Our History

Our Founders, Doris & Stan Michalek

St. Francis House was the vision of Doris and Stan Michalek. Following the 1964 earthquake in Alaska, Doris learned about the Anchorage-based Fraternity of Secular Franciscans. The Fraternity saw the need to help their fellow Alaskans through the hardships brought on by this traumatic event. They knew clothing, household items and food would be needed by the people devastated by the earthquake. They also recognized the financial hardships that would affect these people. It was the hope, vision and efforts of these faith-filled Alaskan Secular Franciscan’s that inspired the inception of the first St. Francis House in the “Lower48.”

Journeying Toward a Dream

1964 - The Gem of the Idea

After reading a newspaper article about how the Secular Franciscans in Anchorage had banded together to ease the suffering of hundreds of homeless earthquake victims in the March 1964 earthquake. She pondered this for some time, wondering if their example could prove a model for the Secular Franciscan fraternity in Tacoma. This became the germ of the idea for St. Francis House.

st francis house 1964

1970 - Opening of the First St Francis House

Opening of the first St Francis House at 3010 Portland Avenue

st francis house 1970

1974 - St. Francis House Comes to Puyallup

St. Francis House moves to Puyallup – Stan and Doris began “The Franciscan Work” with the help of All Saints’ priest, Fr Jim Boyle, and the All-Saints community. The church donated the use of a parish-owned house at 501 4th Street SW. They stayed there until it was demolished in preparation for the building of the parish center.

st francis house 1974

1975 - St. Francis House Moved to 212 7th Ave SW

St. Francis House moved to 212 7th Ave SW which they rented for $50 per month. They remained there 18 years, after which they moved to the present location at 322 7th Street SE. 1976 Outreach services developed over the next 25 years; families were visited in homes and hospitals, Hispanic migrant families comprised the largest percentage of clients receiving these supportive services, and English language was taught in homes. The homeless were assisted with clothing, work opportunities, food, and sleeping bags. 994 The St Francis House Board initiated a comprehensive capital campaign to raise a total of $280,000 for the purchase of the acre of property, site improvements, and clothing bank fixtures and furnishings.

1974 -  St. Francis House Clothing Bank Puyallup

 

1986 - Portland Avenue Location Building Was Sold

St. Francis House continued in existence in the Portland Avenue location until 1986 when the building was sold. At that point, it moved to a new location at 3502 McKinley Avenue.

 

1993 - A Board Is Born!

The process for applying for its own 501(c)3 status was initiated and negotiations with the City for operating in a residential area were conducted.

1994 - A Downtown Acre

The St Francis House Board initiated a comprehensive capital campaign to raise a total of $280,000 for the purchase of the acre of property, site improvements, and clothing bank fixtures and furnishings. The Tacoma St. Francis House location closed, and services were consolidated in Puyallup.

1994, Property Purchased in Puyallup

1994 - A Permanent Home!

St. Francis House finds a permanent home! Due to the generosity of the Puyallup community and several significant grants, the mortgage on the St. Francis House Downtown acre was burned within 18 months.

st francis house 1994 full property

1995 - Hot Meals For All

The Meal Program began in the Armory two nights a week; later one night at St. Andrew’s Hall in Sumner, another night at Puyallup Nazarene Church, and another night at Peace Lutheran Church. Guests included homeless individuals, elderly citizens, and some families.

st francis house 1995 meals

2000 - A Clothing Bank Building Is Built

The new clothing bank building was completed in February. Sister Pat became the St. Francis House Executive Director in September.

2001 - English-as-Second Language classes begin

English-as-Second Languages classes began in St. Clare House, the family home building. By the end of the first year, 75 Spanish-speaking students were enrolled, attending classes twice a week.

2001 Doris teaching ESL

2003 - First Miracle Makers’ Breakfast was held

2008 - Planning for a storage building and office building

Planning for a storage building and office building began. A capital campaign began to generate funding for buildings and expanding programs.

Board Groundbreaking New Warehouse

2011 - Storage building and office wing were completed.

Storage building and office wing were completed. The first Fashionable Giving Auction was held.2011 Storage Building and Office Wing 2011 Storage Building and Office Wing

2012 - Opening of The Nook

After years of “yard sales” The Nook opened in a permanent location.

2012 The Nook

2018 - St Clare House was renamed Riebli House

St Clare House was renamed Riebli House in honor of long-time volunteer and donor, Kathy Riebli. Riebli House was renovated to accommodate expanding programs. The Furniture Bank closed due to lack of space.

2019 - Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance program expanded

2020 - COVID brought about adaptations in the delivery of programs

COVID brought about adaptations in the delivery of programs. The ESL program closed due to pandemic restrictions but through a partnership with Pierce College our clients were able to receive ESL classes.

2020 - COVID brought about adaptations in the delivery of programs

COVID brought about adaptations in the delivery of programs. The ESL program closed due to pandemic restrictions but through a partnership with Pierce College our clients were able to receive ESL classes.

2021 - One door closes and another opens!

The Armory was sold and the Meal Program officially closed. The St. Francis House Emergency Food Pantry expanded to help combat food insecurity among our clients.

2023 - St. Francis House is looking to the future!

New Programs: Directions, … The Nook moved to its present location in its 11th year of existence. Sister Pat retired after 23 years as Executive Director. The Sister Pat Legacy Fund was established. Laurel Turner was welcomed as Executive Director.

2023 St Francis House Looking to the Future

Expressions of Gratitude 

Doris told Stan, “We may not have earthquake victims, but we certainly do have the poor in Tacoma which need to be served”.
– Doris Michalek, Founder

Volunteer Opportunities

I donate to be part of the solution. The needs are most often simple, clothing or food for their children. Through St. Francis House I can help with that.
— Tami L. 

Giving Opportunities

St. Francis House is such a well run organization, I have no question that the dollars I give make a large impact.
— Tom C.

Shop the Nook

The Nook is a charity boutique operated by St. Francis House. The Nook sells “twice-loved” treasures at low prices in person at our Main Street location.