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Frederick A. Brevillier was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1866. His family lineage can be traced back to the French Huguenot origin. Family Founders were refugees who fled to Germany to escape persecutions brought on by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Mr. Brevillier began his business career with the wholesale grocery firm of Johnston and Brevillier. He became associated with C. M. Conrad and the firm was absorbed by the Erie Brewing Company about 1900. He met his wife, Katherine Conrad, who was the daughter of the owner of Erie Brewing Company. He was elected Secretary and later Vice President and Treasurer when the Bank of Erie Trust Company was organized in 1918. Mr. Brevillier died in 1944, and Katherine in 1960. The Brevillier's had no children or heirs.

In the late 1930's the Brevillier's began building the two story mansion that still stands in Brevillier Village today. Originally, it was built as a summer home, but it soon became Mrs. Brevillier's permanent home. Upon her death, Katherine Brevillier willed the mansion property and trust to the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul that it be used " for religious, charitable, educational, such other similar purpose for the elderly."

Fraulein Brudsche was a close, personal friend to Mrs. Frederick (Katherine Conrad) Brevillier. Fraulein Margaret Brudsche was married to Oscar A. Brudsche. He was a bookkeeper at Buffalo & Lake Erie Traction Company. Fraulein was a companion to Mrs. Brevillier and in return was given a small cottage on the Brevillier Village property, which she renovated and operated the Pussy Willow Tea Room. The food and special recipes were well known in the Erie community. The Pussy Willow closed in 1974 and the landmark was demolished in late 1975 to prepare for the construction of Ball Pavilion, which was scheduled to open November 29, 1977.

Miss Oceana Ball was the last surviving child of Gideon J. Ball, Civil War major and prominent local politician. Until her death in 1933, she owned and operated the Ball Home located at 61 East 6th Street. The Ball Home provided shelter for 15 to 18 women at one time. Upon her death the home and her estate were bequeathed to the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul to continue her mission to provide residential living for elderly women. In the early 1970s the Ball Home was sold and a trust fund was established which was used as collateral to build the original Ball Pavilion which opened in November 29, 1977.

In 1915, the Brothers of St. Barnabas, an Episcopal order of priests in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, were given lakefront property outside of North East, Pennsylvania. They built a summer home and retreat for the Brothers and began their outreach in Erie County. Over the years hundreds of men and boys were cared for at the home. It was supported entirely by good will offerings and endowments. The dedicated leaders were Brother Willard Gilpin and Brother David Nash. In 1977, St. Barnabas House closed its doors when state regulations prevented compliance by the facility due to financial costs. The remaining 21 residents of the home became the residents of Ball Pavilion at Brevillier Village, which began operation in November of that same year.