151-year-old church on Linwood Avenue sold

BUFFALO, NY — The 151-year-old church on North & Linwood in Buffalo has just been sold to a developer who plans to renovate the long-abandoned building into a mixed-use space very soon.

Hundreds of motorists, like John Daly, pass the old Church of the Ascension every day.

“I’ve passed this church every day on my way home for 23 years,” Daly said.

WKBW

It was after one of these campaigns that Daly declared he was going to do something about this church which has sat almost completely empty for about eight years.

“I looked at it, saw it took so long to register for the sale that I was like, ‘Okay, we’ve got to give it a shot,’” Daly said. “It needs a little love, but it should be a nice asset to the community, and that’s what we want to make it.”

The church at 16 Linwood Avenue was first put up for sale in November.

‘You can’t get anything that matches this’: 151-year-old Linwood church for sale

Now, a few months later, Daly and her sister are sharing the costs of renovating and repurposing their space.

“We would like to see a mix of residential (interior spaces). It’s such a beautiful neighborhood and it needs more beautiful tenants,” Daly said. “It has to fit into the community.”

WKBW

Currently, the future of the church is a mixed-use building consisting of apartments and commercial space yet to be leased.

Daly is vice president and director of mechanical/plumbing engineering at Trautman Associates, so he has a lot of experience with these types of renovations. He has worked on projects like The Statler and Seneca One Tower.

Leaving several neighboring businesses like Don Siuta and the Western New York Artist Group full of ideas for their new next door neighbor.

WKBW

“We’re really excited that something is happening with this,” Siuta said. “I would like to see people living there, bringing new life to it. »

“Well, it would be nice to put apartments there, even if it’s for elderly people,” said Lin-Nor Optical owner/optician Ken Glasgow.

However, Siuta and Glasgow tell 7 News they hope Daly can resolve a problem.

WKBW

“I hope the new owners resolve the parking issues that come with this,” Siuta said.

“It’s just going to be a parking issue,” Glasgow said.

The church does not have parking.

However, Daly tells 7 News he is aware of this and that community input will be central to the building’s future.

“I think when you listen to the community and bring in good tenants, there’s a synergy, and that’s what it takes.”

The construction timeline and opening date for the new space have not yet been announced.