John Timon

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Most Rev. John Timon (February 12, 1797 - April 16, 1867) was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Buffalo, New York.

Born in Conewago, Pennsylvania February 12, 1797, 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.

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. 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.

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.

St. Bonaventure University was founded by Utica, New York financier Nicholas Devereux with assistance from Bishop Timon. The two invited the Franciscan order to Western New York, and a small group under Father Pamfilo da Magliano OFM arrived in 1856.

Bishop Timon died on April 16, 1867. His body lies entombed in the crypt of Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo.

Bishop Timon - St. Jude High School in Buffalo is named in his honor.