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Church of St. Francis Xavier
New York
NY
10011
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Who we are
The Church of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic parish in the Jesuit tradition, strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, and an inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst. Mindful of our utter reliance on God, and need for God’s grace, we rejoice together in our celebration of the sacraments and proclamation of the Gospel. As a people of hope, we commit ourselves through prayerful and creative discernment to respond to God in our time by: being a respectful community where seekers and their questions are welcomed, where injustice is challenged, where the poor, the alienated and the marginalized find a home, and where people are refreshed, reconciled and renewed.
Mission Statement
The Church of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic parish in the Jesuit tradition, strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, and an inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst. Mindful of our utter reliance on God, and need for God’s grace, we rejoice together in our celebration of the sacraments and proclamation of the Gospel. As a people of hope, we commit ourselves through prayerful and creative discernment to respond to God in our time by: being a respectful community where seekers and their questions are welcomed, where injustice is challenged, where the poor, the alienated and the marginalized find a home, and where people are refreshed, reconciled and renewed.
Mission Statement
The Church of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic parish in the Jesuit tradition, strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, and an inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst. Mindful of our utter reliance on God, and need for God’s grace, we rejoice together in our celebration of the sacraments and proclamation of the Gospel. As a people of hope, we commit ourselves through prayerful and creative discernment to respond to God in our time by: being a respectful community where seekers and their questions are welcomed, where injustice is challenged, where the poor, the alienated and the marginalized find a home, and where people are refreshed, reconciled and renewed.
Church Address
46 W 16th St
New York,
NY
10011
United States
Phone: (212) 627-2100, ext.221
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Church Pastor
Kenneth Boller, SJ
Pastor
46 W 16th St
New York,
NY
10011
United States
Phone: 212-627-2100 ext.204
Download Pastor Kenneth Boller, SJ vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Denomination
Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic churches in New York, New York, United States
Roman Catholic churches in New York, United States
Roman Catholic churches in United States
All churches in New York, NY
Affiliations:
Website:
Social Media
Church of St. Francis Xavier New York on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Kenneth Boller, SJ
Leader Position:
Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Ken grew up in Queens, NY and entered the Jesuits after graduating from high school. The usual Jesuit training included a B.A. from Fordham in Math and Philosophy and a M. Div. degree from Woodstock. College. Other studies included an M.S. in Math from NYU and degree in secondary school administration from Fordham. Ken’s primary ministry through the years has been in education, serving as a teacher, principal and president at four Jesuit high school, Canisius H.S., Fordham Prep, St. Peter’s Prep and Xavier H.S.(three times). In between, he served as Pastor of St Aloysius Church in Harlem, NY.
Throughout the years Ken has enjoyed varied pastoral ministries leading and directing the Spiritual Exercises, assisting in various parishes on the weekends and ministering at the youth detention center in the Bronx for many years. Having grown up in a large extended family, he has been privileged to accompany family members from Baptism and the range of sacraments through funerals, always celebrating life.
He is delighted to return to 16 th Street for the fourth time.
Throughout the years Ken has enjoyed varied pastoral ministries leading and directing the Spiritual Exercises, assisting in various parishes on the weekends and ministering at the youth detention center in the Bronx for many years. Having grown up in a large extended family, he has been privileged to accompany family members from Baptism and the range of sacraments through funerals, always celebrating life.
He is delighted to return to 16 th Street for the fourth time.
Other Church Leaders:
John Mulreany, SJ - Associate Pastor
Cassandra L. Agredo, LMSW - Executive Director of Xavier Mission
Cassandra L. Agredo, LMSW - Executive Director of Xavier Mission
Kenneth Boller, SJ on Social Media:
Church of St. Francis Xavier Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Damely Tineo
Admin Position:
Director of Business
Admin Address:
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Mailing Address
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Church of St. Francis Xavier New York Mass Times
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturdays: 12:05 pm, 5:00 pm (Vigil)
Sundays: 9:00 am (Family Mass), 11:30 am, 5:00 pm
Weekday Masses in the Mary Chapel: 7:45 am, 12:05 pm
Confessions
Saturdays from 1:00 to 2:00 in the Main Church Confessional or by appointment with one of the priests.
Other Sacraments
Please call our office for information about Baptisms, Weddings & hospital visits (212-627-2100)
Mass Times last updated on the 22nd of August, 2024
Saturdays: 12:05 pm, 5:00 pm (Vigil)
Sundays: 9:00 am (Family Mass), 11:30 am, 5:00 pm
Weekday Masses in the Mary Chapel: 7:45 am, 12:05 pm
Confessions
Saturdays from 1:00 to 2:00 in the Main Church Confessional or by appointment with one of the priests.
Other Sacraments
Please call our office for information about Baptisms, Weddings & hospital visits (212-627-2100)
Mass Times last updated on the 22nd of August, 2024
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
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Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Wheel Chair Accessible
55 West 15th Street
(All Masses are Wheel Chair Accessible)
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Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Church of St. Francis Xavier Photo Gallery
Church of St. Francis Xavier History
In 1847, a Jesuit priest, John Larkin, was charged with founding a church to serve the faithful in New York City. With only 50 cents and an abundance of faith, he left Fordham and headed for Manhattan – a full day’s travel at that time – beginning the great journey that led to the founding of our Community.
