Down Memory Lane more than 75 Years Long
It was June 1923 when the Archbishop of Philadelphia made a profound decision that a new parish would be needed eventually in a place called Springfield, and he appointed the Reverend Francis J. Conway as its first pastor.
The parish of St. Francis of Assisi we know today—a campus of seven buildings and 2400 families—grew from such simple beginnings only through the communal efforts of Father Conway, his successors, and the faithful parishioners who assisted in its development.
There were many milestones on the road to success and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the parish it is fitting that we recall the more important ones. What a surprise! What a challenge!
After faithfully serving twelve years as assistant pastor in four well-established parishes in Philadelphia, Father Conway, then 36 years old, was notified of his transfer from assistant pastor at St. Gregory’s parish in Philadelphia to pastor of a non-existent parish in the farmland of Delaware County called Springfield.
All he had to begin with were the boundaries of his new parish and the names of 37 Catholic families living within those boundaries who up to then belonged either to the Church of the Nativity in Media or St. Andrew’s parish in Drexel Hill. (The original area of the parish was substantially reduced when Holy Cross, St. Kevin and St. Dorothy parishes were established in later years.)
As first pastor, he was entitled to select the name of his new parish and he chose his own patron saint—Francis of Assisi.
Father Conway noted that one of his new parishioners, George Johnston, owned a farm and large home on Saxer Avenue near the trolley tracks, in about the center of his new parish. He arranged to offer the first public Mass on a table in the living room of the Johnston home on Sunday, June 10, 1923, for about 25 parishioners (all that could squeeze into the limited space).
Father Conway rented a house at 334 Powell Road as the first rectory, but moved in a few months to 208 Ballymore Road (closer to the Johnston home). He offered daily Mass at these homes but said Sunday Mass at the Johnston home.
In September 1923, Father Conway bought 2.3 acres of land facing Saxer Avenue north of the Johnston home from Mr. Johnston. Construction began immediately on a chapel which was blessed and first used for Sunday Mass on December 16, 1923. Henceforth, Sunday Masses were at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday school classes were begun under the supervision of the Sisters of St. Joseph stationed in St. Andrew’s parish.
Fundraising for the chapel began with a card party at the Conwell home at 51 Powell Road on October 25, 1923. Similar parties, hosted by women of the parish, were held monthly in their homes until the chapel was completed and it doubled as a social hall.
Eight children made their first Holy Communion in our chapel on June 8, 1924. The first Confirmation at St. Francis was administered to 52 children on May 16, 1930. In prior years, Confirmation was administered to St. Francis children at St. Andrew’s church, due to the small number being confirmed.
In 1924, Father Conway purchased the house at 94 Saxer Avenue from the Johnston family for his rectory.
In May 1926, the parish Solidity of the Blessed Virgin was established with 14 men and 20 women. They met for devotions every Tuesday evening until 1972.
On Sunday June 3, 1928, Father Conway broke ground for the two-story church and school building which is now the ‘old’ school. It was completed in time for the opening of school on September 3, 1929. The first floor was the new parish church and there were four classrooms on the second floor—two grades in each room. The new building was dedicated and the first parish Masses were celebrated in the new church on Sunday, October 27, 1929. The chapel then was used only for social functions.
Sixty seven children were enrolled in our school that first year. They were taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph who had to travel from St. Andrew’s convent until December 1929 when they moved into the house at 99 Lownes Lane which Father Conway purchased for their convent. In 1950, when this convent became overcrowded, the larger rectory at 94 Saxer Avenue became the convent and the former convent became the rectory. Our first graduation was in June, 1931—for one student.
Our first assistant pastor, the recently ordained Reverend John E. Dunn, arrived in June 1932. The parish grew slowly and struggled financially in the 1930’s due to the impact of the great depression. By 1939, the number of parish families had grown to 261. The parish was shocked to learn at Mass on Sunday, September 17, 1939, that Father Conway died suddenly the night before at age 52. He was buried the following Wednesday in Holy Cross Cemetery followed by a Solemn Requiem Mass at which Bishop Hugh L. Lamb presided.
