St. John’s-Grace Episcopal Church stands at 51 Colonial Circle in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village, where Richmond Avenue, Lafayette Avenue and Bidwell Parkway meet. Colonial Circle is part of Buffalo’s park and parkway system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The parish is known for its radically inclusive welcome, spoken and sung Sunday Eucharists, healing ministry, varied sacred and contemporary music, and service to neighbors. Its present community grew from two historic congregations and has used the current stone and stained glass sanctuary since 1927.
Spoken at 8:30, Sung at 11:00
- 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion, followed by Social Time except in summer.
- 11:00 a.m. Sung Holy Communion with organ, piano and choir, followed by Social Time except in summer.
- June, July, August and Labor Day weekend: one Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m.
The sung service is also when the St. John’s-Grace Choir sings, with rehearsal beginning at 9:45. Brian Hilton serves as Director of Music and Organist. The worship itself follows a clear rhythm: the congregation gathers, prayer and scripture are shared, the assembly reflects on God’s presence and on its relationship with one another, and Holy Communion follows. People are welcome wherever they are in their spiritual journey, including those who come with questions and want to explore.
Sunday worship is broadcast on Zoom. Anyone may join the Sunday services or the Monday Healing Prayer Service through the Zoom meeting. The passcode is 51Colonial.
Everyone Welcome at Jesus’ Table
Communion is woven through almost every Sunday service. Everyone who attends is welcome to receive the bread and wine; there are no exceptions to the welcome at Jesus’ table. At the communion rail, people may kneel or stand as they are comfortable.
- A person who does not wish to participate in the entire ceremony may come forward for a simple blessing and place both hands across the heart to signal that choice.
- To receive bread, a person holds out both hands. Wine may be sipped from the cup or used to dip the bread.
- No one is required to receive Communion. A visitor may simply decide not to participate.
- If physical limitations make it difficult to approach the rail, an usher can bring Communion to the person where they are seated.
- Gluten-free bread is available.
First-Sunday Healing Ministry
On the first Sunday of each month, a Healing Ministry follows each service through anointing and the laying on of hands. Any and all are welcome to participate.
Healing Monday, Prayer and Discussion Thursday
The Monday Healing Prayer Service begins at 12:30 p.m. and is held on Zoom. It uses the same meeting and passcode as Sunday worship, making midday prayer part of the parish’s regular week.
Evening Prayer is held at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday in the side chapel. This gathering is in person only and is followed by discussion time.
A 1927 Austin Organ in a Stone Sanctuary
Music at St. John’s-Grace is deliberately varied. The congregation hears contemporary compositions, spiritual songs and traditional hymns, reflecting the parish’s identity as “Music for Everyone.”
Much of the music is played on the church’s Austin pipe organ, which was installed in 1927. It underwent rebuilding in five phases between 1982 and 1999 and has three manuals and 42 ranks. With that scale and history, it is one of the largest Austin organs in Western New York. A Yamaha grand piano is also used for accompaniment.
The St. John’s-Grace Choir sings at the 11:00 Sunday service under Brian Hilton. Its weekly rehearsal begins at 9:45, before the later sung Eucharist. John Schimminger serves as the church’s Composer/Hymnist-in-Residence.
Work on the present sanctuary began in 1925, and the building was completed and placed in use in 1927. Its stone construction and stained glass create the setting for worship, weddings and memorial services.
Grace Begins in Black Rock in 1825
Grace Church began in 1825 in the Village of Black Rock. Its congregation first worshiped in a building shared with Presbyterians on Breckenridge Street, a structure that is still standing. About 1859, Grace members built their own church at Penfield and Niagara. That building has since been demolished. Grace later constructed a church at Lafayette and Congress in 1917, while its parish hall dates to 1911. As Buffalo absorbed Black Rock, partly because Buffalo rather than Black Rock was chosen as the western terminus of the Erie Canal, Grace’s urban setting and congregation were transformed.
The Rev. John C. Ward served as Grace’s rector from 1902 through 1921. He was elected Bishop of Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1921 and consecrated at Grace Church on September 22. A few days later, on September 25, he presided over the installation of the Rev. John Ner Borton as rector. A chapel off the parish hall contains furnishings from Grace’s former Penfield Street church and is named the Bishop Ward Chapel in his memory.
St. John’s Starts at Swan Street
St. John’s began after families could find no more pews to rent at St. Paul’s or Trinity. Its first building stood on Swan Street in downtown Buffalo, a site that later held the Hotel Buffalo and then Sahlen Field. On July 4, 1868, a rocket from fireworks set the church building on fire, destroying everything but the walls. The congregation divided over whether to rebuild downtown or move uptown. The downtown group restored the Swan Street church, while the uptown group used the insurance money to establish Christ Church at Delaware and Tupper. Trinity moved uptown and merged with Christ Church in 1883; the current Trinity chapel is the former Christ Church building.
