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BUFFALO -- St. Adalbert Basilica at 212 Stanislaus St., will celebrate 140 years on Saturday, September 26, 2026 with a special Mass and banquet.
Buffalo's second Polish parish, St. Adalbert's was founded by Polish immigrants in September 1886. The current church is a Romanesque Revival and Polish Cathedral-style Basilica built between 1890 and 1891 by architects R. Huber and Company.
The 4 p.m. anniversary Mass will be concelebrated by Diocese of Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher, Parish Pastor Fr. Cole Webster, and other invited priests including past pastors of St. Adalbert's. The mass will include veneration of a relic of St. Adalbert. Soprano Brittany Mruczek will be vocalist for the Mass, accompanied by organist Michael Zachowicz. Attendees can view the results of Phase One of St. Adalbert's stained-glass window restoration project - the restoration of 10 stained glass windows – as well as recently completed dome repairs. This project was undertaken by Friends of Saint Adalbert Basilica, a non-profit formed in 2023 for the restoration and preservation of the Basilica.
"Everyone is invited to join us as we celebrate 140 years of ministry at St. Adalbert!" says pastor Rev. Cole Webster. "Come and see the projects we're doing to preserve this beautiful house of worship on Buffalo's East Side! I'm always astounded by the energy surrounding our St. Adalbert Worship Site. The church is continually used for various liturgies throughout the year, the Response to Love Center remains active serving the community in the former school, and the Mother Theresa Home in the former rectory provides housing and support for young mothers. I often refer to the campus as a 'block of ministry' and to celebrate, the St. Stanislaus Parish Community which is comprised of the St. Stanislaus, St. John Gualbert, and the former St. John Kanty Worship Sites, will all be joining together to thank God for the history and ongoing ministry St. Adalbert's provides. I hope everyone, current and past parishioners, school graduates, previous and current residents of Old Polonia will come out to mark this special occasion with us!"
A dinner banquet will follow at Kiebzak's Restaurant, 38 Crocker St., Sloan.
As part of the anniversary weekend, masses for St. Stanislaus and St. John Gualbert will also be celebrated at St. Adalbert's - the 10 a.m. Polish language Mass, and the 11:30 Mass in English, both on Sunday.