On October 10, 1939, the Reverend Nicholas A. Travo, then 48, was appointed the second pastor of St. Francis parish. He was ordained in 1916 and for the next 23 years served as assistant pastor at six other parishes and also taught Latin for nearly four years at West Catholic High School for Boys. He and Father Conway had been close friends—having at one time been fellow curates at St. Gregory’s parish.
Coupled with the growth of the parish, various societies were either founded in the 1940s or those already in existence expanded their activity. The Holy Name Society existed since the early years of the parish with the reception of corporate communion on the second Sunday every month. But in the 1940s and 1950s, it became what Father Travo called his ‘right arm’ in directing spiritual and social activities.
The Society’s first annual communion breakfast was held in 1940 and attendance at this event grew to nearly 300 men and boys in the 1950s. The Society sponsored annually: a Christmas party for pre-school children, a parish picnic, a St. Patrick’s day party, a retreat at Malvern, and a parish blood bank. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Society provided all the members of the choir under the musical direction of the Reverend William C. Faunce, its spiritual advisor. In the 1960s, membership in the choir was expanded to include women to provide needed soprano and alto voices.
On Memorial Day, 1947, the St. Francis Holy Name World War II Memorial monument and flag pole erected at the corner of Lownes Lane and Saxer Avenue was dedicated with prayers and band music. The memorial commemorates all Springfield men and women who served our country in World War II and the names of those who gave their lives are inscribed on the bronze plaque on the monument. Ceremonies at the monument have been repeated on Memorial Day every year since.
In March 1948, a group of 86 women of the St. Francis Sodality met to organize the women of the parish to further Catholic action and to present religious, intellectual and social programs. It chose the name St. Francis Women’s Club and its first general meeting was held on March 30 with over 100 women in attendance. The Club sponsored fund-raising card parties and bazaars, Girl Scout troops, lunchroom supervision, and all special events which needed a women’s touch.
The parish celebrated its 25th anniversary with special Masses and a Triduum in the first two weeks of June 1948, culminating with the silver jubilee buffet supper and dance co-sponsored by the Holy Name Society and the Women’s Club.
Rapid growth of housing in Springfield in the late 1940s and early 1950s resulted in the number of parish families increasing from 261 in 1939, to 651 in 1949 and to 838 in 1951. School enrollment, which was around 200 in the early 1940s, began to increase by about 50 new students each year, prompting construction of a new church to release space in the old school for more classrooms.
Ground breaking for the new church took place in January 1951, but Father Travo was unable to participate in the ceremony due to the onset of an illness which would limit his activities for the next 20 months. During that time, the parish was fortunate to have the Reverend William C. Faunce and the Reverend Joseph C. Hannon as assistant pastors, and the Reverend George J. Friel, a teacher at St. James High School, in residence. Together, their religious fervor and enthusiasm kept all parish activities in high gear.
Before Father Travo’s dream of a new church was fulfilled, he died on August 24, 1952, at the age of 61. He was buried on parish grounds next to the old school following a Solemn Requiem Mass at which the Most Reverend John F. O’Hara, Archbishop of Philadelphia, presided.
On October 1, 1952, the Reverend Charles F. Gorman, MA, LL.D., then 60 years old became our third pastor. He had been a classmate of Father Travo in the seminary. Father Gorman had a colorful and dynamic career. After his ordination in 1916, he served as an assistant pastor, chaplain at Philadelphia General Hospital, army chaplain in World Wars I and II, head chaplain at Holmesburg prison, pastor for 10 years at St. Laurence’s parish in Highland Park, supervisory chaplain at veterans hospitals in the tri-state area, and was professor of sociology at Immaculata and La Salle Colleges. He had a MA degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate from Villanova University and La Salle College. Father Gorman was often seen in army khakis checking on the construction of the new church, and tending his rose garden along the south side of the church.
