The founding of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish can
be traced back to Ruth Isabel Strong, a convert to the Catholic faith on July 27, 1942. She quickly realized that
the few Catholics residing in Gates Mills had to travel a long distance to attend Sunday Mass.
It was not long before Mrs. Strong made an offer to
Bishop Schrembs to use the library-garden room of her Old Mill Road home as a temporary chapel. On December 20,
1942, Father Joseph Lamontagne, celebrated Mass for forty-eight Catholics from the surrounding area. On March 4,
1943, Bishop Schrembs visited the chapel and confirmed Mrs. Strong. She suggested placing the congregation under
the patronage of Saint Francis of Assisi. On August 11, 1943, Bishop Hoban appointed Father William B. Gallagher
as the founding pastor.
When Mrs. Strong sold her home in 1945, Father Gallagher
began a search to purchase property that eventually would bring them to our current site. Ground was broken for
the new church on June 12, 1947. The architectural firm of Walker and Weeks designed a church that would accommodate
350 parishioners. Bishop Hoban dedicated the new Saint Francis of Assisi Church on October 3, 1948.
Once the debt for the church was retired, Father Gallagher
launched the construction of a school which opened on September 14, 1954, and was staffed by the Sisters of Notre
Dame. A convent was built in 1958. On March 10, 1960, Pope John XXIII conferred the title "Monsignor"
on Father Gallagher. Due to rapid growth in the Mayfield area, seven classroom were added in the same year. The
original church could no longer accommodate a parish population of 3600, so plans for a new church were initiated
in 1966. Inspired by Monticello, architect Peter Woyar designed an octagonal church which Bishop Issenmann dedicated
on October 5, 1969. Upon his retirement in 1973, Monsignor Gallagher continued to live in the rectory, devoting
his remaining years to providing pastoral care at Hillcrest Hospital. He died on January 6, 1986.
Father Sylvester Fridrich was appointed the second
pastor of Saint Francis on January 15, 1973. A new era of growth ensued. In 1974, the parish opened a preschool
and kindergarten. The original church was converted into a gymnasium and large meeting room with a kitchen. The
parish festival became an annual event every June. The popular renewal program Christ Renews His Parish was
introduced. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, Bishop Pilla consecrated the church building on October 3,
1983.
The parish boasted a membership of 2600 families and
the pastoral staff was expanded to include women religious and laity. Father Fridrich retired in the summer of
1996.
Bishop Pilla appointed Father James L. Caddy as the
third pastor of the parish and he was installed on October 20, 1996. Realizing that the original parish facilities
could no longer adequately serve the needs of a growing and diverse parish community, Father Caddy convened a building
committee. David Holzheimer was engaged as architect. A building campaign entitled "Let's Get Growing" was
inaugurated. It was the first major capital campaign in over thirty years. The project would include the construction
of a Parish Center, the relocation of parish offices into the former convent, the demolition of the original rectory
and parish center and the addition of adjacent parking to the parish offices. Once again, the parishioners of Saint
Francis of Assisi rallied to support their faith commitment by pledging their time, treasure and talents to leave
a legacy of spiritual, educational and recreational excellence for the coming generations.
