With a decree by Bishop Mark K. Carroll, St. Francis of Assisi Parish
became a reality in July, 1959. Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Gerstenkorn was
appointed pastor, and he took up residence in his own house, which would
also serve as the rectory, 866 N. Socora Lane. Immediately after the
founding, a CCD program was set up.
The first outlines of the current parish complex began a few months
later as construction got under way on the first parish building. That was
only the beginning.
In July, 1960, the first service was held in the first parish building,
and a month later, the residence for the sisters was completed.
In August, 1960, Bishop Carroll blessed the fledgling church/school
complex.
Growth and additions were never far away. An addition to the original
building was completed, and in September, 1961, the school opened. Bishop
Carroll blessed the second temporary church in March, 1962.
Then it became time for personnel changes. Father Michael Lies took over
as pastor in February, 1966, and Rev. Msgr. Charles A. Smith succeeded him
in July, 1967. In August 1968, Father Thomas McGread was appointed
pastor.
The pace of activity at the parish really picked up. The first Parish
Dinner was held in May, 1969, and later that summer the first meeting of
the newly formed Parish Council was held. That fall, the first parish
mission and the first penitential service were conducted.
Construction was never far away. The addition to the convent was begun
in June, 1971, and a year later there was the ground-breaking for the
multi-purpose building. The ground-breaking for the new church was held in
October, 1975.
The permanent Church was blessed in March, 1977.
Five years later, a new convent at 8418 W. Murdock was purchased for the
sisters. And, in August, 1983, ground was broken for the new activity
center and school. Bishop Eugene Gerber blessed the new facility in July,
1984, the silver anniversary of the parish.
Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was begun in 1986, with
approximately 800 parishioners signed up to participate.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) began in 1990.
On June 21, 1998, a parish celebration was held to honor Father McGread
on his 45th anniversary of ordination, and his being named a monsignor by
His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. On October 1, 1999, Msgr. McGread retired
from serving as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi to pursue his calling of
presenting the Stewardship Way of Life to parishes across the nation. The
new pastor is Fr. John Hotze.
