- St. John Nepomucene Neumann1836–1840
First pastor; founded the parish and one of the area's first Catholic schools. Later joined the Redemptorists, was made Bishop of Philadelphia, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1977.
- Rev. Jerome (Jerry) Kopec2005–c.2020 (15 years)
Celebrated the parish's 175th anniversary; oversaw the construction of the Everlasting Prayer Garden, the Marion Prayer Garden, the Risen Savior Cremation Garden at SSPP Cemetery, and the refurbishment of the church.