Our History
Down The Memory Lane
It was Fr. Gaders S.J who selected Jamnagar as a field of education. Fr. Stephen D’ Souza S.J started St. Joseph’s School in 1952. Later it was renamed St. Ann’s School. The plot of land that house the present St. Xavier’s School was purchased in 1954. The help rendered by Mr. H.E.V Fernandes, a well-known business man of the city is worth mentioning here.
Fr. Antony Lobo S.J arrived in Jamnagar in 1955 to find a plot of Land with lots of stone quarries in which he had the dream of a school. But the dreams could not be fulfilled without building and that could not be done in a day. So a building was rented near the present Jayshree Talkies, Bedi Gate. St. Xavier’s High School took shape in the rented building on 13th June,1955. There was only a moderate number of 22 students in VIII and 8 students in IX standard. There was only Gujarati medium.
Plans were drawn up for a future school building. It had a frontal building and two wings opening on a court yard meant for an open air theatre. The entrance to the building had a porch. Each class room was to a accommodate a maximum number of 50 students. The end rooms were meant for halls, a science hall (present Biology lab) and an audio visual hall (present chemistry lab). The work of the whole building was completed with some modifications to the original plan in 1970. The main building was inaugurated by His Highness the Late. Jamsaheb of Jamnagar. Fr. Charles Gomes, later Bishop of Ahmedabad, was the provincial at that time.
Fr. Antony Lobo, the first principal of the school and Fr. John Aranchery, the two fathers who manned the school at that time had almost no place to sleep. In 1962 Fr. Lobo was relieved of the duties and Late Fr. Devasia Karakal took over the reigns. Under his able guidance and leadership the school acquired its full growth. By 1964 the school had an enviable position both in public opinions and number of students. Even today the public of Jamnagar cherishes the fond memories of the days of Fr. Karakal.
In 1968 Fr.Myers took over from Fr. Karakal. The reigns of St. Xavier’s changed over to Fr.I. Pinto S. J in 1971 to Fr. Melanius in 1974, to Fr.Philip Pazhaykari in 1976 to Fr. John Naduvathusery CMI in 1981 and to Fr. Cyriac Kannezhath CMI in 1990.
On the 16th of July 1974 the management of the school was officially handed over to the CMI Fathers, on a mutual understanding. In 1976 on a popular demand from the public Fr. Philip agreed to start the higher secondary section for English medium. The first year of HSC was a real test of patience, but it lived through and flourished.
success of an institution depends on the staff. St. Xavier’s has a dedicated staff. Mr.H.H Trivedi, a member of Gujarat Secondary Education Board for consideration period of time (1983 – 90) and a presidential award winner (1990) needs special mentioned. High School section had a permanent staff till 1989. The first teacher to retire from service was Mr. T.M. Varghese. After putting in an outstanding service of 30 years he retired in 1989. Three more teacher Mr. R. Dwivedi, Mr. Joseph Vempala and Mr.Paul macwan retired in 1996. Mr. David parmar expired after 29 years of service in 1993.
