About St. Francis of Assisi · Walla Walla, Washington
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Walla Walla, Washington, is a historic Roman Catholic parish originally founded on February 1, 1915 as a language-based 'national' parish to serve the Italian immigrant families who had settled in the Walla Walla Valley. Today the parish is one of three linked 'Tri-Parish' communities (along with St. Patrick and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) served by the same clergy team and sharing a single bulletin and office phone system. Inspired by their patron's spirit of humility and simplicity, the parish draws strength from the Gospel and the sacramental life of the Church and seeks to be an instrument of God's peace and reconciliation by serving those in need in the valley.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Curtis Seidel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a small, welcoming parish with deep historic roots in the Walla Walla Valley, where parishioners know one another by name and share daily Mass together Monday through Friday. The community offers a full sacramental life, weekly Reconciliation, RCIA/OCIA for adults, marriage preparation, anointing of the sick, Bible studies, and active outreach to those in need through St. Ann's Altar Society, parish finance and pastoral councils, and CRS Rice Bowl collections. It is also closely tied to Walla Walla Catholic Schools, giving families a strong connection between parish and Catholic education.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:00 am
- Thursday: 4:30 pm
Parish Identity & History
St. Francis of Assisi was founded on February 1, 1915 as a language-based 'national' parish for the Italian families who had settled in the Walla Walla Valley since the 1870s. The first pastor, Fr. O. R. Balducci, had been assigned to a local hospital in 1914 and began saying Mass for Italians in their homes before the parish was formally erected. The parish is said to have received the encouragement of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who visited Walla Walla on one of her journeys to Seattle in the early 1900s and urged the Italian community to build their own church. In 1939 parishioners funded and built the larger brick church that still stands at 722 W. Alder Street.
- Founded February 1, 1915
- First pastor: Fr. O. R. (Oscar R.) Balducci
- Italian was the parish language until the late 1940s
- Current church built in 1939 by parishioner donations
- Approximately 90 founding families
Italian Heritage
The parish was the spiritual home of two distinct Italian immigrant streams: a Southern Italian community established by Pasquale Saturno beginning in 1876, and a Northern Italian community established by Giuseppe (Joseph) Tachi. Both men were prosperous commercial farmers. The two 'colonies' sometimes sat on opposite sides of the church — a memory preserved in the two stained-glass windows inscribed 'Donated by the Northern Colony' and 'Donated by the Southern Colony' that remain in the 1939 building. The parish continues to celebrate its Italian roots through the annual Italian Festa in Walla Walla.
- Southern Colony founded by Pasquale Saturno (1876)
- Northern Colony founded by Giuseppe (Joseph) Tachi
- 'Northern Colony' / 'Southern Colony' stained-glass windows
- Annual Italian Festa heritage celebration
Clergy & Staff
St. Francis is pastored by Rev. Curtis Seidel, who simultaneously serves as pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Walla Walla, parish administrator of St. Mark in Waitsburg and St. Joseph in Dayton, and President of Walla Walla Catholic Schools. The parish is also served by Parochial Vicar Rev. Andrew O'Leary. The Tri-Parish team includes Deacons Jim Barrow, Maclobio Robles, and Olegario Reyes (Retired), and fellow pastor Rev. Daniel Barnett of St. Patrick's. Terri Neal serves as Office Manager for St. Francis.
- Rev. Curtis Seidel — Pastor
- Rev. Andrew O'Leary — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Daniel Barnett — Pastor, St. Patrick (fellow Tri-Parish priest)
- Deacon Jim Barrow
- Deacon Maclobio Robles
- Deacon Olegario Reyes (Retired)
- Terri Neal — Office Manager
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism classes are held the first Saturday of every month; parents should email or call the parish office. Confirmation and First Eucharist preparation is coordinated through the parish. Couples should contact a priest at least four months before a desired wedding date. Those needing Anointing of the Sick should call the parish office or, in an emergency, dial 0 on the Tri-Parish phone line. Adults seeking full initiation may join RCIA/OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults).
- Baptism — first Saturday of each month
- Confirmation & First Eucharist preparation
- Marriage — 4 months advance notice
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment / emergency line
- RCIA / OCIA for adults
Faith Formation & Adult Education
Beyond sacramental preparation, St. Francis offers ongoing formation through Bible study groups and the parish's role in the wider Tri-Parish formation program. The Bible Timeline Study meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 5:45 pm in the St. Francis Hall using online videos. The Women of Faith Bible study also meets at the parish. Youth and family faith formation across the Tri-Parish is coordinated by Martha Jimenez ([email protected], 509-316-9654).
- Bible Timeline Study — 1st & 3rd Sundays, 5:45 pm, St. Francis Hall
- Women of Faith Bible study
- RCIA / OCIA
- Tri-Parish Youth & Family Faith Formation (Martha Jimenez)
Parish Organizations & Councils
Parishioners serve through a number of councils and societies. St. Ann's Altar Society continues the parish's long tradition of women's service to the liturgy and parish life. The Pastoral Council and Finance Council share in the governance and stewardship of the parish. Coffee and donuts are offered after Sunday Mass as a regular hospitality ministry.
- St. Ann's Altar Society
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Coffee & donuts after Sunday Mass
Tri-Parish & Wider Community
St. Francis is one of three parishes in the Walla Walla Catholic Tri-Parish cluster, alongside St. Patrick (Walla Walla) and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Walla Walla). All three share the Tri-Parish phone line (509-525-3310) and a joint bulletin. The parishes also collaborate on the Tri-Parish Prayer Group (Mondays 4:00–5:00 pm in the St. Patrick Nursery) and social events such as the annual Tri-Parish BBQ and Welcome for new priests. The parish is connected to Walla Walla Catholic Schools, of which Fr. Curtis Seidel is President, and participates in collections such as the annual CRS Rice Bowl.
- Tri-Parish cluster with St. Patrick and Assumption
- Tri-Parish Prayer Group (Mon 4:00–5:00 pm)
- Walla Walla Catholic Schools
- CRS Rice Bowl (Catholic Relief Services) collections
- Diocese of Spokane (Bishop Thomas Daly)
Visit, Contact & Office Information
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is located at 722 W. Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362. The parish office shares a Tri-Parish phone system at (509) 525-3310 (St. Francis extension 1). The mailing address for parish correspondence is 408 W. Poplar, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Office hours for the St. Francis office are Tuesday 9:30 am–12:00 pm and Thursday 8:00 am–12:00 pm. The parish email is [email protected]. The pastor can also be reached at [email protected].
- Address: 722 W. Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362
- Phone: (509) 525-3310, Ext. 1
- Mailing: 408 W. Poplar, Walla Walla, WA 99362
- Office hours: Tue 9:30 am–12 pm; Thu 8 am–12 pm
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Sacramental emergency: 509-525-3310, ext. 0
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. O. R. (Oscar R.) Balducci1915–
Founding pastor; Italian-speaking priest originally assigned to a local hospital in 1914; began saying Mass for Italian families in their homes before the parish was erected.