Former St. Thomas Aquinas Church to Serve New Purpose

Timon-St. Jude High School to use the church and rectory for student activities.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a Catholic church steeple in vibrant neon hues, conceptually representing the transformation of a sacred space into a new community asset.The repurposing of a beloved Catholic church into a new educational space keeps the site an active part of the community's religious and cultural fabric.Buffalo Today

The former St. Thomas Aquinas Church in South Buffalo, which closed in 2024, will continue to serve as a Catholic place of worship. Timon-St. Jude High School plans to use the church as its chapel and the rectory to house out-of-town student-athletes.

Why it matters

The closure of St. Thomas Aquinas Church was a significant loss for the South Buffalo community, as the church had been a beloved local institution for decades. The decision by Timon-St. Jude to repurpose the church and rectory ensures the site will remain an active Catholic presence in the neighborhood.

The details

Timon-St. Jude High School, a Catholic school in Buffalo, will use the former St. Thomas Aquinas Church as its chapel and the adjacent rectory to house out-of-town student-athletes. This plan will allow the church to continue serving the community in a new capacity after its closure in 2024.

  • St. Thomas Aquinas Church closed in 2024.
  • Timon-St. Jude High School announced its plans to use the former church and rectory in April 2026.

The players

Timon-St. Jude High School

A Catholic high school in Buffalo that will be using the former St. Thomas Aquinas Church and rectory for its own purposes.

Mike Overdorf

The chairman of the Timon-St. Jude High School board of trustees.

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What they’re saying

“The high school plans to use the church as its chapel and the rectory to house out-of-town student-athletes.”

— Mike Overdorf, Chairman of the Timon-St. Jude High School board of trustees

The takeaway

The repurposing of the former St. Thomas Aquinas Church by Timon-St. Jude High School ensures the site will remain an active Catholic presence in the South Buffalo community, even after the church's closure, preserving an important part of the neighborhood's religious and cultural heritage.