Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo, led parishioners and friends of St. Mary’s Church in Swormville in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new church that will be home to one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo.

The event began with a prayer service in the present church, followed by a procession to the new church site. A crucifix dating back to 1866 was carried from the current church to the spot where it will be placed in the commons/vestibule of the new church.

Joining Bishop Kmiec were Father Robert M. Yetter, pastor of St. Mary’s,

Father Robert W. Zilliox, St. Mary’s parochial vicar, Deacon Paul L. Snyder III, Amherst Town Supervisor Dr. Satish Mohan and Scott Bylewski, Clarence Town Supervisor.

“The time has come to build a new church here in Swormville, to continue the mission and vision of St. John Neumann and his successors: the diocesan and religious order priests, the Sisters of St. Francis of Williamsville and other women religious, and the lay faithful who have worked so hard to build the Kingdom of God here along Transit Road,” Bishop Kmiec said. “Today we break ground for a church that will help to better serve the more than 2,400 families that comprise this wonderful faith community. While we look to the future with a new church, I am pleased that St. Mary's will honor its heritage by continuing to use the current church for daily Mass and other special occasions.”

The new $8 million church will accommodate 1,000 worshipers. It will be handicap accessible and will include air conditioning, an updated sound system, enhanced gathering space, adequate restrooms and additional parking. Almost 50 percent of St. Mary’s parishioners have supported the current capitol campaign for the new church, raising $4.4 million.

According to Rev. Robert Yetter, pastor, planning for the new church began five years ago with input from parish families and the creation of the Long Range Planning Committee.

The church was designed by Kerns Group of Architects, renowned liturgical architects headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

The building will complement the St. Mary’s campus and surrounding Swormville, with earth-colored brick and matching roof shingles. The cupola is designed to be similar to the cupola on the existing roof of the current convent built in 1872. The semi-circular form of the worship space will ensure that all parishioners will be seated within 65 feet of the altar.

Serving the communities of East Amherst, Clarence Center and South Lockport, St. Mary’s is growing at a rate of 100 families per year with more than 2,400 families currently registered.

Uniland Development Company of Amherst has been selected as construction manager for the project. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2010.

When the new church opens, the existing church, built in 1866, will be used for daily Mass and special occasions.