The Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier — commonly called Kabankalan Cathedral — is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kabankalan and the city's most prominent landmark. The current structure is a modern concrete church, but it anchors the city's spiritual and civic life. The diocese covers the southern portion of Negros Occidental and the cathedral serves as the administrative centre for dozens of parishes across a wide agricultural region.
The plaza around the cathedral is the heart of Kabankalan's city centre and a good orientation point. Sunday Mass draws large congregations from across the urban area and surrounding barangays.