About St. Francis of Assisi · Raleigh, North Carolina
The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi is a large Roman Catholic parish in northwest Raleigh, North Carolina, serving more than 5,000 households in the Diocese of Raleigh. Founded in 1982 by Bishop Joseph Gossman and originally led by a Jesuit pastor, it was shepherded for over three decades by Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province before returning to diocesan leadership in 2020. The parish combines a 1996-dedicated church, a K-8 school (The Franciscan School), a preschool, a 1,400-niche columbarium, 100+ ministries, and a strong justice-and-peace/environmental commitment (including 216 solar panels on Clare Fellowship Hall). Its patron, St. Francis of Assisi, shapes everything from its simple architecture to its outreach to those on the margins.
- Established
- 1982
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher S. Koehn (Fr. Chris Koehn)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is one of the largest and most intentionally outward-looking parishes in the Diocese of Raleigh, with more than 100 ministries ranging from a vibrant K-12 faith formation program (Cross Step / Cross Walk / Cross Train / Cross Road) and a robust music and liturgy program to St. Vincent de Paul utility and rent assistance, a respected Justice & Peace ministry, Always God's Children (LGBTQ+ outreach), and interfaith encounter work in the Franciscan tradition of St. Francis's meeting with the Sultan. Families benefit from on-site The Franciscan School (K-8, opened 2000) and St. Francis Preschool, while the 1,406-niche Memorial Garden columbarium offers one of the earliest Catholic in-ground burial options in the U.S. With daily Mass, Saturday confessions, Friday adoration, and a clear commitment to care for creation (216 solar panels), the parish offers both depth and breadth for Catholics seeking a Spirit-filled, socially engaged community in North Raleigh.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (in the main church, usually two priests present)
- Advent Penance Services (seasonal, multiple priests)
- Lenten Reconciliation Services (e.g., Wednesday March 4, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Adoration, with Benediction at 10:30 AM
Parish Identity & Mission
The parish's mission statement — 'Inspired by our patron Francis of Assisi, we seek to proclaim the reign of God by growing in Holiness through our experience of Christ in word, sacrament and one another, offering Hope to those who hunger for human dignity, and extending Hospitality to all' — frames every ministry and program. More than 5,000 households, 100+ ministries, two schools, and an annual budget of about $12 million make St. Francis of Assisi one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Raleigh.
- Patron: St. Francis of Assisi (feast day October 4)
- Diocese: Raleigh (Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama)
- Pastor: Rev. Christopher S. Koehn
- Pastor Emeritus: Msgr. Michael Clay
- Founded: April 25, 1982 by Bishop Joseph Gossman
Parish History
The parish was founded April 25, 1982 by Bishop Joseph Gossman in northwest Raleigh. Fr. Jim English, SJ led the founding community of about 125 families; the first Masses were celebrated at Lynn Road Elementary School. In 1985, Pastoral Council members traveled to New York and invited the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province to assume leadership; Fr. David McBriar, OFM became pastor in 1987, beginning more than three decades of Franciscan presence. The current church was dedicated in 1996, The Franciscan School opened in 2000, and the Franciscan Friars concluded their ministry in 2020 when Msgr. Michael Clay became the first diocesan pastor. Fr. Chris Koehn became pastor in June 2024.
- 1982 — Parish established (April 25)
- 1983 — First church (barn-inspired, ~450 seats) completed
- 1987 — Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province arrive; Fr. David McBriar, OFM first OFM pastor
- 1996 — Current church dedicated
- 1999 — LGBTQ+ ministry formed
- 2000 — The Franciscan School opens with 320 students
- 2010 — Always God's Children (AGC) program begins
- 2020 — Friars conclude ministry; Msgr. Michael Clay becomes first diocesan pastor
- 2024 — Fr. Chris Koehn becomes sixth pastor
- 2025 — Last friar (Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM) moves to San Diego
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Christopher S. Koehn, with Parochial Vicars Rev. Joseph Ita Sam, C.M. and Rev. James Singarayar, H.G.N., and Deacon Stephen Andrews. Msgr. Michael Clay serves as Pastor Emeritus. A large lay staff supports Faith Formation, Music & Liturgy, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Justice & Peace, Engagement & Development, Finance & Planning, Facilities, Human Resources, Communications, and the Memorial Garden.
- Pastor — Rev. Christopher S. Koehn
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Joseph Ita Sam, C.M.
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. James Singarayar, H.G.N.
