From rainy walks to 90 years of faith at St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi parish is celebrating its 90th anniversary by reflecting on its history and community contributions.

The parish's origins trace back to a Franciscan monastery established as a stopover for friars traveling from Montreal to missions in Japan and China. On February 24, 1924, Archbishop Timothy Casey granted permission to purchase the Miller Estate in Vancouver to serve as this resting place. Founding pastor Father Boniface Heidmeier O.F.M. described the estate as a grand building that appeared almost too impressive to be real when the monastery was first established at 1020 Semlin Drive.