About St. Francis of Assisi · Lincoln, Nebraska
St. Francis of Assisi Oratory is a chapel-of- convenience serving the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska from the 1921 former chapel of St. Elizabeth Hospital at 1145 South Street. Since 1999 it has been served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and is dedicated exclusively to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass and the ancient sacraments in the 1962 Roman Rite, drawing faithful from across Lincoln and southeastern Nebraska. The oratory is noted for its distinctive Neo-Gothic architecture, Italian Renaissance-style stained glass windows by Emil Frei of St. Louis, a white Carrara marble sanctuary, and an interior enriched with frescoes and stenciling added during the FSSP's careful restoration. It was designated a Lincoln Landmark in 1990 and celebrated its centennial in December 2021 with a solemn pontifical Mass offered by Bishop James Conley.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Heffernan, FSSP (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lincoln
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers something rare in the Diocese of Lincoln: the full pre-1955 Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the seven sacraments in the 1962 Roman Rite, in a historically significant chapel with Emil Frei stained glass and a Carrara marble sanctuary. The parish is a genuine community as well as a place of pilgrimage, with an active men's schola, the Seraphic Children's Choir, the Knights of the Altar server training program, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, St. Martha's Guild, a Knights of Columbus council, a young adults' group, and the St. Anthony of Padua Youth Group. Daily Mass, ample confession times, First Friday Exposition, and a year of catechism for First Communion and Confirmation make it a strong fit for traditional Catholic families.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Thursday: 30 minutes before Mass
- Friday: 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM and 5:15 PM – 5:50 PM
- Saturday: 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM
- Sunday: 7:15–7:45 AM, 9:15–9:45 AM, and 11:30–11:50 AM
- Confessions end 10 minutes before Mass
Adoration times
- Friday — 5:00 PM Exposition; 5:30 PM Dolorosary (Seven Sorrows Rosary); followed by Benediction (Confessions heard from 5:15 PM until Benediction)
- First Friday — Simple Exposition beginning at 8:00 AM
- First Saturday — Simple Exposition for fifteen minutes after Mass
About the Parish
St. Francis of Assisi Oratory is a chapel of the Diocese of Lincoln dedicated exclusively to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass and the seven sacraments in the 1962 Roman Rite (the 'Extraordinary Form'). It is served by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right canonically erected by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988. The chapel is open to all the faithful of the Diocese of Lincoln by the express permission of the diocesan bishop, and welcomes visitors and pilgrims from across the region.
- Diocese: Diocese of Lincoln
- Served by: Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP)
- Liturgical rite: 1962 Roman Missal of Pope St. John XXIII
- Address: 1145 South Street, Lincoln, NE 68502
- Phone: (402) 477-5145
- Website: stfrancislincoln.org
History of St. Francis of Assisi
The chapel was built in 1921 as part of St. Elizabeth Hospital (founded 1889 by the Poor Sisters of St. Francis Seraph of Perpetual Adoration) and designed by Omaha architect Jacob Nachtigall. After the hospital's 1970 relocation to South 70th Street and the chapel's near-demolition in the 1980s, it was saved by a grassroots preservation effort, designated a Lincoln Landmark in 1990, and returned to Catholic use in 1999 under Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz and the FSSP's first rector, Father Karl Pikus. A centennial pontifical Mass was offered by Bishop James Conley on December 14, 2021.
- Chapel built: 1921 (St. Elizabeth Hospital east-wing addition)
- Hospital founded: 1889 by Poor Sisters of St. Francis Seraph of Perpetual Adoration
- Demolition scare: 1986; saved by community preservation effort
- Lincoln Landmark designation: 1990
- Acquired by FSSP: July 1998
- Rededication: January 24, 1999
- Centennial Mass: December 14, 2021 (Bishop James Conley)
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
All seven sacraments are offered in the 1962 Rite. Infant Baptism requires parental contact with the rector at least four weeks before birth; children preparing for First Holy Communion follow one year of catechism classes on Monday evenings (6:45–8:00 PM) and are usually received in early May. Confirmation preparation runs two years, with the next Confirmation scheduled for fall 2026. Adult baptism and reception into full communion requires at least six months of preparation through the rector. Marriages require at least six months of preparation, with Banns published in the bulletin in the weeks preceding the wedding.
- Baptism of Infants — contact rector 4 weeks before birth
- First Communion — early May, 1-year prep
- Confirmation — fall 2026 cycle, 2-year prep
- Adult Baptism / Full Communion — 6 months prep
- Marriage — 6 months prep with rector
- Confession — before every Mass
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
Catechism and Youth Faith Formation
Catechism classes are taught on Monday evenings from 6:45 to 8:00 PM at the parish, with separate tracks for Second Graders preparing for First Communion in May 2026, post-First-Communion students aged 8-10, Fifth Graders preparing for Confirmation in fall 2026, and post-Confirmation youth aged 12 and up. Sacramental preparation requires submission of the child's Baptismal Certificate at least two weeks before First Communion and similar documentation for Confirmation.
