3232 Jan Avenue, Tyler, TX 75701 Office@StFrancisTyler.org 903-593-8459
About Us
Our History
Our Prayer for St. Francis
Who Is St. Francis?
The Diocese of Texas in 1953 purchased 5 1/2 acres of land at the corner of Jan and DeCharles. St. Andrews mission was organized in 1956 by 25 communicants of Christ Church, Tyler. The original building, which was intended to serve as a Parish Hall and temporary Sanctuary, was completed in 1958. It contained no pews, only folding chai
The Diocese of Texas in 1953 purchased 5 1/2 acres of land at the corner of Jan and DeCharles. St. Andrews mission was organized in 1956 by 25 communicants of Christ Church, Tyler. The original building, which was intended to serve as a Parish Hall and temporary Sanctuary, was completed in 1958. It contained no pews, only folding chairs. The new building was arranged so that the altar would always be visible from the street, day and night. Parish status was granted in 1964.
The three metal crosses on the West grounds were erected with the original church building. The center cross stands 36 feet tall and represents the sacrifice of Christ. The side crosses represent the two other crosses that stood on Calvary.
What is now the Parish Hall was four classrooms in the ‘50s. They were used for children's Sunday School and on five days a week were used as classrooms for St. Andrews School. The Parish Hall/Sanctuary was used for adult Sunday School. What we now call the Education Building was added in the early 60's to accommodate the Episcopal school. In the mid 70's, the school was moved from St. Andrews and became All Saints School.
In the early 80's there were many changes taking place both inside and out of the church, with long range plans being voted on by the Vestry and congregation. At that time, the Vestry, supported by the priest, asked the diocese if the name of the parish could be changed. The bishop and the diocese replied yes, the new name was adopted, and the church was christened St. Francis.
As the church now over 60 years in existence, thanks can be given because hundreds of worshipers have called this their church home. They have been fed with the Word proclaimed from its lectern and the Sacrament offered from its altar. Through a strong faith, St. Francis looks with hope to the future. Thanks be to God!
This information was taken from the book entitled St. Francis Episcopal Church, Tyler, Texas: a History, written by Pat Logan, a current and longtime member of St. Francis. The book is available in the Church Library, located in the Education Building.
Who Is St. Francis?
Our Prayer for St. Francis
Who Is St. Francis?
Born in Italy circa 1181, St. Francis of Assisi was known for drinking and partying in his youth. After fighting in a battle between Assisi and Perugia, Francis was captured and imprisoned for ransom. He spent nearly a year in prison—awaiting his father's payment—and, during this time, reportedly began receiving visions from God. After
Born in Italy circa 1181, St. Francis of Assisi was known for drinking and partying in his youth. After fighting in a battle between Assisi and Perugia, Francis was captured and imprisoned for ransom. He spent nearly a year in prison—awaiting his father's payment—and, during this time, reportedly began receiving visions from God. After his release from prison, Francis reportedly heard the voice of Christ, who told him to repair the Christian Church and live a life of poverty. So he abandoned his life of luxury and devoted his life to Christianity and became known all over the Christian world. Later in life, Francis reportedly received a vision that left him with the stigmata of Christ—marks resembling the wounds Jesus Christ suffered when he was crucified—making Francis the first person to receive the holy wounds of the stigmata. He was canonized as a saint on July 16, 1228. Today, St. Francis of Assisi has had a lasting resonance, with millions of followers across the globe
Our Prayer for St. Francis
Our Prayer for St. Francis
Our Prayer for St. Francis
Heavenly Father, we come to you at this time,
seeking your perfect plan for St. Francis. We seek your wisdom, discernment and guidance as to how we may serve you best and to your glory. Make us a church where your Son, Jesus, is lifted up as Lord and Savior and where the healing power and presence of the Holy Spirit is known. Even as you
Heavenly Father, we come to you at this time,
seeking your perfect plan for St. Francis. We seek your wisdom, discernment and guidance as to how we may serve you best and to your glory. Make us a church where your Son, Jesus, is lifted up as Lord and Savior and where the healing power and presence of the Holy Spirit is known. Even as your people trusted in you to bring them to the Promised Land, we look to you as God and Father to lead us
in all things. We trust you to bring to us the people and resources to help us accomplish your work. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
Clergy
THE VERY REV. MITCH TOLLETT, RECTOR
The Very Rev. Mitchell “Mitch” Tollett has served as both Priest-in-charge and Rector of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Tyler, Texas, since January 1, 2014. Previously he served as Curate at Christ Episcopal Church in Temple, Texas.
The Very Rev. Tollett was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in 1994 after serving for four years. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1998 with a degree in Computer Engineering Technology. He worked in the field of computers and programming at Compaq, and HP, and ICON Clinical Research until 2009 when, after a period of discernment, he entered seminary. He received his Masters of Divinity from the Seminary of the Southwest at Austin, Texas, in 2012.
The Very Rev. Tollett is active in the Diocese of Texas currently fulfilling a three year term on the Executive Board of the Diocese, Dean of the Northeast Convocation, and recently served as a delegate at the Province VII Synod meeting in 2015. He is a member of The Gathering of Leaders organization lead by Bishop Claude Payne. He works a week during the summer as a director of a session at Camp Allen, the diocesan retreat center near Navasota, Texas.
The Very Rev. Tollett believes, “Love God, Love Neighbor, change the World.”
He is married to Camille (Cain) Tollett. Camille is a loving wife and mother of their son Jimmy.
THE REV. JOEL MCALISTER, CURATE
Joel McAlister, his spouse Laura, and two children Max and Mila (pronounced Mē-la) are excited to be a part of the St. Francis community. Joel graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest. Before his time at seminary, Joel lived in Austin, TX and worked in children’s ministry in various locations including Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Before that, Joel worked in the Diocese of Kansas as an intern college missioner at the University of Kansas for two years. Throughout college and shortly after college, Joel spent time traveling and working abroad with trips to Mexico, Peru, Spain, and Kenya. He has a heart for nature and loves to hike and camp, especially in the Grand Teton National Park wilderness. Joel is interested in finding new ways the church can incorporate nature, connectedness, and creativity into its worship and mission. Joel and his family enjoy spending time together.
Director of Music
DR. CAMERON ROSE, CHOIR DIRECTOR
Dr. Cameron Rose currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at Tyler, and served previously as Music Director of the Utah Master Chorale, and Assistant Director of the University of Utah Singers and A Cappella Choir. As a composer Mr. Rose’s works have been performed by numerous ensembles and soloists and he is a recipient of ASCAP Plus Awards in Concert Music in 2010 and 2011. He is also an accomplished pianist, including performance as the youngest of 84 “Rhapsody in Blue” pianists as part of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Mr. Rose graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition. He was a Graduate Fellow at the University of Minnesota earning a Masters of Arts in Composition, following which he completed a post-graduate program in Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television at the University of Southern California. Dr. Rose received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Utah.