Our new church is made of Foxcroft stone, matching the old school, with Indiana limestone trim. The church seats over 800 people in its oak pews. The main altar is of Botticino marble carved in Italy. So also are the side altars, pulpit and lecterns. The tabernacle is solid brass. The main altar was moved forward to its present position in November 1969, and reconsecrated on January 9, 1970. The mosaics behind the altars were added in 1972.
The church was completed and solemnly blessed on November 23, 1952, by Bishop Joseph M. McShea who had grown up in the parish and was the first parishioner ordained to the priesthood. Work began immediately on remodeling the former church into four classrooms which was completed in time for school opening in the Fall 1953. But more classrooms were needed since there were now 101 pupils in the first grade. The chapel, now fittingly known as Conway Hall, was moved in 1953 from what is now the driveway between the church and the rectory to the back campus. It was moved rather than demolished because of the dire need at the time for more classrooms. After the move, an oversized two-bay garage was added to the west side of the former chapel to house our school bus, and to provide storage space for props of the St. Francis Players.
Perhaps one of the most spiritually uplifting local events in the 1950s was the parade of 70,000 Holy Name men from all parishes in the Archdiocese on the Parkway in Philadelphia to attend a Mass honoring Our Lady of Fatima on the evening of Sunday, October 11, 1953. About 200 St. Francis Holy Name men in five busses attended the parade.
A Junior Holy Name Society was organized in 1954 with its own officers and programs under the guidance of the Holy Name Society. Eighty high school and eighth-grade boys attended the first meeting. It later evolved into the separate Catholic Youth Organization.
Also in 1954, Father Gorman purchased additional ground from the Springfield School District and ground was broken on December 21 for a new eight-room school and an auditorium. This new building was opened on September 7, 1955. Sunday Masses in the auditorium were begun in November 1955, supplementing Masses in the new church. Since for many years there was a special children’s Mass every Sunday, one of the Masses in the auditorium now coincided with the children’s Mass in the church, thus relieving the standing-room only experience for many parents.
St. Kevin’s parish was founded October 7, 1955. Most of the territory for the new parish was then part of St. Francis’ parish. Since the new parish had no school yet, 295 children of the new parish continued to attend St. Francis school for the next two years. To accommodate more sisters, a two-story addition was added to the convent at 94 Saxer Avenue in February 1956.
A fire on Saturday, March 16, 1957 caused $25,000 damage to the old school building. Men of the Holy Name Society, calling themselves ‘Knights of the Crowbar’ assisted in cleaning up the debris from the fire. The ‘Knights’ responded many times since for various maintenance projects.
When the first floor of the old school was restored after the fire, space was provided for a small reference library in the room now used for the school office. But that did not satisfy Father Gorman. In 1963, with the help of the St. Francis Women’s Club, he established one of the best elementary school libraries in the Archdiocese in the room in the church basement initially used for meetings and later as a classroom. Fittingly, it is called the Gorman Library. By 1972, the library contained 5,000 books and 1,200 audio-visual aids.
One of the St. Francis Women’s Club’s more notable undertakings was its sponsorship of the first theatrical endeavor by St. Francis men and women. On Friday January 29 and Saturday 30, 1960, the Club presented a Variety Minstrel Show in the auditorium. Forty-two parishioners performed in 24 skits before a full house. Another 56 worked behind the scenes. And so was born what became the St. Francis Players when they formed their own organization several years later. Every spring since 1960, the Players have successfully produced a ‘Broadway’ type play. In recent years, the first performance is a sold-out dinner show.
The well equipped stage in the auditorium (now called Leonard Hall) was not always so good. The earlier shows had few curtains, only four spot lights and footlights (either on or off), a folding stage which shook and squeaked during the show. But each year’s success spawned new improvements supported by Father Gorman’s theatrical enthusiasm. (He played ‘Alphie’ in the 1968 production of My Fair Lady). Today’s permanent stage was installed in time for the 1969 production of Oklahoma.
