Grace Thompson
The Catholic Diocese of Lexington, covering 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky, was established in 1988. The first Catholic church in Lexington, Saint Paul, was constructed in 1813. The Lexington Diocese provides education for approximately 4,300 students across its schools and maintains Newman Centers at eight of Kentucky's colleges and universities. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lexington provides emergency assistance and works with local authorities on long-term recovery efforts in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of establishment | 14 January 1988 |
| Number of counties covered | 50 |
| Number of students educated | 4,300 |
| Number of elementary schools | 15 |
| Number of high schools | 2 |
| Number of colleges and universities with Newman Centers | 8 |
| Areas served | Central and Southeastern Kentucky |
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What You'll Learn
- St. Paul: Lexington's first Catholic church, built in 1813
- Catholic Charities: provides emergency assistance and flood relief
- The Diocese of Lexington: covers 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky
- St. Peter Catholic Church: provides access to Catholic content
- Saint Paul parishioners: held a Pizza Fiesta in Guatemala
St. Paul: Lexington's first Catholic church, built in 1813
St. Paul: Lexington's First Catholic Church
Lexington's first Catholic church, St. Paul, was constructed in 1813. The church is located in the Northside District in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. The cornerstone of the church was laid on November 12, 1865, and it was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. G.A. Carroll, Bishop of Covington, on October 18, 1868. The construction of St. Paul holds great significance as it represents the early presence of the Catholic faith in the region.
The first Catholic immigrants to Kentucky arrived from Maryland in 1785. By 1796, approximately 300 Catholic families resided in the new state. Among the early missionaries was Stephen Badin, who travelled extensively between 1793 and 1807, spreading the faith in scattered Catholic settlements across Kentucky and the Northwest Territory. In 1808, Pope Pius VII erected the Diocese of Bardstown, encompassing Kentucky and much of the Northwest Territory. Thus, the establishment of St. Paul in 1813 was a pivotal moment for the growing Catholic community in Lexington.
St. Paul's first pastor, Father Bekkers, played a significant role in the church's history and the broader community. His remains are interred in a vault in the narthex of the church. Father Bekkers was instrumental in the founding of St. Joseph Hospital, the first hospital in Lexington, which opened in 1877. Additionally, he established a school for boys next to the church and purchased land for Calvary Cemetery. Due to the substantial growth of the congregation, St. Paul was divided into two separate parishes in 1909.
The church building itself is a remarkable example of Gothic Revival architecture. Upon completion, its 210-foot bell tower stood as the tallest in the city. The clocks installed in the tower in 1883 became Lexington's first church tower clocks. The interior of the church features twelve single-panel stained glass windows, designed and manufactured by G. C. Riordan Co. in Cincinnati. Today, St. Paul continues to serve the community, with initiatives such as providing meals for those in need and raising funds for charitable causes.
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Catholic Charities: provides emergency assistance and flood relief
The Catholic Diocese of Lexington covers 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky, providing education for around 4,300 students in 15 elementary schools and two high schools. The Catholic population of the diocese is small, at around 3% of the total. The diocese also maintains Newman Centres at eight of Kentucky's colleges and universities.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lexington provides emergency assistance and flood relief to those in need. In 2022, the Diocese of Lexington and Catholic Charities received nearly $3 million in disaster relief donations following severe flooding in Central and Eastern Kentucky. They have since spent nearly $2.5 million, helping almost 300 families to begin the recovery process. Catholic Charities has worked with disaster response teams and community partners in the affected counties, including the Disaster Services Corporation (DSC) of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
The DSC's House in a Box™ program provides families who have lost everything with new furniture and furnishings, as well as a sense of dignity and a fresh start. Items provided include beds, dressers, linens, dishes, cookware, silverware, bathroom setups, dinettes, and couches. In addition, Catholic Charities Lexington developed a partnership with Home Depot to provide building materials and install HVAC systems in the affected counties.
Catholic Charities Lexington has also provided relief following tornadoes in Southeastern Kentucky. Executive Director Dr. Shelli Gregory and her team travelled to St. Mildred Parish in Somerset to distribute food, clothing, and other material support. Catholic Charities continues to work with local authorities on long-term recovery efforts and encourages people to support their ongoing relief efforts through donations.
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The Diocese of Lexington: covers 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky
The Catholic Diocese of Lexington, also known as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, covers 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky. It was established on January 14, 1988, by Pope John Paul II, who named Auxiliary Bishop James Williams of Covington as its first bishop. The diocese is a suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Louisville.
