After the closure, the last sale took place at St. Andrew’s Church and Country Day School
TOWN OF TONAWANDA, NY (WKBW – St. Andrew’s Church and Country Day School are now closed and the parish held a closing sale this week, giving people the opportunity to score some great bargains and say goodbye at the same time.
After 80 years of worship, the church held its last mass earlier this summer.
“I couldn’t miss this day. It was the foundation of how I grew into the person I am today,” Sister Nancy Charlesworth told 7 News on the day of the graduation mass.
“I couldn’t miss this day”: Parishioners fill St. Andrew’s Church for the final mass
“It’s a real shame that it’s closing. But there’s nothing we can do about it. I just hope we can all have a better future,” said 13-year-old Jason Dickman, who has attended St. Andrews for the past two years.
Back in February, we first reported on the Buffalo Diocese’s plans to close the church and school.
This is all part of the diocese’s plans to “right-size and redesign.”
The diocese announced in May that it would close 34 percent of its parishes and 38 percent of its places of worship.
Buffalo Diocese closes parishes; 34 percent of parishes will be merged as part of a “transformation” plan
RELATED: Here are the parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo that have been recommended to merge
“It’s a loss,” said Pamela Giannantonio, the former school principal.
On Thursday, Giannantonio stood at the entrance to the school, greeting shoppers and former students.
“Every loss needs a minute of mourning. We do that with people. We do that with pets. This has been a part of the community for so long. It’s hard,” Giannantonio said.
Some people were there to get things like desks, household goods and school supplies at a good price.
“I’ve found a lot of good deals, met some nice people and learned about the school,” Starr told Thunderbird as she browsed the old gymnasium. “I wish it wouldn’t close. It sounds like a real tragedy for the neighborhood and the students.”
Former community members also came to visit.
Joe Kabacinski recalled the good times he had at church, working at bingo nights and organizing events for children.
“We had a crew of great people,” he said.
Among the volunteers helping with the sale was Roxanne Sortino, who taught third grade at St. Andrew’s for 20 years. Her children also attended St. Andrew’s.
“We liked science the most. Math was fun. Lots of games. Lots of love,” she said as she visited her classroom, Room 105.
“St Andrews is close to many people’s hearts,” she said.
