St. Francis of Assisi Community, once known as St. Francis Mission, began its faith journey in 1940 with the arrival of Conventual Franciscan friars, Francis Pikor and Oderic Palys. The earliest services were held at the “Storefront Church” on 19th Street and 11th Avenue in Bessemer.

 The devoted and dedicated Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph served the school from 1949 until 1991 under the leadership of the first principal Sr. Margaret Mary, FSSJ. Following the departure of the Franciscan Sisters, other gifted and religious women, Sr. Maria Dina from the Consolata Sisters, and Sr. Mary Adrian of the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, continued the ministry.
 

 In 2001, plans were initiated to begin a process of transitioning St. Francis of Assisi Church from Franciscan based to Diocesan based, from religious to lay leadership, from a resident pastor to a sacramental priest. The new model of leadership was implemented in 2003, with the team of Bobby Owens as Pastoral Associate and Joy Pinto as Lay Associate, and Fr. Ray Keiser as sacramental priest together with Pastoral and Finance Councils.

 A 20-year partnership with Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity began as St. Francis of Assisi School transitioned into St. Francis Head Start Center.