About Parish of the Immaculate · Owensboro, Kentucky
Immaculate Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Owensboro, Kentucky, belonging to the Diocese of Owensboro. Established in 1954 during the Marian Year by Bishop Francis R. Cotton, the parish grew from about 200 founding families to serve more than 700 families today. The parish identifies closely with the patroness title of Mary Immaculate, opening its doors on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (August 22, 1954), and continues a strong tradition of Catholic education, sacramental life, and outreach in the Owensboro community.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception / Mary Immaculate
- Rector
- Fr. Larry McBride
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro
Why belong here
Immaculate Parish is a faithful Catholic community in Owensboro where parishioners can practice, learn, and share their faith through vibrant liturgies, lifelong faith formation, and hands-on outreach. With daily and weekend Masses, a robust Faith Formation program for K–8 and high school youth, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), adult Scripture groups, and ministries like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, and the St. Benedict homeless shelter meal program, members find many ways to grow spiritually and serve their neighbors. The parish also offers the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation, and is deeply rooted in Marian devotion under the patronage of Mary Immaculate.
Mass times at Parish of the Immaculate
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm (before 5:30 pm Mass)
- Saturday: after 7:00 am Mass until 9:00 am
- By appointment: (270) 683-0689
About Immaculate Parish
Immaculate Parish is a Catholic parish in Owensboro, Kentucky, in the Diocese of Owensboro. Founded in 1954, the parish community gathers for vibrant Eucharistic liturgy and sacraments, faith formation for all ages, and active outreach. The parish mission is to grow in knowledge of the Catholic faith, worship God together in the Eucharist, and dedicate time, talent, and treasure to proclaim the Good News through the power of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary Immaculate.
- Diocese of Owensboro parish
- Founded 1954 in the Marian Year
- Approximately 200 founding families; over 700 families today
- Marian identity under the patronage of Mary Immaculate
Parish History
Bishop Francis R. Cotton established Immaculate Parish in 1954 and appointed Fr. Charles Carrico as its first pastor. The first Mass was celebrated on August 22, 1954, on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Under successive pastors, the parish grew, built a new church and school facilities, formed its first parish council, dedicated a Parish Family Center, and in September 2024 celebrated the dedication of its newly renovated church by Bishop William F. Medley.
- 1954: Parish and four-room school open with Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph
- 1957: Fr. Leo J. Dienes becomes second pastor after death of Fr. Carrico
- 1976: Msgr. Bernard Powers becomes third pastor
- 1980: School fully staffed by lay teachers; first lay principal appointed
- 1985: First parish council formed
- 1989: School merges into Owensboro Catholic School system
- 1996: Fr. Timothy Sweeney (former Archabbot of St. Meinrad) becomes pastor
- 1998: Parish Family Center and office complex dedicated
- 2006–2018: Fr. Tony Jones serves as pastor
- 2024: Bishop Medley dedicates renovated church
Anointing of the Sick
A communal Sacrament of Anointing Mass is celebrated on the last Wednesday of January, April, July, and October at 11:00 am, followed by a fellowship meal.
- Quarterly Anointing Masses: last Wednesday of January, April, July, October
- 11:00 am, followed by fellowship meal
Faith Formation
Immaculate's faith formation program serves children and adults with K–8 religious education, High School Youth Ministry, sacrament preparation, adult Scripture discussions, and small groups. Classes meet weekly at Owensboro Catholic Middle School. The Director of Faith Formation is Steve Garvin.
- Religious Faith Formation (K–8)
- High School Youth Ministry: faith nights, service projects, retreats
- Adult Scripture discussions and small groups
- Sacrament Formation for Baptism, 1st Reconciliation, 1st Communion, Confirmation
- Director of Faith Formation: Steve Garvin ([email protected])
Sacramental Preparation
Children typically celebrate First Reconciliation and First Communion in 2nd grade. Confirmation is celebrated in 8th grade for youth who have consistently attended formation, with required retreats for parents, sponsors, and youth, plus an interview and rehearsal. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment, with a one-time formation for families before the Baptism of their first child.
