St. Francis Xavier Church (Manhattan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Francis Xavier Church |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | New York City |
| Country | United States of America |
| Client | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York |
St. Francis Xavier Church is a Catholic church located in New York City. You can find it on West 16th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas (also known as Sixth Avenue). This area is part of the Flatiron District in Manhattan. The church is managed by the Society of Jesus, who are also known as Jesuits.
A Look at History
How the Church Started
The first St. Francis Xavier Church was started in 1851. It was founded by Jesuits who came from a village called Fordham. The very first church building was designed by an architect named William Rodrigue.
A Scary Event in 1877
On March 8, 1877, a scary event happened in the original church. Someone shouted "Fire!" during a church service. This caused a panic, and sadly, some people were hurt. After this event, the original church building was taken down in 1878.
Building the New Church
The foundation stone for the new church was placed in May 1878. It was built right next to where the old church used to be. Construction took about four years. The church building you see today has been in use since 1882.
Design and Features
The current church was designed by an Irish architect named Patrick Charles Keely. He designed it in a "Roman Basilica" style. The outside of the church looks like a Neo-baroque building. It is made from bluish-gray granite. This special granite came from Monson, Massachusetts.
The main entrance of the church has a covered walkway with arches. Inside, you can see beautiful stained-glass windows. These windows were made by the Morgan brothers. They often worked with architect Keely. Archbishop Michael Corrigan officially opened the church on December 3, 1882.
Restoring the Church
A big project to fix and preserve St. Francis Xavier Church began in 2001. This important work was finished in 2010. The restoration was led by EverGreene Architectural Arts and architect Thomas A. Fenniman.
See Also
- Xavier High School (New York City)
