Ever wonder what it’s like to be part of a close-knit community that spans generations? Welcome to Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Here, faith and fellowship intertwine. The church stands as a beacon of devotion. It has a rich history rooted in love for God and one another.
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church began in 1890. Bishop John Joseph Hogan sought to establish a parish. It was in the growing Wyatt Park subdivision of St. Joseph. He entrusted the Society of the Precious Blood with this mission. This order from Carthagena Ohio would build and maintain the church. Formally organized on September 17 1890 Saint Francis Xavier Parish quickly took shape.
The original church school and rectory were dedicated on June 14 1891. Reverend Seraphim Kunkler served as the first pastor. Then Reverend Louis Hefele arrived in 1899. He shaped the parish into what we see today.
Father Louie added the present rectory in 1906. It was called the Mission House. Missionaries found welcome lodging there. The current Gothic church designed by E.J. Eckel was dedicated in February 1909. Even the Great Depression could not stop them. A new school was dedicated in 1934. An addition to the school was made in 1961. A new convent was completed in 1949. It became the Early Childhood Center in 1976.
The winds of change blew with Vatican II in the mid-60s. Churches needed to update their sanctuaries. In 1971 Saint Francis Xavier’s interior underwent a major remodeling. The Parish Center opened in 1988. It created space for parish gatherings. In 1994 the rectory expanded. Parish offices gained space and priests enjoyed more privacy.
For over a century Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church has thrived. It’s a family-centered community. In 1891 forty families were members. Today almost 1100 families belong. The original single building has grown to five. The parish has always been vibrant. It shows devotion to God. It shows concern for others. It extends generosity. It shows a strong sense of community. These strengths remain today.
The Society of the Precious Blood has a story too. St. Gaspar del Bufalo founded it August 15 1815 in Giano Italy. Gaspar had a strong desire to become a missionary. He became a priest in 1808. He founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He preached missions. He opened mission houses. Gaspar died in 1837. Father Francis de Sales Brunner and others opened an American mission in Ohio in 1844. The Society grew fast. Its members worked across the United States.
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church stands as a testament to faith community and enduring spirit. It welcomes all. It invites you to become part of its story. Here love of God love of others and love of self come alive.