When St. Nicholas Church was built in the mid-1850's opposite the present parish Church, the parish initially used the European idea of the churchyard for burials, and for the first few years the pioneers were laid to rest around the Church.  With the building of the highway and the Erie Railroad, and an increasing population, the Fathers soon realized, even at that early date, that the growing churchyard would have to be moved to become a modern cemetery.  The first plot chosen was at the rear of St. Elizabeth's Convent.  In the center of this "God's Acre," on a slope there stood a beautiful Mortuary Chapel, overlooking the cemetery and the countryside.  The Chapel, which was modeled after St. Bonaventure's Church on campus, was removed in 1966.  Many of the friars who have served locally are buried here.

For a shorter, printable version of this tour click here
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