The Arrival of the Friars in Western New York, p. 3

In 1848 Nicholas and Mary Devereux worked with John C. Devereux, their son, Bishop Timon and other members of the Ellicottville community to establish a missionary and benevolent society, which was devoted to supporting the growth of the Catholic Church.  St. Philip Neri Church was built in Ellicottville in 1851.  Around this time Nicholas Devereux conceived the idea, with Bishop Timon’s support and approval, of bringing a Franciscan presence into the area to help alleviate the lack of priests.

 
Mary Devereux (1797-1881)

Bishop Timon visited Rome in 1854 on the occasion of the declaration of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception and took the opportunity to visit with the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, the Most Rev. Venantius of Celano, to confirm the arrangement for the proposed Custody.  This resulted in an agreement signed on Jan. 4, 1855 establishing the Franciscan community in the northeastern United States.  The agreement included provision for sending three priests and one lay brother to America as well as for Nicholas Devereux’s donation of land and $5000 to build a monastery.

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