Father Gorman celebrated the golden anniversary of his ordination with a special Mass on May 29, 1966, and a jubilee banquet on June 1 was attended by over 500 parishioners and friends at the Alpine Inn. The following year Father Gorman, then 75, became pastor emeritus but continued to serve the parish. He moved from the rectory to vacate the ‘pastor’s suite’ for the new pastor, and took up residence in what is now the school principal’s office. Father Gorman died on October 13, 1987, at the age of 95. Past presidents of the Holy Name Society, for which he was spiritual advisor for many years, served as pall-bearers at his funeral Mass.
On June 7, 1967, the Reverend Joseph A. Ward, then 64, was appointed our fourth pastor. He was ordained in Rome on July 27, 1930, and for the next six years he attended the Pontifical Urban University in Rome from which he received a S.T.L. and Ph.D. degree. He returned to the United States in 1931, and was appointed Professor of Philosophy and English at St. Charles Seminary in August, a position he held for 36 years until his appointment as our pastor. During his first 26 years at the Seminary, he also served as a judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal of Philadelphia.
Father Ward’s first concern as pastor was to provide adequate living quarters for the fifteen Sisters of St. Joseph who taught in our school. Father Gorman had purchased the now dilapidated Johnston homestead in 1966 and it was decided to demolish the home and, with the cooperation of the Township, to rearrange Rolling Road to provide the site for the new convent. The new convent was completed in July, 1969, and after the Sisters moved in, the former convent was converted to a science lab and reading center. Today it is named Travo Hall, and houses our very successful White Elephant operation.
Father Ward’s arrival coincided with many liturgical and administrative changes in the parish. First was the appointment of a Parish Council to serve in an advisory capacity to the pastor. In 1993, its name was changed to Pastoral Council and subsequently some of the members are nominated and elected by the parishioners. Father Ward saw the need for more parental involvement in our school activities so he promoted the formation of the Home and School Association which held its first meeting on November 6, 1967. A set of By-Laws was adopted, and officers and committee chairmen were elected. Alvin Clay, an early graduate of our school and currently Chairman of our Finance Committee, was elected the first President of the new Association.
Through the years it has achieved its goals: to advance Catholic education, to promote mutual responsibility of parents and teachers in the learning process, and to determine and address school needs. Our Catholic Youth Organization had been growing steadily and it received its formal charter in 1968, and an adult advisory board was formed. Lay lectors began reading the epistles and announcements in 1968. The main alter was moved forward in November 1969, and congregational singing at Sunday Masses led by lay cantors began in 1971. The opening of the new convent in 1969 completed the parish campus we know today. A group of dedicated parishioners known as our Building Fund Collectors deserve much of the credit for the fund raising needed to build four major buildings. They regularly contacted 10 to 15 parish families living nearby who had pledged their financial support for parish expansion. In August 1972 a beautiful statue of our Blessed Mother was donated to the parish and erected on the convent grounds. It is called ‘Our Lady of Springfield,’ and was carved in Italy.
The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in the second week of June 1973, with special Masses for the children and deceased parishioners, culminating with the golden jubilee anniversary Mass on June 10, concelebrated by Bishop McShea and Fathers Ward and Gorman. The Mass was followed by a jubilee banquet at which Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a prominent radio and television proponent of Catholic doctrine, was the principal speaker. Father Ward died September 2, 1973, at the age of 70. His funeral Mass was celebrated by John Cardinal Kroll and concelebrated by Bishop John Graham and Father Gorman. In October 1973, the Reverend Louis A. Eltz was appointed our fifth pastor. He received a BA degree from St. Charles Seminary and a Doctorate of Canon Law from Catholic University in Washington, DC. After graduation, he taught at Villanova University, Gwynedd Mercy College, three Archdiocesan Catholic high schools and served as a Judge of the Archdiocesan Tribunal. Before coming to St. Francis, he was pastor at St. Thomas Acquinas Parish in Philadelphia. Father Eltz’s stay was cut short when he was transferred suddenly in May 1975.
