About St. Xavier · Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Xavier Church (formally St. Francis Xavier Church) is a Jesuit parish in the heart of downtown Cincinnati at 611 Sycamore Street, serving Catholics from more than 100 zip codes across the tri-state area. The parish is the historic successor of Cincinnati's original cathedral, founded on the site of the first Catholic church in the city, and has been under the direction of the Society of Jesus since 1840. Together with neighboring Bellarmine Chapel, it forms the Jesuit Parish Family, sharing one pastor and an Ignatian charism devoted to proclaiming and living the gospel through scripture, sacraments, adult spiritual development, service to the poor, and the promotion of justice.
- Established
- 1819 (as Cincinnati's first Catholic parish; rededicated to St. Francis Xavier in 1845)
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Lickteig, SJ
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. Xavier offers the rare gift of a downtown historic Jesuit parish with a full sacramental life — two daily Masses, six weekend Masses, daily confessions, and Eucharistic adoration — alongside Ignatian formation rooted in 180+ years of Jesuit tradition. Its social-mission network reaches into the surrounding neighborhoods through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, refugee accompaniment, Tender Mercies, jail ministry, and the Healthy Earth Team, while adult faith formation, RCIA, young adult ministry (stxya.com), and livestreamed Mass make it accessible to Catholics from across more than 100 zip codes.
Mass times at St. Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 12:00–1:00 pm (during Adoration)
- Tuesday: 12:00–1:00 pm (during Adoration)
- Wednesday: 12:00–1:00 pm (during Adoration)
- Thursday: 12:00–1:00 pm (during Adoration)
- Friday: 12:00–1:00 pm (during Adoration)
- Saturday: 11:00 am–12:00 pm
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday: 12:00–1:00 pm (Adoration, with Confession)
- 1st Tuesday of the month: 5:30–6:30 pm (Adoration & Benediction)
About St. Xavier Church
St. Xavier Church (St. Francis Xavier Church) is a Jesuit Catholic parish in the heart of downtown Cincinnati at 611 Sycamore Street. The parish serves a community that spans more than 100 zip codes across the tri-state area and forms, together with Bellarmine Chapel, the Jesuit Parish Family — a collaboration of two distinct faith communities supported and overseen by one pastor, Fr. Paul Lickteig, SJ, and rooted in a shared Ignatian charism.
- Mission: to proclaim and live the gospel of Jesus Christ through scripture and sacraments, adult spiritual development, service to the poor, and promotion of justice.
- Vision: 'Being transformed in the Body of Christ, to bear hope and healing, in the Ignatian tradition.'
- Supported by a Parish Advisory Council and a Joint Parish Advisory Council that advise the pastors, priests, and staff.
- Operates as part of the larger mission of the United States Midwest Jesuit Province.
History of the Parish
St. Xavier is the historic successor of Cincinnati's first Catholic church. The first Catholic Mass in the city was offered in 1811 in the home of Michael Scott by Dominican Fr. Edward Fenwick; the first Catholic church (Christ Church) was built in 1819 at Liberty and Vine, then rolled on logs to Sycamore Street in 1821 to serve as the cathedral. Bishop Fenwick dedicated it to St. Peter in 1826, and Bishop Purcell invited the Jesuits in 1840. When the new cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains was dedicated at Eighth and Plum in 1845, the Sycamore Street church received its present title of St. Francis Xavier.
- 1811 — First Catholic Mass in Cincinnati (house of Michael Scott, Walnut St.)
- 1818–1819 — First Catholic church built at Liberty and Vine
- 1821 — Church moved on rollers to Sycamore Street
- 1826 — Rededicated to St. Peter as Cincinnati's cathedral
- 1840 — Jesuits invited by Bishop Purcell
- 1845 — Rededicated to St. Francis Xavier
- 1859–1861 — Present Gothic Revival building designed by Louis Picket
- April 7, 1882 — Fire guts the interior; Samuel Hannaford rebuilds the tower
- 1905 — Stations of the Cross unveiled on Palm Sunday
- 1920 — Xavier University moves to Evanston
- 1960 — St. Xavier High School moves to Finneytown
- 1980 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 1988 — Interior redone
- 2015 — Undercroft renovated as Parish Center
- 2023–24 — Six-month restoration of stained glass, paint, and plaster
Architecture and Building
The present church is the third on the Sycamore Street site and is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Cincinnati. It was designed by Cincinnati architect Louis Picket in 1859, built in brick with sandstone facing, and first used for Mass in 1861. After a devastating fire destroyed the interior and spire on April 7, 1882, the church was restored within a year under the direction of the renowned Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford, who designed the current bell tower with four clock faces, gargoyles, finials, and a copper cupola.
- Architectural style: Gothic Revival
- Original architect: Lewis Pickett / Louis Picket (1859–1861)
- Reconstruction architect (1882 fire): Samuel Hannaford
- Heritage: NRHP #80003087 (listed July 18, 1980); Cincinnati Local Historic Landmark
- Notable interior features: stained glass, Stations of the Cross (1905), marble altars, sanctuary mural, statues, choir loft, relics, and the Holy Men and Women of St. Francis Xavier Church
Jesuit Parish Family (St. Xavier Church & Bellarmine Chapel)
The Cincinnati Jesuit Parish Family is the union of two distinct faith communities, Bellarmine Chapel and St. Xavier Church. The parishes are supported and overseen by one pastor, Fr. Paul Lickteig, SJ, and operate from a shared Ignatian charism with separate Local Parish Advisory Councils and a Joint Parish Advisory Council.
