Blessed Sacrament

History of Blessed Sacrament Parish

The parish traces its roots to the St. John Congregation organized in 1885 by Bishop Maes around the St. John Orphanage in Kenton County. After decades of preparation, the Diocese formally founded Blessed Sacrament in 1916, built a combination church and school in 1920, and erected the present Lombardy-Romanesque church in 1938–1939. The parish grew from 37 founding families to one of the largest in the Diocese.

• 1885 — Father Bernard Hillebrand begins organizing Catholics around St. John Orphanage
• 1908 — Bishop Maes grants permission for a new parish; no church yet built
• 1916, December 26 — Reverend William Blees appointed first pastor
• 1917 — About three acres acquired on Lexington Pike (Dixie Highway)
• 1920, April 15 — Cornerstone of the original church laid
• 1920, December 26 — First Mass offered in the new church
• 1928 — Sisters' convent completed
• 1938, July 10 — Cornerstone of the present church laid by Msgr. Ignatius M. Ahmann, V.G.
• 1939, September 24 — Present church dedicated by Bishop Howard
• 1945, October 27–28 — Bishop Mulloy consecrated the altar and the church
• 1945, December 26 — Silver Jubilee celebrated
• 1948, September 1 — Father Blees retires; Msgr. Leo Streck succeeds him

Architecture of the Current Church

The current Blessed Sacrament Church is described on the parish website as Lombardy-Romanesque in architectural style, constructed of brick and stone measuring 163 by 76 feet, with a tower surmounting the right transept and a seating capacity of about 850. The interior and exterior display medieval lines and are replete with symbolic emblems centering on the Blessed Sacrament, with the whole being described as a monument to the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

• Lombardy-Romanesque style
• Brick and stone construction, 163 × 76 feet
• Tower over the right transept
• Seating for about 850
• Symbolic emblems centering on the Blessed Sacrament throughout

Mission Statement and Welcome

The parish describes itself as a community of Catholics striving to know God's ways and follow his paths, gathering frequently for prayer, formation, service, and fellowship. Its stated welcome message invites visitors to come to Blessed Sacrament to deepen their faith and bring others to heaven by way of affirming, belonging, welcoming, and believing — seeking the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, the mission of Jesus, the word of God, and the spirit of God. The parish explicitly invites newcomers to register and to explore its ministries.

Parish School and Preschool

Blessed Sacrament operates a parish elementary school and preschool at the same campus under a separate domain (bssky.org). The school site lists clergy and parish-staff crossovers including the pastor (Very Rev. Daniel Schomaker), parochial vicar Fr. Suraj Abraham, deacons, the principal, a Youth and Campus Minister, a Director of Evangelization, a Pastoral Associate / Director of Religious Education, a Business Manager, and a full faculty of homeroom teachers and specialists in math, reading, special education, Spanish, and speech/language. Campus improvements include a multipurpose Parish Center beneath the school, fifteen added classrooms, a kindergarten, a computer lab, a library, an elevator from the undercroft into the church, the Blees Center (former convent) repurposed for parish offices, and a renovated undercroft for parish gatherings.

• Blessed Sacrament School (K–8) and Preschool
• Principal and full homeroom + specialist faculty listed on bssky.org
• Youth and Campus Ministry on staff
• Director of Evangelization on staff
• Pastoral Associate / Director of Religious Education (Rosanne Thomas)
• Multipurpose Parish Center added to the school's lower level
• Renovated undercroft used for meetings, gatherings, and receptions

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Faith formation is central to the parish's mission and is staffed by a Pastoral Associate / Director of Religious Education, a Director of Evangelization, and a Youth and Campus Minister. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass via a parish Facebook prayer group page, and sacramental preparation for children is part of the same program.

• Pastoral Associate / Director of Religious Education (adults and children, sacramental preparation, stewardship)
• Director of Evangelization (Jennifer Summe, per the school site)
• Youth and Campus Ministry (Rachel Peach, per the school site)
• Children's Liturgy of the Word at 9:00 AM Sundays
• Sacramental Preparation programs

Accessibility and Visiting

The parish lists accessibility features prominently on its About page, in keeping with its welcome to all. Low-gluten hosts are available on request, and the church building is fully accessible from the parking lot into the worship space.

• Low-gluten hosts available by request
• Handicap parking to the left of the church, in front of the school
• Wheelchair ramp at the left-side entrance
• Designated wheelchair space at the front-left of the church
• Elevator from the undercroft entrance up into the church
• Parish office hours Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM

Contact and Location

Blessed Sacrament Church is located on Dixie Highway in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. The parish office is open weekdays during business hours, and the parish encourages visitors to register as members of the parish family.

• 2409 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017
• Phone: 859-331-4302
• Website: http://www.bscky.org/
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Online: Facebook, Instagram (@BlessedSacramentChurch), YouTube