About St. Francis of Assisi · Sturgis, South Dakota
St. Francis of Assisi is a Catholic parish in Sturgis, South Dakota, in the Diocese of Rapid City. It is paired with St. Mary Star of the Sea in nearby Newell and St. Martin's Chapel in Sturgis, forming a single pastoral community served by one pastor. The parish traces its origins to 1881, when it began as a mission church under the name St. James, was renamed St. Aloysius, and took its present name St. Francis of Assisi when the current church was dedicated on April 20, 1950. Today it offers daily and Sunday Masses, a religious education program (CCD), Eucharistic adoration, and a wide network of lay ministries including the Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and rosary makers.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Timothy Castor
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rapid City
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in a small-town setting: weekend and daily Mass, First Friday adoration, and an active reconciliation schedule. Families can hand on the faith through the parish's pre-K through 8th-grade CCD program, which prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. For those wanting to serve, the parish sustains a remarkable breadth of lay ministries—from the Altar Society and its three Circles, to the Knights of Columbus, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food and household collection, the rosary makers who send rosaries to missions worldwide, and prayer groups devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and vocations.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Following Mass on Thursday & Sunday, or by request
Adoration times
- First Friday: 12:30–4:00 pm (following 12:00 pm First Friday Mass and Anointing of the Sick)
- First Sunday: 6:00 pm
History of St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic life in Sturgis began in 1881 when Fr. James Gleason, CSC, priest in nearby Deadwood, started a mission parish originally named St. James. The community quickly outgrew its name — it became St. Aloysius and kept that title until 1949, the year Fr. Leo Feuerbach arrived from Bishop McCarty with orders to build a new church. That new church was dedicated on April 20, 1950, and given the name it carries today: St. Francis of Assisi. The parish's story is one of long pastorates and steady growth in the Black Hills. Fr. Peter Rosen, a German-speaking priest, took over in 1882 and served the predominantly German community until 1890. After several years as a mission served from other parishes, Fr. Michael Quinlan became pastor in 1896 and served until his death in 1902. Fr. Columban (Ulrich Bregenzer), OSB, a Benedictine priest, arrived in 1903 and his 'temporary assignment' lasted 43 years — the longest tenure in the parish's history. Under Fr. Raymond Deisch (1985–1989) the present church and Parish Hall were built and dedicated in 1987. Fr. Timothy Castor became pastor in 2014 and continues to serve the parish today.
- 1881 — Mission church founded as St. James by Fr. James Gleason, CSC
- Late 1800s — Renamed St. Aloysius; served by German-speaking and visiting priests
- 1903 — Fr. Columban (Ulrich Bregenzer), OSB, begins a 43-year tenure
- April 20, 1950 — New church dedicated as St. Francis of Assisi under Msgr. Leo Feuerbach
- 1987 — Present church and Parish Hall dedicated under Fr. Raymond Deisch
- 2014 — Fr. Timothy Castor becomes pastor
St. Martin's Chapel (Latin Mass)
St. Martin's Chapel, located at 1521 Sherman St. in Sturgis, is part of the parish community and offers the Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form on a regular schedule. It hosts a Saturday morning Mass on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays and a Sunday Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 4:00 pm.
- 1521 Sherman St., Sturgis, SD 57785
- Saturday 8:00 am — 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays (Latin, Extraordinary Form)
- Sunday 4:00 pm — 2nd and 4th Sundays (Latin, Extraordinary Form)
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's Religious Education program, called CCD, provides an organized, structured environment in which the teaching and tradition of the Catholic faith is passed on from generation to generation. Classes run from pre-K through 8th grade on Wednesdays. The program prepares second graders for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and 8th-grade students for Confirmation. Families are encouraged to supplement the weekly catechesis with regular Mass attendance, family prayer, and participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
- Pre-K through 8th grade, Wednesday classes
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation in 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation in 8th grade
- Director of Religious Education: Deacon Tom Murphy
- Registration forms available in the St. Francis entryway; fees payable by mail, online, or via the collection basket
Altar Society & Parish Circles
The Altar Society is the lead women's organization at St. Francis, coordinating three Circles — the St. Francis Circle, the St. Theresa Circle, and the Holy Family Circle — each open to women of all ages. The society provides for the altar (candles, chalices, vestments, cloths) and hosts receptions for First Communion, Confirmation, RCIA, and Bishop's visits, as well as meals for volunteers and law-enforcement during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Their outreach focuses on children, the sick, and the homebound, and their signature fundraisers are the Parish Fall Bazaar and the Tour of Tables.
