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Karl R. Josker | all galleries >> Buffalo >> The Churches Of Buffalo > St. Mary Magdalene RC Church
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11-MAY-2004 Karl R. Josker

St. Mary Magdalene RC Church

1327 Fillmore Ave. Buffalo

Is now Antioch Baptist Church.

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Don Schmidt 19-Apr-2014 05:15
Many of us in eight grade were in detention on the second floor watching the clock when the basketball team was practicing. When the ball bounced the clock hands would move. I graduated in '65 and I heard the gym had been condemned many years earlier, but we used it anyway. One year our basketball team had a 6' 6'' center and we won the city championship. All our games against other schools were "away" for obvious reasons
The brothers took us to the little three college basketball games at the Aud. Brother Michael was very short and taught us Shakespeare. Brother Augustine was tall fron NYC and beat us when we didn't get our catechism right. We were happy to volunteer our belts. Brother Anselm was principal and Brother Bernadine (I think, maybe not) with a terrible case of acne. And yes Brother Lawrence was still there, semi retired. They said non-Catholic parents would enroll their delinquent sons there because of the discipline. We only had one like that when I was there. We were the only grammar school in the state taught by Brothers outside of NYC. It was a special place. I learned things that would serve me well in life despite by best efforts to mess up.
About eight years ago my best friend's son got married and I flew up from Houston and saw many of the "old gang" We hung out throughout college together together we were that close with a boys class of about 20. That's a long way from the 65 back in Mary Ann's day. Love those wooden desks with ink well's (never used by us) and wrought iron supports.
In the 50's when we did the Atomic bomb drills I am sure crouching under them would have saved us.
Since we got away from the sisters in 5th grade we only saw Sister Stella occasionally. I remember her eyes darting back and forth like a robot. I am reminded of the wicked witch in Wizzard of Oz. Never had her for a class though. Maybe she was nice, LOL.
Mary Ann (Morley) Rombach 06-Apr-2014 01:04
I attended Saint Mary Magdalene's for 8 years and graduated June 1961. I missed the original steeples greatly and would love to see a photo here of the originals. The replacements are a sorry sight. Sr. Stella was the principal, Sr. Cassiana taught 7 th grade, Sr. Barbara Ann taught 5th or 6th grade, and Sr. Theresa taught 2nd grade. We had about 65 children in each class. Spring processions to the little grotto by the Rectory were a favourite. Once we were old enough, we sang Mass every day except Saturdays. I really enjoyed that. As for Brothers, there was Philip, Lawrence and Peter. The priests were: Msgr Schreckenburger, Fr. Paa, Fr. Trautman. There was another I cannot remember. We are lucky to have lived in this neighborhood in our youth, as it was a great place to grow up.
Theresa gillman 12-Nov-2012 22:38
I went to school there from 1962-1970 so many memories sister Stella was principal and then sister Marcella my name was Theresa Gillman let me know about any reunions
Carolyn Siegel 21-Jul-2012 14:53
Christine -- tell me about the alumni luncheon???
christine 11-Jun-2012 11:26
Anyone out there?I went to smm school and graduated in 64.My name is Christine(wasiewicz).It seems a few more of us will attend this years alumni luncheon on Sept.1st. so if any of my classmates are out there come out to this years reunion..If anything it will be fun and a lot of hugging.
Dan 17-Oct-2011 17:14
So long ago. Seems like another life.
I have lived in Canada for 40 years. It is my home now. I have such vivid memories.
I remember the wood floors top floor and how they creaked.
I am surprised by how much I do remember and how much I can visualize.
Don Schmidt 15-Jun-2011 03:50
Does anyone have a photo with the original steeples? The rounded ones they put on after the wind storm in the 60's don't quite work. The old ones were perfect.
Don Schmidt 05-Jan-2011 04:29
I graduated in 1965. There was Bro Anselm, Michael, Augustine (from NYC), Bernadine and Lawrence who did not teach at that time. Sr. Stella was Principle of the girls side also. I live in Houston now but still remember them opening the gym on Friday nights to play ball and taking us to college basketball games at the old Aud. We played every day after school in the parking lot behind the school and I remember the vinegar fries too. What was great was the tiny take out pizza place across Fillmore from the church. This was a more more recent picture after they replace the old church spires when they became a hazard.
Guest 17-Feb-2009 01:39
LINDA; GOOD TO SEE YOUR COMMENT. I JUST CAN'T KEEP FROM RETURNING TO THIS SITE IT BRINGS BACK SO MANY MEMORIES. DO YOU REMEMBER THE LITTLE PLACE NEXT DOOR TO THE SCHOOL WHERE WE WOULD BY HOT FRENCH FRIES WITH VINEGAR ON COLD WINTER DAYS? I'M A GRANDFATHER NOW BUT SEEING THESE PICTURES AND SEEING YOUR COMMENTS SURE BRING BACK SOME FOND MEMORIES. OH BY THE WAY, YOU FORGOT BROTHER RAYMOND AND MOST OF ALL FATHER PAA. HEY! E-MAIL ME armorbearerseph611@sbcglobal.net sure would like to write someone from home WAYNE DIEBOLD BRYANT ARKANSAS
Linda 18-Jan-2009 05:40
To Guest....I also attended St. Mary Magdalene Church and School. I graduated in 1963. Sister Stella was the principal.....I am a woman...so I didn't have the Christian Brothers...but I remember Bro. Phillip...Bro. Peter....Bro. Lawrence. And you're right....great school...great education.
Guest 30-Jul-2008 02:30
REMEMBER ATTENDING CHURCH HERE IN THE 50'S AND 60'S AND GOING TO SCHOOL NEXT DOOR. WAS TOUGHT BY THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS BACK THEN AND RECIEVED A TOP NOTCH EDUCATION SORRY TO SEE THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD SO RUN DOWN MOVED FROM HERE IN THE LATE 60'S I NOWLIVEIN LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS YOU'VE GOT A WONDERFUL SITE I VISIT IT OFTEN IT'S LIKE TAKING A TRIP BACK IN TIME GOD BLESS YOU
W. DIEBOLD BRYANT ARKANSAS