| What is it? |
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral is the oldest Catholic parish in Indiana! |
| What makes it historical? |
The St. Francis Xavier parish was established here in 1734 by Jesuit missionaries from France, and its first resident priest was Father Sebastian Louis Meurin, S.J. The Greek Revival style church we see here today dates back to 1826. Pope Gregory XVI made this Indiana’s first diocese on May 6 1834 and gave St. Francis the status of cathedral! Father Simon Bruté de Rémur was the first bishop! Vincennes remained the center of the diocese until it was moved to Indianapolis on May 12, 1878.
It was here in 1778 that French residents of Vincennes pledged their loyalty to the USA and helped defeat the British at Fort Sackville during the American Revolution! Colonel George Rogers Clark negotiated terms of surrender with British Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton in this church on February 24, 1779! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Donate to the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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| Where is this place? |
100 S 3rd St
Vincennes, IN 47591
From Evansville: ~53mi (86km) — 0.9hrs
From Fort Wayne: ~249mi (401km) — 4.2hrs
From Gary: ~223mi (359km) — 3.8hrs
From Indianapolis: ~123mi (198km) — 2.1hrs |
| When should I go? |
Masses are held on weekdays at 8:10 AM, on Saturdays at 7:30 AM, and on Sundays at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:00 AM! |
