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THE COMMITTEE FOR THE BUFFALO RELIGIOUS ARTS CENTER INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 262219848 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B90 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · buffaloreligiousarts.org
revenue
$158K
expenses
$38K
net assets
$619K
employees
0
program ratio
100%
mission · from form 990

THE BUFFALO RELIGIOUS ART CENTER (BRAC) HAS A THREEFOLD PURPOSE: BRAC WAS ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE THIS ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT BUILDING THAT IS LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. SECONDLY BRAC DISPAYS ART FROM THE CLOSED CHURCHES OF BUFFALO AND THIRDLY STANDS AS A TESTIMONIAL TO THE PEOPLE WHO CREATED THIS ART. THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS, STATUARY AND ARTWORK THAT WE HAVE COLLECTED PROVIDE A UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO BUFFALO'S CULTURE AS WELL AS ARTISTIC HISTORY. THESE ARTIFACTS REVEAL THE ETHNIC STYLE OF THE THOUSANDS OF EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO BUFFALO OVER THE PAST CENTURIES. DESPITE THEIR POVERTY, THEY WERE ABLE TO GIFT US WITH AN AMAZING DIVERSITY OF RELIGIOUS DECORATIVE STYLES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Buffalo Religious Arts Center preserves religious art from closed churches in Western New York, particularly focusing on artifacts from Buffalo's historic immigrant communities. Housed in the former St. Francis Xavier Church, the center collects and displays stained glass windows, statuary, and murals, serving as both a cultural archive and an educational resource. It also offers tours and hosts weddings to support its preservation mission.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Adopt-a-Statue / Adopt-a-Window
A donor program allowing individuals to sponsor the restoration of religious artifacts such as statues or stained glass windows, with recognition for their contribution.
Docent-Led Tours
Educational tours offered by trained docents for students and the general public, highlighting the history and artistry of the center’s collection and building.
Wedding Rentals
The former St. Francis Xavier Church is available for wedding ceremonies, providing a historic and artistic setting for up to 550 guests.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocates for historic preservation of religious buildings
      Secured National Register of Historic Places designation for significant buildings, including the former St. Francis Xavier Church in Buffalo and the Sidway Boat House in Grand Island, to support preservation efforts.
  • Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
    • Hosts weddings and memorial/funeral services in a historic chapel
      Provides a venue for wedding ceremonies in a historic chapel with capacity for 550 guests, including rental fees and customization options. Also offers memorial and funeral services tailored to individual wishes, with participation from chosen religious officiants.
  • Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
    • Offers educational and public tours of religious art collections
      Provides docent-led and guided tours by appointment for students (fifth grade through college) and the general public, focusing on religious artifacts, stained glass windows, and statues. Tours are offered at the Buffalo Religious Arts Center with accessibility accommodations.
  • Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
    • Operates Adopt-A-Art program for artifact restoration
      Runs a sponsorship program that allows donors to fund the restoration of specific religious artifacts, such as statues and stained glass windows, including the completed restoration of the St. Hedwig window from Queen of Peace Church.
  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
    • Organizes volunteer-based seasonal cleanup events
      Coordinates periodic cleanup events involving volunteers to maintain the grounds and facilities of the religious arts center.
  • Visitor Information and Trip Planning Services 1 activity
    • Provides regional visitor information resources
      Offers informational resources for visitors to the Buffalo Niagara region, including details on accommodations, transportation, dining, shopping, attractions, and meeting venues.
  • Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
    • Provides volunteer docent training
      Offers training programs for volunteers to serve as docents conducting educational tours of the religious art collection.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Preserves and displays religious art and artifacts from closed houses of worship
      Maintains a repository for religious art, including stained glass windows, statuary, and artifacts, from over 45 closed churches in the Buffalo area. The collection includes more than 50 stained-glass windows and over 100 artifacts pending restoration, displayed in a 12,000 square foot historic church building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$158K
Contributions & grants$151K96%
Program service revenue$7040%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$38K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$619K
Cash$248K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$619K
Liquid reserves77.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +203.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 5
  • ADAM HUDYMIAK — TREASURER
  • DR MARTIN EDERER — VICE PRESIDE
  • JOYCE DICHRISTINA — RECORDING SE
  • LUCY CULLENS EDERER — TRUSTEE
  • MARY HOLLAND — PRESIDENT
relationships · 13

Who they work with

  • Diocese of Buffalo Government — Source of religious artifacts from closed Roman Catholic churches undergoing reorganization.
  • Family's chosen pastor or officiate Partner — Collaborates with religious leaders selected by the family to conduct funeral services.
  • Friends of Corpus Christi Partner — Multiple board members are affiliated with the Friends of Corpus Christi, including participation in fundraising and preservation efforts.
  • Friends of St. Ann Revitalization Committee Partner — Board members are actively involved in the Friends of St. Ann Revitalization Committee, indicating a collaborative relationship in church preservation.
  • Frohe Stained Glass Works Company Government — Historic manufacturer of stained glass windows now being restored, based in Buffalo, New York.
  • International Institute of Buffalo Partner — Board member Lucy Caracci-Ederer previously worked at the International Institute of Buffalo as Assistant Program Director and refugee resettlement caseworker, indicating an institutional connection.
  • Local Buffalo wedding vendors Partner — Provides referrals to local vendors including florists, wedding planners, officiants, and reception halls to support wedding planning.
  • Mount Saint Joseph Academy Partner — Source of religious statues now under restoration or display by the organization.
  • Queen of Peace Church Partner — Source of religious artifacts including the St. Hedwig and Mary Magdalene stained glass windows.
  • Shea's Buffalo Theatre Partner — Board member Joyce DiChristina is a volunteer at Shea's Buffalo Theatre, and another board member was active in early preservation efforts, indicating an ongoing institutional relationship.
  • St. Martin In The Field Church Partner — Hosted Reverend Earle King, Pastor of St. Martin In The Field Church, for a special event.
  • The Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo Funder — Provided partial sponsorship for the construction of an accessible ramp at the Buffalo Religious Arts Center.
  • University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Partner — Co-sponsors tours with the Programs in Historic Preservation and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community Cultural Enrichment through Interfaith Engagement
    methodology: community_cultural_enrichment
    By creating a shared cultural and spiritual destination centered on religious art, the organization fosters communal identity and civic revitalization in Buffalo, using interfaith exhibitions and volunteer-driven programming to strengthen community bonds.
  • Cultural Heritage Preservation through Religious Artifacts
    methodology: cultural_heritage_preservation
    By preserving religious art and artifacts from shuttered churches, the organization maintains the cultural and historical legacy of early 20th-century European immigrant communities in Buffalo, ensuring their contributions are remembered and honored as part of the city's artistic and spiritual heritage.
  • Personalized Ceremonial and Memorial Services
    methodology: personalized_memorial_services
    By offering customizable ceremonial spaces and personalized memorial services, the organization supports individual and religious expression, enhancing spiritual meaning and personal connection for participants.