In 1893, St. John’s decided to move farther uptown and selected Colonial Circle after considering a different former church site at Symphony Circle. The new building soon proved too small. An addition enlarged the sanctuary in 1909, and another enlarged the parish hall facilities in 1920. Construction of the present sanctuary began in 1925, and it was completed and placed in use in 1927.
Two Congregations Merge in 1971
During suburban expansion, Grace and St. John’s both experienced declining membership as residents moved from the city to suburbs. New neighbors were also less likely to identify with these Episcopal congregations. When Richard Anderson became rector at Grace in 1968, he committed to experimenting with new liturgy and folk music. The worship space was reconfigured around a freestanding altar at the crossing. After more than two years, the contemporary rendering of the Eucharist had not increased membership.
In 1971, St. John’s and Grace agreed to merge. Their people and financial assets combined, and under the leadership of the Rev. Peter W. Bridgford, the merged parish began to grow and develop into an open and welcoming congregation. The early merger was not easy, but its diversity became a strength. People from different walks of life are welcomed, reflected in the shared declaration that everyone belongs at Jesus’ table.
Friends of Night People and VOICE-Buffalo
St. John’s-Grace collects money, clothing and other necessities for Friends of Night People, an agency serving people experiencing homelessness in the community. Once a month, the church holds its distinctive “noisy collection,” gathering coins and currency in a jangling bucket. The lively offering supports the agency’s work and has become a recognizable part of parish life.
The parish is also a member congregation of VOICE-Buffalo, a faith-based community organizing group. VOICE-Buffalo trains people to develop long-lasting, sustaining relationships and promotes a culture of accountability among churches and community organizations. Its collaborative civic work seeks safer, more equitable and prosperous communities through stronger relationships, attention to neighborhoods and schools, and more responsive government.
A Weekly Market for Secondhand Goods
The weekly Pop Up Vendor Market runs Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is held outside on the church lawn, with indoor market dates as well. Vintage pieces, secondhand clothing and flea-market goods are central to the market. Created in response to the growing use of reselling as a primary income or side hustle and to strong support for secondhand goods in Elmwood Village, the market also serves as a revenue-raising undertaking for St. John’s-Grace. Its aim is to grow into a regular financial stream for the church.
Twelve Step Programs and a Monthly ADHD Gathering
St. John’s-Grace provides space for a number of Twelve Step programs. The parish hall also hosts an ADHD group from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, creating another regular setting for people to meet and share a focused interest.
Weddings for 20 to More Than 300 Guests
The church’s stone and stained glass sanctuary can accommodate weddings both small and large, with seating for 20 guests to more than 300. St. John’s-Grace celebrates marriage equality and hosts weddings for everyone legally eligible to marry within New York State. Membership in the Episcopal Church is not required. The parish also helps couples plan the ceremony, music and decorations.
The parish hall is available for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and receptions, and its commercial kitchen gives caterers the facilities needed to serve guests. The Colonial Circle location is near Olmsted Parkway, Delaware Park and the Buffalo History Museum, which offer settings for wedding photographs. It is also close to reception facilities including the Mansion, Marcy Casino and Hotel Henry.
Anglican Tradition and a Radical Welcome
St. John’s-Grace describes itself as a radically inclusive Episcopal community. It welcomes people of all backgrounds and life experiences, especially those who have felt excluded from the Church or other communities of faith. Grounded in the Anglican tradition, it draws on scripture, tradition and reason. People of many beliefs and perspectives are united through compassion and reconciliation shaped by the way of Jesus. Its shared purpose extends the Baptismal Covenant into a commitment to justice, peace and respect for the dignity of every person.
The Rev. Laurence Wainwright-Maks is Priest-in-Charge. The Rev. David M. Lillvis and the Rev. Canon Meredith Hunt are Priests-in-Residence. Brian Hilton leads the music program as Director of Music and Organist, while John Schimminger serves as Composer/Hymnist-in-Residence.
At St. John’s-Grace, the week brings together spoken and sung Eucharist, an open Communion table, Healing Prayer, Evening Prayer, organ and choir, support for neighbors, recovery gatherings and a weekly market. The stone sanctuary on Colonial Circle remains the center of an Episcopal community shaped by two historic congregations and committed to welcome, reconciliation, justice, peace and dignity for every person.