75th anniversary celebrations of St Xavier’s School, Jaipur

The closing ceremony of the platinum jubilee of St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Jaipur had a rich programme, including a school dance troupe led by Dr. Saju George SJ. 

St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Jaipur is a Christian minority school under the management of the Jesuits. St. Xavier’s School for boys was founded in July, 1941 under the name of St. Mary’s Boy’s School in the Roman Catholic Church Compound at Ghat Gate, Jaipur by Rev. Fr. Ignatius, O.F.M. Cap. In July 1943 its management was entrusted to the Jesuit Fathers, renowned for their educational work. The school was transferred to the present site and renamed St. Xavier’s School in January, 1945, and still later as St. Xavier’s Sr. Sec. School.

From the history of the school

St. Xavier’s Jaipur is synonymous with world class education imparted in an exemplary and disciplined ambience. It has unrivalled contributions in shaping the intellectual facet of Jaipur, which we witness today. The legendary institution in its 68 years of glorious existence has nurtured many- be- it the younger ones of royals or the striving commoners. The sylvan 21 acres housing the stately three storied structure has showered love on generations and the Alumni of this prestigious institution stand as the bastions of the shimmering heritage and the historical Gold and Blue legacy.

‘ROME NE S’EST FAITE EN UN JOUR’ the celebrated 11th century French Proverb is brought alive as we trace the journey of the institution, the untiring efforts of our revered luminaries and their never ending quest for excellence. Above all, the benediction of God Almighty and blessing of our founder St. lgnatius de Loyola and of our beloved patron St. Francis Xavier has guided St Xavier’s Jaipur to accomplish so much so fast.

It all started in 1942 when Sir Mirza Ismail, the Dewan of Jaipur Darbar felt the compelling need to have a superior institution which can groom the upcoming generation of this historical Pink city with the best of education and values. It didn’t take much of time to conceive that the city should have a Jesuit School. He then met Fr. Frank Loesch, SJ, the Superior of Patna and invited him to Jaipur. On hearing that the Jesuits are coming to Jaipur, Bishop Le Floch offered them the school by the name of St. Mary’s which was started by Fr. Arthur and Fr. Ignatius at the Catholic Church Premises outside Ghat gate in July 1941. The school was facing challenges as Fr. Arthur had to leave for health reasons and within two years the location of St. Mary’s was changed twice first to Purohit Dwarka Nathiji’s place of Ajmer Road and later to Wali Gardens on Moti Doongri Road. Two Jesuits – Fr. William Hussey SJ and Fr. Robert Ludwing SJ were sent with the responsibility to recover. St Mary’s and they finally took the reign in June 1943. Overwhelmed with the inception the Jaipur Darbar donated 12 acres of land in the then newly developed C-Scheme and the Jesuits purchased another 9 acres. The same year the school was rechristened as St. Xavier’s School.

There was no looking back after that the school grew steadily setting up unparalleled standards in education. The humble building erected initially soon grew insufficient to accommodate the growing number of students. A new building was planned and its construction began in 1950 the year is also glorified as it presented the first batch of students for the prestigious Senior Cambridge Examination.

To read more of the history of St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Jaipur, please visit the school website