About Annunciation · Shelbyville, Kentucky
The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in Shelbyville, Kentucky, part of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Established in 1860 and consecrated by Bishop Martin John Spalding on October 2 of that year, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Shelby County and worships today in both an 1860 Gothic Revival church and a larger 2000 church on its Main Street campus. The parish numbers roughly 855 registered families (with Spanish-language sources citing close to 2,400 parishioners), and its growing Hispanic community — present in Shelby County since 1972 — accounts for about 45% of registered families and shapes much of the parish's ministry. A Spanish-language Mass every Sunday, the parish-sponsored Centro Latino social-services nonprofit, and a robust RCIA program round out a parish that has long served as a hub for Catholics in Shelbyville.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Jean González Romero
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Annunciation Shelbyville offers something rare in a smaller parish: a 165-year-old Gothic Revival sanctuary alongside a modern 400-seat church, a strong bilingual identity with English and Spanish Masses every Sunday, and a deep commitment to social outreach through Centro Latino. The parish runs an RCIA team for adults seeking the Sacraments of Initiation, ongoing religious education through its CCD program under Director Maria Hinojosa, and a vibrant Hispanic ministry including the ACTS retreat, Adoración Nocturna, and the children's Armada Blanca rosary group. With extensive Eucharistic Adoration (Monday through Saturday), weekly Confession on Saturdays, and four permanent deacons, it is both a place of daily prayer and a center of community life for Catholics in Shelby County.
Mass times at Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm
- Additional times during Lent and Advent (see bulletin)
Adoration times
- Saturday 3:00 pm
- First Friday 10:45 am
- First Saturday 8:00 pm (Spanish)
- Monday 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
- Tuesday 9:00 am–8:00 pm
- Wednesday 10:00 am–9:00 pm
- Thursday 4:00 pm–8:00 pm (Third Thursday: Evening Holy Hour and Benediction at 7:00 pm)
- Friday 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Parish History
The Catholic presence in Shelbyville began in 1842. From 1855, Father John Bekkers, a Dutch-born priest sent by Bishop Spalding from the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville, celebrated Mass in local Catholic homes every few months. After Mrs. Jane Campbell donated property in 1859, the small community built its chapel — first just wall frames and rough floors, then expanded over time. Father Michael D. Lawler was installed as the first pastor when Bishop Martin John Spalding consecrated the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on October 2, 1860.
Growth of the Buildings
Through more than a century of additions, the Annunciation campus took shape: a bell tower during Fr. Cushing's pastorate (1864–1895), an expanded rectory under Fr. Riley (1905–1918), an education building under Fr. Joseph Lyon (1967), and a new rectory under Fr. Chester Bowling (1975). In 1999 the parish acquired the Cotter Center property across Main Street, first used for CCD classrooms and later remodeled into parish offices.
The New Church (2000)
By the late 1990s the original chapel could no longer hold the parish. At Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly's request, Fr. C. Joseph Batcheldor led the construction of a new church seating about 400 with a gathering space; Archbishop Kelly consecrated it on February 6, 2000. Fr. Bill Bowling, who had arrived in 1999 as an associate, became pastor the following year.
The Parish Center (2020)
Under Fr. T. Michael Tobin, the parish built a new parish center finished in 2020 to replace a former electric-supply building acquired in 2008. The new building mirrors the look of the 1860 church, includes a tall central atrium, a commercial-sized kitchen, a large social hall, and storage for the Altar Society, Men's Club, and Hispanic ministries. The campus was redesigned so families can move safely between buildings, with accessible parking and a drop-off area.
Hispanic Ministry and Centro Latino
Shelby County's Hispanic community has roots going back to migrant workers arriving in 1972. In 1987, Sister of Loretto Lupe Arciniega began reaching out to those workers, and in 1997 the parish helped establish Centro Latino — a nonprofit offering emergency assistance, counseling, and help with health, education, and legal needs across Shelby, Spencer, Oldham, Trimble, and Henry Counties. Annunciation's Hispanic ministry has grown to include a weekly Spanish Mass, the ACTS retreat movement (begun at the parish in 2011), Adoración Nocturna, a women's rosary group, and the children's Armada Blanca.
- Centro Latino (1997) — emergency assistance, counseling, health, education, legal aid
- ACTS Retreats — held four times a year (two men's, two women's)
- Adoración Nocturna — first Saturday of the month, 9 pm–7 am
- Women's Rosary Prayer Group
- Armada Blanca — children's rosary, Fridays
- Marriage preparation and ministry to couples
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is Annunciation's formal path for non-baptized adults and baptized Christians from other traditions seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. A team of sponsors guides inquirers through the Period of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, and Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, followed by the Mystagogy period of reflection and growth.
- Period of Inquiry (Pre-Catechumenate)
- Catechumenate — formation and study
- Rite of Election called by the bishop
- Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy — post-baptismal reflection
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious education for the parish is directed by Maria Hinojosa. Children attend Mass with their families — the parish does not offer separate children's services — and a cry room with a sound system is provided for parents with small children. CCD classes were first housed in the Cotter Center building in 1999, and additional classroom and meeting space is available in the new parish center.
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Hinojosa
- Children's cry room to the far right of the altar
- Family-integrated worship at all Masses
- CCD / faith formation classes
Parish Staff and Clergy
Annunciation is led by Pastor Rev. Jean González Romero, assisted by four permanent deacons and a lay pastoral staff. Music is directed by Darla Novosel; Maria Hinojosa directs religious education; and parish business is handled by Office Manager George Delgado and Bookkeeper Mark Elmore.
- Pastor: Rev. Jean González Romero
- Deacon Robert J. Hart
- Deacon Brendan 'Butch' Kinsella
- Deacon John P. Strain
- Deacon Frank Villalobos
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Hinojosa
- Music Director: Darla Novosel
- Office Manager: George Delgado
- Bookkeeper: Mark Elmore
Visiting and Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed — there is no expectation to give during a first visit, and online giving is available for those who make Annunciation their parish home. Ushers at the back of the church provide hearing-assist headsets on request. The parish encourages visitors to register and to consider one of its many ministries, from the Altar Society and Men's Club to the Hispanic faith communities and ACTS retreats.
- Hearing-assist headsets available from ushers
- Cry room for families with young children
- Online giving available
- Visitor registration encouraged
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Bekkers1855–1860
Dutch-born mission priest from the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville; celebrated Mass in homes and encouraged building of the church.
- Fr. Michael D. Lawler1860–
First pastor; oversaw completion and consecration of the church in 1860; rectory built two years later.
- Fr. Cushing1864–1895
Long pastorate during which the bell tower was added.
- Fr. Riley1905–1918
Expanded the rectory.
- Fr. Joseph Lyon1967
Built the education building.
- Fr. Chester Bowling1975
Had a new rectory built.
- Fr. C. Joseph Batcheldor1998–c.2000
Led construction of the new 400-seat church, consecrated by Archbishop Kelly on Feb. 6, 2000.
- Fr. William (Bill) Bowling1999–
Arrived in 1999 as associate under Fr. Batcheldor; became pastor the following year.
- Fr. T. Michael Tobin–2020
Saw the new parish/community center finished in 2020.
- Fr. David G. Sánchez2020–
Appointed pastor in 2020; launched facility-improvement projects.