St Francis

HISTORY

History of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Although its roots go back to 1852 when Cave Johnson Couts and his wife, Ysidora, built a home at Rancho Guajome, St. Francis was not established officially as a Parish until 1940. At their home, they constructed a small Chapel where the Franciscan priests from Mission San Luis Rey celebrated Mass bimonthly.

In 1936, a 2nd Floor room in a building located on South Santa Fe and Terrace Drive was the next location where a congregation of 20 to 30 faithful was able to celebrate Mass. Soon the small congregation grew and moved to a storeroom behind McDougall’s Pharmacy serving the 130 worshippers.

The property at 525 West Vista Way was purchased on December 18, 1938. Bishop Charles F. Buddy dedicated the old county school

house which was to serve as the Church, naming it in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Fr. Dominic Gallardo served as the new Pastor. An altar was constructed by the Priests of San Luis Rey Mission and presented as a gift to parishioners of St. Francis. But it was not until 1940, when St. Francis of Assisi was granted the status of being a Parish. The first recorded baptism was that of John Irving who was baptized by Fr. John McHaie on Sept. 8, 1940.

Fr. Joseph O’Leary became Pastor in 1946. Under his leadership, work on the construction of a new Church building began in September of that year. Fr. O’Leary requested the construction be in the form of a cross. Fortunately, much of the construction materials were donated by parishioners. The new building rose to a height of 55 feet to the bell tower and had a seating capacity of 285.

The main altar of the new Church was consecrated by Bishop Charles F. Buddy on Nov. 29, 1947. Fr. O’Leary described the ceremony: “The entire slab of Mensa is consecrated with Holy Oils and dedicated forever with the Holy Oils to one exclusive purpose— the offering of a Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In the center of the altar table are placed authentic relics of martyrs and confessors of the faith. These were hermetically sealed.” The altar is composed of three marbles: white from Vermont, the predolla or steps came from Baja California, and Rojo Alicante Pilasters imported from Spain. The crucifix that was hung above the altar came from De Prato Studios. At this time two Masses were celebrated to meet the needs of the 400 parishioners.

Fr. O’Leary moved to the new Rectory in 1951. He had been living in a small frame building on what is now the location of the Parish offices.

Following Fr. O’Leary as Pastors were Fr.
Michael Coughlin and Fr. Charles Loftus.
Fr. Loftus was then succeeded by Fr. Dennis Mangan.

It was Fr. Mangan’s suggestion that the Hispanic Club build a miniature Chapel just outside the Church in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. A painting in her honor was placed on the altar for the March 9, 1958 dedication. The Chapel is still cared for by the Associacion Guaclalipano.

Fr. Mangan also wished to have a bell for the Church. A search was then conducted. Mr. Charles Harney made an arrangement through a Catholic Chaplain to produce one from a Navy destroyer which was being deactivated and in 1962 the bell was raised to position. As the Parish continued to grow so did the need for a Catholic School. Fr. Mangan organized a building fund drive. On September 10, 1961, St. Francis School was opened with the Order of Poor Clares from Ireland arriving to staff the school. The 1st year there was an enrollment of 158 students in grades one through six.

In 1968, Reverend Earl Ulman was appointed as Pastor of St. Francis. He came from St. Peters in Fallbrook. Fr. David Bailey and Fr. Dennis Krouse served as his first Associates. A larger Church building was needed since the registrations had grown to 1500. Under Fr. Ullman’s leadership, a drive was established to build the new Church. On May 6, 1973, Bishop Leo T. Maher joined Fr. Ullman for a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Dedication of the new Church.

The new Church was built to reflect the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The outward design of the Church gives the appearance of a cluster of buildings representing the many communities that make up the Church. Once inside however, the cluster becomes one large space, yet retaining the identity of several spaces within it. The focal point of the interior is the altar; a reminder that we are a Eucharistic community.

Fr. Ullman retired in 1978, and was succeeded by Bishop Gilbert E. Chavez, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego. Bishop Chavez served as Pastor for two years. Msgr. Thomas Byrne followed Bishop Chavez as Pastor in 1980. During this time the local chapter of St. Vincent de Paul Charities started as a means of assisting the needy of the Parish. Msgr. Byrne retired in 1987 and returned to Ireland where he died in 1989. Following Msgr. Byrne in the leadership of St. Francis, Fr. Douglas Regin spent the next seven years as Pastor.

Fr. Ramon R. Marrufo was appointed by Bishop Robert H. Brom as the 9th Pastor on July 1, 1994. Fr. Ramon is no stranger to St. Francis. In preparation for ordination to the priesthood, he served here as a Deacon in 1975-76 under the guidance of Fr. Earl Ullman. Fr. Ramon was ordained as a Priest on March 19, 1976 in his home parish of St. Rita’s in San Diego. He returned to St. Francis where he celebrated his first Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on March 20, 1976.

Today St. Francis continues to serve a thriving community. There are 6000 registered families in the Parish. Currently there are nine Sunday Masses celebrated in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. There are numerous organizations serving all ages and needs within the community. We are grateful to all the Clergy who had served St. Francis in the past, and we give thanks to those who serve us now.

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