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HISTORY OF ST.
FRANCIS PARISH
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
was fitting to 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)
1990-1997
Reverend Louis C. Bier (Parochial Vicar)
1997-2000
Reverend James C. Otto (Parochial Vicar)
2000-2006 Reverend
Michael Filippello (Parochial Vicar)
2006-2007 Reverend Peter J. DiMaria
(Parochial Vicar)
2007- present Reverend Mark S. Kunigonis (Parochial Vicar)
Priests in Residence
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 Reverend Edmund G. Barr, Roman
Catholic High School
Weekend Associates
Reverend John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S 1990-2009
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge (Msgr.) Now
Bishop of Charlotte North Carolina 1991-2004
Permanent Deacons
Deacon James D. Kane 1991-January
2010
Deacon Arthur M. McGuire
1997-Present
Deacon W. Timothy Baxter
2009 - 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.
looked at our history, Thank you! | 
