Church of St. Francis Xavier
The Church of St. Francis Xavier is one of the greatest and oldest Catholic churches great historical values in Melaka.
The Church of St. Francis Xavier is a twin-spired neo-gothic structure built in 1856, in honour of St. Francis Xavier, a prominent 16th-century Catholic missionary. The Church was, at one time, the largest Church built by the Paris Foreign Missionary in the Malay Peninsula. To this day, it still serves its function as a Catholic Church, with regular mass services held regularly.
Location
The Church is about is 5.5 kilometres away from Melaka Sentral. It is also 250 metres away from The Stadthuys, and 350 metres away from the famous Jonker Street.
How to Get There
You can rent a bicycle and explore the many wonders of this UNESCO-listed city. If you are driving, you can also park your car in the parking area which is just opposite the Church.
Suggested For
The Church is suggested for couples, solo travelers, and backpackers who are interested in the Catholic religion or who would just like to take a break in the middle of the city.
Time to Spend
15 minutes is sufficient to see the Church if you are not attending Mass.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
If you are interested in attending a Catholic Mass in the Church, Mass schedules are as follows:
- Weekdays (Tuesday to Friday): 13:00, Novena at 17:00, 18:00
- Sundays: English: 07:30, 10:45; Tamil: 09:00; Mandarin: 17:30
Otherwise, you can visit the Church at any time.
Food
Atmosphere 360 is located nearby, although it is a fine-dining restaurant and prices are quite high. For more budget options, you may choose to visit many of the eateries and foodcourts in the Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Nearby Attractions
- The Stadthuys – 250 metres
- Christ Church – 250 metres
- Jonker Street – 350 metres
- Hard Rock Café Melaka – 350 metres
- Paul’s Church – 500 metres
- Baba And Nyonya Heritage Museum – 550 metres
- A’Famosa Fort – 600 metres
- Melaka River Cruise – 600 metres
- Masjid Kampung Kling – 600 metres
- Menara Taming Sari – 850 metres
Stay
There are a number of hotels and guest houses near the area, from backpacker accommodations to luxury boutique hotels. In addition, there are also a number of homestays located nearby Jonker Street, the main attraction of the area, which is within walking distance.
Good to Know
The Church has two towers, both holding two large brass bells, which cannot be seen from the outside. When you enter the Church, you can see some stained glass adornments, and the Church’s ground is shaped into a cross. There is also a Catholic gift store just in front of the Church.
