The Buffalo Diocese proposed shuttering 14 churches in Chautauqua, southern Erie and Cattaraugus counties in its latest announcements to clergy and parish leaders.
Diocese officials presented the recommendations Tuesday evening at St. Hyacinth Church in Dunkirk, as part of an effort aimed at addressing a priest shortage, decreased Mass attendance and a decline in contributions.
The churches recommended to close are:
• St. Anthony, 42 Orchard St., Fredonia
• St. Joseph, 145 East Main St., Fredonia
• St. Rose of Lima, 11 Center St., Forestville
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 328 Washington Ave. Dunkirk
• St. Hedwig, 103 East Doughty St., Dunkirk
• St. Hyacinth, 293 Lake Shore Drive East, Dunkirk
• Our Lady of Loreto, 309 West Everett St., Falconer
• Our Lady of Victory, 6 Institute St., Frewsburg
• Our Lady of the Snows, 36 E. Main St., Panama
• St. John, 270 Newton Ave., Jamestown
• St. Isaac Jogues, 119 Miller St., Sherman
• St. Patrick, 16 Central Ave., Brocton
• St. Mary, 36 Washington St., Cattaraugus
• Holy Spirit, 2015 Halley Road, North Collins
Along with the building closures, the diocese recommended the merger of seven parishes, including St. Anthony, St. Joseph, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Blessed Mary Angela parishes all merging into Holy Trinity parish in Dunkirk. St. Hedwig and St. Hyacinth campuses in Dunkirk would be sold.
Bernice Radle, executive director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara,…
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