- Altar Society — meets 1st Wednesday at 3:30 pm in the Gather Room
- St. Francis Circle — 2nd Thursday in the Gather Room
- St. Theresa Circle — 3rd Monday at 6:30 pm, at Margaret Hunt's home
- Holy Family Circle — 1st Monday after the 1st Wednesday in the Gather Room
Service & Outreach Ministries
Beyond the Altar Society, St. Francis sustains a wide range of lay service opportunities that put Catholic faith into action in the Sturgis area. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul leads the parish's outreach to those in need — feeding, clothing, and assisting neighbors with nowhere else to turn. The Knights of Columbus (Council #6341) bring Catholic men together for charitable works and fraternal support. The Black Hills Shepherd Rosary Makers craft rosaries that are sent to missions around the world. The Funeral Luncheon Service provides comfort meals to the bereaved, and the Fatima Prayer Group gathers for rosary and Marian devotion.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — drop-off bin in the entryway; helpline 605-519-8583; donations: PO Box 541, Sturgis, SD 57785
- Knights of Columbus Council #6341 — meets 1st Tuesday; contact Eric Fowler 605-490-3372
- Black Hills Shepherd Rosary Makers — Tuesdays at 4 pm in the 1st-grade classroom; contact Mike Hopfinger 605-347-1203
- Funeral Luncheon Service — coordinated through the parish office
- Fatima Prayer Group — Mondays at 5 pm (currently on hold); contact Laree Scott 605-499-9630
Youth & Family
The parish invests in its young people through the CCD program, a Youth Group directed by Kristi 'Cricket' Palmer, and a Safe Environment program coordinated by Anita DaSilva. Children preparing for sacraments receive rosaries, prayer books, and missals funded in part by the Altar Society, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed with the youth.
- Youth Group — Director: Kristi (Cricket) Palmer
- Divine Mercy Chaplet for youth
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Anita DaSilva
- First Communion gifts: ties, veils, prayer books, rosaries, missals
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, two deacons, and a small staff that handles religious education, youth ministry, finances, and administration. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm.
- Fr. Timothy Castor — Pastor
- Deacon Tom Murphy — Director of Religious Education
- Deacon Brian Paulsen
- Ronda Snyder — Bookkeeper
- Vicki Olson — Administrative Assistant
- Kristi (Cricket) Palmer — Director of Youth Group
- Michael Keffeler — Maintenance Director
- Anita DaSilva — Safe Environment Coordinator
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm, by phone or email, or by stopping by the church at 1049 Howard Street in Sturgis. The parish is part of a three-site pastoral community with St. Mary Star of the Sea in Newell (306 6th Street, PO Box 72, Newell, SD 57760) and St. Martin's Chapel (1521 Sherman St., Sturgis).
- St. Francis of Assisi — 1049 Howard St., Sturgis, SD 57785 — 605-720-3579 — [email protected]
- St. Mary Star of the Sea — 306 6th St. (PO Box 72), Newell, SD 57760
- St. Martin's Chapel — 1521 Sherman St., Sturgis, SD 57785
- Office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10 am–2 pm
- Website: https://www.sturgissaintfrancis.org/
Community & Local Life
Beyond its sacramental life, the parish is woven into the wider Sturgis community. Members of the Altar Society and Circles prepare and serve meals for law-enforcement officers stationed in Sturgis during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally — one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in the world. The parish's website itself is supported by a local community partner, Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
- Annual outreach during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
- Parish Fall Bazaar and Tour of Tables (Altar Society fundraisers)
- Parish website supported by Kinkade Funeral Chapel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Gleason, CSC1881–
Priest from Deadwood who started the mission church in 1881
- Fr. Peter Rosen1882–1890
German-speaking priest who took over the predominantly German mission; left Sturgis in 1890
- Fr. Michael Quinlan1896–1902
Appointed pastor; died in 1902
- Fr. Columban (Ulrich Bregenzer), OSB1903–~1946
Benedictine priest whose 'temporary assignment' lasted 43 years
- Fr. Joseph O'Rourke1947–~1947
Suffered a heart attack shortly after Fr. O'Doherty's arrival
- Fr. Leo O'Doherty~1947–
Assistant pastor who briefly ran the parish, then moved to Bear Butte parish
- Msgr. Leo Feuerbach1949–1971
Built the new church dedicated April 20, 1950; retired 1971
- Fr. Frank Vallo1971–1980
Resigned due to poor health
- Fr. Richard Plante1980–1985
Transferred to St. Therese parish in Rapid City
- Fr. Raymond Deisch1985–1989
Built the present church and Parish Hall, dedicated 1987; died 2014
- Fr. Michael Mulloy1989–1996
- Fr. Gary Oreshoski1996–2002
- Fr. Arnold Kari2002–2014
- Fr. Timothy Castor2014–present
Current pastor