About St. Francis of Assisi · Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
St. Francis of Assisi is a small Catholic parish serving the resort and retirement community of Fairfield Bay in north-central Arkansas, on the north shore of Greers Ferry Lake. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Little Rock (River Valley Deanery, Van Buren County) and shares pastoral ministry with St. Jude Thaddeus Church in nearby Clinton. The community chose the patron saint of ecology as its namesake because the wooded, lake-side setting of Fairfield Bay has been designated a wildlife sanctuary — a fitting tribute to the saint's love of creation. Under the pastoral care of Father Thomas J. Hart, the parish offers daily and weekend Mass, regular Reconciliation, First Saturday Adoration, and Anointing of the Sick on First Fridays, faithfully serving both year-round residents and the many seasonal visitors to this recreational community.
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas J. Hart
- Diocese
- Diocese of Little Rock (River Valley Deanery, Van Buren County)
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is the spiritual home for Catholics living in or visiting Fairfield Bay and the surrounding Greers Ferry Lake area. The parish keeps a faithful weekly rhythm of Mass, Reconciliation, First Friday Anointing of the Sick, and First Saturday Eucharistic Adoration, so worship is accessible to both full-time residents and the many seasonal timeshare visitors the resort community welcomes each year. With its small, family-style parish community, accessible pastor in Father Hart, and a setting that lives up to its patron's love of creation, it offers an intimate Catholic witness in a part of north-central Arkansas where Catholics are few.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
- Thursday after 8:30 a.m. Mass
- Anytime, upon request
Adoration times
- First Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (unless pastor is away)
Parish Overview
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is the Catholic parish serving Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, a wooded resort-retirement community on the north shore of Greers Ferry Lake in Van Buren County. The parish is part of the Diocese of Little Rock, in the River Valley Deanery. It is a small, close-knit community that also shares its pastor with St. Jude Thaddeus Church in the nearby town of Clinton. The parish mailing address is 250 Woodlawn Drive, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088, and the parish office is staffed Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
History of the Parish
Fairfield Bay was developed in the mid-1960s by three Fort Smith businessmen — George Jacobus, Neal Simonson, and Randolph Warner — through their Fairfield Communities Land Company. The first 3,500 acres were purchased by 1965 from the Nebraska Tie and Lumber Company. The community grew rapidly through the 1970s and 1980s, attracting both retirees and timeshare owners from across the United States. Among the six churches that serve Fairfield Bay today, St. Francis of Assisi is the Catholic parish, and its founding members chose the patron saint of ecology as namesake because of the wooded, wildlife-sanctuary character of the community.
Why St. Francis?
The parish's own history explains: 'Fairfield Bay is nestled in a woodsy setting and the entire community has been designated a wildlife sanctuary. St. Francis loved the beauty of nature and wildlife so much, it seemed only natural for the founding members of this community to name their new parish in his honor.' St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) founded the Franciscan Order, was the first to create a three-dimensional Nativity crèche at Greccio around 1220, received the stigmata at La Verna in September 1224, and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX two years after his death. In 1980, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him patron saint of ecologists. His feast day is October 4.
- 1182–1226
- Founded the Franciscan Order
- Created the first Nativity crèche at Greccio, c. 1220
- Received the stigmata at La Verna, September 1224
- Died at the Porziuncola chapel, October 3, 1226
- Canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228
- Proclaimed patron of ecologists by Pope John Paul II in 1980
- Feast day: October 4
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Father Thomas J. Hart, who also attends St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Clinton. The parish secretary is Judy Johnson, who can be reached at the parish phone number during office hours. According to an Arkansas Catholic report from January 2008, Father William Elser was pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in that period, documenting at least one prior pastor.
- Rev. Thomas J. Hart — Pastor
- Judy Johnson — Parish Secretary
- Father William Elser — Pastor (around 2008)
Other Devotions & Services
On First Fridays the parish celebrates the 8:30 a.m. Mass with the Anointing of the Sick, an important devotion for the many retirees and seasonal visitors who make up the parish community.
- First Friday Mass — 8:30 a.m. (with Anointing of the Sick)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the usual sacraments, with arrangements made through the parish office during office hours (Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).
- Baptism — by appointment
- Marriage — contact the parish office at least six (6) months in advance
- Reconciliation — see confession schedule above
- Anointing of the Sick — First Fridays at the 8:30 a.m. Mass
Parish Office & Contact
The parish office is located at the church address and is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Messages can also be left by phone at (501) 884-3349 or by email.
- Address: 250 Woodlawn Drive, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088
- Phone: (501) 884-3349
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stfrancisffb.org/
- Office Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Parish Secretary: Judy Johnson
Giving & Online Donations
St. Francis of Assisi now offers secure online giving through Zeffy, allowing parishioners and friends to make one-time or recurring gifts to support the parish and its ministries.
- Online giving via Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/organizations/st-francis-of-assisi-catholic-church-fairfield-bay-ar
Becoming a Parishioner
Those wishing to join St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church are invited to contact the parish office during office hours (Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). The parish website includes a 'Join St. Francis Parish' page with further information.
Liturgical Ministry Schedule
The parish maintains published Ministers' Schedules that rotate liturgical ministers (lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, etc.) for the weekend and weekday Masses.
- Ministers' Schedule
- Ministers' Schedule 2
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William Elseraround 2008
Identified as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Bay in an Arkansas Catholic article dated January 12, 2008, attending the 100th birthday celebration of a Mercy sister.
- Rev. Thomas J. Hartpresent
Current pastor; also serves St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Clinton, AR.