Name of Church San Francisco de Asis Church
Address 1600 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone number 928-779-1341
Website https://www.sfdaparish.org/
Mass times Saturday vigil, 4:30 p.m. Sundays, 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m. (Spanish). Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 8:15 a.m. Tuesday & Thursday, 12:15 p.m.
Confessions Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m.
Names of priests Fr. Will Schmid, pastor. Fr. Dan Vanyo, parochial vicar. Fr. Schmid is a younger priest, ordained in 2009, and a convert to the Catholic faith from Lutheranism. He is a talented preacher; listen to him here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHELJZQ1_U4).
School Yes, pre-K through 8.
Music There are four Mass choirs.
Parish groups and activities Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Detention Ministry, Women’s Club, 24-hour adoration, 40 Days for Life, Secular Franciscan Order.
Fellow parishioners There is an English-speaking and Spanish-speaking community.
Parking There is ample parking on either side of the church.
Additional observations San Francisco de Asis cares for two historic chapels, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1930, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in 1926. Both are beautiful and historic and are located in Flagstaff, but are only used for weddings, funerals and special events. There are currently no regularly scheduled Masses at either. Nativity is currently in need of preservation work; click here (http://www.savenativitybvm.com/) for details. San Francisco de Asis is a newer church, completed in 2013, with its new school and parish center opening in 2017. Its location has magnificent views of the San Francisco Peaks. The parish itself was formed in 1997, consolidating three other parishes in the area.
This is a good and beautiful church. Attractively and functionally designed and decorated. My one dislike is the stone used for the altar. They used indigenous red stone as the altar slab without shaping it symmetrically. It’s irregular. Honestly, the shape and the color make it look like a giant raw steak.
That’s funny – I’ve been to Mass there, and I thought the red sandstone altar was a highlight. But then I am a geologist . . .
Unfortunate the older chapels are not in use, not even for daily Mass? I expect they’re just too small, but the one near downtown is a beautiful landmark.
If in the area, also consider visiting El Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Grand Canyon Village in the National Park. There is a spectacular mural of the Grand Canyon on two walls. Standing room only in the summers. In my opinion, well worth visiting if in the Park on a weekend.