Campus around 1875.

The Early History of Christ the King Seminary

1854-1930

The Diocese of Buffalo was created by Pope Pius IX and John Timon, C.M. was named bishop on April 23, 1847. The new bishop saw a need for more priests in western New York to serve the growing Roman Catholic population. And, after discussions with the bishop, Nicholas Devereux, a successful Irish business owner in upstate New York, and some of his family, went to Rome in 1853. They went to ask for assistance in founding a seminary.

Devereux asked Fr. Peter Hanrahan, the Guardian of the Irish Provence, to spare him seven Francisican friars on behalf of Bishop Timon for Western New York. He was turned down, prompting Bishop Timon to sail to Rome in October 1854. Timon received support from Pope Pius IX to ask Father Venantius da Celano, the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, to obtain friars. Unfortunately, he recieved the same response that Devereux had. The Irish Provience was short staffed and could not send any friars.

Timon was referred to the Italian Franciscans for help, meeting Fr. Pamphilus a Magliano, of the Provience of Abruzzi, who agreed to come to Western New York. On January 4, 1855, Bishop Timon and the Minister General signed an agreement which gave Western New York three Franciscan priests and one brother under the conditions that Nicholas Devereux donate 200 acres and $5000 in support, that Bishop Timon would oversee the friars and provide them with housing, and that the friars were granted permission to recruit members to the diocese.

On May 10, 1855, Fr. Pamphilus, Fr. Sixtus da Gagliano, Fr. Samuel da Prezza, and Br. Salvator da Manarola left Rome with Pope Pius IX's blessing. They arrived in New York City on June 20th, meeting Devereux who sent them westbound by train. Bishop Timon placed them temporarily in charge of the Church of St. Phillip Neri in Ellicottville, NY. On July 17th, The Devereux Family and Bishop Timon established the St. Francis Missionary and Benevolent Society (1855 - 1882) in Ellicottville.

July 24, 1865 Reception Day ta the Franciscan Noviate, St. Bonaventure.

On Decembr 29, 1855, Nicholas Devereux passed away but, his family carried out his wishes to construct a seminary with a college. The Society would meet March 1856, electing Bishop Timon as president, Thomas B. Devereux as secretary, John C. Devereux as treasurer, and Fr. Pamphilus took Nicholas Devereux's place. On June 10, 1856, Nicholas Devereux's estate granted the Society 214 acres and construction began of the first permanent home for the Franciscans in the Buffalo diocese.

The Society met on Feb 17, 1857, where Bishop Timon made a motion for the construction of a seminary. Construction of the first wing was completed in 1858 and on the Feast of Saint Francis (October 4th) the buildng was dedicated and christened as St. Bonaventure's College and Seminary. Following, the Franciscan community consisting of eight priests and six brothes moved in from Ellicottville.

Classes began in the fall of 1859, and Fr. Pamphilus also founded The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Allegany.

The first building on campus with staff and students in front. Fr. Pamfilo is the taller man standing in the doorway.	Inside of monastery chapel.

Initally, everything operated out of the one wing built. Construction of the second wing of the building began in the Spring of 1861 and finished October 4th. Construction of the church connecting the two wings did not begin until July 5, 1866 due to the Civil War. On June 23, 1864, St. Bonaventure's College held its first graduation. During this period, Fr. Pamphilus also welcomed Franciscans priests seeing spiritual refuge caused by the Civil War.

Bishop Timon passed away on April 16, 1867 and Fr. Pamphilus would depart back to Rome in October, leaving Cardinal Diomede Falconio as Superior of the Custody. Fr. Pamphilus would live in the cloister of San Francisco a Ripa until his death on November 15, 1876.
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Material from For the Spread of the Kingdom: A History of Chirst the King Seminary by Dennis A. Castillo (2007)