St. Francis Xavier's Church (Mary Help of Christians Shrine)
Church History
A Brief History
Until 1843, catholic families of Broadway had to go to St. Mary's Co-cathedral for masses and services. A chapel of 67” x 36” was built in 1850 (the present St. Anne's convent) for housing the masses.
On 3rd December 1866, the present St. Francis Xavier's church was constructed. In 1878 it was erected as a separate Parish and sanctified with Fr. D. Doyle as the first parish priest. From 1878 to 1929 the parish was administered by diocesan clergy. Fr. Ignatius Muthu SDB, in 1929 took charge as the first Salesian and the church continues to be under the Salesian care till date. After the Salesians took up this Parish, devotion to Mary Help of Christians was promoted. Fr. Orfeo Mantovani SDB, the parish priest from 1952 to 1963 ensured the construction of frontal elevation as well as the interior of the church. From then this Church was dedicated to Mary Help of Christians.
Various pious associations build up the faith of the people for decades such as:
Legion of Mary (1930),
Sodality of Mary Help of Christians (11 February 1937),
St. Vincent de Paul Society (1937),
St. Camillus dispensary (1947),
Parochial board (1950),
Magazine: Favours and Graces Received (Tamil & English in 1952),
Salesian Cooperators (1954),
Campaign for the enthronement of Sacred Heart (1958),
Sagaya Madha Hall (1960),
Catechetical Hall (1979),
Dominic Savio Preparatory School (1984),
Computer Education (2001),
Youth Hall (2000),
Clive Battery Substation Social Welfare Activity under SMA sisters (1985),
Clive Battery Vailankanni Chapel (2001).
Many other facilities and modifications too have been undertaken over these many years by the 20 Salesian Parish Priests who have shepherded the parish from 1928 till now.
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 PhD issued a decree elevating this Parish as a Shrine of Mary Help of Christians of the Archdiocese.
Information
38, Broadway,
Chennai - 600 108
