About Our Lady of Lourdes · Louisville, Kentucky
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic parish in the heart of St. Matthews, in eastern Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 1950 by Archbishop John A. Floersh and carved from the original Holy Trinity Parish, it has grown from 300 founding families into a vibrant community of more than 3,700 parishioners served by over 100 ministries. The parish is known for its strong Stewardship Way of Life, an attached parish school that has earned two National Blue Ribbon awards, and a recent $6 million School Building Project to renew its facilities for the next generation.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lourdes
- Rector
- Rev. David G. Sánchez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lourdes offers a deeply rooted Catholic community in the heart of St. Matthews with more than 100 ministries spanning every stage of life, from cradle to burial. Parishioners embrace a Stewardship Way of Life, sharing their time, talent, and treasure in active outreach (St. MAM food pantry, Hand in Hand Ministries, Open Hand Soup Kitchen), vibrant liturgical worship, and lifelong Christian formation. With a two-time National Blue Ribbon parish school, daily noon Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and a thriving family catechesis program, Lourdes is a place where faith is lived, taught, and celebrated across generations.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lourdes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays — 3:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
- First Fridays — following the noon Mass
- Wednesdays — following the noon Mass until 1:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Wednesdays — following the noon Mass until 1:30 p.m.
Parish History
Our Lady of Lourdes was established in 1950 by Archbishop John A. Floersh, carved out of Holy Trinity Parish (serving St. Matthews Catholics since 1882). The first Mass was celebrated December 8, 1950, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and the church was formally dedicated December 10, 1950. The current church building was dedicated on August 15, 1963, and a major remodel/rededication occurred on April 19, 1997. The parish has been served by six pastors and marked its Diamond Jubilee (75th anniversary) in 2025.
- Founded 1950 with 300 families
- First pastor: Monsignor Anthony G. Gerst (appointed Feb 28, 1951)
- First Mass: Dec 8, 1950 (Immaculate Conception)
- Current church dedicated Aug 15, 1963 (Assumption)
- Remodeled church rededicated April 19, 1997
- Parish Council formed 1973
- Diamond Jubilee celebrated in 2025 (75 years)
Mass & Liturgy
Our Lady of Lourdes offers daily and weekend Mass in English, with weekday school-year Mass on Thursday mornings. Spanish-language support is present through the parish school's Spanish teacher. Holy Day Masses are listed in the bulletin. The Music Ministry is led by Music Minister Wilson Wilder.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:00 Noon
- Thursday (school year): 8:15 a.m.
- Holy Days: see bulletin
- Music Minister: Wilson Wilder
Parish School
Our Lady of Lourdes School has been dedicated to the full educational, spiritual, and physical development of its students since 1950. Located in the heart of St. Matthews, the school is a two-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and serves preschool through 8th grade with 28 full-time teachers and six classroom aides. Special classes include art, music, physical education, technology, Spanish, library, Barton intervention, and enrichment electives. The parish is currently engaged in a $6 million School Building Project to renew its facilities.
- Founded 1950, originally taught by Ursuline Sisters
- Two-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2008 and a later award)
- Preschool through 8th grade
- 28 full-time teachers + 6 classroom aides
- Principal: Morgan Wissing
- Assistant Principal: Deanna Askin
- Learning Coordinator: Stephanie Gerstle
- School Office: (502) 895-5122
- $6 million School Building Project (with $3M remaining loan)
Faith Formation
Lifelong Christian formation is a hallmark of Lourdes. The parish offers Adult Faith Formation, Family Catechesis, and sacramental preparation for children and youth, grounded in the parish's Stewardship Way of Life.
- Adult Faith Formation: Lynette Kessinger
- Family Catechesis: Shelly Cronen
- RCIA / Sacramental Preparation
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Youth Ministry
Outreach & Pastoral Care
Outreach is central to Lourdes' identity. The Outreach Committee meets every third Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center and parishioners are encouraged to participate in many service opportunities, partnering with local ministries and international partners through Hand in Hand Ministries (Louisville, Belize, Nicaragua, Appalachia).
- Pastoral Care & Outreach: Dana Eckert
- Outreach Committee — meets 3rd Monday, 6:00 p.m., Parish Center
- St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) — food pantry, clothes closet, social workers (serving 40207 since 1972)
- Hand in Hand Ministries — Louisville, Belize, Nicaragua, Appalachia immersion trips
- Nativity Academy School Supplies Collection
- Open Hand Soup Kitchen at St. Vincent de Paul (meals served twice yearly)
- Backside Chapel at Churchill Downs
- Thanksgiving Collection
- Financial Assistance Fund for rent and utilities
Parish Staff & Leadership
Our Lady of Lourdes is served by a strong, dedicated team of clergy and lay staff. The pastor is supported by an associate, school administration, faith formation leaders, a business manager, and stewardship, communications, and outreach staff.
- Pastor: Rev. David G. Sánchez
- Associate: Rev. John A. Schwartzlose
- Business Manager: Joshua Blandford
- HR and Bookkeeper: Paige Dennison
- Administrative Assistant: Donna Cerjak ([email protected])
- Stewardship Recorder: Mary Ann Fages
- Communications: Emilia Agrinsoni
- Adult Faith Formation: Lynette Kessinger
- Family Catechesis: Shelly Cronen
- Pastoral Care and Outreach: Dana Eckert
- Music Minister: Wilson Wilder
- School Principal: Morgan Wissing
- Assistant Principal: Deanna Askin
Get Involved
Newcomers are welcomed with quarterly New Parishioner Welcome Receptions in the Adult Space. The parish hosts fellowship events throughout the year, publishes a weekly newsletter, and offers a Parish App (text APP to 55321). The Stewardship Way of Life invites parishioners to share Time, Talent, and Treasure across 100+ ministries.
- Quarterly New Parishioner Welcome Receptions in the Adult Space
- Weekly Parish Newsletter
- Parish App — text APP to 55321
- Online New Member Registration available
- Active Parish Calendar, Facebook, and Instagram
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Anthony G. Gerst1951–1977
Founding pastor; oversaw school construction, convent, 1963 church, and 1971 rectory.
- Fr. Richard Friedrich1977–1982
Second pastor; five-year pastorate with little physical change.
- Fr. Robert 'Father Oz' Osborne1982–1997
Launched annual Lourdes Night (1983); introduced Living Stewardship (1990); oversaw Parish Life Center and 1997 church remodel/rededication.
- Fr. Nick Rice1997–2011
Led successful Debt Reduction campaign (parish debt retired 12/31/2008); school earned 2008 National Blue Ribbon Award.
- Fr. Scott Wimsett2011–2023
Fifth pastor; continued Stewardship Way of Life.
- Fr. David Sánchez2023–present
Sixth pastor; appointed in 2023.