The Diocese of Lexington provides education for approximately 4,300 students in its 15 elementary schools and two high schools located throughout the diocese. It also maintains Newman Centers at eight of Kentucky's colleges and universities. The diocese includes 43 counties from the Diocese of Covington and seven counties from the Archdiocese of Louisville.
The first Catholic immigrants to the Kentucky area came from Maryland in 1785. By 1796, approximately 300 Catholic families were living in the new state of Kentucky. Among the early missionaries was Stephen Badin, who travelled to Kentucky in 1793, sent by Bishop John Carroll of the Diocese of Baltimore. For the next 14 years, Badin travelled by foot, horseback, and boat between Catholic settlements in Kentucky and the Northwest Territory.
Saint Paul, the first Catholic church in Lexington, was constructed in 1813. The Diocese of Bardstown was erected in 1808 by Pope Pius VII and covered Kentucky and most of the Northwest Territory. In 1841, Pope Leo suppressed the Diocese of Bardstown, which by then only encompassed Kentucky, and created the Diocese of Louisville in its place, with jurisdiction over the entire state.
The Catholic Diocese of Lexington has been actively involved in providing emergency assistance and long-term recovery efforts in response to the devastating flooding and tornadoes that struck Central and Southeastern Kentucky. The diocese has also been implementing measures to resume public Masses while adhering to social distancing and other safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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St. Peter Catholic Church: provides access to Catholic content
St. Peter Catholic Church in Lexington, KY, provides access to a wide range of Catholic content through its subscription to Formed.org. This online platform offers a diverse array of resources, including movies, children's programs, videos, audio talks, and e-books, all easily accessible to parishioners from any internet-connected device.
Formed.org provides engaging and educational content that deepens users' knowledge of the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, and other fundamental aspects of the Catholic faith. St. Peter's subscription to this platform ensures that its parishioners can explore and enhance their understanding of their faith at no additional cost to them. This initiative reflects the church's commitment to making Catholic teachings accessible and engaging for its congregation and the wider community.
In addition to its digital offerings, St. Peter's actively engages with its community through various initiatives. The church participates in the CRS Rice Bowl during Lent, contributing to the Catholic Action Center's efforts to feed neighbours in need. Every month, St. Peter's purchases and prepares meals for 150 people, demonstrating its commitment to social justice and community support. The church also encourages environmental stewardship, promoting initiatives like reducing meat consumption to protect the environment.
St. Peter's also fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment, exemplified by its LGBTQ+ Ministry Social events. These gatherings create a safe and inclusive space for individuals to connect and engage with the church community. Additionally, the church has a global outreach focus, as evidenced by its fundraising efforts for the Little Mountain School in Guatemala. Through coffee sales and donations from parishioners, they raised over $35,000, enabling them to host a pizza party for the students and staff, bringing joy and creating memorable experiences.
Overall, St. Peter Catholic Church in Lexington, KY, goes beyond spiritual guidance by providing its congregation with diverse access to Catholic content and actively engaging in community-building initiatives. Through its use of digital platforms and commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and global outreach, St. Peter's creates a holistic and inclusive faith community.
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Saint Paul parishioners: held a Pizza Fiesta in Guatemala
The Catholic Diocese of Lexington, covering 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky, is home to 59 parishes and missions. The first Catholic church in Lexington, Saint Paul, was constructed in 1813. The Diocese of Lexington provides education for approximately 4,300 students in its 15 elementary schools and two high schools.
Saint Paul Catholic Church in Lexington, Kentucky, is known for its charitable initiatives, including its efforts to feed the hungry in the community. Every month, the church purchases and prepares meals for 150 people. In addition, the church has shown its commitment to environmental protection by encouraging the reduction of meat consumption.
During a trip to Guatemala, the parishioners of Saint Paul, with the encouragement of Father Richard, organised a Pizza Fiesta at The Little Mountain School in Joya Honda, Guatemala. Donations from parishioners, including a significant contribution from the Hispanic community, funded the purchase of pizzas for every student, staff member, and parents from the local community. The event brought joy to the children and strengthened the bond between the Saint Paul community and those they served in Guatemala.
The Saint Paul Catholic Church also holds various social events, including an LGBTQ+ Ministry Social, where attendees are invited to bring wine, finger food, and friends or loved ones. The church's social events create opportunities for the congregation to connect and foster a sense of community.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Diocese of Lexington covers 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky.
Pope John Paul II established the Diocese of Lexington on 14 January 1988.
The Diocese of Lexington provides education for approximately 4,300 students in its 15 elementary schools and two high schools.
There are 59 parishes in the Diocese of Lexington.
The first Catholic immigrants arrived in Kentucky in 1785, and by 1796, approximately 300 Catholic families were living in the state.
