Name: Tracing Traditions: Historic Tour of St. Francis Xavier Church
Start: 2026-07-11T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-07-11T11:00:00-04:00
Location: St. Francis Xavier Church

Tracing Traditions: Historic Tour of St. Francis Xavier Church

Tracing Tradition takes you on a journey to six historic churches over the course of six months, tracing the evolution of the Catholic community from the early 19th century to modern times. Discover the stories of the people, traditions, and events that shaped these sacred spaces, offering a deeper connection to the enduring legacy of one Tradition across generations.
The story of Cincinnati Catholics begins in the early 1800s, and so we begin our journey at one of the oldest Catholic locations in the city, St. Francis Xavier Church in downtown Cincinnati. On this tour, you will hear stories about some of the first Cincinnati Catholics, visit the site of the city’s first parish, and uncover the history of a 19th-century fire that nearly destroyed a vital Cincinnati landmark. This is your chance to walk through the foundations of Cincinnati's Catholic heritage and see firsthand the resilience that built these iconic sites.