An Informal, Anecdotal History of Saint Francis' Parish
as Told by Past and Present Members
My memory is that the original, or "old", Parish Hall cost $50,000. Half of that was raised from parishioners and the other $25,000 was borrowed. The lending bank required individual guarantees aggregating $25,000, as well as getting a lien on the property, as a condition of making the loan.
The heads of the money-raising committee were Iris Pearce and Beth Nix. Padre had told the women that no work would be started unless we had some amount - I think it was $12,500 - in the bank, in cash, no counting of pledges. Iris and Beth started by meeting me as I came out of Mass and saying, "If Paul Thorp will give $1,000 toward a Parish Hall, will you match him?" I was startled, and a little bit annoyed, at being accosted publicly, but said that I would. That gave them the opportunity to go to Paul and say, "Ray Pearce has already said that he would give $1,000, if you would."
What tactics they used with others, I don't know, but within two weeks the stated amount had been paid in, with the "drive" still going on for more. Padre was flabbergasted at the speed, but stuck to what he said and the plans started to be drawn.
I believe the "new" or extended Parish Hall cost $200,000, including furnishings. $100,000 came from the pipeline money; about $40,000 was raised from donations; and about $60,000 was borrowed. That debt, although it changed in form over the years, was not fully paid off until 1995 or 1996. [Ed. Note: The Parish Hall Extension was completed in 1984, just in time for the wedding of Art Babb and Elise Mitchell.]
I do not remember the year we got paving or what it cost or how the money was raised. But for anyone who remembers the sea of mud on rainy days, helped out only partially by the gravel we had for a while, paving would have to be a significant event. -- Ray Pearce