The parish was named St. Francis of Assisi for the medieval founder of the Franciscan movement.  Fr. Arthur Butler, OFM as pastor and Fr. Finian Riley, OFM of the migrant ministry of the Diocese of Orlando served the English and Spanish speaking communities in the area. In 1974, a new rectory was dedicated. It now serves as the Parish Office. The Parish Center was dedicated in 1979 and, as the parish grew too large for the church, was used for Mass on weekends. Fr. Thomas J. Burns, OFM became pastor in 1979 after serving as assistant pastor for one year. In 1988, a new church seating approximately 630 was dedicated. The location, well away from the highway, provides a peaceful and prayerful setting for liturgy and reflection.  Fr. Burns was appointed pastor of All Souls Catholic Church in Sanford in February 1989.  Sr. Carol Gaeke, OP served as Pastoral Assistant from October 1979 to June 1988.

In March 1989, Fr. Joseph Kiernan, OFM, who had been serving as Associate Pastor since July 1985, became pastor and ministered to the parishioners until June 1996. Assisting Fr. Kiernan were Fr. William Bried (January 1990 to August 1993) and Fr. Venard Murphy (September 1993 to June 1996).

Fr. Clyde Bonar was appointed Pastor in 1996 and remained until his retirement in March 2003.  Fr. Tito Rojas served as Associate Pastor from July 1996 to September 2000.  Fr. Jose Bautista, Parochial Vicar, assisted Fr. Bonar from September 2000 and was appointed Parish Administrator when Fr. Bonar retired.  He was appointed pastor at St. Catherine of Sienna in St. Cloud in May 2003.  Sr. Teresa Lavelle, OSB, was Pastoral Associate from January 1997 until her death in November 2002.