The first Masses were held in the local Laura Chambers Funeral Chapel, but Masses were soon moved to a small storefront on 19th Street. Land was purchased on 7th Avenue, North as a building site, but due to World War II, ground was not broken until October of 1946. By the summer of 1949, the site included a church with a seating capacity of 300, a two-story rectory, a school with four classrooms, a convent, and a service building. The same summer also saw the arrival of three Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph to staff the school: Sisters Mary Margaret, Laurentia, and Remigia.

Less than six months later, Bishop Toolen dedicated St. Francis of Assisi on Jan. 29, 1950. Father Pikor continued as pastor until 1964, when Father Rayner Ziemski arrived. Two years later, Father Flavian Goral was assigned as pastor. Under his leadership, both the parish and the school experienced growth. To meet the needs of the increasing student population, an addition to the school was completed and dedicated on April 9, 1972.

Over the next 18 years, the parish not only welcomed six pastors, Fathers Paschal Rys, Herbert Obijiski, Eugene Kole, Callistus Juras, Larry Kubera, and Noel Danielewicz, but the parishioners built a vibrant parish family with the formation of many clubs and groups.

At the time of the parish’s 50th anniversary in 1990, 29 Conventual Franciscan Friars and 38 Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph had served the faithful of the parish and the students at the school.

After the turn of the century, the church was renovated and rededicated by then shepherd of the diocese, Bishop David E. Foley. Less than a year later, in the spring of 2001, plans were initiated to transition the parish to the diocese with lay leadership and a non-resident sacramental priest. Then in 2002, the parish entered into a 20-year lease with Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity, which translated into a renovation and new life for the school as a certified Head Start Center.

Bringing to fruition its plans of transition, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, the faith community of St. Francis of Assisi celebrated their patronal feast and 63rd anniversary, then bid farewell to the friars. The Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Bishop Foley, who blessed the parish’s new pastoral team, Bobby Owens, Joy Pinto, and Father Ray Keiser.

The parish maintained its leadership structure until May 2, 2005, when the parish welcomed the Missionary Society of St. Paul. Father Akama Ukanide Anietie, M.S.P., was appointed resident pastor, then, in 2007, he was succeeded by the current pastor, Father Paul Asih, M.S.P.

Under Father Asih, the Bessemer parish has thrived, marking its 70th anniversary in 2010 with the theme of “A community of believers with increasing faith, hope, and love,” and, most recently, its 83rd anniversary in 2023. During the celebration, Father Asih thanked parishioners for their faithfulness and generosity and urged them to continue participating in church activities: “What you plant in God’s house, He is planting in your house at the same time. God is protecting you every day.”

Staying true to its history and strong sense of community, the parish most recently welcomed a charter school, Empower Community School, to its school campus. The new charter school was the result of a collaboration involving the Diocese of Birmingham, Empower, New Schools for Alabama, the state of Alabama, Jefferson County, and the city of Bessemer. While the school is not a Catholic institution, its existence is proof that the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and its dedicated faith family will continue to bless the community of Bessemer.