Buffalo parishioners fight to save historic St. John Kanty church from closing

Parishioners hold prayer vigils outside the locked church as they await a decision from the Vatican on the diocese's plan to shutter the 130-year-old Polish community landmark.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:07pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of the exterior of a church, with soft pools of warm light and color creating a dreamlike, atmospheric scene that captures the emotional essence of the community's fight to save their beloved place of worship.The vibrant prayer vigil outside the locked doors of St. John Kanty Church reflects the deep emotional connection parishioners feel to their historic place of worship.Buffalo Today

Parishioners of St. John Kanty, a historic Polish Catholic church in Buffalo's East Side neighborhood, are fighting to keep their beloved place of worship open after the local diocese announced plans to close it as part of a broader 'Road to Renewal' restructuring. With the church doors locked since last year, parishioners have held prayer vigils outside and appealed to the Vatican, which has temporarily suspended the closure while it reviews the decision.

Why it matters

St. John Kanty has been a cornerstone of Buffalo's Polish community since 1892, and its potential closure has sparked an outpouring of emotion and resistance from devoted parishioners who see it as the loss of a cultural and spiritual touchstone. The fight to save the church also highlights the broader challenges facing many urban Catholic parishes as dioceses nationwide grapple with declining membership and financial pressures.

The details

In May 2025, the Buffalo Diocese announced it would close St. John Kanty as part of its 'Road to Renewal' plan to consolidate and restructure parishes. After the final mass was held, the church doors were locked, prompting parishioners to fight the decision. They learned that the Vatican had suspended the closure, giving them hope that the historic church could be saved. Parishioners have been holding regular prayer vigils outside the locked doors, with hundreds turning out, as they await the Vatican's final ruling.

  • In May 2025, the Buffalo Diocese announced it would close St. John Kanty church.
  • Last year, the church doors were locked following the diocese's closure decision.
  • Just last week, parishioners met outside the church to hold a prayer vigil.

The players

Matthew Zawisky

A parishioner of St. John Kanty church who is fighting to keep it open.

Buffalo Diocese

The Catholic diocese that oversees churches in the Buffalo area and announced plans to close St. John Kanty as part of a broader restructuring.

The Vatican

The governing body of the Catholic Church, which has temporarily suspended the closure of St. John Kanty while it reviews the diocese's decision.

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What they’re saying

“This has been a jewel on the east side since 1892. And we want to keep it open.”

— Matthew Zawisky, Parishioner

“What does it mean that so many showed up? We were in tears. I mean, people were kneeling on the concrete.”

— Matthew Zawisky, Parishioner

What’s next

The Vatican is currently reviewing the Buffalo Diocese's decision to close St. John Kanty church. Parishioners are waiting anxiously for the Vatican's final ruling, which will determine the fate of the 130-year-old Polish community landmark.

The takeaway

The fight to save St. John Kanty church highlights the deep emotional and cultural ties that many urban Catholic parishes have within their local communities. As dioceses nationwide grapple with declining membership and financial pressures, battles like this one in Buffalo underscore the challenges of balancing practical realities with preserving cherished spiritual and cultural institutions.