St. Francis Xavier Church is one of the oldest catholic churches in Bangkok, Thailand. This church, together with the school nearby, is managed by the Jesuit Congregation. It was named after Francis Xavier, the Spanish-French Jesuit who spent his life as a missionary to Asia. Though he never set foot in Thailand, it was said that he planned to enter China through Siam but before his arrival to Thailand, he died in 1552 at the age of 46.

During the reign of King Nangklao (Rama III), many Vietnamese refugees settled on the present area. The king allowed them to build a church made of wood. When this wooden church collapsed, his successor, King Mongkut (Rama IV) donated a bigger plot of land for the building of a permanent church. The donation was made courtesy of French missionary Monsignor Pallegoix, then the abbot assigned at the nearby Conception Church. The two became friends during the younger days of the king and Monsignor Pallegoix was appointed to teach him Latin. In return, the then future-king taught the monsignor the language of Buddhism – Pali.

In 1853, Monsignor Pallegoix initiated a fundraising campaign to built a church of European architecture. The present structure was completed after ten years of construction. It was inaugurated in 1863.

(This church should not be confused with Xavier Hall Church – the other Jesuit-run church near Victory Monument.)

Address: 94 Soi Mittakham, Samsen Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300 (see map below for exact location.)
Telephone: 0-2243-0060, 0-2243-0061

Mass Schedule
Weekdays: (Thai) 6:00, 19:00
Sundays: (Thai) 6:30, 8:30, 10:00, 16:00

RELATED: Our Lady of Fatima Church, Holy Redeemer Church, List of catholic Churches in Bangkok

External link: Bangkok Legacies