About St. Francis of Assisi · Humphrey, Nebraska
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a historic Catholic parish in Humphrey, Nebraska, founded in 1882 to serve the growing Catholic population of the new railroad town. The parish has grown from its original 32-by-64-foot frame church to a grand Romanesque-style church with one of the tallest steeples in Nebraska. Today St. Francis is part of the Family of God Catholic Parishes cluster along with Holy Family, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, St. Mary, and St. Michael in east-central Nebraska. It remains a vibrant center of worship, Catholic education (K–12 plus Little Saints Daycare), and community life, currently preparing to build a new elementary school through a $25 million 'United in Faith. Building for Generations' capital campaign.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Taylor Leffler
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Omaha (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Omaha)
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a welcoming Catholic community rooted in Franciscan heritage and committed to faith and education. Parishioners are strengthened by the Word and the Eucharist, and are invited to love and serve with compassion, grow in the Holy Spirit, and invite others to share in the life of Christ. With an active school (K–12 plus Little Saints Daycare), a Knights of Columbus council, Parish Council and Finance Board, faith formation for youth and adults, OCIA, and a capital campaign preparing a new elementary school for future generations, St. Francis offers meaningful ways for every age to belong, serve, and grow in faith.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday – 4:00 PM
- Sunday – 9:30 AM
Adoration times
- First Friday
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Francis of Assisi describes itself as a welcoming Catholic community rooted in its Franciscan heritage and commitment to faith and education. Strengthened by the Word and the Eucharist, the parish strives to love and serve with compassion, grow in the Holy Spirit, and invite others to share in the life of Christ. Today it stands as a testimony to the enduring faith, hard work, and generosity of generations of parishioners.
- Parish mission: welcoming community rooted in Franciscan heritage
- Continuing Catholic education through St. Francis Schools
- Active family of parishes (Family of God) sharing clergy and ministries
History of St. Francis of Assisi Parish
The parish was founded in 1882 when the growing Catholic population of the new railroad town of Humphrey could no longer easily travel to St. Mary Parish. Fr. Theodore Arentz, O.F.M., pastor of St. Mary, announced construction would begin on October 1, 1882. The cornerstone was laid December 10, 1882, and the original 32-by-64-foot frame church with 64-foot steeple was dedicated July 10, 1883. By 1888 the parish served 180 families. In 1894 the present Romanesque-style church was built on the original site — 64 by 172 feet with a 172-foot steeple and seating for 800. A town clock was added to the steeple in 1899.
- Founded 1882
- Cornerstone laid December 10, 1882
- First Mass / parish dedication July 10, 1883
- 180 families served by 1888
- Present Romanesque church built 1894
- Town clock added to steeple 1899
Architecture & Building History
The 1894 church is Romanesque in style. The original interior was painted in 1894 by William Kloer of St. Louis; heating was added in 1897 and electric lighting in 1901. New pews, confessionals, a pulpit, stained glass windows, and an organ were added over time. Major redecorations took place in 1924, 1959, 1981, and 2008. A statue of St. Peregrine was added in 2009.
- 64 × 172 ft Romanesque church built 1894
- 172-ft steeple (one of tallest in Nebraska)
- Town clock on steeple since 1899
- Major interior redecoration 2008
Lightning Strikes & Repairs
The church's towering steeple has been struck by lightning multiple times — 1945, 1962, 1968, 1971, and 1984 — damaging the steeple, clock, bells, sound system, and wiring. Major repairs included a full steeple rebuild in 1963, a new steel A-frame support in 1977, and tuckpointing and window restoration in 2005–2006. Each repair was completed with parishioner support and insurance assistance.
- Lightning strikes: 1945, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1984
- Full steeple rebuild 1963
- Steel A-frame support installed 1977
- Tuckpointing and window restoration 2005–2006
Parish Hall
The parish hall sits in the church basement. It was first used in 1897 for winter Masses because the upper church was unheated, then remodeled into a full parish hall in 1966–1967 with donated labor and materials. A major renovation in 2011 added a new cement floor, ventilation system, heating upgrades, insulation, and restored stained glass windows — much of it completed by volunteers.
