The Order the Felician Sisters arrived to St. Stanislaus Catholic Parish in 1881 to teach. As Buffalo's economy became unstable in the late 1800s, a vast number of Polish families were faced with destitution. The nuns subsequently established the Immaculate Heart of Mary Orphan Home at 2600 William Street in Forks (now Cheektowaga). The cornerstone was laid on October 4, 1895. The first admittance was on exactly one year later. The site of the Home was situated on 30 acres of land and consisted of one building housing 37 children operated by the three nuns from St. Stanislaus.

The Felician Sisters remained responsible for obtaining funds for the operation of the Home. In 1923, it became supported by the Annual Campaign of Catholic Chraities. The Home now had a population of 317 orphaned or destitute white children.

By 1930, the population surged to 304 children. By 1933, 350 children, and by 1934, the population rose to 434. More than one-half of the children were actually half-orphans, having one living parent or some other form of family.

The Felician Sisters proposed plans for improvement and expansion and these plans materialized in 1955 with the addition of six buildings, 52 nuns and fifteen lay people. By this time, the population dropped to 175 children and less than five percent were "orphans" by definition.

Reports and research reflect the children were treated as individuals. Their records not only identified a child by age, parentage, gender, etc., they also recorded dislikes, likes, personal habits. Each child's individuality was held with respect. Children were allowed to wear clothing of their choice.

The children were divided into "age-grades". Each age-grade had their own dining room, dormitory, playrooms, and toilet facilities.

By 1942, the name of the Home changed its name to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children and it served 360 orphaned or dependent white children between the ages of two and sixteen.

There were also many opportunities for recreation. Every summer, from the years of 1931 - 1953, the children attended a camping program at St. Francis of Mount Alvernia Ministry in Barker, NY. Other activities including scouting, singing and drama clubs, band and orchestra, religious programs and vocational training.

The children received formal education from Kindergarten to the eighth grade at the Home. Many of the girls were transferred to St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum once they reached school-age. The nuns received their training at St. Colletta's School in Jefferson City, Kansas, The Catholic University in Washington, and Mount St. Joseph's Academy.

Population of the home began to decrease by 1962. The 130 children served were between the ages of five and fourteen. Some of which were afflicted with mental retardation or emotional disturbances. The Home provided services for children from the surrounding counties in Western New York. Education continued to be provided at the Home. Psychiatric services were also provided by Monsignor Carr Institute of Catholic Charities.

Between the years of 1964 and 1976, the Home cared for 70 to 110 children. The last child admitted was on March 26, 1979. Immaculate Heart of Mary was the longest operated orphanage in the area and closed it doors in 1983.

Current owner, Anchor Industrial Park headed by Bernie DiPezio, had attempted to receive funding to utilize the buildings The boarded and abandoned building became a hangout for teenagers and was victim of two fires.