About St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church · Mobile, Alabama
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish serving the Toulminville neighborhood of Mobile, Alabama, in the Archdiocese of Mobile. Founded in 1868 as a mission for the Catholic residents of Toulminville on land purchased for $100 from Rosalie and Louis Wagner by Bishop John Quinlan, it is one of the earliest parishes established for the African American Catholic community of Mobile. The current frame church was rebuilt in 1916 after a hurricane destroyed the original structure, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 as a rare surviving vernacular Catholic church in the city. Today the parish is led by Father Victor Ingalls and shares a multicultural pastoral team with several other historically Black parishes of the archdiocese.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Victor (P.) Ingalls
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier is one of Mobile's oldest continuously operating Catholic parishes and a recognized historic landmark in the Toulminville neighborhood, serving a predominantly Black Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Mobile. Worship is offered in the Roman (Latin) Rite with weekly Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and Rosary preceding Mass — a devotional rhythm centered on the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother. Under Father Victor Ingalls, the parish is part of an archdiocesan multicultural-ministry grouping that draws on Black Catholic, Josephite, and Nigerian Missionary Society of St. Paul traditions, making it a place where visitors encounter a genuinely multicultural Catholic life rooted in Mobile's deep Gulf Coast heritage.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM (during Adoration; Mass to follow)
- Thursday 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM (during Adoration; Mass to follow)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM (Mass to follow at 11:00 AM)
- Thursday 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM (Mass to follow at 5:45 PM)
Parish History
Founded in 1868 as a Catholic mission in the old Toulminville suburb of Mobile, the parish served an initial congregation of about sixty and was ministered to by Jesuit Fathers from Spring Hill College and by priests assigned from St. Bridget (Whistler) and St. Mary parishes. The cornerstone was laid in May 1868 on land purchased from the Wagner family; a parish school opened in 1869. The original church was destroyed by the July 5, 1916 hurricane and rebuilt that same year under Father I.J. Lauzon, becoming the present historic frame church.
- Founded May 1868 — cornerstone laid per Mobile Daily Register, May 27, 1868
- First resident pastor: Fr. John Cassidy (late 1890s–1902)
- Father Abram Joseph Ryan ('Poet-Priest of the Confederacy') served the mission 1877–1879
- Hurricane of July 5, 1916 destroyed the original structure
- Current church rebuilt 1916 under Fr. I.J. Lauzon
- National Register of Historic Places listing: July 3, 1991
Toulminville and African American Catholic Heritage
Toulminville is an old suburb of Mobile with a history stretching back to the 1820s. From early on, the Catholic people of the area were cared for by Jesuits from Spring Hill and by diocesan priests from the Cathedral and St. Bridget, and by 1990 the parish was described as predominantly African American. Father Thomas Usher, who arrived in 1986, started the parish's Gospel Mass to honor the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Black Catholic community. Under later pastoral leadership the parish was twinned with other historically Black and Creole parishes of the archdiocese as part of an intentional multicultural-ministry effort.
- Predominantly African American Catholic congregation
- Gospel Mass introduced by Fr. Thomas Usher in 1986
- Pastored by the Josephites (S.S.J.) 1994–2000
- Pastored by the Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria (M.S.P.) from 2000
- Since 2023 grouped with other historically Black parishes of the Archdiocese of Mobile under Fr. Victor Ingalls
The Church Building
The present church was erected in 1916 in a vernacular religious style unusual for Mobile's Catholic building tradition. Its simple, frame construction with formal stained glass, barrel-vaulted interior, and pyramidal belfry earned it Criterion C recognition on the National Register of Historic Places for architectural merit and high integrity. The architect and builder are unknown.
- Architectural style: Vernacular religious
- One-story, 3×6-bay frame on a brick foundation
- Gable roof to the front, hip-roof porch on box columns
- Paired vertical stained-glass windows; large rose window above the entrance
- Pyramidal-roof belfry with box columns and bell
- Interior: barrel-vaulted beaded-board ceiling, gilded Corinthian capitals, cantilevered choir loft
Pastoral Care and Leadership
Since June 2023 St. Francis Xavier has been served by Father Victor Ingalls, who also serves as the Archdiocese of Mobile's Executive Director of Multicultural Ministry. The parish is part of a multicultural-ministry grouping that also includes Our Mother of Mercy (Plateau), Prince of Peace (Down the Bay), St. Peter the Apostle (Chastang), Our Lady of Sorrows Mission (Fairford), and — as of July 2024 — St. Theresa (West Mount Vernon), a Native American Choctaw parish. Ordained in 2012, Fr. Victor previously served in parishes in Auburn and Daphne and was the archdiocese's Vocations Director from 2016 to 2023.
- Current Pastor: Rev. Victor (P.) Ingalls (2023–present)
- Fr. Justin Isaac, H.G.N. served as pastor from 2020 to 2023
- Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria (M.S.P.) provided pastoral leadership 2000–2023 (Frs. Ukanide and Asih)
- Josephites (St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart) administered the parish 1994–2000
Worship and Liturgical Schedule
The parish celebrates the Roman (Latin) Rite with Mass on Saturday evening, Sunday morning, and twice during the week. Each Mass with Confession and Adoration is preceded by the Rosary, reflecting a devotional rhythm centered on the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM (Rosary 4:00–4:20 PM)
- Sunday Mass: 9:30 AM (Rosary 9:00–9:20 AM)
- Tuesday Mass: 11:00 AM, with Adoration, Rosary, and Confessions 10:00–10:45 AM
- Thursday Mass: 5:45 PM, with Adoration, Rosary, and Confessions 4:45–5:30 PM
Devotions
The Rosary is prayed before every Mass and during Adoration, making it one of the most visible parish devotions.
