Santa Maria Catholic Church is located in old Frankish neighborhood, Passport district, and opened for worship in 1689. When the church was damaged from fire, it was built again in 1890. Church was made in honor of the Virgin Mary. There have been missionaries in Izmir since 14th century. A climate of tolerance in Izmir has helped the missionaries to find the working place and there was an influx of Catholic and Protestant missionaries in Izmir at those years.So the St. Maria church was maden by the Franciscans who were settled in Izmir first. Today It is used as an Italian Catholic Church and the Franciscan priests are serving. The community of the church is about 200 people. Another point about the church is; it is known as "Sailor's Church" because of the location.