About St. Francis of Assisi · Franklin, North Carolina
St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church is a Roman-Latin rite parish in Franklin, North Carolina, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. The parish serves the mountain communities of Macon County with Mass offered in both English and Spanish, a full schedule of confession, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and a Rosary for Life devotion. The current pastor is Father Tien (Hung) Duong, and parish life is supported by a deacon, a Religious Education director, a music coordinator, a parish secretary, and a parish accountant, alongside a Parish Council that includes Community Ministries and Parish Life chairs.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Tien (Hung) Duong
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers a welcoming mountain-Catholic community that celebrates the Eucharist in both English and Spanish, with a weekly vigil Mass and two Sunday Masses, plus daily Mass four days a week. The parish nourishes prayer life through Saturday and Wednesday confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Fridays with Benediction, the monthly First Friday all-night vigil, and a Rosary for Life prayed before Mass. Faith formation is built in: catechesis for Pre-K through 12th grade on Sunday mornings, an active RCIA inquiry process meeting Monday evenings, and a Parish Council coordinating Community Ministries and Parish Life — making it easy both to worship deeply and to get involved.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (EST)
- Saturday 4:00 PM (DST)
- Wednesday 6:15 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM with Benediction at 3:00 PM
- First Friday 10:00 AM until Saturday 8:45 AM with Benediction at 8:45 AM
Welcome and Parish Mission
The parish website greets visitors and members alike, inviting them to 'find the peace of Christ and abundant blessings from our parish community' and to explore how Saint Francis of Assisi Parish can become part of their faith journey. The parish identifies itself as a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Charlotte, centered on the Eucharist and on living out the mission of Christ in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Our History
The parish's story begins in 1953, when the original St. Francis of Assisi Church was finished in July and dedicated on October 3, 1953. By the late 1970s the building was too small; a building fund was started in 1976, and a local benefactor's gift in the summer of 1977 enabled the purchase of land and construction of a new church. Parishioners funded the balance through pledges, raffles, baked-good sales, bingo, dinners and dances, and the new church's first Mass was held on Christmas Day, December 25, 1981, with the dedication celebrated on July 25, 1982. A second building campaign in 1996 added a chapel, library/meeting room, offices, storage and restrooms upstairs and classrooms, storage and restrooms downstairs; this addition was dedicated on June 22, 1997.
- Original church dedicated: October 3, 1953
- New church first Mass: December 25, 1981
- New church dedication: July 25, 1982
- Addition (chapel, offices, classrooms) dedicated: June 22, 1997
Rosary for Life
The parish prays the Rosary for Life each Saturday and Sunday morning, gathering before Mass to intercede for the dignity of human life.
- Saturday 3:30 PM (EST) / 4:30 PM (DST)
- Sunday 8:30 AM
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation and Marriage in keeping with diocesan norms. Parents of infants register for Baptism preparation classes through the Faith Formation office; older children preparing for First Eucharist and Confirmation follow the catechetical program; and adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church are welcomed into the RCIA process. Practicing Catholics are also encouraged to join RCIA sessions as a refresher in the faith. Couples should contact the Parish Office to begin marriage preparation.
- Baptism (preparation classes for parents of infants)
- Confirmation (preparation at two-year intervals)
- First Eucharist via Faith Formation
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Matrimony — contact the Parish Office
RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA at St. Francis is described as a program of faith discernment and a time to grow in prayer, study and community while coming to understand and participate in the liturgical life of the Roman Catholic Church. The group meets on Mondays from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and is open to anyone curious about Catholicism — including baptized Catholics still needing First Eucharist and/or Confirmation. Inquirers are invited to come with their questions in an open, welcoming environment.
- Meets Mondays 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Open to non-Catholics, catechumens, and baptized Catholics needing Eucharist/Confirmation
- Contact the Parish Office at 828-524-2289 for information
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
Faith Formation at St. Francis of Assisi serves children from Pre-K through 12th grade, meeting on Sunday mornings after the 9:00 AM Mass. The director is Kristin Fox, supported by dedicated volunteer catechists who give generously of their time to pass on the faith and bear witness to the Gospel message.
- Faith Formation Director: Kristin Fox
- Classes for Pre-K through 12th grade
- Sunday mornings, following the 9:00 AM Mass
- Catechist volunteers from the parish
Parish Staff
The parish is led by a small but committed staff: Father Tien Duong as Pastor; Deacon Rev. Dr. David Ramsey assisting with ministry; Kristin (Kristen) Fox as Religious Education Director; Art & Carol Todesco as Music Coordinators; Marie Cook as Parish Secretary; and Lori Birchard as Parish Accountant. All can be reached through the parish office at 828-524-2289.
- Pastor: Father Tien Duong
- Deacon: Rev. Dr. David Ramsey
- Religious Education Director: Kristin Fox
- Music Coordinator: Art & Carol Todesco
- Parish Secretary: Marie Cook
- Parish Accountant: Lori Birchard
Parish Council
The Parish Council works with the pastor to represent the parish community and bring concerns to leadership. Council chairs cover Education & Formation, Liturgy & Worship, Community Ministries, Parish Life, Evangelization/Communication, and Buildings and Facilities.
- Chair: Dick Kerzic
- Community Ministries: Julie Tastinger (828-349-9813)
- Parish Life: Mary Pleskach (828-369-0109)
- Additional commissions: Education & Formation, Liturgy & Worship, Evangelization/Communication, Buildings and Facilities
Stewardship and Giving
The parish participates in the Diocese of Charlotte's annual 'One Body in Christ' Diocesan Support Appeal (DSA) and offers online giving via a QR code on its homepage. Donations can be made directly to the parish (church #082) or through the diocese's website. Families are encouraged to register as active members of the parish.
- Annual DSA — 'One Body in Christ' (Diocese of Charlotte)
- Online giving via QR code on parish site
- Parish contribution number: 082
Visiting Franklin and Contact
St. Francis of Assisi is located at 299 Maple Street, Franklin, NC 28734, in the heart of the Smoky Mountain foothills. The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and can be reached at 828-524-2289 (fax 828-369-0809) or by email at [email protected]. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Charlotte and links visitors to broader diocesan and USCCB resources through its Links page.
- Address: 299 Maple Street, Franklin, NC 28734
- Phone: 828-524-2289
- Fax: 828-369-0809
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Email: [email protected]