Mission Statement

For the faithful and the seekers who need a safe place to find hope and spiritual nourishment in a Christ-centered community, St. Francis offers a theologically progressive, diverse, welcoming and joyful church committed to exploring and deepening our faith in God and each other through community, worship and outreach.

St. Francis Vestry and Deanery

2021 Vestry

Tony Mei, Senior Warden, tonymei.novato@gmail.com

Sean McConnell, Junior Warden, smcconnell@episcopalrelief.org

Pat Mei Secretary, pat.novato@gmail.com

Allison Waterworth, allison@drwaterworth.com

Roy Gale, Treasurer, roygale67@comcast.net

Robert Tarleton, Robert@Tarleton.aero

2021 Deanery Representatives

Frank Lewis

Sean McConnell

Church History 1948 to Present

Our Church began as a Mission founded in 1948. On November 7 of that year, Paul and Marie Brindel, Novato citizens who wanted an Episcopal Church to inhabit the vast and rural area that was Novato, hosted a group of twenty people at their home to meet with the then Bishop of California, Karl Block. Bishop Block allowed the creation of an Episcopal Mission, and the people chose Saint Francis to be the mission’s patron saint. The choice of Francis was twofold: for one, the church was located a mere 30 miles from the great city by the same name; and two, Novato was a land rich in peaceful, natural settings.

In 1950, the Mission worked with the diocese to purchase an acre-and-a-half of quiet, ancient-oak-tree studded farmland to be the grounds for that Mission.  The first building, a humble chapel named after Saint Clare, was carved out of the very earth on which it stood, a monument to the Mission’s connection with nature and its humble beginning. Over-time St. Francis grew from a mission to parish.

Jesse Parish, Director

St Francis Preschool

(415) 892-2597

Nestled among tall oak and pine trees, St. Francis Preschool has been serving families in the North Bay Area for more than forty years. A safe environment, physically and emotionally, is provided where children are given the opportunity to become curious learners who are socially competent, cooperative, self-reliant, motivated, confident, and considerate. To learn more about our preschool and to schedule a tour call Jesse Parish, at 415.892.2597