FAQ for visitors

Welcome in the name of Jesus Christ to our beautiful basilica under the patronage of St. Mary of the Angels! Below are a few answers to questions you may have if you are new to attending the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. 

Where do I park my vehicle? 
Handicap parking is adjacent to the east side of the church and street parking directly across the street from the front doors. 

All other parking is conveniently located within short walking distance from the basilica

• behind the Park Center building (weekends only). This is the red brick building on South 1st Street near Post Office parking on that street (not pictured);
• the small lot across W. Henley street directly across from the handicap lot (on weekends ONLY);
• behind the Parish Life Center (red brick building pictured - across South 1st St. on the west side of the basilica;
• street parking along W. Henley or South 1st Streets. 
• Big lot on S. Union and Irving streets (pictured behind basilica)

Any particular door I should enter?
Our church has three entrance areas. We prefer that you enter through the front doors so that we may properly greet you and hand you the bulletin. That is also the area closest to the upper restroom.  We also have entrances on the east and west sides of the building. They are covered by green awnings. Handicap ramps are located in the front of the church and on the east side of the building (where there is an automatic door opener).

Is a Handicap seating area available?
Absolutely. We offer two areas...
You are welcome to enter through the east side ramp (which has an automatic door opener) where you will find an area to sit immediately to your right. You will see room for wheelchairs and scooters. You will also see an upholstered glider/recling chair you may use if you need that.

You may also enter through the front entrance ramp and sit on the right or left sides of the back portion of the church (nearest area to the handicap restroom).  We have two upholstered glider/recling chairs in this section if you need to use them.  We also have two wheelchairs by the front door handicap entrance (once you get inside the church) if you wish to use our chairs. 

Where should I sit in the church?
In any pew of your choice. We have no assigned pews.

Where are the restrooms in the church?

• Upper level of the church in the southwest corner off the vestibule. This is a single restroom (for females and males which is handicap accessable) As you enter the front doors, go through the door to the extreme left side in the vestabule. The restroom is right there. Equipped with baby-changing table. 
• We also have restrooms in the lower level of the church. As you walk towards the sanctuary, go through the doors on your right (west); follow the stairway down to the restrooms which are located at the bottom of the stairs. Women's restroom is equipped with baby-changing table. We also have restrooms in the lower level of the basilica in our parish dining area, Bradley Centennial Hall.
• An elevator, located on the east side of the sanctuary, takes you to the lower level where we have restrooms.

What do you offer to accommodate small children?
While we do not have a crying room, we do offer glider/reclining chairs in the back of the church near the restroom, should you need to rock your infant. A changing table is located in that restroom. We also offer a lounge area in the Women's restroom downstairs (immediately at the foot of the west stairway to your right of the sanctuary as you face it). We hope you know you are with "family" at St. Mary of the Angels. As family, we do not mind crying children. Your fellow parishioners have all been through that stage and rejoice in your child's presence! PLEASE scroll down to poster below for tips on attending Mass with your small children.

Do you offer low glutten hosts? 
Yes! They are available at each Mass. On weekends we offer a separate ciborium over by the St. Mary side altar during communion. Technically, low-gluten hosts are the only valid hosts that can be used. Our hosts meet the criteria the Church requires.

Why does the parish pray the "Father Baker Prayer" at Mass as part of the intercessions? 

A special prayer for the canonization of Venerable Nelson Baker has been led by the celebrant at each Mass at St. Mary of the Angels since 1999. It was specifically for the intention of the healing of a young boy in the parish (who did receive healing). Later the prayer included "all of our young people for a complete healing." The pastor, Fr. Greg Dobson, chose Venerable Nelson Baker for this intercessory prayer in light of his strong ties with the parish ever since Fr. Baker celebrated the funeral of the first diocesan pastor in 1912, personally blessed the new church in 1915 where he preached the first homily at its pulpit, and came to assist at Solemn Mass for various historic occasions at the church including its 1919 consecration. Venerable Nelson Baker, popularly known as the “Apostle of Charity,” or, as he preferred, "Father Baker," is revered in Western New York State for his numerous charitable institutions for the poor and orphaned. If canonized, he will become the first American-born male and priest elevated to sainthood.