An Informal, Anecdotal History of Saint Francis' Parish
as Told by Past and Present Members
In 1949, a mission was organized under the direction of Bishop Mason and Fr. Harry Secker, Jr., Curate at Holy Cross. The name St. Francis Episcopal Church was selected with St. Francis of Assisi as Patron Saint.
The first services were held at Fr. Secker's home located at the corner of Lombardy Lane and what is now Webb Chapel. The mission also made use of the City of Dallas Park buildings at Bachman Lake. There was an old frame building called Huvelle #5. This was available for services, parish dinners, etc.. As the mission grew larger, quarters were needed. Fr. Secker purchased a house at the corner of Community Drive and Overlake. Weekly services were held in the converted garage.
In the early 1950s, St. Francis purchased the property on Community Drive from Fr. Secker. In 1951, Fr. Secker departed and Fr. Willis Doyle was called to be Vicar. Fr. Doyle introduced what was then considered a "high church" format: Eucharist every Sunday, Church School, children in attendance at communion prior to departing the sanctuary for church school.
Attendance grew. Services were held at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM on Sundays. As the only church in the immediate area, St. Francis became a social center with many parties and gatherings. Money did not accompany the growth, so fund-raising became a primary function. Each year there would be a carnival, rummage sale, bazaar, weekly bake sales, and periodic barbecue dinners. Poverty still prevailed, but in 1954 financial independence was achieved and St. Francis was granted parish status.
As the city grew and expanded, so did the parish. Plans were made to acquire new property and to develop a building program. Property at 3836 (now 3838) Walnut Hill Lane was purchased. The acreage contained some apartments (converted WWII barracks), which were to generate income to pay for the property and raise funds for a church building. Thus, St. Francis became a tenement landlord. One of the apartments was in such bad shape that a table had to be nailed to the floor to keep it from sliding out the door.
Fr. Doyle left, a number of parishioners departed and a small demoralized group of parishioners began the search for a new Rector. In the fall of 1956, Fr. Homer Rogers accepted the call to be Rector of St. Francis. With the assistance of Fr. Rogers's parents, accommodations for their family of 8 was established in Farmers Branch and St. Francis began a new and most significant era of its parish life.
Fr. Rogers found that he was shepherding a small, sincere, but theologically illiterate parish. He asked all parish members to attend a weekly instruction class. Slowly and, at first, reluctantly, this re-education tradition began. New and revolutionary concepts were introduced: daily masses, confession, and other "catholic" practices. Some were accepted graciously: others generated suspicion.
The need for funds, relocation, and new church building continued to prevail. Fr. Rogers, by then known as Padre, convinced the Vestry that it would be a mistake to undertake a large debt and, with some misgivings, the Vestry voted to construct a church building using parish labor. There ended up being some financing assistance from a gift from the National Church. [Ed. Note: This gift is likely the same one that Ralph Crocker described as being "through a foundation in the northeast" in A History of the Buildings and Grounds. We have never received money from the "National Church", that wasn't payment of an insurance claim.]
The Community Drive property was sold and someone was located to haul away the apartment buildings and work began on what is now the Sanctuary and Administration Building. Spearheading the parish labor and doing most of the work were Bill Bard and D.C. Lester with evenings and weekend help of sorts from other parishioners.
In 1960, in the middle of a mud hole, the shell of the Sanctuary stood and the parish moved into its new quarters. It wasn't pretty. Some neighbors objected and one even threatened to sue. The building had to function as both Sanctuary and Parish Hall. At celebrations, folding chairs and tables were put in place, pale green sheets were strung across the Nave, The Sacristy became a kitchen and St. Francis Parish forgot some of the difficulties and came together as a warm and loving family thanking God for His Blessings.
Nothing was easy. In fact, some faltered at the poverty and difficulties. The suggestion was made that the parish select a new patronal saint. St. Francis was so poor, so humble. Fortunately, the motion did not carry. A gift of trees was offered from property now occupied by Stemmons Freeway. One winter day, men and boys went out to dig up trees. They later discovered that they had gotten into poison ivy. St. Francis men and boys were an itchy, drippy mess for a week or so.
Each Sunday, God was worshipped to the tune of a gurgling coffeepot in the Narthex. Coffee hour was skin-to-skin people and children and the parish grew.
Money, or the lack thereof, continued to be a problem. Bazaars, bake sales, the annual rummage sale, and the every-member canvas failed to increase the treasury. Padre, recognizing the futility of all this effort, convinced the parish to drop all fundraising projects, including the every-member canvas, and give to God. Once again, he was right and financial security began to become more of a reality.
When the time came to build a Parish Hall, memories of "building it ourselves" was commended as a precious memory, but it was decided to borrow funds and employ a professional. In 1970, the Parish Hall, called by many, "the old Parish Hall" was dedicated. The same feelings prevailed when the new Parish Hall was built and dedicated in 1984, however, the professional was a parish member.
By 1977, St. Francis could afford a Curate. Fr. James McGhee was called and he and his family became a part of the parish. He was the first Curate that we paid for. Our first Curate was Fr. William McFeeters. He was hired as an Intern and subsidized temporarily by Bishop Davies. Fr. Samuel Edwards was Curate to Fr. McGhee, from 1981 till 1986. Fr. David Allen served as a part-time Curate, sharing his time with Holy Cross.
In October of 1980, for many the world stopped when Padre died. But, once again, God's help was apparent. Through prayer and thoughtful planning, Fr. Rogers, foreseeing this event, had asked Bishop Davies to allow Fr. McGhee to be called as Rector. The Vestry concurred and a new era began. The parish continued to grow and, as able, to focus on its catholic faith at a time when the national and the diocesan church moved toward secularism.
Now, as St. Francis moves to a new era, the parish reflects prayerfully on its past and thanks God that in the Heavenly order such faithful priests as Frs. Rogers, Hutton, and Bandy, to name a few, hold St. Francis in their prayers. Thy Will be done! -- Betty Andrus
NOTE: The final addition to the Parish Hall was made possible by the sale of a pipeline which had been given to the parish ten years previously by Mr. Trammel Crow. Mr. Crow had been a boyhood friend of the Rogers family. He was also a business associate of Fr. Rogers's father and had been a benefactor of the parish on previous occasions. Also, Fr. Carl Babcock was part-time Curate from approximately 1988-1993. -- Ralph Crocker