In the 1830's as railroad construction attracted more Irish, Torrington, previously called Wolcottville, became the pastoral responsibility of Hartford. Father James Fitton celebrated the first area Mass in 1835. In November 1842 Torrington fell under Bridgeport's care. The area's six Catholic families then passed to Waterbury's charge from 1847 until 1851. Circuit pastors celebrated Mass in the Academy building on South Main Street where Father Fitton was alleged to have preached earlier. Winsted assumed jurisdiction in 1851. By July 1860, a frame church was erected by Father Michael Mangin. On October 4, 1874, St. Francis of Assisi mission was designated a parish by Bishop Francis P. McFarland, who then named Father Isaias da Scanno, O.F.M., first pastor. Father Patrick Duggan built a new brick Gothic church on a Main Street parcel. St. Francis was both dedicated and consecrated on November 13, 1887. It was allegedly the first parish in the nation claiming this dual ecclesiastical honor. A new school was built in the 1890s staffed by the recently arrived Sisters of Mercy. This original school building was replaced by a modern one in 1961.

160 Main Street, Torrington CT 06790-5201
Telephone: 860-482-5571 Fax: 860-489-4070
Deanery: Litchfield | Vicariate: Waterbury