Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk

Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk is a modest but locally significant church in the Borgerhout district of Antwerp, Belgium. Standing at Collegelaan 32, the building has been closely tied for decades to the neighboring Xaveriuscollege, the school for which it was originally built.

When was the church built?

The design dates back to 1963, drawn up by professor, engineer and architect Paul Felix. Construction itself took place between 1964 and 1965, and the finished building was consecrated on 12 March 1965 by Monsignor Daem. The church was commissioned by Xaveriuscollege and was intended from the start to function as a college chapel — a place of worship for the school's students, teachers and staff, rather than an ordinary open parish church.

How did the church's role change over time?

That original purpose began to shift as Borgerhout itself grew. As the population of this part of Antwerp increased, the building was needed to serve not only the school community but also the growing number of families living nearby. In March 1966, a chaplaincy dedicated to Xaverius was established at the site, initially placed under the parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. This was an intermediate step on the path toward full independence for the local church community. Two years later, in 1968, a separate parish dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier was formally created, and the Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk became its main parish church.

Who took care of the church?

From its founding until 2007, pastoral and liturgical life at the church was overseen by Jesuits, formally connected to the Xaveriuscollege run by their order. It is to the Jesuits that the church owes its dedication: the patron saint, Francis Xavier, was one of the co-founders of the Society of Jesus and remains one of the best-known missionaries in the history of the Catholic Church. The Jesuit presence over more than four decades gave the place a distinctive character, blending the college's educational tradition with everyday parish life.

Where exactly is the church located?

Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk stands in Borgerhout, one of the districts of the city of Antwerp, in the Flanders region of Belgium. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 51.213° north latitude and 4.451° east longitude, placing it in a densely built, urban part of the district, directly adjacent to the buildings of the former college.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a parish church or a school chapel? The building's history includes both roles. It was originally built as the college chapel, but as Borgerhout's population grew, it evolved into a full parish church — since 1968 the seat of the parish of Saint Francis Xavier.

Who designed the building? The 1963 design came from professor, engineer and architect Paul Felix, with construction carried out between 1964 and 1965.

What is the church's connection to the Jesuits? For more than forty years, from its founding until 2007, pastoral and liturgical care of the church was in the hands of Jesuits linked to Xaveriuscollege, the school for which the church was originally built.

When was the church consecrated? The formal consecration took place on 12 March 1965, performed by Monsignor Daem.