Saint Francis of Assisi, Harmar/Indianola

St. Francis of Assisi was established in 1941.  The origin of the parish can actually be traced back to 1935 when the Missionary Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (MCCD) began visiting Harmarville.  The diocese formed the MCCD to bring religious instruction to Catholics living in small, isolated communities who lacked access to an existing church. By 1940, the decision was made to build a church in Harmarville. Ground for the church was broken on October 1, 1940.  The basement was finished early in 1941 and beginning on April 6, 1941, Mass was celebrated in the basement while work continued on the upper floors.  The completed building was dedicated on December 14, 1941.

The parish shared a pastor with St. Timothy in Indianola.  Initially, St. Francis of Assisi was a mission of St. Timothy, but at some point in the 1950's the relationship between the two parishes reversed and St. Timothy became the mission of St. Francis.

By the turn of the century, the decreasing congregation led the St. Francis parish to explore the possibility of merging with St. Edward Parish in Blawnox.  After conducting a study, the parish petitioned the bishop on January 6, 2011 for permission to merge with St. Edward.  The bishop granted permission and the two parishes merged on May 25, 2011 forming the new St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish.  St. Francis of Assisi Church remained open after the merger and continued to serve the new parish.