The Rev. H. Mankenheide, pastor of St. Mary’s in Morges was the first priest to serve the St. Francis Xavier congregation and under his guidance a church was erected. As was typical of the time, the members of the congregation all donated their time and talents as carpenters, mason and laborers to build the red brick church.

Some parishioners had molded the bricks and built a kiln to fire them. Others helped with the pews which were built at the local lumber yard. One man, named Cylar, who fixed clocks by profession, donated the money for the Church bells.

The land for the church was donated by Frances Stoltz. She purchased it form Abraham and Mary Reed for $100.00. A stipulation of the deed states that the land "be for the use and benefit of the Roman Catholics in and around the town of Lodi, preaching to be held regularly in German by the direction of the Bishop and occasionally in French and English".

When Fr. Mankenheide left in 1854 several different priest served the parish until 1882, when the Rt. Rev. Bishop Watterson appointed Rev. Bernard Wisman as the first resident pastor of St. Francis Xavier.

During the following years the church was enlarged by 30 feet and a parish house was erected. This work was completed in 1884.

Fr. Wisman served the congregation until his death in 1891. The Rev. Thomas A. Powers replaced Fr. Wisman as pastor and when he was transferred a few months later, Rev. Edward L. Fladung came to Malvern. At this time a new parish residence was erected at a cost of several thousand dollars.

When Fr. Fladung was transferred to Pomeroy in 1907 the Rev. Bernard Vogel was named pastor. In 1908 the Rev. Clement B. Teipe replaced Fr. Vogel.

In 1912 the Rev. Otto P. Trogus assumed charge of the parish and remained in Malvern until 1916. His successor was the Rev. Charles L. Walsh.

The Rev. Adolph Dangler came to Malvern in 1920 and remained until his death in 1931.

Through the depression years the Rev. John Diegelman Served as pastor for this parish. When in 1942, he suffered a stroke and was obligated to retire, the Rev. Leo L. Wiggins came as his replacement. With the guidance of Fr. Wiggins, the parish grew in many ways. In 1948 the church was renovated and in 1949 St. Francis Xavier Hall was completed. The Hall to this day serves as a center for both parish and community social functions.

Fr. Wiggins retired in 1970 and Fr. George Voytko was named pastor, Msgr. Joseph Nealon replaced Ft. Voytko in 1972. When Msgr. Nealon was transferred in 1975 Fr. Mitchell Wilamowski was named pastor until his death in 1977. Msgr. Frank Manieri was installed as pastor in 1977, and is the present pastor.

This "History" is taken from the Parish Directory of around 1974.
This page will be updated to bring the complete history of St. Francis Xavier Parish.