About St. Francis of Assisi · Sacramento, California
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Sacramento, California, established in 1894 and entrusted to the care of the Franciscan Friars. The parish serves the Midtown / East Sacramento community from its church at 1066 26th Street, with the adjacent St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School (founded 1895) continuing its long educational mission. Today the parish is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Amer Awad, supported by Deacon Patrick Mahan and a staff of ministry coordinators, and offers Mass in English daily with a Sunday 9:30 AM livestream.
- Established
- 1894
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Amer Awad (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers daily and Sunday Mass in a beautiful historic church — including a livestreamed 9:30 AM Sunday Mass — plus Saturday confessions, weekday adoration in St. Clare Chapel, and the church is open for prayer most weekdays. Parishioners can grow in faith through Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, serve neighbors in need through the St. Vincent de Paul Conference (which distributes food, shoes, clothing, and seasonal items every Friday), sing in the Parish Youth Christmas Choir or Director of Music program, and worship in a faith community that has gathered on the same Midtown Sacramento corner since 1894, walking in the footsteps of St. Francis himself.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Weekdays: church open for prayer M–Th 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, F 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM (parish staff office hours shown as M–F 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
About St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Midtown Sacramento, founded in 1894 by Franciscan Friars and served continuously ever since. Today it is pastored by Parochial Administrator Rev. Amer Awad, with Deacon Patrick Mahan and a staff including a Director of Music, Ministry Manager, Faith Formation / Youth Ministry team, and Membership Coordinator. The parish offers daily English Mass, Saturday confession, livestreamed Sunday Mass, Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, music and lector ministries, a St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and a Parish Youth Christmas Choir.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. Amer Awad
- Administrative Associate: Deacon Patrick Mahan
- Office Manager: Jennifer Olivares
- Director of Music: John Iosefa
- Ministry Manager: Jennifer Ignacio
- Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Coordinator: Faith Formation Team ([email protected])
- Membership Coordinator: Myrna Rodriguez
- Lector Coordinator: Kevin Corcoran
- Parish Pastoral Council Chair: Darrin Greer
- Parish Custodian and Facilities Assistant: Manny Dabay
- Communion Visitation Ministry Coordinator: TBD
History of the Parish
Discussions between the Diocese of Sacramento and the Franciscan Friars led to the founding of a new parish in 1894, with Fr. Augustine McClory OFM becoming the first pastor on December 31, 1894. The first Mass was celebrated in Union Hall at 2001 O Street on January 20, 1895, before the wooden first church at 26th and K was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Grace on April 28, 1895. The cornerstone of the larger current church was laid October 18, 1908, and the new church was dedicated October 23, 1910.
- 1894: Fr. Augustine McClory OFM becomes first pastor
- January 20, 1895: First Mass celebrated in Union Hall at 2001 O Street
- April 28, 1895: Bishop Thomas Grace formally blesses and dedicates first church
- October 18, 1908: Cornerstone laid for the current (second) church
- October 23, 1910: New church dedicated
- September 30, 1995: Centennial Anniversary — "100 Years of Blessings"
- October 2008 – October 2009: Centennial of the current church building
- 1995 and ongoing: Restoration Project of the "Face of St. Francis of Assisi" Church
Architecture and Treasures of the Church
The current church is modeled after the Old Mission of Santa Barbara, with an interior blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. The wooden staircase and railing to the second-floor organ loft came from the 1906 remodeling of the California State Capitol. The loft holds a 1915 Austin electro-pneumatic pipe organ, and the belfry holds an 1859 Meneely bell that was first hung at St. Rose of Lima Church.
- Style: modeled on Old Mission of Santa Barbara; interior Renaissance–Baroque
- 40+ stained-glass windows
- Numerous ceiling and wall murals of saints and Biblical scenes
- Carved wooden staircase and railing from the 1906 State Capitol remodeling
- 1915 Austin electro-pneumatic pipe organ in the loft
- 1859 Meneely bell (cast in West Troy, NY; previously at St. Rose Church)
- 1983 interior renovation: lighting, sound, ramps for the disabled
- 1995 restoration: roof replacement, seismic upgrades, mural restoration
- Ongoing exterior restoration: painting, stucco repair, statue restoration, gilding of crosses and cupola domes
Sacraments and Devotions
Beyond Mass and Confession, the parish prepares the faithful for the Sacraments of Initiation and serves the homebound through its Communion Visitation Ministry. The parish has hosted ecumenical prayer events for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and supports a Parish Youth Christmas Choir each Advent.
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass, Sunday 9:30 AM livestream)
- Reconciliation / Confession (Saturday and by appointment)
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation (through Faith Formation / Youth Ministry)
- Communion Visitation Ministry (for the homebound)
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Parish Youth Christmas Choir (grades 2–12)
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
The Faith Formation team supports catechesis and youth ministry for parish children and teens, including preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. The Parish Youth Christmas Choir invites young singers in grades 2–12 to lead music for the Christmas Eve Mass.
