St. Francis of Assisi

About St. Francis of Assisi Parish

St. Francis of Assisi is a Roman Catholic parish in the West End (Morrellville/Oakhurst) of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and served by Conventual Franciscan friars. Its mission statement reads: 'St. Francis of Assisi is a Roman Catholic worshipping community, dedicated to ministering to our members and to the greater community in the image given to us by Jesus. This ministry is centered on the Sacraments and Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity.' The parish welcomes more than 200 families today and invites new members to register through the office or online.

• Roman Catholic parish, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
• Served by Conventual Franciscans (OFMConv)
• Over 200 families currently attend
• Located at 120 Barron Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15906

Parish History

The parish was founded in 1922 by Slovak immigrant families of Morrellville and Oakhurst who found their previous parish — St. Stephen's in Cambria City — too far to walk, especially in bad weather. After a building-fund meeting in August 1920 involving roughly 100 families, the founders received Vatican permission through Bishop John McCort, purchased the former Morrellville Church of the Brethren, and celebrated their first Mass on Christmas Eve 1922. The present church, at the corner of Barron Avenue and D Street, was constructed during the tenure of Fr. Stephen Gergel and dedicated in 1973. The parish celebrated its 100th anniversary on October 16, 2022, with Bishop Mark Bartchak.

• Established 1922 as a Slovak ethnic parish in Johnstown's West End
• Founding pastor: Rev. A.P. Sabados (1922–1968)
• First Mass: Christmas Eve, December 24, 1922
• Present church dedicated 1973 under Fr. Stephen Gergel
• Centennial Mass with Bishop Mark Bartchak on Oct. 16, 2022

Clergy & Parish Staff

The parish is led by Conventual Franciscan pastor Fr. Anthony Francis Spilka, OFMConv (appointed August 2009), with Permanent Deacon Bruce Becker serving as Director of Religious Education. A team of lay leaders and council presidents steward the parish's temporal and pastoral life.

• Pastor: Fr. Anthony Francis Spilka, OFMConv
• Permanent Deacon: Bruce Becker (also Director of Religious Education)
• Parish Secretary: Megan Billow-Berchick
• Music Minister: Gale Bala
• Parish Council President: Gary Woodruff
• Finance Council President: Brian Mayko
• Cemetery Council President: William Heim
• Men's Club Acting President: David King
• Rosary Society: Cecilia Neiderer

Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation

St. Francis runs its CCD/Religious Education program jointly with neighboring St. Therese Church. Sacramental preparation is parish-based and family-inclusive, with classes held in the Resurrection Parish Center on Chestnut St. (Pre-K through 8th grade meet Sunday after the 9:30 AM Mass until Noon). Sacramental milestones include First Reconciliation (2nd grade+), First Communion (2nd grade+), and Confirmation (9th grade+, with the 11th-grade Confirmation class meeting the second Sunday of each month at the Rectory). Students at Bishop McCort Catholic School are also expected to take parish religious-education classes for sacramental preparation.

• CCD classes Pre-K–8: Sunday after 9:30 AM Mass until Noon at Resurrection Parish Center, Chestnut St.
• 9th and 10th grade Confirmation classes: Sunday after 9:30 AM Mass at Resurrection Oratory
• 11th grade Confirmation class: second Sunday of each month at the Rectory
• First Reconciliation and First Eucharist: 2nd grade or above
• Confirmation: 9th grade or above
• Diocesan Student Release/Waiver required for participation

RCIA — Christian Initiation

Adults interested in becoming Catholic, as well as those who want to learn more about the Catholic faith, are invited to participate in the parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Inquiries should be directed to the Parish Office at 814-539-1632.

Parish Ministries & Organizations

A wide range of lay ministries animate parish life at St. Francis. The Pastoral Council (chaired by Gary Woodruff) and Finance Council (chaired by Brian Mayko) provide consultative leadership alongside the pastor. Devotional and fellowship groups include the Rosary Society (Cecilia Neiderer), the Men's Club (acting president David King), the Choir (Music Minister Gale Bala), and a Young Adult Group for ages 18–39. Liturgical roles include Adult Altar Servers (weekday Masses and funerals), Young Altar Servers (weekends), Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Ushers/Collectors. The Traveling Vocations Crucifix program unites parishioners in prayer for vocations, and the Oremus Ministry (Prayer Chain) prays for those in need.

