A 128-year old architectural marvel is featured in 2015 calendars to raise funds and awareness for the Save St. Ann’s Church Revitalization Committee. It is both a calendar and arts pictorial, with full color photographs of the ornate interior, stained glass windows, and statuary that remain preserved within the church and shrine. The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has closed the structure to the public since 2012.
The organization is seeking ways to prevent the structure from being demolished with the calendar making the public aware of the significance of this house-of-worship.
Calendars are $10 each or $12 with shipping and can be ordered via the Save St. Ann’s website. Credit card or PayPal can be used online and is a $12.50 charge.
“This calendar shows the enormous pride of the people who built this unique church well over a century ago,” explains Ron Bates of the Save St. Ann’s Church & Shrine organization. “The stained glass was fabricated by the famed Bavarian Art Works in Munich, the woodwork was all created by-hand and it is breathtaking! We have pictures of these works of art and more in our calendar.”
The pictures from the 2015 calendar include the Sculpted Last Supper above the high altar, the starlit columns, installed in 1904, and the numerous stained glass windows that surround the east transom.
St. Ann is the only United States church that is connected with the original St. Anne de-Baupre Archconfraternity, established in Montreal, Quebec. It is a shrine to St. Ann and one of few parishes built solely by the hand of its parishioners, common German immigrants who built the East Side landmark. The main tower rises over 12 stories tall and contains the largest swinging bell in Buffalo.
More information on St. Ann’s Church and Shrine, including a video of the church’s history is available at www.saintannbuffalo.org.