- Shared pastor: Fr. Paul Lickteig, SJ
- Joint Parish Advisory Council includes representatives from both parishes
- Ignatian spirituality: focus on spiritual discernment, retreat experiences, and adult faith formation
Clergy and Staff
The parish is served by Jesuits, a deacon, a religious sister, and a large lay staff. Fr. Paul Lickteig, SJ serves as pastor of the Jesuit Parish Family; Fr. James Ackerman, SJ is Associate Pastor; Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ serves as Parish Family Director of Evangelization; and Deacon Tim Crooker assists in ministry.
- Pastor — Fr. Paul Lickteig, SJ
- Associate Pastor — Fr. James Ackerman, SJ
- Director of Evangelization — Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ
- Deacon — Tim Crooker
- Associate Director of Social Mission — Sr. Whitney Schieltz, SC
- Parish Family Director of Sustainability and Social Mission — Tim Severyn
- Director of Engagement and Stewardship — Susanne Wright
- Director of Music — Tina Ernst
- Parish Family Director of Communications — Trevor Kroeger
- Liturgy Manager — Sam Aberle
- Pastoral Associate for Liturgy — Kathy Heile
- Wedding Coordinator — Lisa Durr
- Parish Family Business Director — Mary Beth Fennell
Social Mission and Outreach
Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, the Jesuits' Universal Apostolic Preferences, the Corporal Works of Mercy, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's 'Love in Action' principle, St. Xavier's social mission aims to bear hope and healing to neighbors and all of creation. The Social Mission Leadership Team (SMLT) coordinates a wide range of service ministries with downtown and regional partners.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Vincentians from St. Xavier and the Cathedral gather Saturday mornings for home visits to downtown neighbors
- Refugee Support Team — partnership with Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio for orientation, transportation, tutoring, and financial assistance
- Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) — retreat ministry for those recovering from homelessness and addiction
- Transforming Jail Ministries — monthly scripture and reflection in local jails
- Tender Mercies — monthly warm lunch for residents living with mental illness (last Sunday at 11 AM)
- St. Francis Seraph Ministries — meal service in Over-the-Rhine
- Xavier Jesuit Academy (Bond Hill) — partner elementary school
- Healthy Earth Team — ecological conversion in response to Laudato Si'
- Active Discipleship Days — three family-friendly days of service, prayer, and reflection each year
- Visitation Ministry — pastoral care for parishioners experiencing grief, illness, or isolation
- Peru Parish Twinning Partnership — international solidarity
Faith Formation and Sacraments
The parish offers a full slate of formation opportunities, including classes for religious education, ministry and service, and a pathway to becoming Catholic (RCIA). Music Ministry is led by Director of Music Tina Ernst, and marriage preparation is coordinated through the Director of Marriage Ministries and Wedding Coordinator.
- Religious Education classes
- RCIA / pathway to becoming Catholic
- Adult spiritual development rooted in Ignatian spirituality
- Music Ministry (Director of Music: Tina Ernst)
- Marriage preparation and wedding coordination (Lisa Durr, Wedding Coordinator)
Young Adult Ministry
The St. Xavier Young Adult Group connects Catholics in their 20s and 30s from across the greater Cincinnati area through faith, fellowship, and service. Information about upcoming events and how to join is available at stxya.com; contact Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ at [email protected].
- Website: www.stxya.com
- Contact: Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ ([email protected])
Parish Advisory Council
The St. Xavier Church Parish Advisory Council is a consultative body, representative of the parishioners, which assists the pastor in developing and promoting the life and programs of the parish. Members include Tony Asher, Joe Clark, Lee Gibson, Katherine Jennings, Sandy Keiser, Laura Koehl, John Kron, Jan Meyer, and Fernando Paniagua. A separate Joint Parish Advisory Council advises the Jesuit Parish Family. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected].
- Contact email: [email protected]
- Local council members: Tony Asher, Joe Clark, Lee Gibson, Katherine Jennings, Sandy Keiser, Laura Koehl, John Kron, Jan Meyer, Fernando Paniagua
- Joint Parish Advisory Council: Adam Aurisano, Ben Eilerman, Bill Sandquist, Caitlin Ingram, Fr. Damian Torres-Botello SJ, Fred Reuter, Gerry Weller, Jan Meyer, Jane Myers, Janet Neidhard, Joe Clark, John Kron, Katherine Jennings, Mark Komanecky, Michael Guarasci, Fr. Paul Lickteig SJ, Fr. Jacob Boddicker SJ, Tony Asher
Contact and Communications
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person, and stay up to date through the weekly newsletter and livestreamed Masses.
- Phone: (513) 721-4045
- Email: [email protected]
- Council email: [email protected]
- Website: stxchurch.org
- Newsletter: 'St. X News Flash' (weekly email)
- Livestream: 10:30 am Sunday and 11:30 am weekday Masses
- Instagram: @stxchurch
- Facebook: facebook.com/stxchurch
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Bishop Edward Fenwick, O.P.1822–1832
First Bishop of Cincinnati; established the parish on Sycamore Street as the cathedral
- Bishop John B. Purcell1833–1883
Invited the Jesuits in 1840 and transferred parish title to St. Francis Xavier in 1845
- Rev. Paul Lickteig, SJ2020–present
Current pastor of the Jesuit Parish Family (St. Xavier Church and Bellarmine Chapel); ordained 2012