Jeffrey and Tanya Reschke's documentary video NO ABANDONAREMOS SAN FRANCISCO DE ASIS chronicles Chicago's oldest Mexican-American parish called St. Francis of Assisi that was formally closed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago in November 1994. St. Francis is one of the three remaining churches in Chicago's historic Maxwell Street neighborhood -- the neighborhood is still under threat of demolition.

This story documents the parishioners' struggles as they joined forces to protest and fight the closure for over two years. As demolition equipment appeared in the parking lot behind the church, parishioners took matters into their own hands and occupied the empty church in sub-zero weather in February of 1996. Their strong collective will and commitment to their church ultimately touched Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, and he officially reopened St. Francis in April of 1996.

For the parishioners of St. Francis Church, there will be a private premier showing of NO ABANDONAREMOS the weekend of October 14-15, 1999. Future showings in Chicago are expected in the Spring of 2000, after the video has been viewed in various documentary festivals around the world.

We hope, at some time, you get to see this emotion packed video and meet the kind and gentle people of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish. When you see the video and meet the people, you will be thankful they had the willpower and faith to resist against insensitive institutional planning.

For more information visit the Save St. Francis of Assisi Home Page . To learn about Maxwell Street visit the Preserve Maxwell Street website. 

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