#65277: St. Francis Xavier - The "Mother Church" of the Wilmington Diocese
![St. Francis Xavier - The "Mother Church" of the Wilmington Diocese](https://fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/bywaysp/uploads/asset_files/2261/65277_stfrancis1_m.jpg)
St. Francis Xavier - Old Bohemia Church located in Cecil County, was founded by Thomas Mansell, S.J. in 1704. Founded 72 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is one of the earliest permanent Catholic establishments in the English Colonies.
© January 2006 Jennifer Schmidt.