In this era of metal theft and high copper prices, it’s wonderful to see the new copper steeple atop the St. Francis of Assisi Church on Napier at Semlin. The church dates from 1938; Franciscan monks had used the grand old house adjoining it as a monastery beginning about 1924. The monastery evolved into a chapel and became the focus of a Catholic parish in the 1930s and, post war, was one of the draws for Vancouver’s Italian community settling into Grandview. The old house itself, facing Semlin Street, was built in 1908 for an Australian real-estate speculator named William Miller; his brother J.J., the founder of the PNE, built the Queen Anne house called “Kurrajong” at Napier and Salsbury, two blocks to the west.
New copper steeple at St. Francis of Assisi
Published
grandviewheritagegroup.ca 
Thanks for the picture and the history and context of the church. I would not have known about this without your efforts
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You might be interested to know that the Baptismal Font that was once owned by the Czar of Russian has recently been restored and sits proudly in the sanctuary. It is used almost every Sunday for Baptisms!
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Many thanks for that, Father.
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Dear Jak King, If the Historical Society would like a tour of the church and historic rectory during the Christmas season, please call the church office at 604-255-8855. Fr. Eugenio
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Fr. Eugenio kindly and knowledgably took a dozen of us on a tour of the Church and Rectory tonight and some of his parishioners honored us with food and drink. We had a truly marvelous time and on behalf of the Group I want to sincerely thank Fr. Eugenio and his helpers. There will be a post about the tour in the next day or two.
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