About St. Francis Xavier · Spokane, Washington
St. Francis Xavier is a faithful and traditional Catholic parish of the Diocese of Spokane, founded in 1906 originally as a Jesuit mission parish on Spokane's North Side. Today the parish continues to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy in a reverent, traditional style — including the occasional use of Latin — and is served by pastor Father Richard Semple and music director Taylor Giese, who is currently restoring the parish organ. The motto 'Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi' (the law of prayer is the law of belief is the law of life) shapes a community that gathers for daily Mass, regular confession, devotions, and outreach to the homebound.
- Established
- 1906
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Richard Semple
- Diocese
- Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier offers a traditional, reverent celebration of the Sacred Liturgy in the heart of Spokane's North Side — daily Mass Monday through Thursday, three Sunday Masses, and a robust schedule of confession (Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays). The parish nourishes the faithful through a dedicated Music Ministry led by organist Taylor Giese (who is restoring the parish organ), regular devotions, extraordinary ministry of Holy Communion to the homebound, collaboration with Northside Catholic Youth Ministry, a parish food bank, sacramental preparation for First Confession and First Communion each spring, and special devotions such as the Seven Sisters Apostolate for the parish priest. It is a small, family-scale community where the motto 'Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi' is lived out each day.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m.
- Saturdays, 3:00 p.m.
- Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
- Fr. Semple is available by appointment
About the Parish
St. Francis Xavier is a faithful and traditional Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Spokane located in the heart of Spokane's North Side. Founded in 1906 originally as a Jesuit mission parish, SFX continues to maintain Catholic moral, social, and spiritual teaching and to celebrate the fullness of the Christian faith through the Sacred Liturgy. The parish's patron is St. Francis Xavier, and its motto is 'Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi' — the law of prayer is the law of belief is the law of life.
- Founded 1906 as a Jesuit mission parish
- Patron: St. Francis Xavier
- Diocese of Spokane
- Motto: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi
History of St. Francis Xavier
The parish was founded in 1906 on Spokane's North Side. The earliest records — agreements regarding the construction of the church building, a 1912 pamphlet for the first annual picnic with a brief parish history, ledgers for St. Xavier School, programs of music and drama, and an unpublished 'History of St. Francis Xavier Parish (the first seven years, 1906–1913)' — are preserved at the Jesuit Oregon Province Archives (Series 83, ORE 1.83). The parish celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1981 with printed materials, booklets, and clippings. Today, the parish thrives in much the same way it has for the last century.
- 1906 — founding of the parish as a Jesuit mission
- 1906-1913 — 'History of the first seven years' documented
- 1910-1915 — St. Xavier School ledgers kept
- 1981 — Diamond Jubilee commemorated
Pastor and Staff
St. Francis Xavier is pastored by Rev. Fr. Richard Semple, who also serves as pastor of the neighboring St. Patrick, Spokane. Born in Anchorage and raised in Spokane, Fr. Semple attended Shadle Park High School and entered the seminary, serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve while studying at Bishop White Seminary. He completed his theological studies at the North American College in Rome and Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon, was ordained on St. John's Eve in 2000 (with Frs. Barnett, Blazovich, and Connolly), and entered the Canons Regular of St. Augustine in Vienna, Austria in 2003. After nine years with the Canons he returned to the Diocese of Spokane in 2012, spending most of the next nine years in Republic, WA, where he also worked as an EMT and volunteer firefighter. Taylor Giese serves as music director and office manager; he is an adherent of the 19th-century French romantic school of organ and chant and is currently restoring the parish organ.
- Rev. Fr. Richard Semple — Pastor
- Mr. Taylor Giese — Music Director & Office Manager
- Diocese of Spokane priest directory confirms Fr. Semple also pastors St. Patrick, Spokane
Ministries and Faith Formation
Although St. Francis Xavier is not large enough to offer year-round catechesis, the parish does prepare children each spring for First Confession and First Communion. Youth ministry is provided through Northside Catholic Youth Ministry, an inter-parish effort that meets Sunday afternoons 2:00–4:00 p.m. at various parishes on the North Side. Extraordinary Ministry of Holy Communion is organized for homebound parishioners, and the parish runs a food bank for those in need.
- Catechism — First Confession & First Communion preparation each spring
- Youth Ministry — Northside Catholic Youth Ministry (Sundays 2–4 p.m.)
- Care for the Homebound — Extraordinary Ministry of Holy Communion
- Music Ministry — led by Taylor Giese
- Food Bank — parish-run outreach
Music Ministry and the Parish Organ
Music at St. Francis Xavier is led by organist and music director Mr. Taylor Giese, an adherent of the 19th-century French romantic school of liturgical music who especially values that school's integration of chant and organ. He has spent many hours restoring the parish organ and is currently undertaking a full-scale renovation that will more than double the number of available pipes. Questions about the music program can be directed to Taylor at 509-828-2969.
- Director: Mr. Taylor Giese
- Tradition: 19th-century French romantic school with chant
- Project: Full-scale organ renovation (more than doubling the pipes)
- Contact: 509-828-2969
Sacraments
The parish's Sacramentals page describes the seven sacraments in catechetical terms: Baptism as the gateway to salvation in which water is poured and the Trinitarian formula pronounced; Confirmation as a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit conferred by the bishop; Holy Eucharist, in which the faithful receive the real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ under the appearances of bread and wine; Reconciliation (confession), in which the priest, acting in the person of Christ, pronounces absolution; the Anointing of the Sick; Holy Orders; and Matrimony. Sacramental emergencies are handled through a dedicated phone line.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Holy Eucharist / Holy Communion
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
- Sacramental Emergencies: (509) 866-6098
Devotions and Apostolates
Beyond the regular Mass and confession schedule, the parish promotes a number of traditional devotions. The Seven Sisters Apostolate seeks women willing to commit to one Holy Hour per week for the pastor; custom devotionals and scapulars are available, and parishioners can arrange consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Friday evenings at neighboring St. Patrick's include prayer for family and friends who have fallen away from the Catholic faith.
- Seven Sisters Apostolate — contact Patty Parra, (509) 993-2864
- Custom Devotionals and Scapulars
- Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Friday evenings 6:00–7:00 p.m. prayer for non-practicing family and friends
Visit Us and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly received. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (with some bulletins also listing Saturday 12:00–2:00 p.m. and Wednesday 9:00–11:00 a.m. hours). Sacramental emergencies are handled through a separate line. Donations, bequests, endowments, and Holy Mass intention requests can be directed to the parish office or by mail to P.O. Box 7179, Spokane, WA 99207.
- Address: 545 E. Providence, Spokane, WA 99207
- Mailing: P.O. Box 7179, Spokane, WA 99207
- Phone: (509) 487-6363
- Sacramental Emergencies: (509) 866-6098
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Facebook: facebook.com/sfxspokane