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Saint Francis of Assisi |
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| Sacramento, CA | Centennial Celebration | |||||||||
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Centennial Celebration St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s Building Centennial Celebration promises a year of honoring our parish and our community. More information: Centennial Celebration
Brief History Over a century ago, discussions between the Diocese and the Franciscan Friars led to an invitation to form a new parish in this community. On December 31, 1894, Fr. Augustine McClory OFM became our first pastor. He secured pledges from his new parishioners, purchased land for $7,000, and in January 1895, in temporary facilities, conducted the first church services. The church building was completed in two months, at a cost of $14,000; it was formally dedicated on April 7, 1895. The parish quickly grew, and the cornerstone for a larger church was laid on the site of the first church on October 18, 1908. Two years later, on October 23, 1910, the new church was dedicated. More recently, in 1983, interior renovations to improve lighting and sound, and to provide ramps for the disabled, were completed. Then, in 1995, the roof was replaced, seismic improvements were made, murals were restored, and much more work was done in order to preserve this center of worship for future generations. During this century of building, re-building and renovating the Church, St. Francis of Assisi Parish also completed other major projects: the construction of a three-story school, now St. Francis Elementary School; a convent, now the site of our Parish Center, and a Friary, where Franciscan friars continue to live in community. The church’s architecture is modeled after that of the Old Mission of Santa Barbara. The interior is a blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles; over 40 stained-glass windows and numerous murals decorate the ceilings and walls, portraying saints and Biblical scenes. The beautiful carved wooden staircase and railing to the second floor organ loft came from the 1906 remodeling of the State Capitol. Installed in the loft is a 1915 Austin electro-pneumatic pipe organ. The church’s bell, cast in New York in 1859, was initially placed in the tower of St. Rose Church in 1895, and later transferred to the belfry of St. Francis of Assisi Church, where it continues to toll daily. On September 30, 1995, St. Francis of Assisi Church celebrated its Centennial Anniversary–“100 Years of Blessings.”
Beginning in October 2008,
we are planning a Centennial Celebration of our church.
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"St. Francis of Assisi Parish, The Depression Years 1930 - 1940