St. Francis will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a special parish-wide event on Sunday, June 7. The day will begin with a single celebratory service with music at 10:00 a.m. in the Historic Church, 503 Old Long Ridge Road, followed by a festive community picnic at the New Church at 2810 Long Ridge Road. The celebration will honor the parish’s rich history of worship, community, social justice work, and interfaith bridge-building in Stamford and beyond, while looking ahead with hope and imagination to the future.
The origins of St. Francis are both humble and inspiring. During World War II, gas rationing made it difficult for Episcopalians in North Stamford to travel into the city for worship. In response, a small group of faithful residents began meeting locally in a long-abandoned church building in Historic Long Ridge Village. That building, originally constructed in 1834 by the Universalist Society, became the unlikely birthplace of a new Episcopal mission.
In 1946, St. Francis officially became part of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, the nation’s first and oldest Episcopal diocese. The Historic Church itself – an elegant Greek Revival structure with its iconic four-column façade – remains a cherished landmark and spiritual anchor for the parish to this day.
From those modest beginnings, St. Francis has flourished across generations of faithful leadership and community growth. Over the decades, the parish expanded its footprint, adding Assisi Hall in 1968 and, in 2000, completing a larger, modern worship space on Long Ridge Road designed for both reverence and exceptional acoustics. The addition of a custom pipe organ in 2008 further enriched its musical and liturgical life.
What began as a small, improvised gathering in the wood sof North Stamford during World War II has grown into a vibrant spiritual home and a recognized beacon of hope, peace, and love in the entire Stamford community.
“We’ve always believed the church is called to be more than a building,” said Rector The Rev. Joseph J. Rose. “St. Francis is a beloved community - a place where people come to encounter God’s love and then carry that love into the world with our hands, feet and heartbeat.”
From a small group gathering out of wartime necessity to a thriving parish known for its spirit of welcome and outreach, St. Francis continues to embody its mission: building community through worship, inclusivity, and service.
“No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, all are welcome at St. Francis,” Rose said. “And this anniversary is not just about looking back - it’s about celebrating the story we’re still writing together.”