Carol’s Corner: Moving an Old Church to a New Home

The local church, Mary Our Queen, is undertaking the gargantuan task of moving the 98 year old St. Gerard’s Church from Buffalo, New York, 900 miles, to their property right here in Peachtree Corners. Currently this magnificent church sits vacant in Buffalo in a neighborhood that is not what it once was.

 Established here in 1994, Mary Our Queen is a mission church of All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody. The church is located on a 15 acre property at Crooked Creek Road and The Corners Parkway, the same location to be used for the transferred Buffalo church.

 Originally planning to build a new church to house the growing church population, Father David Dye presented the idea of moving an already existing, classic church to the property. With support for his idea, the search began and St. Gerard’s was located. 

 The original construction of St. Gerard’s church was finished in 1911. To quote the website www.movedbygrace.com, St. Gerard’s “is a Gilded Age approximation (at one-third scale) of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four major basilicas of Rome. Its exterior is of Indiana limestone. The interior is travertine marble and beautifully done plaster. Its atmosphere is a mix of neoclassical and baroque, with hints of art moderne. Twelve solid granite columns line the nave. Along the interior are ornamental coffered ceilings and a dome in the apse with a triumphant painting of the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

 The supporters of this project are, among other things, very pleased to be a part of the preservation of this historic church. They would like to see this beautiful building survive far into the future, making it’s first 100 years seem just a backdrop for it’s significant future. “I feel really fortunate to be a member of Mary Our Queen and I look forward to praying in a church that was built by hard workers over 100 years ago.” commented  Jackie Peel. 

 Of the project Father Dye says, “It is recycling, historic preservation and a great addition to Peachtree Corners. The hardest part of the potential move is trying to raise funds to do it. This is a tough economy but God willing we’ll get there.” With their prayers and contributions, many friends and neighbors in Peachtree Corners look forward to this exceptional addition to our community. See www.movedbygrace.com for more details.