John Timon

Who was John Timon?

Most Rev. John Timon, C.M. was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Buffalo, New York.

Born in Conewago, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Baltimore, Maryland working for the family dry goods business there and in Louisville, Kentucky after the family moved west in 1818. They relocated a year later to St. Louis, Missouri. After a financial crisis which wiped out the family wealth, he determined to join the priesthood, entering the St. Mary of the Barrens seminary in 1823. He was ordained deacon, and then priest, in 1825. He served as a missionary up and down the Mississippi River and in Texas.

On July 18, 1840 he was named Prefect Apostolic of the Republic of Texas.

On April 23, 1847, the Diocese of Buffalo was established. It included the 20 counties of Western New York. Bishop Timon, came to Buffalo in October 1847. He spent the remaining 20 years of his life building the Church there. Beginning with 16 priests for 16 counties, he immediately began to build churches, and establish schools.