‘It’s my heart and soul:’ Generations find a home at St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi parish in East Vancouver is marking its 90th anniversary while managing significant building repairs. The parish, which was formally established on Sept. 20, 1936, from a Franciscan monastery built more than a decade earlier, faces an estimated $600,000 cost to restore its church tower. While the community has already completed seismic upgrades, elevator installations, and improvements to the boiler and drainage systems, further work remains necessary.

The anniversary coincides with a special Franciscan Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. This jubilee also marks the 800th anniversary of the death of the parish's patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi. Originally closely linked to the Italian Catholic community in Vancouver, the parish has expanded its reach through its school, which serves families from the local neighborhood and surrounding areas.