Buffalo Diocese Makes Offer for Christ the King Seminary

(WIVB) – The Diocese of Buffalo has a potential buyer for the sprawling former Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora.

But the $3.8 million offer by the World Mission Society, Church of God, will have to survive an auction that could garner higher bids.

Documents filed with the bankruptcy court reveal the diocese’s request to approve bidding procedures and set an auction date for the 117-acre property, which includes 18 buildings.

The listed price for the property was $5.3 million.

A diocese spokesman said there were three to four potential bidders.

The seminary closed in 2020 due to consistent deficits of $500,000 per year.

The diocese is selling assets to raise money to help settle hundreds of sexual abuse claims filed under the Adult Survivors Act, which gave victims one year to file lawsuits against abusers. As of October 2023, the diocese’s “suggested contribution” to settle the cases was $100 million, plus insurance funds.

The diocese also plans to sell its headquarters on Main Street.

The World Mission Society Church of God is a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization whose global mission is “to enlighten humanity to the truth of the New Covenant that leads to salvation.”

The nonprofit was launched in South Korea in 1964, according to its website, and has a presence in 175 countries and on every continent.