Our Story
In 1917 Father Petrone began conducting Mass in a house on Fair Street. The Pesaturo family, who provided a meeting place for the new St. Francis of Assisi Parish were rewarded, for their numbers grew and their church prospered and in August of 1917 began to be built on the corner of Holt and Lodi Streets, and so St. Francis Parish was born. It was on December 9th that year the the new wodden-france building was dedicated by Bishop O’Connor. The new parish, named for St. Francis, was given into the trust of his followers, the Capuchin Franciscans.
The first Capuchin pastor was Fr. Gaetano Costi. The building of the church and the organizing, planning and fund-raising that preceded it occupied much of Fr. Evarist’s time during his 9 years that he served as pastor.
Now, 102 years later, St. Francis Parish continues to thrive with a growing Hispanic community and a small group of Italians remain faithful. The Capuchin Friars continue to served the parish community.