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The St. Francis mission chapel was intended for the Belgian families living in this area. Fr. Chrysostomus himself bought the land from Mr. Joe Cheys for $150.00 This land was know as 1037 Springfield Road, later renamed Dugald Road. The contractor, Mr. Marcel De Leeuw was paid $800.00. to build the chapel in 1933. In 1935 a small school room was added to enable the teaching of Catechism. Fr. Chrysostomus was delegated by the Archbishop to the duty of teaching the Catechism.
   The Blessing of the church took place on Saturday November 25th, 1933. It was dedicated to the glory of St. Francis of Assisi. The intention of the first Mass was for the deceased relatives of Mr. & Mrs. Leo Nuytten. Fr. Gerulf Debodt was appointed first pastor. He had to walk from the Belgian Sacred Heart Church to St. Francis in winter, but in the summer he rode a bicycle. He had a beautiful voice and quickly organized a choir. The first Midnight Mass of year, 1933, was very beautiful and the church was filled to capacity. Fr. Gerulf stayed only for a short time and left on April 24th 1934 for the Zaire Mission in the Belgian Congo. Fr. Gerulf had been well known by the parishioners for his catechism lessons he held in a parishioners' homes.
   For fifteen consecutive years, Fr. Chrysostomus had the pastoral care of St. Francis, from 1933 to 1949. He celebrated the Holy Eucharist each Sunday and preached in Flemish, French, and later in English. For the first years the sermon and announcements were read in Flemish. Catechism instruction was given on Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., followed by confessions.    Sunday morning Mass has said at 8:30 a.m. From 1933 to 1941 Fr. Chrysostomus,went to St. Francis twice a week to hold catechetical instruction. During the first seven years he always went by foot, back and forth. Later on Er. Petrus Constandt took Fr. Chrysostomus to St. Francis by car, however he had to return on foot.
   In 1949 Fr. Chrysostomus tendered his resignation for health reasons. He was now 75 years old. During this time period Fr. Chrysostomus never failed in his duties. Many times he had to walk through severe cold and stormy weather. After his retirement Fr. Chrysostomus led a rather quiet life and passed his days in prayer, study and reading. The troubles of old age nowithstanding, he remained until the end an example of self-discipline and monastic observance. When he could not receive anymore the care he needed in the Monastery, he agreed to be taken into the Nursing Home of the Sisters of Charity on Tache Ave. There he died on the 24th of March, after having laboured for 25 years for the spiritual well-being of the Archdiocese. The funeral service took place on Monday, March 30th, in the parish church of the Sacred Heart.

In 1949 Fr. Cyrinus Niewlandt took his place. The first Altar Boys of the parish were Walter Devodder and Maurice Timmerman. The parishioners being very poor, these being the Depression years, and the generous donations collect up at the time of the Blessing of the St. Francis Church totaled only $19.15. The smallest Sunday collection was all of 65 cents! The heating of the church at that time was by a large silver coloured stove situated at the rear of the church. Every Sunday morning Mr. Joe Cheys would light the fire. Many times Mass would be over before the church had warmed up. It was stipulated that Weddings, Funerals, and Baptisms would continue to be held in the Belgian Sacred Heart Church, 501 Plinquet St.
   Separate Registers for St. Francis Church were kept January 1956. The first Wedding to take place at St. Francis was for Miss Mia Verboeket and Mr Hank Traa on November 21st 1959.
  The first Baptism there was for their son, Henry Traa one year later in 1960. The parishioners of St. Francis remained united with the Belgian Sacred Heart Church and took part in all events. The "Excelcior Club" under the direction of Fr. Damasus Van Dycke was formed, and presented concerts on stage. These concerts contributed to the preservation of our Flemish culture. It is interesting to briefly note Fr. Damasus's musical achievements in Belgium. Fr. Damasus was the founder of the "Choir of St. Francis.", in the 1920's. It was famous for its highly stylistic renditions. the so-called "Franciscan Art Concerts" in Belgium. Fr. Damasus inaugurated Fr. Sebastian would give a conference with lantern-views' or a Franciscan theme for a topic. Fr. Damasus looked after the musical setting for these preformances. Fr Petrus Constandt, one of our early pastors, drove a car to pick up the children of the parish every Saturday for Catechism instruction and always had candies for them as a reward from Fr. Petrus.
    In 1950 the Parish Hall was build (seen to the left of the Chapel in the picture above). Under the direction of Fr. Cyrinus Niewlandt many organizations were formed within the parish. Picnics, a Youth Club, movies, and concerts to name a few. Later Fr. Francis (Patrick McCarroll) continued the work of Fr. Cyrinus Niewlandt. In 1956 Fr. Anacletus Mennen took over. He organized the Catholic Womens League in 1957. Later the church was renovated. From 1961-to-1963 Fr. Germain DeClercq was pastor of St. Francis before his posting as pastor of the Belgian Sacred Heart Church. From 1963-to-1973 Fr. Sigismont Tommeleyn was pastor, and from 1973-to-June 30th 1993. Then Fr. Leo Baert became the Pastor of both parishes, St. Francis and of the Belgian Sacred Heart Church.

Sadly, both parishes were closed effective June 30 1993.