Designed by the architect, J. Harold Gibbons, in the Italian Romanesque style the church stands prominently on a hill, which accentuates the campanile (bell tower). It is plainly rendered inside and out, and has several architectural features associated with S. Francis: including carvings of squirrels and birds. John Betjeman referred to S. Francis in his 1949 essay on Bournemouth and in his illustrated book English Churches (1964); he says that S. Francis "looks like the church of some Anglo-Catholic mission in South Africa".
The interior is dominated by a large painted crucifix, and a beautiful carved ciborium or canopy over the high altar. The baptistry contains a Norman font recovered by the architect from a Welsh farmyard. The sanctuary lamps are cleverly adapted from a silver tea service. For more description, and history, click the history button to the left
Worship at S. Francis is in accordance with the request of the founder and benefactor, Helen Reckitt (of Reckitt and Colman), that the full catholic faith should be taught. This has been faithfully respected over the years. Services are modern and lively, with full lay participation. Mass is celebrated daily, as are the offices of morning and evening prayer. The main service on Sunday is the 10 a.m. Parish Mass.
Owing to the ordination of women to the priesthood, S. Francis Church passed Resolutions A, B and C and remains the only church to have done so in Bournemouth and in the west of the diocese of Winchester. Episcopal oversight is given by the Bishop of Richborough.
In 2005 we celebrated the 75th anniversary of our church's dedication with a programme of special events, which included pilgrimages, visits, parties and concerts. The celebrations reached their climax in October with a flower festival and Masses marking S. Francis' Day and our Feast of Dedication.
Recently in May 2006, We had a Fan the Flame parish mission/renewal week.
Though belonging to a definite Catholic Christian tradition, we seek to be an inclusive church and offer a warm and sincere welcome to all our visitors and new members. Children are especially welcome and a Junior Church runs alongside our Sunday mass.