- First used for winter Masses 1897
- Remodeled into full parish hall 1966–1967
- Major renovation 2011 (floors, HVAC, stained glass)
Clergy
St. Francis is led by Pastor Rev. Taylor Leffler and Associate Pastor Rev. Dan Wittrock, shared with the other Family of God parishes. Three deacons serve at the parish.
- Pastor: Rev. Taylor Leffler
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Dan Wittrock
- Deacon Dennis Anderson
- Deacon Kent Sachau
- Deacon Tim Howard
Parish Staff
The parish staff supports liturgy, faith formation, finances, communications, advancement, maintenance, and pastoral care.
- Director of PRE (Parish Religious Education): Lori Classen
- Parish Secretary: Lindsey Kosch
- Parish Bookkeeper: Lisa Krings
- Advancement Director: Ashley Krings
- Bulletin Editor: Katie Morfeld
- Pastoral Minister: Diane Zach
- Maintenance: Ron Schroeder
Parish Leaders & Councils
Lay leadership is organized through a Parish Council, Finance Board, Endowment committee, Development team, and the Knights of Columbus. The three deacons and their spouses are listed as parish leaders.
- Parish Council President: Spencer Eisenmenger
- Finance Board President: Bryan Reichmuth
- Endowment: Jan Kessler-Fischer
- Development: Ashley Krings
- Knights of Columbus Grand Knight: Randy Preister
- Deacon Dennis & Celie Anderson
- Deacon Kent & Tina Sachau
- Deacon Tim & Melissa Howard
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond Mass and confession, the parish gathers for a weekly 'Rosary for Peace & Unity' every Sunday evening in church, monthly First Friday adoration and Benediction, and a prayer line staffed by the parish office and after hours by volunteers.
- Rosary for Peace & Unity – Sundays 7:00 PM in church
- First Friday Adoration and Benediction
- Prayer Line: Parish Office during hours; after hours via Connie Foltz
Sacraments
Through the Family of God parishes, St. Francis prepares Catholics of every age for the full sacramental life of the Church. Children in Catholic schools and PRE classes receive First Holy Communion in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 8th grade. Adults seeking full communion journey through OCIA (formerly RCIA).
- Baptism (child & adult)
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- OCIA / RCIA for adults entering full communion
- Marriage / Convalidation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders / Vocations
Faith Formation & Catholic Schools
St. Francis Parish Religious Education (PRE), directed by Lori Classen, provides faith formation and sacramental preparation for youth who do not attend a Catholic school. The parish also operates St. Francis Elementary (Pre-K through 6th grade) with about 179 students and a St. Francis Jr./Sr. High School, plus Little Saints Daycare, which is at capacity with a waiting list. A $25 million 'United in Faith. Building for Generations' capital campaign is funding a new two-story elementary school with a secured entrance, modernized amenities, and a new St. Francis Activity Center with gymnasium.
- PRE Director: Lori Classen
- St. Francis Elementary (Pre-K–6), ~179 students
- St. Francis Jr./Sr. High School
- Little Saints Daycare (at capacity with waiting list)
- First Communion in 2nd grade; Confirmation in 8th grade
- $25M capital campaign: 'United in Faith. Building for Generations'
Parish Cemetery
St. Francis Cemetery is maintained under parish oversight as part of ongoing stewardship of the parish's historic grounds.
- St. Francis Cemetery contact: Doug Eisenmenger
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday, and closed Mondays. Mass intentions can be booked through the parish secretary. The parish shares the broader Family of God Catholic Parishes website for news, bulletins, calendars, and ministry sign-ups.
- Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Tue–Fri (closed Mondays)
- Parish Secretary: Lindsey Kosch
- Mass Intentions: book through the parish secretary
- Address: 203 South 5th Street, PO Box 116, Humphrey, NE 68642
- Phone: (402) 923-0913