About Sacred Heart · Corbin, Kentucky
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Corbin, Kentucky, part of the Diocese of Lexington. The parish traces its origins to 1888, when Mass was first celebrated in Corbin for a small community of railroad men and their families. The church was blessed on December 10, 1899 by Bishop Camillus Maes, and Sacred Heart was formally established as a parish in 1902. Today it serves over 200 families with weekend and daily Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, an active Respect Life ministry, RCIA, CCD faith formation, Knights of Columbus, and a long tradition of community outreach including its Baby Bank and St. Gerard Center.
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Prasad Antony
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lexington
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a warm, multigenerational Catholic community in the heart of southeastern Kentucky where parishioners of over 200 families worship together, learn together, and serve together. The parish combines the traditional devotional life of the Church — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on first and third Fridays, and Reconciliation before every weekend Mass — with active outreach such as the long-running Baby Bank/St. Gerard Center, Knights of Columbus service, RCIA for those seeking to enter the Church, CCD faith formation for children, and youth, men's, and women's fellowship groups. It is a parish with deep roots (since 1888/1902) that still puts its Catholic faith into practical action for local families.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
- Sundays 9:30 am - 9:45 am
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- 1st and 3rd Friday of each month: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
History of Sacred Heart Parish
The story of Sacred Heart begins with the Catholic railroad men of Corbin in the late 1800s. Originally a mission attended from St. Boniface in Jellico (founded 1886), Corbin received its first Mass in 1888 from Father Narissus N. Gosselin. By 1892 Father Jerome Feys was offering Mass in private homes every two months to about twenty souls. In 1899 Bishop Camillus Maes brought in Benedictine priests from Cullman, Alabama, and the first church building was blessed on December 10, 1899. Sacred Heart was formally established as a parish in 1902 with Fr. Ambrose Reger, O.S.B. as its first pastor. The parish has been served by a succession of Benedictine and then diocesan priests ever since.
Schools and St. Camillus Academy
Father Ambrose Reger founded the parish school in his first year, initially holding classes in the church itself. Within a year a school building was erected for 40 children. In 1908 Father Ambrose invited the Sisters of Divine Providence to staff Sacred Heart School, and under their care the school grew steadily. By 1913 land was purchased for a modern academy, and St. Camillus Academy opened in 1915 to serve parish children.
- First teachers: Miss Annie Rauckan, Miss Virginia Reiss, Miss Sara O'Mahoney
- Sisters of Divine Providence arrived 1908
- St. Camillus Academy opened 1915
Buildings and Campus Milestones
Key building projects mark the parish's growth. The 'Pink Hall' recreation building was added in 1945; a new rectory replaced the priest's residence in the old school in 1949; and the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1950. By the late 1960s the original church could no longer hold the parish, and Father C.J. Heitzman led the move to the current Master Street location: the new church was dedicated April 23, 1972, with a new rectory finished in 1973. A Rodgers Exeter 770 electronic/pipe organ was blessed October 6, 1988.
- Pink Hall: 1945
- New rectory: 1949
- Golden Jubilee: 1950
- New church dedicated: April 23, 1972
- New rectory finished: 1973
- Rodgers Exeter 770 organ blessed: October 6, 1988
Return to Diocesan Clergy
In 1957 the Benedictine Fathers transferred the parish back to diocesan priests, and Father John Modica became Pastor of Sacred Heart together with the Missions of Williamsburg and Jellico. Sacred Heart remains a diocesan parish of the Diocese of Lexington to this day.
Parish Ministries and Groups
Sacred Heart offers a wide range of ministries for all ages. The parish encourages newcomers to get involved through its many activities, and notes that 'there are many different reasons for wanting to become more active in your Church Parish: to help others, to overcome a loss, to learn something new or to meet new people.'
