Senate Resolution No. 354

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of St. Paul's
Episcopal Cathedral of Buffalo, New York, on
February 10, 2017

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body takes pleasure in
commemorating the 200th Anniversary of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral of
Buffalo, New York, on Friday, February 10, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1817, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral was
founded in Buffalo, New York, by the Reverend Samuel Johnston on land
donated by the Holland Land Company; it was later consecrated by The
Right Reverend John Henry Hobart, Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of New
York, on February 25, 1821; and

WHEREAS, In 1851, the consecration of the new, sandstone edifice
designed by Richard Upjohn initiated the Church's second period of
growth; this lead to its designation as the Cathedral Church of the
Diocese of Western New York in 1866, by Bishop Arthur C. Coxe; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, the interior of the Cathedral was destroyed
by a gas explosion and fire on May 22, 1888, and was later rebuilt under
the direction of Robert W. Gibson; and

WHEREAS, Since 1917, the Cathedral has witnessed wars, booms, a
depression, the decline, and the recent resurgence of downtown Buffalo,
all which have presented new challenges and opportunities to the
membership of the Cathedral; and

WHEREAS, The restored St. Paul's Cathedral continued to remain a
downtown Christian fixture, achieving National Historical Landmark
status in 1988; and

WHEREAS, St. Paul's Cathedral has experienced a new period of growth
in the 21st Century, with the opening of the Flickinger Ministry Center
in Fall of 2014, and the installation of the Homeless Jesus statue and
Garden of Warmth in 2015; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral of
Buffalo, New York, on February 10, 2017, fully confident that this

commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the
dignity and purpose of life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Buffalo, New York.