A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
Established by Polish immigrants in 1886, St. Adalbert Basilica has long been an iconic structure in what, for generations, was known as Polonia on Buffalo’s East Side. The church’s intricate stained-glass windows were imported from Germany and its magnificent altar has carved marble railings, sculpted angels above it and a detailed sculpture of the Last Supper adorned with gold mosaic tile along the base of the altar. The parish was designated a basilica in 1907 – the first in the United States to receive the designation. Today, Mass is celebrated in the basilica four times a year, including a Christmas Eve Mass with a live performance of the Christmas story.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Established by Polish immigrants in 1886, St. Adalbert Basilica has long been an iconic structure in what, for generations, was known as Polonia on Buffalo’s East Side. The church’s intricate stained-glass windows were imported from Germany and its magnificent altar has carved marble railings, sculpted angels above it and a detailed sculpture of the Last Supper adorned with gold mosaic tile along the base of the altar. The parish was designated a basilica in 1907 – the first in the United States to receive the designation. Today, Mass is celebrated in the basilica four times a year, including a Christmas Eve Mass with a live performance of the Christmas story.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
More saints in the series of paintings high on the walls of the sanctuary in St. Adalbert Basilica. Top L-R: St. Jeanne D'Arc, St. Bernadette Soubirous,St. Teresa - Center L-R:St. Matka Angela Truszkowska, St. Jean-Marie Vianney, St. Isaac Jogues - Bottom L-R: St. Andrzej Bobola, St. Klemens Dworzak, St. Kateri Tekakwitha the first Native American to be venerated as a saint.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of the dome over St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Various Christian symbols are carved into the marble railing that surrounds the altar at St. Adalbert Basilica - the all-seeing eye of God, the crucifixion of the serpent, letters X and P are often used as a symbol for Christ, the Sacred Heart, the crown of thorns, and the Holy Spirit are among the most recognized.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of a mural on the ceiling.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
The dome of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Angels painted on the dome.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of an oil painting on canvas by artist Joseph Mazur on the east wall of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
An oil painting on canvas by artist Joseph Mazur hangs on the east wall of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
The Blessed Virgin Altar at depicts, from left, St. Barbara, St. Rita of Cascia, The Blessed Virgin, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Agnes below a mural of Adam and Eve being banished from Paradise by artist Ronald Jablonski.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
A statue depicting St. Mary holding a Baby Jesus adorns the right side of the main altar.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Marble angels adorn the altar.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
A statue of St. Joseph holding the Baby Jesus sits to the left of the main altar at St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
On the Sacred Heart Altar, Jesus is flanked by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, left, and St. Catherine of Siena at St. Adalbert Basilica. At some point in the 1940's, the original top of the altar was removed to make room for this mural by Ronald Jablonski.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
A statue on the altar of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of the intricate stained glass in St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Carved adornments on the altar.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
A view from the altar at St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
A detailed sculpture depicting the Last Supper, adorned with a gold tile mosaic background makes the base of the altar.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
St. Adalbert Basilica, established by Polish immigrants in 1886.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Stained glass in St. Adalbert Basilica which were made by the Franz Mayer & Co. in Munich, Germany.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
The Body of Christ, normally hidden behind the face of the altar, is revealed only during Holy Week at St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Stained glass in St. Adalbert Basilica which were made by the Franz Mayer & Co. in Munich, Germany.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of one of the Stations of the Cross made of paper mache, carved wood and 23-karat gold leaf in Munich, Germany.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Stained glass in St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
A statue of St. Joseph holding the Baby Jesus in the entrance.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
A statue of patron saint St. Adalbert in the entrance to St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of one of the Stations of the Cross made of paper mache, carved wood and 23-karat gold leaf in Munich, Germany.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of the intricate stained glass in St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of a 1997 painting by Ron Jay depicting St. Adalbert in the museum room at St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of one of the Stations of the Cross made of paper mache, carved wood and 23-karat gold leaf in Munich, Germany.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of a cherub on one of the massive columns inside St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of the intricate stained glass in St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of one of the Stations of the Cross made of paper mache, carved wood and 23-karat gold leaf.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of an oil painting on canvas by artist Joseph Mazur on the west wall of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of the statue of St. Therese of Lisieux on The Blessed Virgin Altar.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
An oil painting by artist Joseph Mazur commissioned in 1924 hangs on the west wall.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of a chandelier in St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of a mural on the ceiling of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of a mural on the ceiling of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of a trumpeting marble angel atop the altar of St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
The altar at St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Columns line the sanctuary St. Adalbert Basilica.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as The Black Madonna, on the centerpiece of a side altar.
A Closer Look: Saint Adalbert Basilica
Detail of the intricate stained glass in St. Adalbert Basilica which were made by the Franz Mayer & Co. in Munich, Germany.
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