WEST PEORIA — The Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception are inviting their friends and neighbors to a garden party on Saturday, June 30, as part of their centennial celebration. It will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at their motherhouse at 2408 W. Heading Ave.

“Hats Off to 100 Years in West Peoria!” will feature talks by master gardeners Mary Beth Mahoney and Corinna Walker and entertainment by the Peoria Barbershop Quartet. A raffle of garden-themed items is also planned and refreshments will be served.

Admission is free.

The community of consecrated women, also known as the Heading Avenue Franciscans, is encouraging people to bring a chair — and a friend.

Established in 1891, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception worked first at St. Mary’s Orphanage in Metamora and eventually expanded their ministry to teaching in parish schools and staffing homes for the aging in Peoria and Springfield. When it came time to build their motherhouse they chose Heading Avenue and Immaculate Conception Convent was constructed and dedicated in 1912.

The Heading Avenue Franciscans will also mark their anniversary in West Peoria by entering a float with an historical theme in the community’s Fourth of July Parade, which steps off from City Hall at 10 a.m. The celebration continues with their annual Mass for their West Peoria neighbors on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Convent.