Press Release

Corpus Christi Selected to Particpate in Sacred Sites Open House

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On May 21-22, Corpus Christi R.C. Catholic will participate in The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Open House Weekend. The church joins dozens of religious institutions throughout New York State, and especially Blessed Trinity R.C. Church, the Buffalo Religious Arts Center and the Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Buffalo, in welcoming the public to this special event.

Corpus Christi will host tours from noon – 2:00p.m. on Saturday May 21 and from 1:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. on Sunday, May 22 as a way to share this historic treasure with the entire Western New York community. The tours are free and all are cordially invited. This event is part of a year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites program.

Corpus Christi Church, designed by noted Buffalo architects Schmill and Gould, was dedicated on June 13, 1909. The magnificent interior features some of the finest ecclesiastical art in Buffalo, including exquisite stained glass windows by Franz Mayer Works of Munich, Germany and the iconic Disputa mural above the altar, which is a rendering of a Vatican masterpiece by celebrated, Renaissance painter Raphael Santi. The church complex is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The Disputa is currently undergoing a high profile restoration by acclaimed art conservator Roman Kujawa to return the painting to its original beauty.

Since 1986 The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites program has supported more than 660 religious institutions throughout the state which have received over $6.7 million in matching grants. Sacred Sites is the country’s oldest and largest statewide grant program to help landmark religious properties. Corpus Christi received a matching grant from the Sacred Sites program in 2007, and again this year for restoration of the church’s north tower.

Approximately five years ago, water infiltration and freeze/thaw effects caused a portion of the sandstone cornice of the north tower to fracture and collapse. A wind storm in December of 2008 further damaged sections of the cupola. While intermediate steps have been taken to stabilize the tower for the short term, a more comprehensive restoration is required to reverse significant deterioration and potentially more costly remediation to the exterior envelope of the church.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s grant for the north tower work makes it possible to continue the momentum of the church’s restoration at a time when many of Western New York’s historic buildings are undergoing major improvements in anticipation of the National Trust Conference to be held in Buffalo this October.

For additional information on the Sacred Sites Open House Weekend, contact Colleen Heemeyer, Manager of Grants and Technical Services at the New York Landmarks Conservancy at 212-995-5260 or visit http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/grants/sacred_sites_program.

CORPUS CHRISTI HIRES FAMED ART CONSERVATOR FOR RESTORATION OF ICONIC CHURCH MURAL

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Public Invited to Expert’s Presentation on the Mural’s Restoration, History, Significance and Symbolism

In its most high profile initiative to date, Corpus Christi Church has commissioned renowned art conservator Roman Kujawa to restore its iconic mural above the church altar. This exquisite artwork, which is a signature element of the church interior, is a rendering of a Vatican masterpiece by celebrated, Renaissance painter Raphael Santi.

Since its installation in the 1920’s, this awe-inspiring mural has sustained significant damage from roof leaks, age and interim repairs which proved to do more harm than good. Henry Swiatek is a life-long parishioner at Corpus Christi, and has been a passionate advocate for the Disputà’s restoration for the last 10 years. As owner of Swiatek Studios, he is widely respected for his expertise in church renovation, decorative painting, and stained glass restoration.

When asked why this particular mural is of such importance, he cites Pope John Paul II, who referred to Rafael’s painting, titled “The Disputation of the Blessed Sacrament” (or more commonly known as the Disputà) as the second greatest religious painting of all time, second only to the Sistine Chapel, for its representation of the “Summa Theologica” of the Catholic faith. Swiatek goes on to explain that the Disputà rendering at Corpus Christi represents the highest calibre of ecclesiastical art for its epic subject matter, noting, “If the Disputà were a novel, it would be War and Peace for the breadth of story it tells.” In addition, the mural was painted by Marion Rzeznik, in collaboration with Gonippo Raggi, both of whom were considered premier, 20th century artists of ecclesiastical paintings.
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Corpus Christi to Host Advent Activities

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The Advent Season is a time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Corpus Christi parish, located at 199 Clark Street in Buffalo, invites the public to a day of activities on Sunday December 5 to help prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. In addition, a St. Nicholas Bazaar will offer holiday gift ideas and help to support the ongoing maintenance of the church.

The Ludowa Nuta Polish Canadian Folk Choir from Hamilton, Ontario will sing during and after the 10:00a.m. Polish Mass. Fr. Rafal Wilk, from Krakow, Poland, will be the guest celebrant for this Mass, and will offer the first in a series of Advent talks (given in Polish) as a spiritual readiness for Christmas. The series will continue at 7:00p.m. on December 6-8. Fr. Simon Shaner, Assistant at Corpus Christi, will offer a similar series in English at 7:00p.m. on December 9-11.

Also on December 5, the Niagara County All College Choir, under the direction of Brad Wingert, will sing during the 11:30a.m. English Mass. The All College Choir is comprised of students of all majors at Niagara County Community College.

All are cordially invited to attend Mass and visit the St. Nicholas Bazaar (10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.) at the Sears St. Hall, located directly behind the church at 165 Sears Street. Enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee while shopping from a selection of both practical and pampering gift vendors to find the perfect item for everyone on your holiday gift list.

Admission to the bazaar is free and there is free parking. There will be activities for both children and adults. St. Nick will be present for pictures with a nominal donation to the church.

Vendor space is still available. For more information, please call (716) 896-1050 or visit the website at www.corpuschristibuffalo.org.