The Reverend Monsignor Charles V. Gallen, BA, MA, became our sixth pastor in June1975. After his ordination in 1947, he served briefly as assistant pastor at two parishes and then embarked on a teaching career. He taught courses in Church history, mathematics and science for ten years at St. Thomas More High School and for eight years at Roman Catholic High School. In June 1965, he was made principal at Archbishop Kennedy High School, and in 1967, he returned to Roman as rector until his transfer to St. Francis. While at Roman, he served in executive positions on the Catholic League Board of Governors. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the number of Sisters of St. Joseph teaching in our school was gradually being reduced by fewer vocations. Finally in 1984, we no longer had any sisters living in our convent. Since the rectory needed substantial repairs (including the eviction of squirrels in the walls), Msgr. Gallen decided to remodel the convent for a new rectory. Under his supervision, changes were designed by parishioners Ed Kistner (who continues as and Les Fugedy. John Thomas was the contractor.
After Monsignor Gallen, his assistants and office staff moved into the new rectory, work was undertaken to convert the two old houses—the old rectory and convent—for useful parish purposes, such as the White Elephant shop in Travo Hall and the Cares program in Ward Hall. In 1983, the garage attached to Conway Hall (the original chapel) was remolded to become our new kindergarten and, after fifty years of faithful service, the church organ was replaced. The new organ was paid for entirely by special contributions from several parishioners. Also in 1983, the St. Francis Over 50 Club was formed to provide social activities and personal enrichment for senior parishioners. They meet in Leonard Hall on the second and fourth Thursdays, September through June, to hear speakers on topical subjects and for entertainment. In September 1991, they began a very spiritual project of making rosaries for the missions and in seven years have shipped over 21,000 rosaries. The first 15 Eucharistic Ministers were appointed in 1986, and this number quickly grew to 30. Today we have 108 Ministers who assist the priests in distribution of Holy Communion at all Masses and in visits to home-bound parishioners. From the beginning of this ministry, Leo and Mae Franks have scheduled the daily and weekend assignments with the aid of a computer program designed by Leo.
In June 1989, the Reverend Joseph Sweeney was appointed parish Administrator. He was no stranger to St. Francis, having lived here from 1964-1970, while he taught at Cardinal O’Hara High School. In September 1992, he was transferred as Administrator at St. Mary’s parish in Delphia, PA. In June 1990, the Reverend Louis Bier, MDiv., became assistant pastor at St. Francis. His creative talents and organizational skills helped to develop many of the parish ministries we have today and he was responsible for much of the planning for our 75th anniversary celebrations. However, his talents were recognized by others and in June 1997, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick parish in Norristown, PA. On Sunday, January 13, 1991, Communion by the Cup was begun at the 7 a.m. Mass and continued at one Mass each weekend until November 24, when it was featured at all weekend Masses.
The Reverend Michael Burbidge, MA, became a weekend associate in February 1991. He was Dean of Men in the College Division at St. Charles Seminary and currently is Administrative Secretary in the Office of the Archbishop. Father Burbidge was appointed a Monsignor in May, 1998. The first of eight editions of the St. Francis Chronicle was published as an insert of the Sunday announcements in March 1991. It was a two-page newsletter reporting on parish organizations and special issues such as School Choice and Catholic Life 2000. It was succeeded in June 1996 by the Canticle published quarterly and mailed to all families registered in the parish. In May 1991, the Archdiocese launched a unique capital fund-raising campaign called Catholic Life 2000 to help preserve Catholic education whose rising costs were endangering its survival into the next century. The goal of the campaign was $100 million over five years. Each parish was assigned a portion of that goal—ours was $455,000—and funds raised above that amount would be returned to the parish. Predictably, St. Francis exceeded its target by $85,000 which the parish received in 1995. Our Mr. James Kane was ordained as our first Deacon on June 2, 1991. In July 1991, a unique parish fund raising program called ‘Grocery Connection’ was begun. The program purchases money certificates from local stores at a discount and sells them to parishioners at face value, then they use them like cash at the stores. The value of the discount is the benefit to the parish which last year amounted to $60,000 on certificate sales of $1.2 million. John Sheehan and Charles Groux initiated the program and have managed it ever since. Monsignor Gallen retired as pastor in September 1992, and became chaplain for the next two years at St. Joseph’s Manor in Meadowbrook. He is currently serving as chaplain for the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Camilla Hall Infirmary in Immaculata, PA, where on May 31, 1997, he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination with over 100 friends and relatives.
