About Us:

In 1914 the Most Reverend Matthew Harkins, Bishop of Providence, realized the great need for a Portuguese-speaking parish in the Town of East Providence.  The Bishop appointed Fr. Joseph Lopes, an assistant pastor in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, to conduct a census in order to determine the number of parishioners that would form the nucleus of the new parish, Saint Francis Xavier Church.  In November of that year, a committee was formed to start fund-raising and build a new Church.

In the meantime, the Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Ghost in East Providence, a social organization formed by the Portuguese immigrants, offered their hall on Phillip Street to be used as a provisional church, and a house on Purchase Street was used as the provisional rectory.  The first mass was said on January 10, 1915 in this provisional church and quickly thereafter, Saint Francis Xavier Church was founded.  Land was purchased on North Carpenter Street to build the new church.  The Holy Name of Society and the Holy Rosary Sodality were formed.  To help raise founds, a bazaar was held at the East Providence Town Hall, which was very successful in raising $3000.

On May 21, 1916, a year and five months after the parish was founded the Rev Bishop Harkins dedicated Saint Francis Xavier Church.  The provisional rectory was moved to Grove Avenue to be closer to the new Church.  It wasn't until February 1931 that the parish was able to build the new rectory at 81 North Carpenter Street.

Father Lopes faithfully served the new parish of St. Francis Xavier for 25 years and was called to his eternal rest on January 22, 1940.

From 1940 to 1957 the parish was under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Albino Martins, which in his first year as pastor, had the privilege to witness the ordination and first Solemn Mass of Fr. Augustine Mendonca, the first native son of the parish to be ordained. During his 17 years as pastor he acquired properties adjacent to the church, as well as a large parcel of land on Warren Avenue.  In 196? by eminent domain the State took over more then half of that land to give room for the interstate highway 195.   The remainder of the land was later sold to the East Providence Housing Authority.  Fr. Martins was called to eternal rest on February 7, 1957.

From 1957 to 1980 the parish was under the guidance of our third pastor Rev. Fr. Manuel Rego.  Immediately after being appointed, Fr. Rego recognized the need for a school and a parish hall.  Permission was given by Bishop McVinney to engage an architect for the purpose of building a new school with a parish hall.  Anxious to start the school, the parish opened its first kindergarten classroom in a parish-owned home.  There were 38 children in this class and the teacher was a Sister of St. Dorothy.

The new school was officially opened on September 9, 1959 with an enrollment of 226 children kindergarten through third grade.  The school was staffed with the Sisters of St. Dorothy.  Eventually the school expanded to include the fourth through the eighth grade.

After 23 years as pastor, Fr. Rego retired due to illness and was named Pastor Emeritus.  Fr. John Farley was appointed by Bishop Gelineau as temporary administrator until September 19, 1980 when Fr. John Tavares was appointed to be the new pastor.

Fr. Tavares initiated and completed many parish projects.  The front of the rectory was extended to provide office space along with repairs to the parking lot.  Major repair work was required in the interior and exterior of the church.  A fund drive was initiated and parishioner, once again, generously gave their support.

In April of 1989, His Holiness Pope John Paul II honored Fr. Tavares with a title of Prelate of Honor or Monsignor to recognize his dedication of priestly service to St. Francis Xavier Parish. Monsignor Tavares retired on June 15, 1997, to be succeeded by Fr. Victor Vieira.

Fr. Vieira continues to serve the parish with the assistance of Fr. Richard Narciso. He also continues with major repairs to the school building, parking lot and a beautiful landscape.

In January of 2009, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI honored Fr. Vieira as 'Chaplain to His Holiness' with the title 'Reverend Monsignor' to recognize his dedication of priestly service to St. Francis Xavier Parish.