Went by St. Val's yesterday while traveling down memory lane in the old neighborhood. Needless to say it was heartbreaking to see the condition it is in. I was part of the last 5th grade class at Val's before the school closed (79). It would be nice to see the first ward rejuvenated a little quicker and with some kind of actual plan.
robert bijak
14-Jun-2017 02:24
was a real community focus for polish and non polish. Many grads went on to be good Western NY citizens with strong moral ideals. Discipline, duty, religiosity and foundational educational instruction. Highly motivated priests and nuns sacrificed to make a better world.
Leo Pacos
08-Apr-2008 16:26
This parish merged with St. Stephen, Sts. Rita and Patrick, Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul, and Precious Blood parishes in 2007.
Guest
23-Jan-2007 00:03
St. Valentine's is located in the Old First Ward Neighborhood, and served the neighborhood's Polish community, whereas two other Old First Ward churches.. Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church (on O'Connell Ave.) and St. Brigid's RC Church (on Louisianna St.) served the largely Irish community in the neighborhood.
Mass at St. Val's was said in Polish and the school students were taught Polish by the Felician nuns. The 2nd floor of the building was the school, while the 1st floor was the actual church, and the basement held a social hall...
St. Val's now has a Spanish Mass, as the surrounding neighborhood has aged and changed in the past 25 years.
