George L. Payne, 1956-57
To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Mary Pickard Ogburn, 1902-1956 Given by her husband and son
Above stairwell outside baptistry

St. Francis was an Italian friar who lived from 1181 to 1226. He is the patron saint of Italy and is associated with love of animals and the natural world. His feast day is October 4. He established the Franciscan order and the Poor Clares. He stressed poverty and reverence for all creatures of the earth. He is shown here preaching to the birds. The popular “Prayer Attributed to St. Francis” is a later composition which expresses some of his ideas.