A quiet act of remembrance. That’s how it began at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. In 1961, a statue of St. Francis was dedicated. It wasn’t just a statue though. It was a memorial to Major Withold J. Bacauskas. A parishioner of Saint Francis of Assisi, Major Bacauskas was the first member of the church to be killed in the line of duty. The statue, nestled between the school and the church, stands as a silent testament to his sacrifice.
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish itself has a rich history, interwoven with the growth of the Quantico Marine Base. Established in 1957, the church was specifically intended to serve the military community at Quantico. The Franciscans took on the care of the parish, appointing the first pastor shortly after its inception. The same year saw the construction of the first parish building, a combined school and auditorium. It hosted its first Mass in September 1957 and welcomed 143 students in grades 1-3.
The parish grew rapidly. By 1962, Saint Francis of Assisi School boasted 325 students, with an additional 505 children and youth participating in religious education. The church itself started with about 90 families in 1968 and by late 1974, that number had more than doubled to 235 families. The school saw its share of ups and downs, closing its doors from 1969 to 1980, during which time it even housed Christendom College. Reopening in 1981 with 215 students, the school embarked on expansion plans. That same year, the exciting announcement was made to build a dedicated church building.
The construction of the current Saint Francis of Assisi Church was a community effort. Parishioners rallied together, driven by the unfortunate illness and passing of their pastor. Their dedication culminated in the church’s dedication in 1984. Growth continued with an administrative wing added in 1996 and a preschool and nursery facility in 1999. The turn of the millennium brought the crowning achievement: a new $4.8 million Parish Center, dedicated in the fall of 2000. Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church stands today as a testament to faith, service, and community, continuing to serve those connected to Quantico and bearing witness to a vibrant history.