About St. Francis of Assisi · Clearfield, Pennsylvania
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, part of the Diocese of Erie. Founded in 1830, it is one of the oldest parishes in the diocese and was the first church in the area to receive an episcopal blessing from Bishop Kenrick. The parish serves the faithful of Clearfield and surrounding Clearfield County from its location on South Front / South Second Street, with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, a daily Mass schedule, and a staffed Religious Education program.
- Established
- 1830
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Robert Horgas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in central Pennsylvania: a weekend schedule with Saturday Vigil and two Sunday morning Masses, daily Mass during the week, regular Saturday confession, and a structured Religious Education program led by a parish coordinator. A resident pastor and a small, dedicated staff — including a liturgical music director — keep the parish running as a true community of faith, rooted in nearly two centuries of continuous Catholic witness in Clearfield.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (or 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. per some listings)
- Thursday before First Friday: 9:15 a.m.
- Or by appointment
Parish Identity and History
St. Francis of Assisi Parish was founded in 1830 in the town of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and assigned the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi. The parish traces its beginnings to missionary priests who visited the area as early as 1815–1818, celebrating Mass in private homes and in the old academy building on Front Street for a small community of Irish and other Catholic settlers. With the donation of land by Joseph Boone and the support of Father Patrick Leavy, a brick church seating about three hundred was erected on Second Street, blessed on October 4, 1830 by Bishop Kenrick — the first episcopal blessing of a church in what would become the Diocese of Erie.
- Established 1830
- Patron: St. Francis of Assisi
- Diocese of Erie
- First episcopal blessing in the Diocese of Erie (Bishop Kenrick, Oct. 4, 1830)
Late-Nineteenth-Century Building Campaign
Under the long pastorate of Rev. Peter Joseph Sheridan, the parish grew to the point that the original 1830 brick church was no longer adequate. In 1884 plans were adopted for a new, larger church, and Sheridan set about raising funds together with his parishioners. Rev. Thomas Tracey (1863–c. 1868), Rev. O'Brannigan, Rev. Wurzfeld, and Rev. Thomas McManus (1871–1872) served between Coady and Sheridan.
- Rev. John Dennis Coady — 1857 to July 1863
- Rev. Thomas Tracey — August 1863 to c. 1868
- Rev. O'Brannigan — 1868
- Rev. Wurzfeld
- Rev. Thomas McManus — 1871 to November 1872
- Rev. Peter Joseph Sheridan — from 1872; planned the new church in 1884
Pastoral Team and Staff
The parish is currently served by a resident pastor and a small team of lay and liturgical staff, as listed on the Diocese of Erie parish page. Inquiries about Mass times, the Religious Education program, and the parish bulletin are directed through the rectory.
- Pastor: Rev. Robert Horgas
- Religious Education Leader: J.J. Bungo
- Liturgical Music Contact: Monte Close
- Support Staff: Edna Spencer
- Support Staff: Patricia Young
Religious Education and Liturgical Music
Faith formation for children and families is coordinated through the parish's Religious Education Leader. Liturgical music is directed by the parish's Liturgical Music Contact, supporting the sung prayer of weekend and weekday Masses.
- Religious Education Leader — J.J. Bungo
- Liturgical Music Contact — Monte Close
Contact and Location
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person at the rectory/mailing address in Clearfield.
- Phone: (814) 765-9671
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: 212 S. Front Street, Clearfield, PA 16830
- Physical address: 211 S. Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830
- Listed on the Diocese of Erie parish directory
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick Leavythrough 1830s
Built the first brick church on land donated by Joseph Boone; the first pastor of the organized parish.
- Rev. Otto Borgess1838
- Rev. Father Nugent1841
Remained about two years.
- Rev. P. A. Prendergast1844
- Rev. John Berbigier1846
Also in charge at Frenchville.
- Rev. Joseph F. Dean1847
Remained some time.
- Rev. Joseph A. Gallagher
- Rev. F. Ledwith
- Rev. John Dennis Coady1857 – July 1863
Built the priest's residence on the lot north of the church.
- Rev. Thomas TraceyAugust 1863 – c. 1868
Remained about five years.
- Rev. O'Brannigan1868
- Rev. Wurzfeld
Remained a short time.
- Rev. Thomas McManus1871 – November 1872
- Rev. Peter Joseph Sheridanfrom 1872
In 1884 adopted plans for a new church and led the parish in raising funds.