St. Francis Xavier Church

MISSION STATEMENT

"As a community of Faith of St. Francis Xavier Parish, we see ourselves as followers of Christ with a long tradition of Prayer, Service, and Christian Lifestyle. As a sacramental people, under the leadership of the Holy Father, we are called to be a sign to the broader community of the love of Jesus - growing and sharing Christ's Light with them."

About our Parish Emblem     

Triangles symbolize the Trinity
The white space between the triangles form an "X" for Xavier
The 4 triangles form an abstract cross
The icons represent Jesus/Christianity, The Precious Blood of Christ, His (our) Mother Mary, and the Holy Eucharist (Body of Christ)
The "crown" on the top represents the Kingship of God, and His reign in Heaven/Earth
The arrow on the bottom represents the gifts which God sent to Earth (Mary/Jesus/Holy Eucharist) to help us to get to Heaven
1885 - Father Joseph Connolly, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in New Madrid, came once a month for Mass in the home of Frank Heisler or Mrs. C.H. Harris.

1887 - A small chapel was constructed on the corner of S. Kingshighway and Trotter Street. A tornado destroyed the almost finished building, so homes were again used for Masses with priests from Poplar Bluff and Charleston coming on a monthly basis.

1891 - A small vacant church located on the corner of Front and Stoddard Streets was purchased from the Methodist Congregation.

1892 - The church was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier by Archbishop Kain.

1905 - Father Conrad Brockmeier, the first resident pastor, arrived. A Rectory was built by Frank Heisler.

1921 - St. Francis Xavier School was opened with 3 Sisters of Mercy and 50 students.

1930 - The Smith House was purchased for a school and convent. This is the present day Rectory.

1938 - The present brick church was built.

1951 - A new school and convent were constructed next to the church.

1956 - We became part of newly established Diocese of Springfield - Cape Girardeau. 

1970 - The Parish School closed.

1987 - St. Francis Xavier School reopened.

1991 - The Parish center was constructed.

2006 - School enrollment is 174 students with 17 lay teachers. The Parish consists of 575 families or approximately 1358 individuals.

Historian - M.A. Maevers