Attracted by the colonization efforts of Illinois residents Dr. Guy Clifford Powell and The Rev. Francis J. O'Reilly, German Catholic settlers began moving here in 1907. The pioneers formed the nucleus of the St. Francis Parish. Plans for a town failed, but a strong rural and agricultural community developed with the church as the spiritual, cultural and social center. Once the site of a railroad depot and a school, the St. Francis Catholic Church Community has retained its identity and has continued to reflect its pioneer heritage despite nearby urban growth. Supplemental: St. Francis Church commemorates a century of Eucharistic celebrations growing in love of God, family, land and country as a strong faith community-March 13, 2008.