Local church to hold remembrance for Sam Nordquist

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Two more people have been indicted in the horrific killing of a Black transgender man in New York state. The Buffalo community prepares to honor Sam Nordquist at a community gathering on Sunday.

Nordquist, 24, traveled from his home in Minnesota to Canandaigua to visit his girlfriend who he met online. He was staying at a motel where police say he suffered months of torture.

After being reported missing, Nordquist’s body was found in a field south of Canandaigua.

Seven people have now been accused of murdering him. Westminster Presbyterian Church and The Buffalo Niagara Proud Alliance are hosting a community gathering to honor him.

“We have an amazing lineup of clergy from different faith traditions, we have some amazing music, we have the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, we have the choir of Westminster Presbyterian Church which is probably one of the best in town,” said David Butler, founder of the Buffalo Niagara Proud Alliance.

Vigils for Nordquist have been held in other parts of the state and the country. Just this past weekend a vigil was held for Nordquist in Niagara Square.

“The healing will likely come from those who are present in the gathering so our hope is that people take us up on our offer to be a place of welcome and a place for belonging for all people,” said Todd Leach, senior pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The gathering will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian on Delaware Avenue. All are welcomed regardless of faith.

“Coming into a church space can be a very intimating thing so we are working very hard to make this a welcoming, and safe, and inviting experience,” said Reverend Susan Frawley of Hamburg Unitarian Universalist Church.

You can also watch the community gathering online on YouTube and on Facebook.

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