The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Leonard was appointed seventh pastor of St. Francis parish on the feast day of its patron saint—October 4, 1992. He was ordained in 1956 and served as assistant pastor at two suburban parishes before becoming Assistant Director in 1963, then Director in 1975, of the Youth Department in Washington, DC. In June 1982, Monsignor Leonard was appointed pastor of St. Bernard’s parish in North East Philadelphia, and in July 1989, was named Regional Vicar for Montgomery County. In August 1991, he became Secretary for Catholic Education for the Archdiocese where he served until coming to St. Francis. He died suddenly on May 15, 1993. Among his achievements was the replacement of all of the forty-one year old church doors with beautiful stained-glass ones.
On July 31, 1993, the Reverend Salvatore M. Riccio, MA, was transferred from Administrator of St. Cyril’s parish in East Lansdowne to become our eighth pastor. He was happy to return to St. Francis parish where he previously served as assistant pastor from 1976 to 1981. Following his ordination in May 1966, Father Riccio served as assistant pastor for five years at St. Katherine of Sienna’s parish in Philadelphia. Then he began his first tour of duty at St. Francis’ parish. In 1981 he was transferred to St. Gabriel’s parish in Norwood, and from 1986 to 1993 he was stationed at St. Cyril’s parish where he was appointed Administrator for his last four years there. Under the direction of Father Riccio, elected and appointed members of the Pastoral Council, with input from parishioners, developed a Mission Statement in 1994. The Mission Statement became the basis of a parish self-study, the most extensive evaluation ever undertaken of our parish’s spiritual needs.
This year-long study, with more input from parishioners, resulted in setting three main goals: Pursue stewardship; Grow stronger as a Christian Community through greater commitment to adult religious education; Foster better communication within the parish community by means of a parish newsletter. Each of these goals were met by the time the parish joined neighboring parishes in a parish cluster evaluation in 1998. On June 3, 1994, the Reverend John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S., a weekend associate at St. Francis since 1990, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination. In 1995, the Life Teen program was inaugurated at St. Francis in September, and St. Kevin’s parish joined the program in November. The program, under the guidance of Pastoral associate Caryl Conroy Johnson, promotes Christian life for all area teenagers in grades nine through twelve. Participants meet alternately at St. Francis or St. Kevin every second Sunday of each month for Mass with teen involvement, upbeat Christian music and a homily geared for teenagers. They gather after Mass for discussion and socializing.
In 1997, the Reverend James Otto was ordained on May 17 and his first assignment was assistant pastor at St. Francis, replacing Father Bier. Father Otto developed an adult education program on spirituality that drew over 90 persons weekly. He also taught a twice-monthly course on Scripture which was attended by 75 persons. And on June 1, 1997, the parish joined with the family of Mr. Arthur McGuire in congratulating him on his ordination as our second deacon. In 1998, Paul Stenson, a parishioner, was ordained to the priesthood and said his first Mass at St. Francis on May 17. The parish celebrated its 75th anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph F. Martino on Sunday, June 7, 1998, followed by a jubilee dinner-dance at the Ramada Inn in Essington, PA.
