HISTORY OF SAN FRANCESCO CHURCH  

 

 

       

 

 

San Francesco Parish began in 1896, when Rev. Benjamin Barto established a small chapel on St. Joseph Street in Detroit. The early years were difficult because Italian families were spread throughout the city, but their faith and determination kept the dream of a permanent parish alive.

 

 

 

 

     In 1897, Father Francesco Beccherini arrived and gave the parish new life. Within ten months, the cornerstone of San Francesco Church was laid at Brewster and Rivard Streets. The church was dedicated on November 20, 1898, a proud and blessed day for the Italian community of Detroit.

Father Beccherini served the parish for 46 years. He cared deeply for Italian immigrants, not only spiritually, but also in their daily lives. He was honored by Church and State for his work and dedication. He died on July 5, 1949.

After Father Beccherini, several priests helped guide San Francesco through changing times. Rev. Emil A. Capano became pastor and helped rebuild the church after a serious fire in 1944. In 1948, San Francesco was entrusted to the PIME Missionaries, becoming both a parish and a missionary center.

 

 

 

In 1966, Father Dominic Rossi became pastor. That same year, the original church closed because of changes in the area caused by the Chrysler Freeway. Father Rossi believed San Francesco would continue, and the parish temporarily worshiped at St. Joseph Church and later at the PIME chapel on Oakland Avenue.

In 1978, the parish found a new home on S. Nunneley Road in Clinton Township. Parishioners worked together to clean, repair, paint, and restore the building. The church was officially dedicated on September 24, 1978.

As the parish grew, the building and parking lot were expanded. In 1984, work began to enlarge the church, raise the roof, and install stained glass windows. A rectory, offices, grotto, and bell tower were later added. These improvements were made possible through the generosity, hard work, and faith of parishioners.

 

 

Father Rossi served until 1996 and died in 2008. Cardinal Adam Maida appointed Father Giulio Schiavi pastor in 1996, effective January 1, 1997. Under his leadership, the church was renovated with new tile, pews, carpeting, paint, doors, and restored Stations of the Cross.

 

 

 

Father Dino Vanin later became administrator and then pastor of San Francesco Church. The parish continued its mission of prayer, service, Catholic education, Italian tradition, and support for missions around the world. Father Dino retired in June 2026.

San Francesco remains a living parish rooted in faith, sacrifice, and community. It still preserves treasures from the old church, including the baptismal font and original cornerstone. Today, San Francesco welcomes people of all backgrounds and continues to serve God, the Church, and the community with love.