St. Joseph Cathedral (Buffalo, New York)

History

Buffalo's first bishop, John Timon, established St. Joseph's in 1847 to be the seat of the new diocese. Because of the economic situation in the city he raised funds to build the church while he was in Europe. The cornerstone was laid on February 6, 1851. During construction, a storm approached the city from Lake Erie and destroyed several homes in the area. Bishop Timon allowed the residents to set up tents within the cathedral's walls for several weeks. The cathedral was usable, but not complete, when it was dedicated on July 1, 1855. The south tower was completed in the summer of 1862. Bishop Timon consecrated the completed cathedral on August 21, 1863.

In 1902, Bishop James Quigley decided that the diocese required a new cathedral and purchased property at Delaware Avenue and Utica Street beginning in 1902. Italian architect Aristide Leonori designed a new Gothic Revival cathedral which was constructed between 1912 and 1915. The new edifice became known as St. Joseph's (New) Cathedral and this church became known as St. Joseph's Old Cathedral. This time both towers of the new cathedral were completed to a height of 260 ft. Unfortunately, the cathedral was better suited for Rome's climate rather than Buffalo's. By 1924, the north and south transepts required major repairs and by 1927, the towers were so unstable they were removed.

Architecture

Bishop Timon selected New York architect Patrick C. Keely, who had worked with A. W. N. Pugin, to design the church. He created a Gothic Revival structure 120 ft in length by 73 ft across. Installed in St. Joseph's in 1870, the bells were too large for the cathedral's tower and never worked properly. At present, all but 2 of the bells have been removed from the church tower.

Bishop Stephen V. Ryan added the Lady Chapel built at the rear of the cathedral in 1873.

The three lancet windows above the altar were produced at the direction of King Ludwig II of Bavaria for the Paris Exposition of 1855. During his trips to Europe, Bishop Timon saw the windows and asked if the King would donate them to the new structure. After first being refused, the Bishop persisted and Ludwig relented.

The cathedral was renovated in 1882, 1903–05, 1937–47 and most recently in 1977.

Organ

The choir loft houses a 3,627 pipe Hook & Hastings organ, Opus 828. The organ was updated in 1925 and 1976, but by 1996 had become unplayable. In 1998, the bishop and parish council engaged the Andover Organ Company to restore and expand the instrument. Andover installed the restored instrument in 2001 as its Opus R-328. It currently contains three manuals and 90 stops.

Gallery

File:Saint joseph cathedral2.JPG|Façade detail looking northwest File:Saint joseph rectory.JPG|East Rectory façade File:Saint joseph cathedral sign.JPG|Identification plaque at the entrance File:Saint joseph cathedral sign2.JPG|Marker commemorating Bishop John Timon at the entrance File:St. Joseph's Cathedral in 1914.jpg|A 1914 view of the cathedral and rectory File:St. Joseph Cathedral Sacred Heart Altar.jpg|The north transept in 1914 File:St. Joseph Cathedral Interior - Buffalo, NY.jpg|Sanctuary in 2017 File:Chapel - Saint Joseph Cathedral (Buffalo, New York).jpg|The Lady Chapel File:Bishop's Graves Saint Joseph Cathedral - Buffalo.jpg|Marker denoting the burials of Bishop Timon and Bishop Ryan File:San cesario buffalo.jpg|Bishop Richard J. Malone and Msgr. David S. Slubecky beneath a calendar reliquary (tapestry) of 365 saints and icon of Saint Caesarius of Terracina

References

References

1. Napora, James. (2005). "History of St. Joseph RC Cathedral". Buffalo Architecture and History.
2. (June 8, 2018). "St. Joseph's [New] Cathedral".
3. Hayden, Joe. "Buffalo's Faith Elevators". faithelevators.us.
4. (1914). "The Catholic church in the United States of America". Catholic Editing Company.
5. "The Centennial Organ".
6. "St. Joseph Cathedral; E. & G. G. Hook & Hastings, Opus 828; Buffalo, New York".