Pastors
Reverend Francis J. Conway 1923-1939
Reverend Nicholas A. Travo 1939-1952
Reverend Charles F. Gorman 1952-1967
Reverend Joseph A. Ward 1967-1973
Reverend Louis A. Eltz 1973-1975
Reverend Charles V. Gallen (Msgr.) 1975-1992
Reverend Thomas J. Leonard (Msgr.) 1992-1993
Reverend Salvatore M. Riccio 1993-Present
Assistant Pastors
Reverend John E. Dunn 1932-1933 Reverend Anthony J. Mechunes
1933-1935 Reverend Edmund G. Barr
1935-1935 Reverend Henry S. McNulty
1935-1938 Reverend George H. McCullough
1938-1940 Reverend Joseph F. Rodgers
1940-1945 Reverend William C. Faunce
1945-1953 Reverend Joseph C. Hannon 1949-1958 Reverend John J. Feeser
1953-1954 Reverend Thomas A. Kane
1954-1959 Reverend John E. McKenna 1958-1960 Reverend Daniel C. Gatens
1959-1962 Reverend Martin J. Nolan 1960-1962 Reverend Stanley A. Kowal
1962-1968 Reverend John F. McBride
1962-1963 Reverend Paul J. Schmidt
1963-1964 Reverend Eugene G. Cusick
1964-1965 Reverend William A. Wright
1965-1967 Reverend Walter W. Fenwick
1968-1969 Reverend Joseph G. Lyons
1969-1971 Reverend Louis P. Ciaudelli
1971-1975 Reverend Salvatore M. Riccio
1975-1981 Reverend Dennis J. Carbonaro
1981-1984 Reverend John J. Walsh
1981-1987 Reverend Richard P. Connors
1984-1987 Reverend James J. McGinnis (Parochial Vicar)
1987-1990 Reverend Joseph J. Sweeney (Administrator)
1989-1992 Reverend Louis C. Bier
1990-1997 Reverend James C. Otto (Parochial Vicar)
1997-Present
Priests in Residence Reverend Edmund G. Barr, Roman Catholic High School
1935-1935 Reverend George J. Friel, St. James High School
1942-1958 Reverend John A. Sharkey, Monsignor Bonner High School
1958-1959 Reverend Joseph J. Sweeney, Cardinal O’Hara High School
1964-1970 Reverend Joseph J. McLaughlin, Cardinal O’Hara High School
1970-1974 Reverend Michael J. McCarthy, Cardinal O’Hara High School
1975-1990
Weekend Associates Reverend John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S 1990-Present
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge (Msgr.) 1991-Present
Permanent Deacons Reverend Mr. James D. Kane 1991-Present
Reverend Mr. Arthur M. McGuire 1997-Present
MAJOR EVENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH (For more details please refer to the following Parish History) 1923 Father Francis Conway appointed as first pastor on June 2.
First parish Mass, June 10, in Mr. Johnston’s living room.
New chapel (now Conway Hall) completed December 16. 1924 Purchased house at 94 Saxer Avenue for rectory. 1929 Two-story stone church and school building completed by September.
Purchased house at 99 Lownes Lane for convent. 1932 Father John Dunn appointed first assistant pastor. 1939 Father Conway died September 29.
Father Nicholas Travo appointed second pastor on October 10. 1947 Holy Name World War II memorial dedicated May 30. 1948 First meeting of St. Francis Women’s Club on March 30. 1950 Interchanged rectory and convent. 1952 Father Travo died on August 24.
Father Charles Gorman appointed third pastor on October 1.
New church completed and blessed on November 23. 1953 Converted former church into four classrooms by September. 1955 New eight-room school and auditorium opened in September. 1957 Fire damaged old school building on March 16. 1960 First theatrical production by St. Francis Players. 1963 Gorman Library established. 1967 Father Gorman retired, named Pastor Emeritus on June 7.
Father Joseph Ward appointed fourth pastor.
Home and School Association had its first meeting on November 6. 1968 First lay Lectors. 1969 New convent (now rectory) completed July 1.
Main altar moved forward in November. 1971 Congregational singing at Sunday Mass began with lay Cantors. 1972 Statue of Blessed Mother erected behind convent in August. 1973 Father Ward died on September 2.
Father Louis Eltz appointed fifth pastor. 1975 Father Eltz retired.
Monsignor Charles Gallen appointed sixth pastor. 1984 New convent remodeled as new rectory after Sisters leave. 1986 First Eucharistic Ministers. 1989 Father Joseph Sweeney appointed parish Administrator. 1992 Monsignor Gallen retired.
Monsignor Thomas Leonard appointed seventh pastor on October 4. 1993 Monsignor Leonard died on May 15.
Father Salvatore Riccio appointed eighth pastor on July 31.