- RCIA
- Choir
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Parish Fish Fry
- Outreach Program
- Respect Life
- Knights of Columbus
- Halloween Festival
- Linen Cleaning
- CCD
- Ladies Club
- Men's Group
- Youth Group
Faith Formation: RCIA and CCD
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation for those exploring the Catholic faith. There is no set timetable — participants are encouraged to go at their own pace; on average the process takes eight to twelve months but can take up to two years or more. Inquiries are directed to Deacon Kevin Meece (215-0106, [email protected]). CCD provides religious education for the parish's children.
- Average RCIA process: 8-12 months (up to 2+ years)
- Contact for RCIA: Deacon Kevin Meece, 215-0106, [email protected]
Respect Life and the St. Gerard Center
The parish's Respect Life Committee began the 'Baby Bank' in 1986, collecting clothing, food, and furniture to assist families in choosing life for their babies. The St. Gerard Center was built and dedicated by Bishop J. Kendrick Williams on October 22, 1989 to house the Baby Bank and other pro-life opportunities. The Respect Life committee continues this pro-life outreach as one of the parish's signature works.
- Baby Bank founded 1986
- St. Gerard Center dedicated October 22, 1989 by Bishop J. Kendrick Williams
Parish Committees and Pastoral Council
Sacred Heart is served by an active Parish Pastoral Council and standing committees. Building & Grounds is chaired by Bill Storms with Father Prasad Antony; Knights of Columbus is led by Deacon Kurt; Liturgy by Deacon Kurt Sosa; Outreach by Terry Newquist with Angela Sosa, Allison Jones, and Vanessa Pile; and Youth Group by Katie Wise and Candace Wilson (volunteers must complete Safe Environment training and a background check).
- Parish Pastoral Council: Father Antony, Candace Wilson, Adam Sandafer, Amanda Creech, Judy Jones, Rob Westphal, Katie Wise, Trey Cima (Secretary), Deacon Kevin, Deacon Kurt
- Building & Grounds: Fr. Prasad Antony, Bill Storms (Chairman)
- Knights of Columbus: Deacon Kurt
- Liturgy: Deacon Kurt Sosa
- Outreach: Terry Newquist, Angela Sosa, Allison Jones, Vanessa Pile
- Youth Group: Katie Wise, Candace Wilson
Parish Staff and Clergy
Sacred Heart is served by a diocesan pastor, two deacons, and a parish secretary.
- Pastor: Rev. Prasad Antony
- Deacon: Kevin Meece ([email protected])
- Deacon: Kurt Sosa ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary: Claressa Smith ([email protected])
Visit, Register, and Get Involved
The parish welcomes newcomers: 'If you are new to the area, please call or stop by the Parish Office to register.' Sacred Heart invites everyone to learn about the parish through its Mass times, staff directory with email, upcoming events, parish activities, and ways to stay involved. Visitors are encouraged to bookmark the site for easy future reference and to stay informed about the Diocese of Lexington. Those interested in volunteering — or with new ideas for the parish — are asked to contact Fr. Prasad Antony or Deacon Kevin Meece.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Narissus N. Gosselin1888
Offered first Mass in Corbin; first Pastor of St. Boniface, Jellico
- Father Jerome Feys1892
Offered Mass at Corbin on a regular basis (every two months in homes)
- Father Cassanderlate 1890s
Increased Jellico pastor's visits to Corbin to monthly
- Father Schuelckers, O.S.B.1899
Attended Corbin as a Mission of Middlesboro from Cullman, Alabama Benedictines
- Fr. Giles, O.S.B.1899
Began building the first Sacred Heart church
- Fr. Ambrose Reger, O.S.B.1902
First Pastor when Sacred Heart was established as a parish; founded Catholic school, invited Sisters of Divine Providence
- Father John Modica1957
First diocesan pastor after Benedictines returned parish to diocese; served with Missions of Williamsburg and Jellico
- Father C.J. Heitzmanlate 1960s-1972
Led building program; new church dedicated April 23, 1972 on Master Street