St. Francis Episcopal Church

In 1952, a seed of faith was planted in Houston. This seed blossomed into St. Francis Episcopal Church. St. Francis began as a mission of the Diocese. It quickly gained parish status the same year. The Reverend G. Richard Wheatcroft became the first rector, guiding the church’s early growth. St. Francis Episcopal Church sits on 15.4 wooded acres in Piney Point Village. It’s not just a church. It’s a vibrant community with two main parts: the church itself and St. Francis Episcopal Day School. The school started small, with just 24 preschoolers. It’s now the largest K-8 Episcopal School in the United States. The school expanded to include a high school starting in 2018. St. Francis also sponsors the St. Francis Sports Association and a Scouting program. These programs connect the church and school with the wider community. They offer families a place to belong. Reverend Wheatcroft served as rector for an impressive 40 years. He was the only rector for much of the church’s history. Since his retirement, St. Francis Episcopal Church has had three more full-time rectors. Currently, The Rev. Stuart A. Bates leads the congregation, having joined in 2007. St. Francis Episcopal Church welcomes everyone. The church holds four services on Sundays and a Wednesday evening service. St. Francis runs the Linda Sadler Memorial Fund. This fund helps people and families facing social, cultural, or economic hardships. It provides a “hand up” rather than a handout. The fund collaborates with case management agencies to address the root causes of these difficulties. It aims to help people achieve independence and a productive lifestyle. St. Francis Episcopal Church is truly a pillar of the community. It extends its care beyond its walls, touching lives through education, outreach, and spiritual guidance.