The Historic Church building was erected in 1834 by the Universalist Society, which had been meeting in Long Ridge Village since 1776. It was built at a time when classic revival architecture was very popular, hence, the Greek temple-style facade for the church building, with four columns and a full entablature with pediment above. By 1942 the Universalists no longer flourished in Long Ridge Village and their church building had been unused for years. It was wartime, and gasoline rationing was in effect, making it difficult for the people in Long Ridge Village who attended St. John’s Episcopal Church in Stamford to drive the nearly twenty-mile round trip each week. Mrs. Harlan Logan spoke to the Rev. Stanley Hemsley of St. John’s about this problem. In time, the idea of bringing the church to the people came into being. Rev. Hemsley visited the State Universalist Society in Danbury, and obtained permission to use the building temporarily. In 1945, two sisters, Mrs. Howard Gilmour and Mrs. Lucie Newton, bought the church property from the Universalist Society and gave it to the Episcopal Church, Diocese of CT. Meanwhile, twenty-five people signed a petition to the Bishop Coadjutor, for permission to establish a Mission in Long Ridge. Alterations and repairs were started. On Christmas Eve, 1945, the first service was held in the church building, even though the renovation was not quite complete. The pews had not yet been installed, but folding chairs moved in for the occasion did not detract from the celebration. The Mission of St. Francis was in its home. The Mission of St. Francis eventually became St. Francis Church. Early in 1984 the rear wall was extended to permit installation of a restroom area and enlargement of the sacristy, but entering from the classic, pillared front, a worshipper of 65 years ago would feel immediately at home in the nave, unchanged except for the addition of some wall sconces. The St. Francis community continued to grow, and the needs of a growing congregation necessitated additional buildings. The property on Long Ridge Road was acquired in the 1960’s and Rev. Robert Dresser oversaw the building of Assisi Hall on Long Ridge Road, slightly to the west of the Historic Church on Old Long Ridge Road in 1968, with an ambitious vision of a new church building, a vision that would come to fruition some three decades later. In 1978, Rev. Richard Mayberry arrived to serve as Rector, and he would remain in that role until his retirement in 2007. His tenure would see many changes, including the building of the new church. The new church, while not as steeped in history as the Historic Church is, has quite a story of its own. The talents and gifts of the St. Francis community are represented in the Church building: Many parishioners contributed their time, talents and treasure to make this beautiful church a reality. The vision for the new church included the installation of a full pipe organ, and an Organ Committee was formed in 2000 to research and recommend an organ for the new sanctuary. Fundraising began that year, but was put on hold after the terrorist attacks of 2001. The project was restarted in 2003, and fully funded in 2005, when Kolzelman Pipe Organs was hired to build a customized electric action pipe organ. This beautiful organ was dedicated in October, 2008, and its music adds richness to our worship. We have recently celebrated the 175th anniversary of our Historic Church, and the 10th anniversary of the consecration of the new church, and St. Francis Parish continues to blend the best of old and new.