About Our Lady of Fatima · Campbellsville, Kentucky
Our Lady of Fatima is a small rural Catholic mission church in Phillipsburg (Marion County), Kentucky, though its mailing address is in nearby Campbellsville. The parish, affectionately known for its distinctive blue walls, was established in 1948 and serves a tight-knit community with an early Sunday morning Mass that draws worshippers from across the surrounding countryside. It is part of the Archdiocese of Louisville and is clustered with Our Lady of the Hills (Finley) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Campbellsville), sharing clergy and resources through the On Fire Catholic pastoral collaboration.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- Our Lady of Fatima
- Rector
- Rev. Sheejan P. George, C.M.I. (Administrator; served by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Our Lady of Fatima offers the kind of intimate, country-Catholic worship that has nearly disappeared: a single early Sunday Mass in a little blue Spanish-mission church tucked at the foot of Muldraugh Hill, with a congregation that worships shoulder-to-shoulder and a first-Saturday Rosary praying specifically for the unborn and suffering. Because it is clustered with Our Lady of the Hills (Finley) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Campbellsville) under the On Fire Catholic collaboration, parishioners also have access to a fuller cluster of ministries — RCIA, religious education, Knights of Columbus, lectors, extraordinary ministers, and more — while still belonging to a true small-town mission. Visitors and newcomers are welcomed to come as they are and join a community whose members often travel from neighboring counties for that beloved 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass.
Mass times at Our Lady of Fatima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:30–7:45 a.m.
- First Saturday: 8:30–9:30 a.m. (with Adoration)
Adoration times
- First Saturday: 8:30–9:30 a.m.
About Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima is a rural Catholic mission in Phillipsburg (Marion County), Kentucky, cared for through the On Fire Catholic cluster of parishes. The little blue Spanish-mission church was built in 1948–1949 by neighbors on land donated by the Drury family, and it has remained a beloved place of worship for area Catholics ever since. With only a handful of registered households, it is one of the smallest parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville, but its early Sunday Mass attracts visitors from across Taylor and Marion Counties.
History of the Parish
The mission was born in 1948 when Father Louis P. Bossung visited Phillipsburg and asked whether the area would support a Catholic church. On March 7, 1948 he celebrated the first Mass in a former schoolhouse across the road from the present site, and the community immediately began to build. The land was given by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Drury, Vonley Newton furnished the lumber, and neighbors pitched in. The new Spanish-mission church was completed in early 1949 and dedicated by Archbishop John A. Floersh on October 26, 1949. From its founding until 1990 Our Lady of Fatima was a mission of Our Lady of the Hills in Finley. In 1990 it was clustered with Holy Name of Mary in Calvary under Father Joseph Dawson; Father David Naylor took over in 2001. When Father Naylor was reassigned in 2004, the mission moved again and has since been clustered with Our Lady of the Hills and with Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Campbellsville — a three-parish arrangement that continues today under the On Fire Catholic name.
- March 7, 1948: first Mass celebrated in the old schoolhouse by Father Louis P. Bossung.
- 1948–1949: Spanish-mission church built; lumber from Vonley Newton, land from the Drury family.
- October 26, 1949: church dedicated by Archbishop John A. Floersh.
- 1949–1990: cared for as a mission of Our Lady of the Hills, Finley.
- 1990: clustered with Holy Name of Mary, Calvary (Fr. Joseph Dawson).
- 2001: Fr. David Naylor assigned.
- 2004: clustered with Our Lady of the Hills and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Campbellsville.
Parish Leadership & Clergy
The mission is currently administered by Rev. Sheejan P. George, C.M.I., a member of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, with Rev. Saju M. Vadakumpadan, C.M.I. serving as Presbyteral Moderator. Permanent Deacon James D. "Jimmy" Richerson assists with pastoral ministry. Because Our Lady of Fatima is clustered with Our Lady of the Hills and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the priests serve all three parishes together under the On Fire Catholic banner.
- Administrator: Rev. Sheejan P. George, C.M.I.
- Presbyteral Moderator: Rev. Saju M. Vadakumpadan, C.M.I.
