St. Francis Xavier Church (Cincinnati, Ohio)

St. Francis Xavier Church is located at 611 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. This was the location of the first diocesan cathedral and the center of early Roman Catholic life in Cincinnati. It was dedicated to St. Peter on December 17, 1826. "Christ Church" (founded 1819), the city's first Catholic church was located at Vine and Liberty streets, in the "Northern Liberties" area, at the time outside of the city. A story that the church had to be built on the outskirts of the city because anti-Catholic prejudice prevented a Roman Catholic church within city limits has been shown to be false by church historians.[3] Its frame building was moved on wheels to Sycamore Street in 1826 to serve as the first seminary. Saint Francis Seraph Church now is on the former site, on land purchased from James Findlay.

St. Xavier Church
Front and side of the church
CountryUnited States
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.stxchurch.org
History
StatusParish church
Founded1819 (parish)
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationNRHP
Years built1882-1887 (rebuilt/renovated)
Specifications
Number of towers1
Administration
ArchdioceseCincinnati
ProvinceCincinnati (Region VI)
Clergy
Pastor(s)Rev. Patrick Fairbanks, S.J.[1]
Laity
Director of musicDr. Mark Bailey
St. Francis Xavier Church
Location611 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, Ohio
Coordinates39°6′12″N 84°30′33″W
Area5 acres (2.0 ha)
Built1860
ArchitectLewis Pickett; Charles C. Svendsen
Architectural styleGothic Revival
NRHP reference No.80003087[2]
Added to NRHPJuly 18, 1980

St. Francis Xavier has existed as its own parish since 1845 when the cathedral was moved to Saint Peter In Chains Cathedral at Eight & Plum Streets. The parish has been under the direction of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) since 1840. The present brick edifice with stone facing and ornate clock tower was built in 1860.

Xavier University and St. Xavier High School were founded next to the St. Xavier Church. Both institutions have since moved to separate locations due to space constraints and expansion. Today the church serves the downtown community.

See also

References
  • "Cincinnati, a Guide to the Queen City and Its Neighbors". American Guide Series. The Weisen-Hart Press: 192. May 1943. ISBN 9781603540513.
  • Saint Xavier Parish Profile
  1. "Staff". St. Xavier Church.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  3. John H. (1921). History of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 1821-1921 Lamott. C. Peeters. pp. 34–36.


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