10708 Brant-Angola Road

Brant, NY  14027

Holy Mass

Saturday

7:00 pm

Sunday

11:30 am

Adult Education

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Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

“In quietness and confidence shall be our strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

Parish of Our Lady Church is located some 30 miles south of the City of Buffalo, New York.

Prior to its establishment as a parish of the Polish National Catholic Church of America in May 2009 the site was formerly the home to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church.  This longer history of the parish represents its origins, heritage and legacy as a Catholic community in the Town of Brant.

Parish of Our Lady’s membership is largely composed of the descendants of Italian and Sicilian immigrants who came to the community of Brant as farm laborers, in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, tending the fields owned and operated by wealthier German-American land owners.

During the early years of the 1900’s the Missionaries of St. Charles (Scalbrini Fathers) from Buffalo, NY came to serve the spiritual needs of the people, being able to speak the language and understanding the customs of the immigrant population.  A small chapel (1904) was constructed on Milestrip Road not far from the current site, to serve as a church building.  This chapel was moved in 1914 to land owned by the Fricano family after the original land had changed ownership and remained there until being moved in 1940 to the site of the current church property. The chapel was destroyed by fire sometime later.

In November 1905 approximately one half acre of land was donated by Santina Mogavero, Antonio Mogavero and Rosalia Mogavero and deeded to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo NY.  A house owned by Mary Taylor was deeded to the diocese to serve as the parish rectory and in March 1906 the parish was originally incorporated as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish.  The original chapel from Milestrip Road was transported to the current worship site in 1940.

The current church building was constructed in 1906 with work being directed by the Ciminesi, Loretto, Catalano and Gugino families.  Wood for the structure was taken from trees on the farm owned by Francesco Catalano on Ellis Road, transported by horses and logboats to the Caulkins Mill on Brant Reservation Road.

Initially, the parish was a mission church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church in North Collins (currently an independent Catholic Church administered through the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York).  This mission status remained in place until July 1937.  Over time additional lands were acquired by donation from Thomas and Eleanor Chiavetta and Grace Scheu.

The current church building underwent a complete remodeling in 1998 to better reflect the liturgical needs of the church.  In October of 2003 major changes occurred in the administration of the parish with the appointment of the first non-resident priest as administrator.  From that point on an increasing number of services and activities were relocated to St. Anthony’s Parish in Farnham and the Parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was closed in July 2008.

Shortly thereafter, parishioners and former members of the parish began a search that ultimately led to the organization of a new Catholic Parish within the Polish National Catholic Church known as Parish of Our Lady.

Given the rich cultural and religious history represented by the current membership of Parish of Our Lady, it is necessary to connect these two religious experiences.

For a more detailed description of the organization see the “About Us” section on this web-site.

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(A reflection by the Very Rev. Francis M. Kadryna)

Pastor of Parish of Our Lady PNCC

The organization of the Polish National Catholic Church in America finds a striking reflection in the organizing of Parish of Our Lady.  In both cases people who had invested their whole mind, heart, soul and strength in serving the Lord by building, and maintaining a Catholic Parish dedicated to preserving the cultural and religious ideals of their ancestors found it necessary go beyond conventional wisdom and  step out in faith to guarantee that the hopes, dreams and sacrifices of their forefathers would continue to witness to the faith and dedication of these fine people.  Like the first organizers of the Polish National Catholic Church, the people of Parish of Our Lady have had to endure ridicule, prejudice and outright maliciousness on the part of friends, family and community  all in the defense of their faith.  There is a kindred spirit of strength through adversity and perseverance through trust in God and with the help and intercession of the Most Blessed Ever Virgin Mary that is reflected in this experience

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In its church symbol, the Polish National Catholic Church proclaims: “by truth work and struggle, we shall endure.”  The people of Parish of Our Lady share in that vision of the organizing bishop of the PNCC Prime Bishop Francis Hodur.