- Deacon — Stephen Andrews
- Pastor Emeritus — Msgr. Michael Clay
- Director of Music and Liturgy — on staff
- Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry — Tim Hetzel
- Director of Faith Formation — Jonathan Vanegas-Calderon
- Director of Finance and Planning — Rob Neppel / Jim Wahl
- Director of Justice and Peace — on staff
- Director of Engagement and Development — Stacey Shine
- Director of Community Life — Ashley Watson
- Director of Facility Operations — Marc Kielty
- Communications Coordinator — Diogenes Ruiz
- Coordinator of Human Resources — Trish Adamkowski
- Coordinator of Elementary Formation & First Sacraments — Marisa Ferrara
- Coordinator of Middle School Evangelization & Formation — Thomas Bulick / Jessica Montrella
- Coordinator of Athletic Programs — Mary Arleth
- Funeral Coordinator / Columbarium Sales — Dina DaRe
Faith Formation & Religious Education (K-12)
Faith formation uses a four-stage 'Cross' small-group model flowing from participation in Sunday liturgy: Cross Step (Pre-K, ages 1–5 walking), Cross Walk (K-5, after the 9:00 AM Mass), Cross Train (middle school grades 6-8, Sundays 6:45–8:15 PM), and Cross Road (high school 9-12, two to three Sunday evenings per month following the 5:30 PM Mass). The programs follow a Gather–Proclaim–Break–Send model with retreats, service projects, and social nights. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is a two-year journey starting as early as first grade.
- Cross Step (1–5 years / Pre-K)
- Cross Walk (K-5) — meets after 9 AM Sunday Mass
- Cross Train (6-8) — Sundays 6:45–8:15 PM
- Cross Road (9-12) — Sundays after 5:30 PM Mass
- Confirmation preparation
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (two-year track)
- Play and Pray Sunday Nursery
- RCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Schools: The Franciscan School & St. Francis Preschool
The Franciscan School, a K-8 parish school, opened in 2000 with 320 students and became fully accredited within its first year; together with St. Francis Preschool (originally the 1982 Early Childhood Learning Center, renamed with Nancy Bourke as first director) it serves about 850 children. The schools are central to the parish's mission and welcome students from across the Triangle.
- The Franciscan School (K-8) — opened 2000
- St. Francis Preschool — opened 1982 as Early Childhood Learning Center
- Interim Principal, The Franciscan School — on staff
- Assistant Principal, K-5 — Dawn Smith
- Assistant Principal, 6-8 — Colette Dziadul
- Director, St. Francis Preschool — Heidi Hobler
Music & Liturgy
The parish maintains a Director of Music and Liturgy on staff and celebrates a contemporary yet reverent style of worship that has been a hallmark since the Franciscan pastorate. Emergent liturgical art includes the San Damiano processional cross (designed by Ann Chapin during Msgr. Clay's pastorate) and the Giotto-inspired frescoes of St. Francis's life donated by Fr. Steve Kluge, OFM that hang throughout the welcome space and hallways.
- Director of Music and Liturgy
- San Damiano processional cross (Ann Chapin)
- Giotto-style frescoes of the life of St. Francis (donated by Fr. Steve Kluge, OFM)
- Live-streamed 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
Justice & Peace / Outreach / Care of Creation
Since Fr. David McBriar, OFM launched the parish's 10% offertory tithe to outreach, Justice & Peace has been a defining ministry. St. Vincent de Paul operates a helpline (919-534-4842) for rent and utility assistance. The parish also runs Always God's Children (LGBTQ+ ministry/supports), an extensive interfaith and ecumenical encounter program, and a robust Care of Creation effort — most visibly the 216-panel solar array on Clare Fellowship Hall (~95,000 kWh/year; ~$7,000 annual savings; lease arranged with Eagle Solar & Light of Durham).
- St. Vincent de Paul (helpline 919-534-4842)
- Always God's Children (LGBTQ+ ministry; AGC support group since 2010)
- LGBTQ+ ministry (since 1999)
- Care of Creation / Solar (216 panels on Clare Fellowship Hall)
- Social Concerns Committee (since 1987)
- 10% weekly offertory tithe to outreach
Memorial Garden & Columbarium
The St. Francis of Assisi Memorial Garden, established in the 1990s, is one of the first Catholic columbaria in the United States. It houses 1,406 niches (each accommodating one or two urns) plus 32 small niches for infants and miscarried or stillborn children, and a Memorial Wall with space for over 600 names. Niches are reserved for registered parishioners.
- 1,406 columbarium niches
- 32 small niches for infants / miscarried / stillborn
- 600+ name Memorial Wall
- Sales contact: Dina DaRe ([email protected])
- Columbarium Committee Guidelines for Flower Placement
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated at the parish. Baptisms are prepared through monthly parent sessions with both communal celebrations and baptisms during Mass. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist follow a two-year preparation track beginning as early as first grade. Confirmation is coordinated through Youth Ministry. Matrimony, Holy Orders discernment, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral planning all have dedicated staff contacts.
