About Emmanuel · Albany, Kentucky
Emmanuel Parish is a small Roman Catholic parish serving Albany, Kentucky, and the surrounding Clinton and Pickett Counties in the southern part of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Tucked between Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake, the parish was established as a mission of faith in 1952, grew into a mission in 1962, and became a parish in 1975. With roughly 80 parishioners, Emmanuel is known locally for its outreach to the sick, the elderly, the poor, and a growing Hispanic community — a small church with a big heart, as the parish itself puts it.
- Established
- 1975
- Rector
- Rev. Augustine Joseph, C.M.I.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Emmanuel Parish is a small, welcoming Catholic community where nearly every member is a volunteer. The parish is known for hands-on outreach to the sick, the elderly, and the poor of Clinton and Pickett Counties, and for a vibrant Hispanic ministry that serves the area's growing immigrant population. Tucked between Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow, it offers a steady rhythm of daily, weekend, and Holy Day Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and the sacrament of Reconciliation — a place where a visitor or seasonal resident can quickly feel like part of the family.
Mass times at Emmanuel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half an hour before weekend Masses (Saturday vigil and Sunday morning)
- Mondays, 8:30–9:00 a.m.
- By appointment on other days
- Holy Days — see bulletin
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered (specific weekly schedule listed on the parish website)
About Emmanuel Parish
Emmanuel Parish is the Catholic community of Albany, Kentucky, and the surrounding Clinton and Pickett Counties. The parish describes itself as 'a small church with a big heart,' nestled between Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake. With roughly 80 parishioners, Emmanuel is recognized locally for its charitable outreach — ministering to the sick, elderly, and poor, as well as to a growing Hispanic population in the area. The parish welcomes both longtime local residents and visitors to the lake region.
- Part of the Archdiocese of Louisville
- Located at 2546 N. Highway 127, Albany, KY 42602
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 160, Albany, KY 42602-0160
- Approximately 80 parishioners / 36 registered families
- Time zone: Central
History
Catholic life in the Albany area began in 1952 when Mass was first celebrated in local venues including the mayor's office, an old pool room, Wisdom Garage, and Houchen's Recreational Center — from April through November each year. As the Catholic population grew, the community became a mission in 1962 and purchased and remodeled a home as a chapel. By 1968, Mass was being celebrated year-round, with visiting priests from St. Mildred in Somerset serving the mission. Father Joseph Dawson arrived as the first resident priest in 1975, the same year the mission was formally established as Emmanuel Parish. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth supported religious education through the 1970s.
- 1952 — First summer Masses celebrated in civic and commercial venues around Albany
- 1962 — Mission purchases and remodels a house as a chapel
- 1968 — Year-round Mass celebrated, supplied from St. Mildred, Somerset
- 1975 — Father Joseph Dawson becomes first resident priest; mission established as Emmanuel Parish
- 1976 — First Sister of Charity of Nazareth takes up residence in the area
- 1981 — Construction of permanent church begins under Father Dawson
- 1982 — Cornerstone laid; church completed and dedicated under Father Gerald Bell
- 1976 — Emmanuel sponsors what becomes Holy Cross Parish in Burkesville (Cumberland County)
Parish Staff and Team
Emmanuel's pastoral team is small in number and largely volunteer-led. The parish website notes that staff marked with an asterisk are volunteers and cannot be routinely reached at the parish office.
- Rev. Augustine Joseph, C.M.I. — Pastor
- Rev. Benito Enrique Martinez — Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry
- Melinda Hybner — Youth Minister (volunteer)
- Janet Honican — Music Minister (volunteer)
- Georgia Kautz — Music Minister (volunteer)
- Angela Lozano — Bookkeeper and Secretary (volunteer)
- Sean Sands — Parish Secretary
- Parish office: (606) 688-1921 — [email protected]
Ministries and Outreach
Although small, Emmanuel is described as a parish known for charitable outreach. Parishioners minister to the sick, elderly, and poor across Clinton and Pickett Counties. The parish also maintains a dedicated Hispanic Ministry to serve the area's growing immigrant population.
- Outreach to the sick
- Outreach to the elderly
- Outreach to the poor
- Hispanic Ministry / Ministerio Hispano
- Youth Ministry
- Music Ministry
- Hispanic Youth & Young Adult Ministries (Archdiocese resources)
Location and Visiting
Emmanuel sits on the north side of Albany along Highway 127, in the rolling countryside between Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake. The parish's physical address and mailing address differ — visitors should use the Highway 127 location for in-person visits and the P.O. Box for correspondence.
- Physical address: 2546 N. Highway 127, Albany, KY 42602
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 160, Albany, KY 42602-0160
- Phone: (606) 688-1921
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: emmanuelarchlou.org
- Time zone: Central
Related Parish: Holy Cross, Burkesville
In 1976, Emmanuel Parish sponsored what became Holy Cross Catholic Church in Burkesville, Cumberland County. Father Joseph Dawson purchased a house with a renovated basement on Veteran's Alley in Burkesville as a worship space; Holy Cross was later completed and dedicated in 1985 under Father Gerald Bell. It remains a mission of Emmanuel's pastoral outreach into neighboring Cumberland County.
- Founded as a mission of Emmanuel Parish in 1976
- Dedicated as Holy Cross Catholic Church in 1985
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Dawson1975 – c. 1981
First resident priest of the parish; led the drive to construct a permanent church. Construction began under his leadership in 1981.
- Rev. Gerald Bellc. 1981 – c. 1982+
Oversaw completion and 1982 dedication of the new church building.