- Faith Formation / Youth Ministry (contact: [email protected])
- Parish Youth Christmas Choir (grades 2–12), Advent rehearsals Sundays 8:45–9:30 AM in the Parish Center Chapel
- Contact: Janet Stites — [email protected]
St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School
Founded in 1895 as the parish school, St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School continues the parish's educational ministry at 2500 K Street, Sacramento. It serves Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade and is dually accredited by the Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) through 2029. Principal Ivan Hrga leads a faculty of 16 teachers and 8 aides serving about 324 students.
- Address: 2500 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
- Phone: (916) 442-5494
- Founded 1895 (over 128 years of parish-sponsored Catholic education)
- Grades: TK–8
- Principal: Ivan Hrga
- Faculty: 16 teachers, 8 aides
- Enrollment: ~324 students
- Accreditation: WASC + WCEA (6-year term, 2023)
- Extracurriculars: Student Council, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track, golf, flag football, choir, drama, performing arts, band, Dungeons & Dragons, anime, jewelry, and book clubs
- Extended Day Care, Library, Computer/Science Lab, Education Achievement Specialist, Lunch Program
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Conference
St. Francis of Assisi Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides direct services to those in need in the parish and surrounding neighborhood. Since June 20, 2025, the Conference has distributed food every Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM outside the Parish Office, and also distributes shoes, clothing, and seasonal items, with plans to expand as funding grows. The Conference is a 501(c)(3) with no overhead — 100% of donations go to programs serving those in need.
- Food distribution: Fridays 1:00–2:00 PM outside the Parish Office
- Additional distribution: shoes, clothing, and seasonal items
- Mailing: St. Francis of Assisi Conference, SVDP, 1066 26th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816-4853
- Phone: (916) 443-8084 ext. 113
- Contact: [email protected]
- 501(c)(3) — 100% of donations serve those in need
Music and Liturgy
The parish's Music Ministry is led by Director of Music John Iosefa. The parish's signature 1915 Austin electro-pneumatic pipe organ is housed in the second-floor organ loft, accessed by the carved wooden staircase brought from the 1906 State Capitol remodeling. Each Advent the Parish Youth Christmas Choir leads music for the Christmas Eve Mass.
- Director of Music: John Iosefa ([email protected])
- Parish Youth Christmas Choir (grades 2–12)
- 1915 Austin electro-pneumatic pipe organ
- Sunday 9:30 AM Mass livestreamed with full music
Restoration Project: 'The Face of St. Francis of Assisi' Church
A major exterior restoration of the historic 1910 church is underway, managed by Jackson Construction. Work includes painting, stucco repair, statue restoration (statues of St. Francis, St. Peter, and St. Paul), and gilding of the crosses and cupola domes. The estimated cost of about $1.2–1.4 million is being covered largely by the Dunphy Fund.
- Construction manager: Jackson Construction
- Parish representatives: Finance Council members Maria Manning and Mike Falasco
- Estimated cost: $1.2–$1.4 million
- Funded primarily by the Dunphy Fund
- Scope: painting, stucco repair, statue restoration, gilding of crosses and cupola domes
Staff and Parish Leadership
Rev. Amer Awad serves as Parochial Administrator, supported by Deacon Patrick Mahan and a team of parish and school staff who coordinate liturgy, faith formation, music, outreach, facilities, and membership.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. Amer Awad ([email protected], ext. 115)
- Administrative Associate: Deacon Patrick Mahan ([email protected])
- Office Manager: Jennifer Olivares ([email protected], ext. 102)
- Director of Music: John Iosefa ([email protected], ext. 103)
- Ministry Manager: Jennifer Ignacio ([email protected])
- Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Coordinator: Faith Formation Team ([email protected])
- Membership Coordinator: Myrna Rodriguez ([email protected], ext. 101)
- Lector Coordinator: Kevin Corcoran ([email protected])
- Parish Pastoral Council Chair: Darrin Greer ([email protected])
- Parish Custodian and Facilities Assistant: Manny Dabay ([email protected], ext. 107)
- Elementary School Principal: Ivan Hrga ([email protected], 916-442-5494)
Visit, Join, and Give
Whether you're a longtime parishioner or new to the neighborhood, St. Francis of Assisi invites you to register, serve in a ministry, attend Mass or Confession, and support the parish through Online Giving or by check. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Parish Registration: available via the parish website
- Online Giving: linked from stfrancisparish.com
- Office hours: M–F 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Phone: (916) 443-8084
- Fax: (916) 443-7356
- Bulletin: linked from the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Augustine McClory OFM1895-1896
First pastor; led founding of the parish in late 1894 and dedicated the first church in April 1895.