• Pastoral Council members: Deacon Bruce Becker (ex-officio), Gary Woodruff (Chair), Carol Mangus, Jeanette DiFlauro, Mary Frances King, Darlene Melikant, Diane Shoup, Joyce Smith
• Rosary Society – First Monday 6:00 PM in Church
• Men's Club – First Thursday 6:30 PM in Activity Center
• Young Adult Group (18–39) – faith & fellowship; contact Geoffrey Stumpo (814) 659-7415 / [email protected]
• Choir – Wednesday evening practice, plus 9:30 AM Sunday Mass and special celebrations
• Liturgy Committee, Oremus Prayer Chain, Traveling Vocations Crucifix program

Pro-Life Ministry — The Gabriel Project

The Gabriel Project is a pro-life Catholic ministry at St. Francis dedicated to helping mothers and babies in the Johnstown community; it currently serves more than 50 babies and their families. Volunteers Becky and Chris coordinate support (diapers, baby clothes, wipes, etc.). The parish also participates in a weekly Thursday 4:00–5:00 PM prayer vigil in front of Planned Parenthood on Franklin Street, monthly meetings (third Wednesday, 7:00 PM, St. Francis Activity Center), and Eucharistic Adoration for Life on Fridays at St. Therese Church.

• Currently serving 50+ babies and their families
• Contacts: Becky or Chris, 814-418-1813 / [email protected]
• Pro-Life Vigil: Thursdays 4:00–5:00 PM in front of Planned Parenthood, Franklin St.
• Monthly meeting: 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 PM, St. Francis Activity Center
• Eucharistic Adoration for Life: Fridays 7:00–8:00 PM at St. Therese Church

Outreach — St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen

St. Francis of Assisi parishioners volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen on the 4th Monday of each month, with the Parish Council recruiting six volunteers per date. The parish also collects foodstuffs weekly to support the kitchen.

• Volunteering on the 4th Monday of each month (6 volunteers per date)
• Weekly foodstuff collection for the soup kitchen
• Sign-up sheet in the Main Vestibule

Sacraments

St. Francis celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Parents are asked to register for Baptism preparation before the child's birth, First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically celebrated in 2nd grade or above, and Confirmation candidates begin in 9th grade. Marriage preparation follows Diocesan directives with at least 9 months' notice, Pre-Cana sessions, and the FOCCUS inventory. Ministry to the Sick brings Penance and Holy Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass; the parish also celebrates a communal Anointing of the Sick on the 2nd Sunday of Advent and 3rd Sunday of Lent.

• Baptism – registration and pre-baptismal class for parents required
• First Reconciliation & First Eucharist – 2nd grade+
• Confirmation – 9th grade+ (11th-grade class second Sunday at the Rectory)
• Marriage – 9-month notice; Pre-Cana and FOCCUS required
• Anointing of the Sick – 2nd Sunday of Advent, 3rd Sunday of Lent, or by arrangement
• Ministry to the Sick – home visits by appointment through the Parish Office

Parish Contacts, Office & Visiting

The rectory/parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, staffed by Parish Secretary Megan Billow-Berchick. New parishioners may register any day during office hours or via the online registration form on the parish website. The Oremus Ministry (Prayer Chain) is also reached through the rectory number.

• Address: 120 Barron Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15906
• Rectory Phone: 814-539-1632
• Activity Center: 814-539-3518
• Fax: 814-539-5888
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Why Visit or Join St. Francis of Assisi

Rooted in 100 years of Franciscan hospitality to Johnstown's West End, St. Francis of Assisi combines a richly Slovak-Catholic heritage with a warmly contemporary parish life — daily Mass, First Friday Adoration, a vibrant choir, youth and young-adult fellowship, and outreach that feeds both souls and bodies (Gabriel Project, St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen). Active councils (Pastoral, Finance, Cemetery) and a strong slate of lay ministries ensure that new parishioners can find a meaningful role. Whether you come for the Saturday Vigil, the fish fries, the gobs sales, or the Thursday pro-life prayer vigil, you will find a community that Bishop Mark Bartchak has called 'a living image of the New Evangelization.'

• 100-year-old Slovak-heritage parish in Morrellville / West End
• Conventual Franciscan pastor and daily Mass schedule
• Robust lay ministry structure for time, talent, and treasure
• Strong pro-life and outreach identity