- Permanent Deacon: James D. "Jimmy" Richerson
Devotions
In keeping with its Marian patronage, the parish gathers on the first Saturday of every month to pray the Rosary in commemoration of Our Lady of Fatima's apparition to the three shepherd children of Fátima, Portugal. The Mass that follows is offered for the unborn and for all suffering servants — a devotion particular to this little mission.
- First Saturday Rosary at 8:00 a.m.
- First Saturday Mass intention: for the unborn and for all suffering servants
- First Saturday Adoration: 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Parish Ministries
Although Our Lady of Fatima itself is small, parishioners share in the wider ministry life of the On Fire Catholic cluster, with opportunities for liturgical service, formation, outreach, and fellowship. Anyone interested in serving is encouraged to call the parish office at (270) 465-4282.
- Religious Education
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Lector
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Usher
- Gift Bearers
- Sacristan
- First Saturday Rosary
- Arts & Environment
- Grounds and Facilities Caretakers
- Knights of Columbus (cluster-wide)
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is offered across the cluster for adults who want to learn about the Catholic faith, for non-baptized adults seeking full initiation, and for baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. The process follows the ancient formation practice restored by the Second Vatican Council, walking inquirers through the Period of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy.
- Open to unbaptized adults and baptized Christians
- Catechumens receive Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil
- Team of sponsors supports each inquirer
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Families preparing for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, or Marriage should contact the parish office; the sick and homebound may request Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum through the rectory.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Reconciliation (Confession — see schedule above)
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders and Religious Life — vocations support
Visit, Contact & Directions
Our Lady of Fatima warmly welcomes visitors and newcomers. The parish mailing address is the On Fire Catholic cluster office at 213 University Drive, Campbellsville, KY 42718-2192. The church itself sits at the foot of Muldraugh Hill in Phillipsburg along KY 208 / Calvary Road. Anyone relocating to the area or simply passing through is invited to come and worship with the community.
- Parish office phone: (270) 465-4282
- Rectory: (270) 465-5280
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.onfirecatholic.com/
- From Campbellsville: Hwy 55/68 SE 7.3 mi → right at caution light 0.1 mi → left onto KY 208/Calvary Rd 3.6 mi
- Between Lebanon and Campbellsville on Calvary Road
On Fire Catholic Cluster
Our Lady of Fatima worships and ministers alongside two sister parishes under the On Fire Catholic banner: Our Lady of the Hills in Finley and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Campbellsville. The three parishes share a pastor, office, bulletin, and many ministries, and the cluster website serves as the public face of all three communities.
- Our Lady of the Hills — Finley, KY
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help — Campbellsville, KY
- Cluster office: 213 University Drive, Campbellsville, KY 42718
- Cluster website: http://www.onfirecatholic.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Louis P. Bossung1948
Celebrated the first Mass at Phillipsburg on March 7, 1948, in the old schoolhouse; shepherded the building of the new Spanish-mission-style church, dedicated October 26, 1949.
- Pastors of Our Lady of the Hills, Finley1949–1990
Our Lady of Fatima was a mission of Our Lady of the Hills and was cared for by its pastors.
- Rev. Joseph Dawson1990–2001
First pastor of the new clustering with Holy Name of Mary in Calvary.
- Rev. David Naylor2001–2004
Assigned in 2001; reassigned in 2004, at which point the mission was clustered again with Our Lady of the Hills and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
- Rev. Jeffrey Leger2004–?
First pastor of the Our Lady of the Hills / Our Lady of Perpetual Help / Our Lady of Fatima three-parish cluster.
- Rev. Thomas Clark
Served the On Fire Catholic cluster after Fr. Leger.
- Rev. James Bromwich
Served the On Fire Catholic cluster after Fr. Clark.
- Rev. Reinhard2011–?
Assigned in 2011 to the cluster.
- Rev. Sheejan P. George, C.M.I.present
Current Administrator (Archdiocese of Louisville listing); served by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, with Rev. Saju M. Vadakumpadan, C.M.I. as Presbyteral Moderator.