About Our Shrine.
Our History
The creation of St. John Gualbert is the product of a happy accident. When Dean John Pitass bought land for a new cemetary in 1888, he quickly learned Buffalo would not permit him to use the land as a cemetary due to a Buffalo law. After the plot of land remained vacant for 26 years and Dean Pittass passed away, his nephew Fr. Alexander Pitass sold part of the land for houses, with the exception of the center lot, which he planned to make into a church. With the increase of Polish families who recently moved to the area, there were finally enough families to transform the center lot into St. John Gualbert’s parish. Named after Dean Pitass’ patron saint, St. John Gualbert’s would become the center point for the Poles living in the area. With the parish fully established Father Peter Adamski was installed as the first resident pastor in 1918. As the city grew, SJG did too. On May 13, 1928, in front of a crowd of 4,000, ground was broken for a larger, modern parish church. The Tudor Gothic inspired edifice with seating for 1,200 would cost the parish $200,000. One of the most striking features of the church is the stained glass. These windows of saints and blesseds were made by the S.G. Zelenski Studio of Krakow, Poland and are the only known set by the firm in the United States
A Traditional Approach
G.K. Chesterton famously said that "the Church does not merely teach us about God; it invites us to experience something of God's glory." Beauty and tradition in the Catholic Church are not mere aesthetic choices, but vital means by which the faithful are drawn into a deeper relationship with God. Sacred art, architecture, and liturgical practices serve as reflections of the divine, lifting the soul beyond the material and into the transcendent.
SJG strives to uphold the Church’s rich traditions, helping to preserve a timeless connection to God, inviting the faithful into a sacred experience that is both ancient and ever new. In a world that often neglects the beauty of the sacred, maintaining these traditions is essential for fostering reverence, awe, and spiritual transformation.
Celebrating Our Polish Heritage
With a rich history rooted in the Polish immigrant community, the church continues to honor its heritage with Masses, devotions, and events that reflect the Polish culture. The tradition of celebrating Polish Mass, integrating the Polish language in worship, and keeping Polish devotions alive ensures that these practices are passed down through generations. The church’s Polish identity is maintained not only through its Masses, but also in the parish community’s strong connection to their Polish roots.
Parishioners today are part of a legacy that continues to celebrate and preserve the traditions that have shaped St. John Gualbert, making it a place of pride for those who cherish their Polish heritage.
Our Patron Saint
Saint John Gualbert, born in Florence in the 11th century, experienced a profound spiritual transformation after he spared the life of his brother’s murderer, who had pleaded for mercy on Good Friday while making the sign of the cross. Deeply moved by this act of forgiveness and a miraculous vision of Christ, he renounced his noble life and entered a Benedictine monastery. Gualbert later founded the Vallombrosan Order, dedicated to spiritual renewal, the eradication of simony, and the revival of faith throughout Italy. He became renowned for his piety, miracles, and devotion to the poor, even selling sacred altar vessels to feed the hungry. His sanctity and reforms drew many followers, and despite persecution, he persevered in his mission to restore religious purity. John Gualbert died in 1073, and his legacy, marked by numerous miracles, earned him sainthood.