"It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
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History of the Parish
Our parish is a result of generations of believers from the general area and places far away…who have given themselves to Christ and His life-giving Spirit and who want to grow in His ways, In the 1850’s Catholic communities first began to form in Madison County (in the Sulphur Springs/Camden area) when farmers from Georgia immigrated. The growth and development of the railroad in Canton brought more Catholics to the area. The promise of rich farmland brought German immigrants to Gluckstadt (by way of Chicago), and while the journey was difficult, fraught with legal and financial hardships, these immigrants persisted and formed close knit and dedicated communities of faith. In spite of church burnings, natural disasters, the Civil War, and strife during the Civil Rights Movement in the last half of the 1900’s, these communities and parishes persisted.
Over the years, descendants of these early Catholics, as well as new Catholic immigrants from other places, moved into the towns of Ridgeland and Madison and the Catholic population was increasing in large numbers. When it became apparent that neither St. Richard’s in Jackson nor St. Joseph’s in Gluckstadt could adequately serve the increasing needs of the growing number of Catholic faithful, Bishop Brunini, the bishop of Jackson, declared the founding of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. The first church building was erected on November 8, 1987.Before long, an Early Learning Building was added, and the parish became an even more visible and active faith community. Within a relatively short time, St. Francis parish became involved in spiritual programs, social outreach, and youth and music programs. Because of the increasing growth and the fervent dedication of the people who are St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the need for a new and permanent church arose.
The inspiration for the exterior design and style of the building is taken from the architectural styles in St. Francis of Assisi’s homeland, Italy. The building has the flavor of Italian Romanesque in a contemporary expression. The red tile roof, majestic flying trusses supporting the roof, and beautiful stained glass have created a ‘tent’ in which the people of God can meet and offer praise and thanks to God for generations to come.
Here, those who never have had a faith family can find a community with open arms; ready to share the faith and love of the Catholic tradition. Here, newborn babies and adults who have never known God could be so loving and full of eternal mercy and compassion will be born by water and the Spirit to everlasting life. Here, couples will make vows of love, in Christ, that will take them to places of dying and rising that they could scarcely have imagined on their wedding day. Here the sick will be anointed; the dead, waked and buried; sinners forgiven; and the Solemnities of Easter, and Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Pentecost, feasts of the Apostles and Martyrs will be celebrated for years to come and all of these blessed ceremonies will be but a foretaste of the great things that await those who seek the Lord with all their hearts.Here, Sunday after Sunday, for hopefully many years to come, faithful Catholics will gather to sing God’s praises and hear Christ speak His transforming Holy Word. Bread and wine and the hard-earned gifts of our labors will be offered in praise and thanksgiving. Communion will be shared and become realized. And the faithful will be sent forth to continue the mission of Christ, just as those early immigrants were sent forth a hundred years ago, so that we might do what we do today…offer a sacrifice always and everywhere, to God for everything God has done. There is no greater privilege than this: to be the Body of Christ!
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