St Francis Xavier Catholic Church

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH Founded in 1929 to serve a burgeoning multi-cultural community, this is one of the very few structures which survived the apartheid-era forced removals in Sophiatown and Martindale. A convent school was established alongside the church in 1932, becoming an important centre of Catholic education. The church is named after the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier (1506-1552), who travelled the world, including Africa, spreading the Gospel. An enduring presence, the church reflects the perseverance of faith amidst societal changes.