- Baptism Preparation — Tim Hetzel
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — Marisa Ferrara
- Confirmation — Thomas Bulick
- Matrimony — Tim Hetzel
- Holy Orders — Msgr. Michael Clay / Pastor
- Anointing of the Sick — Beth Gaudette
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM (Appointments 919-847-8205)
- RCIA — Jonathan Vanegas-Calderon
- Funeral Planning — Beth Gaudette / Dina DaRe
- Columbarium Niches — Trish Adamkowski
Facilities & Campus
The Leesville Road campus includes the main church (dedicated 1996), Founders Hall (the original 1983 barn-inspired church, seating ~450), Clare Fellowship Hall (with the 216-panel solar array), The Franciscan School, St. Francis Preschool, the Memorial Garden columbarium, the Franciscan Garden, the San Damiano House (supported housing for adult women with disabilities), and the LaVerna log cabin (repurposed in fall 2025 to house seminarians between assignments). The Siena Center for Lifelong Learning and Assisi Community Center support adult and parish life.
- Main Church (dedicated 1996)
- Founders Hall (original 1983 barn-style church)
- Clare Fellowship Hall (solar panels)
- The Franciscan School
- St. Francis Preschool
- Memorial Garden / Columbarium
- Franciscan Garden
- San Damiano House
- LaVerna log cabin (seminarian housing)
- Siena Center for Lifelong Learning
- Assisi Community Center
Getting Involved / New Parishioners
New parishioners can register through Toni Hammes (x265) or via the parish website. The parish lists more than 100 ministries, with engagement pathways through Faith Formation, Music & Liturgy, Justice & Peace, St. Vincent de Paul, the columbarium, the schools, and community-life events. Safe Environment and Human Resources are coordinated through Trish Adamkowski.
- New Parishioner Registration — Toni Hammes (x265)
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA) — Jonathan Vanegas-Calderon (x238)
- Engagement & Development — Stacey Shine
- Safe Environment — Trish Adamkowski
- 100+ ministries across worship, formation, outreach, and parish life
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Jim English, SJ1982–1987
Founding pastor; a Jesuit sent from St. Raphael's Parish. Led the founding community of ~125 families, celebrated first Masses at Lynn Road Elementary School, chose the barn-inspired pole-and-beam design for the first church, and lived in a rented house across from the property that parishioners famously 'showered' with furnishings.
- Fr. Bob Hudak, OFMpre-1987 (associate)
Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province who served as associate to Fr. English; the parish's positive experience with him helped pave the way for the friars' invitation in 1985.
- Fr. David McBriar, OFM1987–mid-1990s
First Franciscan pastor and second overall pastor; previously Director of Personnel for Holy Name Province. Shaped the parish's Franciscan identity (hospitality, social justice, care for creation, collaborative lay leadership) and launched the 10% offertory tithe to outreach. Oversaw planning of the larger church.
- Fr. Dan Kenna, OFM1987–~1995 (associate then pastor)
Joined as Associate Pastor under Fr. McBriar in 1987; later became the third pastor. Helped complete construction of the 1996 church and was instrumental in the parish's environmental building practices.
- Fr. Bill McConville, OFMAssociate Pastor (under McBriar/Kenna era)
Served as Associate Pastor during the Franciscan leadership period.
- Fr. Mark Reamer, OFM1995–~2001
Fourth pastor of the parish; continued Franciscan leadership.
- Fr. Steve Patti, OFM2001–~2014 (fifth pastor)
Fifth pastor; referenced as pastor in a 2015 News & Observer op-ed describing a seventh-grade interfaith field trip to a Greensboro mosque.
- Fr. Steve Kluge, OFM2014– (Associate Pastor)
Joined as Associate Pastor in 2014. Donated the Giotto-style frescoes of St. Francis's life that hang throughout the parish campus.
- Fr. James Sabak, OFM2016–December 2025 (last friar in residence)
Joined as Associate Pastor in 2016; became the last Franciscan friar living in residence at the parish. In December 2025 he moved to a new position in San Diego, CA, ending more than three decades of continuous OFM presence.
- Msgr. Michael ClaySeptember 2020 – June 2024
First diocesan priest to serve as pastor after the friars withdrew. Created the Franciscan Garden and commissioned the San Damiano processional cross (designed by Ann Chapin); oversaw the 216-solar-panel installation. Retired as Pastor Emeritus.
- Fr. Jairo Maldonado-PachecoSeptember 2020 – June 2022
Parochial Vicar under Msgr. Clay.
- Fr. John-Alex GonzalezJuly 2022 – June 2023
Parochial Vicar.
- Fr. James Singarayar, H.G.N.July 2023 – present
Parochial Vicar; currently serving.
- Fr. Chris KoehnJune 2024 – present
Sixth pastor in parish history and current pastor; succeeded Msgr. Clay.
- Fr. Joseph Ita Sam, C.M.August 2025 – June 2026
Current Parochial Vicar (Vincentian / Congregation of the Mission).
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