Parish Information
Address:
St Francis Xavier Church
Broadway
No.38, Broadway,
Chennai – 600 108.
E-Mail: ppfx@vsnl.net.
Brief History:
The Catholics of Broadway, known as ‘Black Town’ were attending Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in George Town till 1843. As the local population increased, a small chapel was built in 1850 at Broadway. On 3rd December 1866 a new Church in honour of St Francis Xavier was constructed, and consecrated. In 1878 it was erected as a separate Parish. The First Parish Priest was Rev Fr D. Doyle.From 1878 to 1929 this parish was managed by Diocesan Priests. From 1929 this parish was entrusted to the Salesians. After the Salesians took up this Parish, devotion to Mary Help of Christians was promoted. In 1953 the Parish Church was renovated and consecrated by Rev Fr Orfeo Mantovani SDB. From then this Church was dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. The feast of Mary Help of Christians is celebrated on 24th May. On 8th September 2005 the present Archbishop His Grace, Most Rev Dr A M Chinnappa SDB DD Ph D issued a decree elevating this Parish as a Shrine of Mary Help of Christians of the Archdiocese.
Mass Timing:
Sunday Mass – Timings/Language : 6.00 am, 7.00 am, 8.45 am,
6.00 pm ? Tamil, 9.30 am-English
St Dominic Savio Church was built at that time with Italian pictures and marbles
Remembering the past days of life in the st. Dominic savio. Church / and oratory
Former student of st gabriels high school and member of don bosco oratory ie don bosco youth centre inn the year 1953 to 1960.
its very miraculous church i am visiting past 34 years during sagaya madha festivals novenas etc.. i thank saint FRANCIS XAVIER WHO HAVE SAVED ME FROM GREAT PROBLEMS TWICE DURING MY LIFE. I HAVE THANKED HIM ON EVERY OCCASION.
GRATEFUL
SAMY
great church