- Mondays, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM
- 1st Communion (2nd graders) — 1 year of prep
- Post-Communion class (ages 8–10)
- Confirmation (5th graders) — 2-year cycle
- Post-Confirmation class (ages 12 and up)
Sacred Music: Schola and Seraphic Conservatory
The chapel's choir program — directed by Nicholas Lemme with organists Dan Ahlin and Elizabeth Lemme — emphasizes Gregorian Chant as the model for liturgical music and performs polyphonic works by composers from the early Renaissance (Dufay, Byrd, Palestrina) to the present day. The Men's Schola rehearses one hour before the 10:00 AM Sunday High Mass and on special feast days. The Seraphic Music Conservatory, taught by Nicholas and Elizabeth Lemme, trains youth ages 7-17 (unchanged voices) in sacred music and rehearses on Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 PM, with each semester culminating in a Solemn High Mass.
- Choir Director: Nicholas Lemme
- Organists: Dan Ahlin and Elizabeth Lemme
- Men's Schola: rehearses 1 hour before Sunday High Mass
- Seraphic Children's Choir: Wednesdays 3:30–5:00 PM
- Cost: $150/student per semester; $250/family
- Scholarships available
Parish Organizations and Community Life
Lay organizations form the backbone of parish life at St. Francis. The Confraternity of Christian Mothers hosts a monthly Holy Hour and supports mothers in the faith. St. Martha's Guild cares for the altar, vestments, linens, and flowers and provides parish hospitality. The Knights of Columbus council sponsors fundraisers such as the annual Oktoberfest in support of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. The Knights of the Altar trains young men to serve at the altar; the St. Anthony of Padua Youth Group ministers to older children; the Young Adult Group brings together unmarried adults for catechesis, fellowship, and outings such as the annual Three Hearts Pilgrimage.
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers (President: Kim Robinson)
- St. Martha's Guild (President: Cambria Watson)
- Knights of Columbus (Anthony Montag)
- Knights of the Altar (altar servers; 2nd Saturday meetings)
- St. Anthony of Padua Youth Group
- Young Adult Group (Ryan Yang)
- Chapel Guilds
Architecture, Stained Glass, and Sacred Art
The building is a Neo-Gothic structure of 1921, with Italian Renaissance-style windows cast in the Emil Frei Art Glass Co. studio in St. Louis and a sanctuary clad in white Carrara marble. After the FSSP restoration of 1998-1999, the nave was decorated with hand-painted frescoes, stenciled patterns, and ornamental wall detailing designed by Father Karl Pikus. Notable interior elements include an art deco tapestry, statues, Stations of the Cross, and paintings, all illuminated by the Frei windows. The building was designated a Lincoln Landmark in 1990 and remains one of the most intact early-20th-century hospital chapels in the region.
- Style: Neo-Gothic with Italian Renaissance stained glass
- Architect: Jacob Nachtigall, Omaha
- Stained glass: Emil Frei Art Glass Co., St. Louis
- Sanctuary: white Carrara marble
- Frescoes & stenciling by Father Karl Pikus (1998-1999)
- Designated Lincoln Landmark, 1990
Getting Involved — Associates and Pilgrimages
Catholics throughout the Diocese of Lincoln can register as Associates of St. Francis of Assisi to formally support the oratory and receive regular communications. The parish is also an active participant in regional Catholic pilgrimages, including the annual Three Hearts Pilgrimage (a 35-mile penitential walk), the diocesan Catholic Men's Rosary March through downtown Lincoln to the state capitol, 40 Days for Life prayer vigils during Advent and Lent, and the Regina Magazine Holy Land Pilgrimage. Visitors are always welcome at any of the public Masses and confession times.
- Become an Associate — online registration via parish website
- Three Hearts Pilgrimage — annual Oklahoma penitential walk
- Catholic Men's Rosary March — downtown Lincoln
- 40 Days for Life — weekly prayer vigil signup
- Oktoberfest (Feast of Christ the King) — fundraiser for FSSP seminary
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Karl Pikus, FSSP1999 –
First rector of St. Francis of Assisi Oratory. Led the 1998-1999 restoration and beautification of the chapel after the FSSP acquired it from Lancaster County. Designed all of the interior stencils. Worked with associates Larry Vilda and Tom Coffey to preserve the Emil Frei stained glass and add frescoes and wall detailing.
- Rev. Joseph Heffernan, FSSPnamed rector in August; serving as of 2022-2025
Current rector. Authored the published parish welcome: 'Open to all the faithful of the Diocese of Lincoln by the express permission of His Excellency, Bishop James D. Conley, in accord with the wishes of recent Popes St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI this beautiful church is dedicated to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, all the Sacred Rites being celebrated according to the Liturgical Books of 1962.' Oversees daily Mass, the 1962 sacraments, catechism, the altar-boy program, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the Knights of Columbus, and other parish organizations.
- Rev. Martin Adams, FSSP2025 –
Assistant Chaplain assisting Fr. Heffernan (parish staff listing).