In 1901, John Blocher donated 100 acres to the Sisters of Saint Francis on the condition that they build and operate a home for the aged on the property. The Sisters expanded an existing farm house to open the Holy Family Home in 1902. In 1928 they built a new convent and motherhouse, Saint Mary of the Angels. This building served as the headquarters for the order until 1999 and was the center of the Sisters' work in caring for the elderly and infirm and in training members of the order for service in Catholic schools and churches throughout the Buffalo area. The 100 acre parcel was gradually subdivided, making way for residential development, for the new Holy Family Home in 1962, for Saint Francis Home in 1956, and for the new St. Mary of the Angels on Reist Street in 1999. In 1999 the remaining lands became Amherst State Park, and the former motherhouse was converted to St. Mary's Commons apartments for seniors.