PRESS RELEASE

Archdiocese Signs Contract to Become New Lease Purchaser

(Louisville, Kentucky)  On Thursday, June 14, the Archdiocese signed a contract to purchase 5 acres of land in Norton Commons. This purchase includes the donation of an additional 7 acres from Norton Commons. The 12-acre property will become the site of a new parish resulting from the merger of Our Mother of Good Counsel (8509 Westport Road, Louisville) and Transfiguration of Our Lord (1620 South Highway 1793, Goshen). The parish also will be the home of St. Mary’s Academy, the new regional elementary school that was formed out of the merger of Mother of Good Counsel School and Immaculate Conception School (502 North Fifth Street) in LaGrange, Kentucky. While the new school is being constructed, St. Mary’s Academy will operate two campuses at the current Mother of Good Counsel and Immaculate Conception locations.

“Coming on the heels of the appointment of our new Archbishop, the great news that the Archdiocese has acquired the property for the new parish and regional school really caps off an extraordinary week for the Catholic church in Louisville. I am grateful to the developers of the Norton Commons community for their very generous donation to the Archdiocese,” said Fr. Bill Medley, pastor of Mother Good Counsel and Transfiguration parishes. He added: “Northeast Jefferson and Northwest Oldham counties are areas of tremendous growth, and this property, located on the Jefferson/Oldham county line, is a great location for our new parish and school. The establishment of a Catholic parish and Catholic regional school in this area speaks to the church's willingness to plan proactively and, most important, to the Church's commitment to its mission. I know our people are eager see construction begin as a visible sign of this mission.”

The property is located on Highway 1694 at the Jefferson/Oldham County line at the northernmost end of the Norton Commons development. 

A building committee with representatives from Mother of Good Counsel and Transfiguration of Our Lord is being formed next week. Groundbreaking for St. Mary’s Academy will be held in early fall of 2007, and the school is expected to be completed in 2009. The timeline for construction of the new parish will be established by the building committee.

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