In 1868, Bishop Louis DeGoesbriand established the parish of St. Francis Xavier to serve the French-Canadian population of the township of Colchester which, at that time, included Colchester, Essex and Winooski. On March 22,1868, the fourth Sunday of Lent, 200 people assisted at the first Mass in a rented hall in the Winooski block. Services were held in this hall until the new Saint Francis Xavier Church was built in 1870. Over the years St. Francis Xavier has contributed a number of young people to the service of God as priests and members of religious orders. These young people accepted the challenge inspired by the good example they received from the humble and dedicated priests who served the parish as pastors and curates.