Please use the navigation menu at bottom the Page
Please use the navigation menu at bottom the Page
favicongohere
MenuGoHere
History of Amherst State Park News Archives
ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL
Buffalo News, September 2, 1990
St. Francis Chapel at 88 Reist St., Williamsville, was dedicated to the Blessed Family in 1902 by then-Bishop James E. Quigley of the Buffalo Catholic Diocese.
Made of hand-quarried stone, the chapel is the only example in Western New York of the rustic French Gothic style of church architecture. It features arched lancet windows and front door, buttressed front gables and a slate roof.
It is surrounded by gardens and the cemetery of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Third Order.
According to records of the Sisters of St. Francis, the chapel was ordered built by Monsignor Anthony Adoph, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Church, Williamsville, to serve residents of St. Francis Home for the Elderly, formerly located on the Reist Street property.
"Erie County's Architectural Legacy," a directory of historic buildings, indicates it was built in 1840. However, Andrea Shaw, Amherst historian, said the earlier date most likely was taken from a map indicating that some structure existed on the same site as early as 1840.
The chapel, which can hold about 20 people, has not been used for services for several years.