St. Francis De Sales, Salisbury

In 1867, the year that Salisbury became the seat of the newly-formed Wicomico County, John Tracy deeded to the Archdiocese of Baltimore a parcel of land behind his hotel, On it stood a small, unpretentious frame building he had built at his own expense and largely with his own labor, to serve as a chapel. In September of the following year Bishop Thomas Becker, in his first recorded act as first Ordinary of the new Diocese of Wilmington, officiated at its dedication under the title of St. Mary. In 1886 lightning started a fire that destroyed nearly the entire town of Salisbury, including the second St. Mary's Chapel.

In January 1910 a church and house were purchased and were ready for use by Holy Week in April of that year, when Father Jacquier and Father J.B. Borel O.S.F.S., took up residence. The newly acquired church was dedicated for Catholic worship under the title of Saint Francis De Sales. The Catholic community on the Lower Shore entered upon a new era on August 18, 1938, when Father Eugene Travers Stout came to Salisbury as the fifth Pastor of St. Francis De Sales. Shortly before the outbreak of World War 2 Monsignor Stout acquired a property at 500 Camden Avenue in Salisbury consisting of the imposing former residence of Congressman William H. Jackson, and seven acres of land.

On June 20, 1949, ground was broken for the St. Francis De Sales Catholic School, which opened on September 6 of the following year with 106 students in grade 1 - 6 in the care of four Sisters of Mercy.

No history of this parish would be complete without a word about Sister Mary Elizabeth Gintling and the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary. In 1978 they came to Salisbury and other sisters began to gather around them. Within two years the Little Sisters opened the local Joseph House outreach.

In the 21st century a Parish Center was completed which included additional classroom space for the school and offices for parish ministries.

Currently Saint Francis De Sales is a very diverse parish of close to 3000 families. Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish, Korean and Malayalam.