Most Reverend John Timon, C.M.

1st Bishop of Buffalo (1847-1867)
“Protect Me Under The Shadow of Your Arms”

On April 23, 1847, the Diocese of Buffalo was established. It included the 20 counties of Western New York. Bishop John Timon, who had served as a missionary up and down the Mississippi River and in Texas, came to Buffalo in October 1847. During his tenure, many religious orders were recruited to establish ministries in the newly formed diocese including the Sisters of Charity, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, the Franciscans, the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur, the Jesuits, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the Vincentians, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Saint Francis, the Passionist Fathers, and the Christian Brothers. Bishop Timon died in 1867. His body lies entombed in the crypt of St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo.