St Francis Xavier Church, Hereford

St. Francis Xavier Church is a Neoclassical Roman Catholic building in Hereford featuring a dome at the rear and two fluted Doric columns framing its entrance. The exterior displays stuccoed columns that give the structure its distinctive classical appearance.

The foundation stone was laid in 1837 with official royal recognition, reflecting the importance of the project to the local Catholic community at that time. Construction began in 1839 under circumstances shaped by the religious and social conditions of the era.

The church holds a venerated relic of Saint John Kemble, a local Catholic martyr from the 17th century whose remains are connected to the faith community here. This sacred object draws visitors seeking to understand the story of Catholic persecution in England.

The church is accessible during worship times, which occur mainly on weekends. It is worth checking in advance when visits are possible outside of service hours.

The original building was deliberately constructed without windows, reflecting the safety concerns of the period. This unusual design was later modified to make the church functional and accessible to worshippers.

Location: Hereford

Inception: August 7, 1839

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Website: http://sfxhereford.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.05510,-2.71690

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:23