St. Joseph’s Church in Fredonia was listed in a lawsuit Wednesday brought by New York City attorney Jordan K. Merson. Filed in Erie County Supreme Court, the suit claims the Rev. Edward J. Walker sexually abused the victim at the 145 E. Main St. church and “other venues” between 1953 and 1963.

According to the suit, the abuse took place weekly when the victim was 12 to 21 years old.

The victim, who was named in the suit but is being withheld because he is a victim of alleged abuse, began spending time with Walker around 1953 after the victim’s father died.

“Walker, using his position of power and authority provided to him by the diocese and St. Joseph’s, manipulated plaintiff’s mother into trusting him to be alone with plaintiff and believing that he would be a good mentor for plaintiff,” the suit states.