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St. Francis Xavier Parish was established in 1904. The Church was named in honor of St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary whose mantra was “that all may be one.” On January 10, 1910, a four-room combination convent/school was opened. The school initially housed four Sisters of Providence who welcomed thirty seven students. The order would remain to lead the school for decades, and at its largest enrollment SFX received well over 700 students each day from across the East Wilmette neighborhood. The community flourished and a new Gothic-style Church was built, along with the two school buildings that now stand at the corner of 9th and Linden in Wilmette.
In 2010, SFX proudly celebrated its 100th year of educating young hearts and minds, and hosted a community-wide celebration to mark the occasion that was attended by 1,600 friends and alumni. The school realized a period of growth over this time period and, in conjunction with the Archdiocesan campaign, “To Teach Who Christ Is,” initiated a sweeping capital campaign that raised roughly $10 million. Proceeds spearheaded the construction of a new, state-of-the-art gym and education/parish life center and significantly modernized the SFX campus. 
The school’s Crest is rooted in its rich history and guiding principles. The book represents wisdom, learning and the quest for academic excellence. The winged foot represents athletics and the importance of physical fitness. The celtic cross pays tribute to the strong Irish community who founded St. Francis Xavier at the turn of the century, and also speaks to the significant role that faith plays in the student experience at St. Francis Xavier. The Helmet is a symbol of the school’s mascot, the Crusader, which is rooted in the notion that St. Francis Xavier was a missionary who travelled across the globe to spread the word of Christ. The Checkered Background in the school’s Crest comes from the Coat of Arms of the Xavier family from Spain, ancestors of the patron saint of the SFX Campus. “Fides Illuminat Viam,” inscribed below the Crest, reminds our learners that “Faith Guides the Way.”
Today, St. Francis Xavier serves K-8 students with the support of a collaborative faculty, an engaged parent network and progressive leadership. Graduates leave our doors equipped for high school and beyond, and many members of our tight-knit community return to us years later to begin their Saints JFX journey again as parents. |
