Saint Brigid Louisville

Louisville
Established 1873
Registrations: 402

Address

Saint Brigid Church
1520 Hepburn Ave.
Louisville, KY 40204-1618

Parish Information

Phone: (502) 584-5565
Fax: (502) 584-1328
Email: info@sbsjlou.org
Website: https://www.sbsjlou.org/

St. Brigid Parish Louisville

Clergy

Pastor: Rev. Gary T. Padgett
Permanent Deacon: William P. Tribbey, OFS

Pastoral Staff

Worship Coordinator: Patsy Bourke
Wedding Coordinator: Elizabeth Lichtsteiner
Business Manager: Kristin Kupper
Bookkeeper: Adelaide Hess
Accountant: Sharon Hollkamp
Administrative Assistant/Bulletin: Kate Breen

Mass Schedule

Sundays — Sat evening: 4 p.m.; Sun: 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m.
Holy Days — Vigil: 4 p.m.; Holy Day: Noon
Daily — Mon: Noon (Except First Mon); Tue-Fri: Noon

Reconciliation

Saturdays — 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. or by appointment

History

“Saint Bridget” Parish was established in 1873, named in honor of the patroness of Ireland. At first, it served residents, many of Irish birth or descent, in an area of Louisville called “Irish Hill.” Father James Ryan served as the first pastor. The original church was located on the east side of Baxter Avenue between Payne and Rogers Streets. A school was started in the church building in 1874.

The parish moved in 1890 to the corner of Baxter and Hepburn Avenues, which was more centrally located within the Parish boundaries. A two-story brick building was erected in less than a year so that services could be held and the school could operate while planning and fundraising for a large permanent church could be done. The church occupied the first floor of the temporary building, and the school moved to the second floor. In 1893 the parish was renamed “Saint Brigid,” the correct spelling of the patroness of Ireland.

The dream of a grand church was realized when the present church was dedicated in 1913, made possible by substantial donations from parishioners and their families. Its architecture is midnineteenth century French Renaissance, featuring many stained glass windows and paintings and a Henry Pilcher’s Sons organ in the choir loft. After the permanent church was built, the temporary brick building housed the school until a new school and convent could be constructed in 1928; then it was demolished to make way for a parking lot.

Saint Brigid School closed in 1973. During its ninety-nine years of operation, teachers at the school included the Sisters of Loretto, the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catharine, and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, as well as many lay instructors. Following the school’s closure, the building housed the Archdiocesan Catholic School Office for some time. It was sold and converted to apartments in 1994.

Saint Brigid joined Saint James in a two-parish cluster in 1994. The two parishes collaborate in outreach programs, including the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Highlands Community Ministries, Dare to Care, and many other charitable endeavors in the community. Also, the two parishes work with other area churches in Habitat for Humanity. They share staff, but operate independently, and neither parish has lost its identity

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