Our Chapels

Senior Campus ‘Memorial Chapel'

To celebrate the golden jubilee of Xavier College in 1928, a Chapel was built to be “a memorial for the dead, a reminder to the living, a beacon of faith lit by charity and always burning brightly for those still to come.”

The Chapel project, from conception to completion, lasted some sixteen years.  It serves as a remembrance of those who donated to the Chapel fund and to the outstanding personal efforts of Fr. Edmund Frost S.J. and Fr. Frank O’Keefe S.J.

In 1926, the Rector, Fr. Edmund Frost S.J. wrote, “From the centre of the City and from the surrounding suburbs the distant view of the noble dome would catch the attention of many a Catholic as he returned home from a day of weary toil.”

Externally, the Chapel is in the Italian Renaissance style while the four massive pillars in the Ionic style at the main entrance give a fine appearance.

Symbolically, the Chapel defines Xavier as it reminds people of the glory of God.

Extracts from “The Vision Splendid” by Frank Murphy A.M.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Frank’s book, please contact the Development Office.

Burke Hall Chapel

In October 1925, after an inspection of the school, Mr. T.M. Burke, who donated the property and the original buildings to the Society of Jesus, undertook to pay for a Chapel and a new classroom block.

Construction commenced in January, 1926 and the foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Daniel Mannix on 14 February.  It was completed in November.

The Chapel was blessed and opened by Archbishop Mannix on December 3, the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the Chapel.

Throughout the years, there have been few changes to the Chapel.  The original altar remains but not the altar rails.

In 2004, Brian Condon left a substantial bequest to Xavier in his will, part of which is to be used for the maintenance of the Burke Hall Chapel. 

Extracts from “The Vision Splendid” by Frank Murphy A.M.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Frank’s book, please contact the Development Office.

Kostka Hall ‘Memorial Chapel'

In 1962, the Parents’ Association accepted the responsibility for raising the necessary funds for, and the commissioning of, the architectural design of a new Chapel.  The Chapel was to be a war memorial to those Xaverians who had been killed in the two world wars.  A direct giving appeal was launched in August 1962 by the Jesuit Provincial with a target of £10,000 in three years.

Construction commenced in July, 1966 and was completed the following December.

There are two striking features about the Chapel.  The first is the fifteen stained glass windows donated by the Parents’ Association.  Each depicts a station of the Cross.  The second is the amber light which pervades the Chapel.

On 20 February, 1967, the Chapel was opened and blessed by Bishop W. Moran.  Described, when it was opened, as the heart of the school, it remains so today. 

Extracts from “The Vision Splendid” by Frank Murphy A.M.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Frank’s book, please contact the Development Office

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