- First Reconciliation & First Communion: 2nd grade with required retreats
- Confirmation: 8th grade with required retreats, rites, interview, rehearsal
- Baptism: by appointment with one-time pre-Baptism family formation
Social Concerns & Outreach
The Social Concerns committee carries out the parish's mission to the wider community, translating the social mission of the Church into effective action for the common good. Outreach ministries include the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, the St. Benedict homeless shelter meal program, and the St. Joseph Peace Mission for children. The committee's scriptural inspiration is Hebrews 10:24: 'We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.'
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — food, rent, utilities, clothing assistance
- Habitat for Humanity — building affordable homes
- St. Benedict Ministry — monthly meal at homeless shelter
- St. Joseph Peace Mission — care for children
Parish Council & Leadership
The Parish Council includes representatives from Social Concerns, Family Life, Faith Formation, Building & Grounds, OCS Education, Men's Club, and Renovation committees, alongside Administrative/Finance officers. The council serves as pastoral leadership attentive to current realities and grounded in the broader diocesan and universal Church.
- Chairperson: Ginny Coomes
- Vice-Chair: Bert Barker
- Secretary: Agnes Mayberry
- Administrative/Finance: Lisa Fulkerson
- Social Concerns: Susan Ziegler, Rick Latanzio
- Building & Grounds: David Baker
- OCS Education Council: Carey Turner
- Faith Formation: Jim Ivey
- Family Life: Beth Hancock
- Men's Club: John Jones, Josh Melton
- Renovation: Bill Weikel
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, director of faith formation, director of music & liturgy, director of youth & young adult ministry, OCIA coordinator, communications coordinator, business manager, parish sacristan, and maintenance manager, in addition to Ursuline Sister Sr. Julia Head who directs the Order of Christian Initiation.
- Pastor: Fr. Larry McBride
- Director of Faith Formation: Steve Garvin
- Director of Music & Liturgy: John Schueler
- Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- Coordinator of OCIA
- Communications Coordinator
- Business Manager: Lucy Rhoades
- Parish Sacristan
- Maintenance Manager
- Director of OCIA: Sr. Julia Head, OSU
Parish Family Center & Facilities
The Parish Family Center (PFC), dedicated in 1998, hosts parish life and is available for hall and kitchen rental. The Mary garden beside the PFC is the site of the parish's 'Paving the Way' project, in which parishioners may purchase a brick for the pathway. The church itself received a major renovation dedicated in September 2024.
- Parish Family Center dedicated 1998
- PFC / hall rental: (270) 683-0689
- PFC / kitchen: (270) 683-0358
- 'Paving the Way' brick pathway project in the Mary garden
Contact & Visit
Immaculate Parish is located at 2516 Christie Place, Owensboro, KY 42301. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm and Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. After-hours sacramental emergencies can reach the rectory at (270) 926-6201.
- Address: 2516 Christie Place, Owensboro, KY 42301-4959
- Office: (270) 683-0689
- After-hours rectory: (270) 926-6201
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Fri 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Website: http://immaculateparish.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Carrico1954–1957
First pastor; previously at St. Jerome's, Fancy Farm. Died of cancer complications in 1957; Fr. Clarence Pettit served as interim during his final illness.
- Fr. Leo J. Dienes1957–1976
Second pastor. Parish grew to 600 families; new church building, school wing, and rectory built; former church became gym.
- Rev. Msgr. Bernard Powers1976–1984
Third pastor; Fr. Maury Riney served as assistant pastor.
- Fr. William Allard1984–1987
First parish council formed in 1985. Fr. Richard Meredith and Fr. Vincent Boyle served as associates.
- Fr. Frank Roof1987–1989
Fr. Pete Lauzon and then Fr. Richard Cash served as associate pastors.
- Fr. Richard Powers1990–c.1996
Navy chaplain before becoming pastor. Fr. Stephen Montgomery and Fr. Thomas Joyce served as associates.
- Fr. Timothy Sweeney1996–2006
Former Archabbot of St. Meinrad. Parish Family Center and office complex dedicated in 1998.
- Fr. Tony JonesJanuary 2006 – June 2018
Grew up in the parish; ordained 1989.
- Fr. John VaughanJune 2018 – June 2025
Moved to senior clergy status in June 2025.
- Fr. Larry McBrideJune 2025 – present
Current pastor.