Bishop’s Residence Sold for $1.5-Million

The Buffalo Catholic Diocese has sold the Bishop’s Residence at 77 Oakland Place in Buffalo for $1.5-million.  Proceeds from the sale will be dedicated to the Diocese's Independent Reconciliation & Compensation Program to assist victims of past sexual abuse by priests.

A limited liability company is listed as the buyer of the property.  The Diocese says the mansion will continue to be used as a residence.

The sale of what at one time was considered the most valuable home in the city was a major move announced by the Diocese last spring.  The Diocese has come under intense pressure and scrutiny after a growing number of adults claim they were victims of sexual assault by priests while they were children.

The Bishop's Residence was sold to the Diocese in 1952 and has served as the home to six bishops plus priests who served on their staffs.  It was built in 1928 for the Forman family by architect E.B. Green.  It features nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, four chimneys and a detached five-car garage with a separate apartment above it.

After the home was put up for sale the Bishop moved to the former convent at St. Stanislaus Parish on Townsend Street on the east side, a short distance away from the Broadway Market.

Last month the diocese sold the Sheehan Residence for retired priests on Linwood Avenue.  The $1.3-million proceeds from that property will be dedicated to the Retired Diocesan Priests’ Medical Benefits Fund.