St. Lawrence Parish becomes 3rd area church to announce closure

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — St. Lawrence Parish, located on East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo, is set to close, according to an email from the Buffalo Diocese.

The decision was made due to "the untenable financial and sacramental condition of the parish," the diocese said in a statement.

"Following extensive review with diocesan leaders in consultation with clergy and lay leaders of both financial and sacramental data of St. Lawrence Parish, it has become evident that the parish is insolvent," the diocese said.

A specific date for the closure has not yet been determined.

The church becomes the third area parish to close in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the diocese said that All Saints Parish on Chadduck Avenue will close. That joined St. Andrew's in Tonawanda, which announced that it would close in June.

St. Lawrence is a member of family No. 21 within the diocese, which also includes St. Martin de Porres on Northampton Street, Saints Columba and Brigid on Hickory Street and Blessed Trinity on Leroy Avenue.

In November, the diocese called on parishes to financially assist to help resolve nearly 900 child sexual abuse claims. It was estimated by the diocese that roughly $100 million would be needed to settle the claims.