It all began for Blessed Sacrament back in 1929… some parishioners of St. Joseph parish in Buffalo, New York, had a vision to have a church in their Town of Tonawanda, NY neighborhood. After securing enough petitions, Bishop Turner agreed to make a priest available for Mass if the people could come up with a suitable location.

The vision of the early Parishioners bore fruit in October, 1929 when Bishop William Turner assigned Father Michael Fitzgerald (pictured at right) as the first pastor of the new parish. Father Fitzgerald chose the name “Blessed Sacrament” for the new parish because of his devotion to Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Father Fitzgerald celebrated his first Mass for the newly formed parish on December 8, 1929 in the Kenilworth Fire Hall. A portable altar was built by parishioners and an old organ had been donated by Father Klauder, pastor of St. John the Baptist on Englewood Avenue. Thanks to neighbors, the altar and organ were kept in nearby homes during the week and then rolled down Hawthorne Avenue to the “Church” on Sundays.

1930:
Since the purpose of the parish was to bring the Word and the Sacraments to the people, ground breaking for a combination church and school took place on April 6, 1930. On September 7, 1930, 112 students were able to attend a four room school. These students were taught by the sisters of St. Mary of Namur.

Despite the Depression the parishioners contributed $3,200.00 to purchase the land, a whole block 700 feet by 250 feet between Claremont and Wendel Avenues and from Chelsea to Berkley. Father Fitzgerald assumed a mortgage of $72,000.00 when his first Sunday collection was only $22.60 and a raffle of a bushel of potatoes brought in $5.00.

1945:
The era following World War II saw the start of a building program that would not end until 1979. In 1948 the church was expanded from a seating capacity of 360 to 860; there was a need for 13 classrooms and by 1950 this was not enough. A Primary Building with 6 classrooms was built and grew to 12 by 1959. In September 1972 the Felician Sisters came to Blessed Sacrament. The Sisters of St. Mary of Namur had left the school for other mission.

1950:
The original rectory had to be replaced with a more functional building and the present rectory was completed in 1950. The old rectory which stood on Claremont Avenue, adjacent to the present was sold to the Dundon family and moved to an open field where it still stands on the corner of Wendel and Chelsea. A temporary church was built in time to celebrate Christmas Mass In 1959 and served the parish until August 1978 when it was closed to begin work on the present church. The need for a multi-purpose parish hall and gym versus that for a new church generated many heated discussions. In the end, the decision to build the parish center proved to be a wise one. The new church was again a dream.

1960:
Father Michael Fitzgerald served as Pastor for 32 years until his health forced him to retire in 1960. Msgr. Bernard J. McLaughlin (pictured at left) was the second pastor and guided Blessed Sacrament through the 1960’s. Msgr. McLaughlin was ordained a bishop while here; he remained at Blessed Sacrament until January, 1972.

1970:
Father George Cotter (pictured at right) was named the 3rd pastor of Blessed Sacrament in January, 1972. Having been an assistant at Blessed Sacrament for 16 years, he was well aware of the parish dream of a permanent church. In the fall of 1977 pledges amounting to over $300,000 enabled him to go forward with plans for a new Church. A ground breaking ceremony was held on June 18, 1978.

1980:
In July 1980, Rev. Robert G. Ochs (pictured at left) became the fourth pastor. Father Ochs carried out other wishes of Father Cotter. One of these wishes was finding a home for the sisters. A home was purchased on Edgewood Avenue to be used as a convent. A carillon bell system was dedicated as a memorial to Father Cotter on May 17, 1982. Father Ochs became terminally ill in the fall of 1984 and died November 7, 1984. Another great loss for Blessed Sacrament Parish.

1990:
Msgr. Robert K. Golombek (pictured at left) became the sixth pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish on December 1, 1990. Previously Fr. Bob had served as pastor of St. John Kanty Parish and as Director of Buildings and Properties for the Diocese of Buffalo. On June 22, 1993 Most Rev. Edward D. Head, dedicated the chapel to the Divine Mercy of Christ. From that point on a holy hour is held every Wednesday in honor of the Divine Mercy. In December, 1996 Bishop Henry Mansell reappointed Msgr. Golombek as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament for a second six year term.

2005:
On Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Bishop Edward Kimiec named Father William Quinlivan (pictured at right) as the 7th Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish effective July 1st, 2005. Father Quinlivan, previously an Associate Pastor of St. Gregory the Great in Williamsville is very interested in The Divine Mercy, often volunteering at the Mission of Mercy in the Inner City. He is a musician and loves to sing. Father Bill has great devotion to the Eucharist and began perpetual adoration at St. Gregory’s. As he begins his first pastorate at Blessed Sacrament, we give him a warm welcome as we work with him to strengthen Blessed Sacrament Parish for the future.

Bishop Head appointed Rev. Donald R. Hughes (pictured at right) pastor in January 1985. Father Hughes had served in many parishes for the Diocese of Buffalo and was pastor of St. Stephen’s Church on Grand Island before his assignment to Blessed Sacrament as the 5th Pastor. Ill health prevented Father Hughes from continuing his ministry here at Blessed Sacrament and he left in late 1990. While Rev. Hughes recuperated at St. Gregory the Great in Williamsville, he assisted Msgr. McNamara and then Msgr. Wright, until suffering a disabling stroke. Father Hughes later died in February, 2003.

Community spirit soared as parishioners watched each step of construction. The church was dedicated by Bishop Edward D. Head on April 4, 1979. Bishop Head returned to Blessed Sacrament on March 16, 1980 for the solemn dedication of the church. The church was completely paid for and the congregation proudly participated in the ceremonial rites. Father Cotter saw his dream and that of the parish become a reality. He died two months later on May 17, 1980.

2000:
In June 2001, Father Bob gave his blessing to the Parish Webmaster to create, design, and maintain the official parish website on the internet. The parish website was launched on July 4, 2001 and is the virtual information vehicle within cyberspace that was designed to enlighten our parish, the Diocese, the United States and the world, online. In December 2002, Father Bob established the Divine Mercy Clinic and the Parish Nurse Program (funded by the Pantano Sisters Trust Fund and directed by the first Nurse Practitioner of the Felician Sisters Congregation.) In December 2002, Bishop Mansell appointed Father Bob to his third term as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament. In recent years, two trust funds have been established for Catholic Education; the Harold & Marion Diebold School Scholarship Trust and the Robert & Mary Masterson Trust. These funds will help educate children from elementary school through college. Under Msgr. Golombek’s leadership various novenas and triduums were introduced and the parish grew spiritually under his guidance.

On Sunday, October 24, 2004 a Mass was held within the Church in celebration of the Parish’s 75th Diamond Jubilee. A dinner dance was held at Classics V Banquet Center on Niagara Falls Blvd. for the parishioners and friends of Blessed Sacrament. On Thursday, October 28, 2004 Bishop Edward Kmiec accepted his crosier and took his seat at St. Joseph’s Cathedral as the 13th bishop of Buffalo. A painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa was delivered to the residence of the Bishop on the occasion of his installation as the Thirteenth Bishop of Buffalo along with a beautiful arrangement of flowers with warm greetings on behalf of the priests, religious and laity of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Msgr. Robert Golembek retired as our 6th Pastor of Blessed Sacrament on June 30, 2005 with these final departing words:

While Father Fitzgerald was not too fond of parish organizations, he saw the need for the Altar Society, Holy Name, and the Boy Scouts; a far cry from the many organizations in the parish today. The rest of the story of the 1930’s can be summed up with Father Fitzgerald’s many trips up and down the streets in his car to bring children to school, his battles with the banks, his contagious Irish humor, and a parish that would not give up.