Our Church and Grounds
Our Church
Dedicated in 1952, our current church building was designed in a modified English Gothic style by Louisville architects Walter Wagner and Joseph Potts. It is the only church in Louisville built of sandstone from the quarry of St. Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana. Its interior is finished with Italian mosaics and marble. The large mosaic in the sanctuary depicts St. Francis comforted by angels. The stained-glass window over the main entrance depicts scenes from the life of St. Francis, while the other windows in the nave depict the church’s liturgical year. The sanctuary of the church was renovated in 1986 in celebration of the parish centennial. And in celebration of the new millenium, the original 1886 bell from our first church was refurbished and hung in the north tower.
Statue of St Francis
On the grounds outside the church building is a bronze statue of St. Francis preaching to the animals by Louisville sculptor Charlotte Price. It was completed in 1986 as part of the centennial celebration.
Parish Offices/Rectory
Built in 1928, the Rectory served as a residence for our parish priests into the 1990’s. As the staff of our parish expanded the rectory has become the main office and meeting space for our parish.
Our School
The largest building on our grounds is our parish school. Completed in 1926, it was built to house the school, the residence of the sisters who taught at St. Francis and a temporary church. With the intervention of the Great Depression and World War II, it would continue to house the church for 26 years. It was home to the sisters until the parish acquired a house next to the school building on Alfresco Place for their convent. It continues to house our school. Meanwhile the space that was once used as a church has been converted into a gym, and the room under the gym serves as our parish hall.
Statue of the Sacred Heart
In front of the school is a bronze statue of the Sacred Heart. It stood in front of our original frame church, and was moved to its current location when the school building was built.
Spirituality Center
Next to the school building on Alfresco Place is a house that currently serves as our spirituality center. It is used for prayer groups, bible studies and meetings of all types.