St. Francis (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut)
| St. Francis Church | |
| [[File:|150px|center]] | |
| Dedication: | Saint Francis of Assisi |
| Type/Classification: | Territorial Parish |
| Non-Parochial: | No |
| Operated By: | Sisters of Mercy |
| Venerated Saints: | Saint Clare of Assisi, Saint Anthony of Padua |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut |
| Deanery: | Norwich Deanery |
| Address: | Central Ave., Niantic, Connecticut 06357 |
| City: | Niantic, CT |
| Subdivision: | Connecticut |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Southeastern Connecticut County |
| Website: | Website |
| Founded: | 1844 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | info@stfrancisnorwich.org |
| AI Confidence: | Not rated |
| Review Level: | 0/5 (unreviewed) |
St. Francis Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut, located in Norwich, Connecticut. Dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, the thirteenth-century Italian friar and founder of the Franciscan Order—the parish serves a suburban community in New London County.
Established in 1844, St. Francis Parish was one of several Catholic churches founded by the Sisters of Mercy in the Norwich area.[1]
The current church building was constructed in the late nineteenth century and features a mix of Gothic Revival and Romanesque architectural styles.
History
According to established records, St. Francis Parish has been serving the local community for nearly two centuries.[2]
Special features
- Annual Blessing of the Animals and community events reflecting care for creation
- Ministries inspired by Saint Francis' charism, including service to the poor and marginalized
Relics
According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources.
Architecture
The church features a mix of Gothic Revival and Romanesque architectural styles, reflecting its late nineteenth-century construction.
External features
- Stained glass windows depicting scenes from Saint Francis' life
- Exterior stone carvings of Franciscan symbols
Interior features
- Ornate wooden pews and altar railings
- Mosaics and frescoes in the nave and transepts
Art and Devotional Features
Devotional elements focus on Saint Francis, reflecting his life of poverty, simplicity, and service to others.
Stained Glass Windows
The church features several stained glass windows depicting scenes from Saint Francis' life, including his encounter with the leper and his reception of the stigmata.
Statues and Sculptures
A statue of Saint Francis stands in the nave, surrounded by a shrine dedicated to his memory. The statue is flanked by two smaller statues of Saint Clare and Saint Anthony.
Other Artwork
The church's interior features several mosaics and frescoes, including a large mural depicting the life of Saint Francis in the transept.
Image gallery
`
No gallery has been created yet. Type "Gallery" into the input box to create the page, save the page with the loaded template, and then use the Form tab to start adding photos. No gallery subpage has been created. Please use the input box above to create it.
Related parishes
- Saint Patrick Catholic Church (Norwich, Connecticut)
- Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Norwich, Connecticut)
External links
References
- ↑ "St. Francis - Norwich". Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich. https://www.norwichdiocese.org/parishes/st-francis-norwich/.
- ↑ "Our History". St. Francis Church. https://www.stfrancisnorwich.org/history/.