Seven souls lost in a panicked stampede. That’s the chilling story whispered within these walls. This is Saint Francis Xavier Church. It stands proudly at 30-36 West 16th Street a testament to faith resilience and architectural grandeur.
The original Saint Francis Xavier Church was founded in 1851 by Jesuits from Fordham. It wasn’t always this magnificent. The first sanctuary designed by William Rodrigue was tragically destroyed. On March 8 1877 a cry of “Fire” during mass sparked a deadly panic. Seven lives were lost. The church was demolished.
From the ashes rose a new Saint Francis Xavier Church. Its cornerstone was laid in May 1878. This time the design was entrusted to Irish-born architect Patrick Charles Keely. He created a Roman Basilica style structure. Its exterior is a stunning Neo-baroque masterpiece. The bluish-gray granite came from Monson Massachusetts quarried by the W N Flynt Granite Co. Notice the main entrance sheltered by an arcaded portico. The pre-Raphaelite style stained glass windows are the work of the Morgan brothers Keely’s frequent collaborators. Archbishop Michael Corrigan dedicated the church on December 3 1882.
The church wasn’t untouched by time’s passage. An extensive restoration project from 2001 to 2010 breathed new life into Saint Francis Xavier Church. EverGreene Architectural Arts and Thomas A Fenniman oversaw this monumental task.
Today as you stand before Saint Francis Xavier Church you witness more than just a building. You see a history of faith tragedy and triumph. This is more than just bricks and mortar. This is a living testament to the enduring spirit of the Jesuit order and the community it has served for generations. It’s a place where echoes of the past mingle with the hope of the future a place where faith finds solace in the midst of the city’s relentless energy. Let the magnificence of Saint Francis Xavier Church resonate within you.