But how could a Jesuit priest raise that much money? Mass was offered the next day for this very intention. At that mass was a Frenchman who had just immigrated to America with his family and wanted to give thanks to God for their safe journey. Afterwards, he sought advice from Fr. Larkin about how to keep his money safe in his new country, because he had heard that the banks were not reliable. The amount: $5,000.
But how did he build a church with only 50 cents? He built it by moving forward with faith and confidence that God would provide him with what he needed to accomplish his goal. Larkin had heard of a Protestant church between Bowery and Elizabeth Streets that had just suffered a great schism and found it necessary to put the building up for sale. The price: $18,000, a substantial amount of money in 1847, but the sellers were willing to take a down payment of $5,000.
Recognizing God’s intervention when he saw it, Fr. Larkin offered him security for his money in return for a mortgage on the Protestant church. And so began our Community, St. Francis Xavier.
The first test of that Community’s strength occurred shortly afterward when the church burned in a terrible fire. Facing failure and being summoned by his superiors to give up and return to Fordham, Larkin and parishioners instead summoned their courage to renew, renovate and restore their Church and parish.
One day at dinner, well inspired by what had happened earlier in the day, Fr. Larkin drew from his pocket two rosy apples and recounted this story . . .
“I was passing through the Bowery to-day . . . when I was accosted by an apple-woman, who began her salutation with a ‘Well, Father Larkin, so your church is burnt; the Lord be praised!’
‘The Lord be praised!’ I repeated; ‘are you then glad of it?’
‘Oh, God forbid!’ she replied, ‘but then we must give God glory for everything.’ I acknowledged in my heart the truth of the remark, and resolved to profit by the lesson she gave me.
‘Ah, Father,’ she continued, ‘if I only had some money to give you! Alas, I am a poor widow with five children, that I must support by my apples; but something I can give, and I hope it will have all the blessings of the widow’s mite. You must take the two finest apples in my basket.’
She then offered me these two apples, which I was forced to accept; but she positively refused to tell me her name.
And in that moment of conversion our community indeed prevailed to “give God glory for everything.”
Since its founding, St. Francis Xavier has been serving the spiritual and physical needs of the community through ministry and service. As each new wave of immigrants arrived, the parish, like St. Francis Xavier himself, adapted to the changing needs.
Another test of faith occured when the new church which was built in 1850 soon proved inadequate for the number of faithful who flocked here to worship. So, in May 1878, with 5,000 people in attendance, the cornerstone was laid for our current magnificent church designed by the famous architect, Patrick C. Keely.
That tradition continues today. As we move forward into our future may we, as in our past, continue to recognize God’s sustaining hand.
But how could a Jesuit priest raise that much money? Mass was offered the next day for this very intention. At that mass was a Frenchman who had just immigrated to America with his family and wanted to give thanks to God for their safe journey. Afterwards, he sought advice from Fr. Larkin about how to keep his money safe in his new country, because he had heard that the banks were not reliable. The amount: $5,000.
But how did he build a church with only 50 cents? He built it by moving forward with faith and confidence that God would provide him with what he needed to accomplish his goal. Larkin had heard of a Protestant church between Bowery and Elizabeth Streets that had just suffered a great schism and found it necessary to put the building up for sale. The price: $18,000, a substantial amount of money in 1847, but the sellers were willing to take a down payment of $5,000.
Recognizing God’s intervention when he saw it, Fr. Larkin offered him security for his money in return for a mortgage on the Protestant church. And so began our Community, St. Francis Xavier.
The first test of that Community’s strength occurred shortly afterward when the church burned in a terrible fire. Facing failure and being summoned by his superiors to give up and return to Fordham, Larkin and parishioners instead summoned their courage to renew, renovate and restore their Church and parish.
One day at dinner, well inspired by what had happened earlier in the day, Fr. Larkin drew from his pocket two rosy apples and recounted this story . . .
“I was passing through the Bowery to-day . . . when I was accosted by an apple-woman, who began her salutation with a ‘Well, Father Larkin, so your church is burnt; the Lord be praised!’
‘The Lord be praised!’ I repeated; ‘are you then glad of it?’
‘Oh, God forbid!’ she replied, ‘but then we must give God glory for everything.’ I acknowledged in my heart the truth of the remark, and resolved to profit by the lesson she gave me.
‘Ah, Father,’ she continued, ‘if I only had some money to give you! Alas, I am a poor widow with five children, that I must support by my apples; but something I can give, and I hope it will have all the blessings of the widow’s mite. You must take the two finest apples in my basket.’
She then offered me these two apples, which I was forced to accept; but she positively refused to tell me her name.
And in that moment of conversion our community indeed prevailed to “give God glory for everything.”
Since its founding, St. Francis Xavier has been serving the spiritual and physical needs of the community through ministry and service. As each new wave of immigrants arrived, the parish, like St. Francis Xavier himself, adapted to the changing needs.
Another test of faith occured when the new church which was built in 1850 soon proved inadequate for the number of faithful who flocked here to worship. So, in May 1878, with 5,000 people in attendance, the cornerstone was laid for our current magnificent church designed by the famous architect, Patrick C. Keely.
That tradition continues today. As we move forward into our future may we, as in our past, continue to recognize God’s sustaining hand.
Church of St. Francis Xavier Historical Photos
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