The History of St. Francis of Assisi Parish

It all began in 1926 when a group of Catholic families in the Oakville area approached Fr. Albert Mayer, pastor of St. Andrew Church, regarding the establishment of a new parish. Until then, St. Andrew and Assumption churches served Catholics in this area. Around the same time, Franciscans from St. Anthony Friary in St. Louis were ministering to patients at Koch hospital and Veterans hospital. In 1927 the Franciscans were asked and accepted the role of spiritual leaders for this new parish. In turn, the people eagerly accepted the Franciscans’ patron, St. Francis of Assisi, as their own. Fr.Hilarion Duerk, OFM was appointed pastor.

A woman named Schneider donated one and sold another 2–1/2 acres of land at market value to the parish. The property was located on the east side of Telegraph Rd., just north of Yaeger Rd. Parishioners dug the 70-ft. by 30-ft. basement and foundation of the first church. This building seated approximately 100 people and cost about $3,500 to build. On May 9, 1927, the new church was dedicated at a Mass celebrated by Archbishop John J. Glennon. The Mass was preceded by a parade from the Oakville Farmers Club Park to church, and afterwards all returned to the park for a chicken dinner and entertainment.

The first school opened in 1930 in a two room metal building that was purchased from the St. Louis board of Education and moved to the church property. Two Sisters of St. Joseph at Carondelet staffed the school until 1941. In 1941, a new brick building had to be built to accommodate the growing school. The old school building was converted into a convent for the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, who had come at that time to teach in our parish school.

The parish continued to grow and on December 13, 1953, a new modern church building was dedicated at a Mass presided over by Most Reverend Joseph E. Ritter. This new church included a choir loft, sacristy, two offices and a study for the pastor on the main level. Below were four classrooms, lavatories, bus garages and several other rooms. Because of continuing growth, additions to the school were done in 1959, 1962 and 1976. In 1976, the church was also renovated. In 1981-82 the present parish center was added. This building addition provided a new gym/cafeteria, school library, school offices and more classrooms. The old school building was torn down in the early 1980’s to provide additional parking. In the late 1980’s six additional classrooms were added and the sacristy was expanded, connecting it to the present day rectory.