Being the only Catholic Church within the fast growing community of Nixa, MO, St. Francis of Assisi had outgrown its temporary residence. Because of this strain of not having adequate space to accommodate the needs of a growing church along with the negative image of being housed a strip center, St. Francis of Assisi decided to acquire property and plan for future growth to support worship, education, and gathering space.

As the first phase of three, the evaluation of creating a structure that would be functional, expandable, and efficient resulted in the design of a new 14,000 sq. ft. structure. The primary importance of the design was to facilitate the three needs as mentioned (worship/ education/ gathering) into a visual architectural style symbolic of the principles of St. Francis of Assisi. The desire of providing a sense and unity of nature is achieved by taking on the ‘Usonian’ architecture style of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Through the use of simple shapes, stone battered walls, an extended canopy entrance, and varying metal panel configurations combined with an open plan design, a home that will account for the parish's community (both initially and in the future) is attained and reflected both functionally and aesthetically.