Fourteen Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, New York, is a historic Roman Catholic parish with deep roots in the local German immigrant community.

Here’s an overview of its history:

Early Beginnings (19th Century)

• The Fourteen Holy Helpers Parish in West Seneca was founded in 1864 to serve German Catholic immigrants who settled in West Seneca in the mid-to-late 1800s . The Diocese of Buffalo purchased a former meeting house from the Community of True Inspiration (also known as The Ebenezers) in 1863. The first Mass was celebrated there on October 2, 1864, and the parish was formally dedicated on January 6, 1865. The parish was dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers, after a shrine church in Frankenthal, Germany.
• The first church building was a small wooden structure, built in 1869 on land donated by a local farming family.

Growth and Development (Early 20th Century)

• As the German Catholic population grew, the original church became too small.
• In 1927, the Romanesque-style church was constructed at 1345 Indian Church Road to accommodate the expanding congregation.
• The church featured stained glass windows, a high altar, and intricate woodwork, reflecting the German craftsmanship of the time.

Challenges and Changes (Mid-to-Late 20th Century)

• Like many parishes, Fourteen Holy Helpers faced demographic shifts. In 1955, the population of West Seneca was expanding and the parish boundaries were divided and Queen of Heaven was formed. At this time, the Polish population left the city and moved to the suburbs like West Seneca.
• The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) brought changes to liturgical practices, and the church interior was modified to reflect these updates.
• The parish remained a spiritual and community hub, hosting events, festivals, and religious education programs.

21st Century and Beyond

Legacy

• The church stands as a testament to the strong German Catholic heritage of West Seneca.
• Today, the church remains a beloved landmark, even as its role within the diocese has evolved.
• The church will soon merge with Queen of Heaven Parish and become a secondary worship site for the parish.

Who are the 14 Holy Helpers

The Fourteen Holy Helpers are a group of saints whose intercession was particularly sought during times of hardship, especially during the Black Death in Europe . They include: St. Acacius, St. Barbara, St. Blaise, St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Christopher, St. Cyriacus, St. Denis, St. Erasmus, St. Eustace, St. George, St. Giles, St. Margaret, St. Pantaleon, and St. Vitus. They were venerated for their special graces and were often invoked for protection and healing. 

Here’s a more detailed look at each of them:

• St. Acacius: Known for his military service and martyrdom. 
• St. Barbara: A virgin martyr, revered for her piety and courage. 
• St. Blaise: Bishop and martyr, known for his healing miracles, especially related to the throat. 
• St. Catherine of Alexandria: A learned virgin and martyr, known for her intellectual prowess and faith. 
• St. Christopher: Known for his strength and his story of carrying Christ across a river. 
• St. Cyriacus: A deacon and martyr, known for his charity and miraculous healing. 
• St. Denis: The first bishop of Paris, a martyr who is considered the patron saint of France. 
• St. Erasmus: A bishop and martyr, also known as St. Elmo, who was known for his miraculous cures, especially related to abdominal ailments. 
• St. Eustace: A Roman officer who converted to Christianity after a miraculous vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers. 
• St. George: A Roman soldier and martyr, known for his bravery and his legend of slaying a dragon. 
• St. Giles: An abbot who lived in solitude and was known for his hospitality and care for the poor. 
• St. Margaret: A virgin martyr, known for her faith and her struggle against the devil in the form of a dragon. 
• St. Pantaleon: A physician and martyr, known for his healing miracles. 
• St. Vitus: A martyr, known for his courage and for healing those afflicted with disease. 

Here is an interesting video from the church’s website: Martin Bartnik, a 14-year Holy Helpers School Alumnus, created a video using a drone to fly up the Fourteen Holy Helpers steeple and view the surrounding area.

Please join us on Sunday, June 29, at 11:00 for Buffalo Mass Mob 53 at Fourteen Holy Helpers Church (click for more info)—>

***AI was used in helping compile the history, along with information from other sources, including the church’s website and Flickr page.