- Saturday 4:00–4:20 PM
- Sunday 9:00–9:20 AM
- Tuesday 10:00–10:20 AM (during Adoration)
- Thursday 4:45–5:05 PM (during Adoration)
Parish Facilities
Parish facilities grew throughout the twentieth century in step with the community. The present rectory (on land purchased from the Wagners in 1875) was rebuilt in 1940 and dedicated again in June 1993; the parish hall was built in 1951; and the Youth Activity Center opened in 1994.
- Rectory on Wagner-purchased land — current structure rebuilt 1940, rededicated June 1993
- Parish hall constructed 1951 (during Fr. Joseph Gahan's pastorate)
- Youth Activity Center opened 1994 (under Fr. Thomas Usher)
Planning a Visit or Sacramental Need
For baptisms, weddings, anointing of the sick, or pastoral visits to the home or hospital, visitors and parishioners are asked to contact the parish office directly. Because of HIPAA-style privacy rules, hospitals do not routinely notify the parish of admissions, so families should request that the hospital contact St. Francis Xavier if a visit is desired.
- Infant Baptism — contact the parish office
- Marriage — contact the parish office for preparation and scheduling
- Home or hospital visits and Communion calls — request through the parish office
- Parish Office: 2034 St. Stephens Rd., Mobile, AL 36617 — (251) 473-4975
Visit, Address, and Contact
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is located at 2034 St. Stephens Road in Mobile's Toulminville neighborhood (ZIP 36617). The parish office can be reached by phone at (251) 473-4975; the parish website is sfxmobile.org. The site sits on a large, informally landscaped lot consistent with its long-standing role as a community landmark.
- Address: 2034 St. Stephens Rd., Mobile, AL 36617
- Phone: (251) 473-4975
- Website: https://www.sfxmobile.org/
- Archdiocese: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edward Kirwan (mission priest, founder of St. Bridget, Whistler)pre-1868–1870s
Served the Toulminville mission under Bishop John Quinlan before the parish was formally founded.
- Fr. Edward Lorigan
Assigned from St. Bridget/St. Mary to the Toulminville mission.
- Fr. David O'Meara
Assigned from St. Bridget/St. Mary to the Toulminville mission.
- Fr. Abram Joseph Ryan1877–1879
The 'Poet-Priest of the Confederacy,' briefly served the mission.
- Fr. Robert Fullerton
Assigned from St. Bridget/St. Mary to the mission.
- Fr. Patrick O'Reilly
Assigned from St. Bridget/St. Mary to the mission.
- Fr. John Cassidylate 1890s–1902
First resident pastor of Toulminville; built the 'beautiful little church' dedicated by Bishop Allen shortly before his death in 1902.
- Fr. Phillip English1903–c.1915
Also served Magazine Point and the Mobile & Kansas City Railroad stations.
- Fr. Edward Sheauntil October 30, 1915
- Fr. I.J. Lauzon1916–1919
Rebuilt the parish after the original 1868 church was destroyed by the July 5, 1916 hurricane.
- Fr. Paul LeonardJune 26, 1919–1927
- Fr. Thomas Cassidy1927–1938
Named by Bishop Thomas Toolen.
- Fr. Joseph Gahan1938–c.1961
Over twenty years; built the new rectory (1940) and the parish hall (1951).
- Msgr. Anthony McDevitt1961–1964
- Fr. Thomas Lorigan1964–1965
- Fr. Theodore Hay1965–1968
- Msgr. William James1968
- Fr. Kenneth Klepac1971–1973
Parish council drafted its first Constitution and By-Laws during his tenure.
- Fr. Coman DaltonJuly 15, 1973–1977
Thirteenth pastor.
- Fr. Francis MessingFebruary 1, 1977–1980
- Fr. Thomas Weise1980–1986
- Fr. Thomas Usher1986–c.1994
Started the Gospel Mass; built the present rectory (dedicated June 1993) and oversaw the Youth Activity Center (1994).
- Br. Ricardo Gourrier, S.S.J. (Administrator)1994–2000
Josephites took over pastoral care of the parish.
- Fr. Anietie Akama Ukanide, M.S.P.2000–2005; returned 2007
Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria; first MSP associate from Jan. 1, 2000, pastor from July 1, 2000.
- Fr. Paul Asih, M.S.P.2005–2007
- Fr. Justin Isaac, H.G.N.2020–2023
Appointed pastor effective May 9, 2020 per Archdiocese of Mobile clergy appointments.
- Fr. Victor Ingalls2023–present
Also Executive Director of Multicultural Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile; shares pastoral care with other historically Black parishes (Our Mother of Mercy, Prince of Peace, St. Peter the Apostle, Our Lady of Sorrows Mission, and as of 2024 also St. Theresa, West Mount Vernon).