The St. Francis Xavier's Society was established on 1 Jan 1840 for the purpose of building a church and college. The money necessary for building the church was raised by 1845 and the foundation stone was laid on 9 July of that year. The church was opened on 4 December 1848. Further additions were made to the church in later years, including the steeple which was constructed in 1883. During World War II the area surrounding the church was subjected to heavy bombing, but the church apparently escaped without damage. In 1848 part of the roof collapsed and later examination revealed this damage to have been caused by bomb blast. the church was later restored.

	Photograph by kind permission Dave Wood http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/

A brief history of the church appears in 'The Cathedral Record', Volume XVII (1947), pp.58-59, whilst a detailed history can be found in N. Ryan, 'St. Francis Xavier's Church Centenary, 1848-1948.