About Saint Christopher · Radcliff, Kentucky
Saint Christopher Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Louisville serving the communities of Radcliff and Fort Knox in north Hardin County, Kentucky. Established in 1958—just two years after the city of Radcliff was incorporated—the parish began with Mass celebrated in the Radcliff Elementary School auditorium for about 100 families. Today the parish numbers roughly 1,100 registered households across a multi-generational, civically diverse membership that includes long-time local families and transient military families stationed at nearby Fort Knox. Its pastoral mission, "Bearing Christ to Our Community," is shared by pastor Fr. Jeffrey G. Hopper, two permanent deacons, and a small lay staff, with weekly Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, CCD faith formation, and outreach through the local St. Vincent de Paul conference.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- Saint Christopher
- Rector
- Rev. Jeffrey G. "Jeff" Hopper
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Saint Christopher is a vibrant Catholic community serving both longtime Radcliff families and the steady flow of military and government families from nearby Fort Knox. Active pastoral priorities include weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, an intergenerational CCD/Religious Education program (pre-K through 12 and adults) that meets between the Sunday Masses, sacramental preparation, and parish outreach through ministries such as the Knights of Columbus Council 12623 and the St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Brigid–St. Christopher, which assists neighbors with rent, utilities, and groceries. The parish's mission—"Bearing Christ to Our Community"—is lived out through welcoming hospitality to newcomers and an emphasis on the proclamation of the Gospel, celebration of the sacraments, and faithful teaching.
Mass times at Saint Christopher
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays: 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM (during Eucharistic Adoration)
- Saturdays: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesdays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration in the parish church)
- Benediction: Wednesdays at 5:45 PM
Welcome & Parish Identity
On the parish website, Father Jeff Hopper extends a personal welcome to anyone new to Saint Christopher or to the Catholic Church. The parish's mission statement — "Bearing Christ to Our Community" — frames its work for both longtime local families and the steady flow of military and government families stationed at nearby Fort Knox. About 1,100 households are registered, making Saint Christopher an active presence in north Hardin County and one of the parishes in the mosaic of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
- Mission: 'Bearing Christ to Our Community'
- Roughly 1,100 registered households
- Welcome from Fr. Jeff Hopper (parish website)
History of Saint Christopher Parish
The parish was founded in 1958, only two years after Radcliff was incorporated, with Father Earl J. Rausch as founding pastor. After early Masses in the Radcliff Elementary School auditorium and meetings in Murphy's Sandwich Shop, the parish built its first church (completed 1960), school (1959), and later a convent (1961) for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph who taught there. A larger church was constructed in 1982 during Father Ivo Cecil's pastorate. The school closed in 2005, and faith formation is now carried out through CCD/Religious Education and adult formation.
- 1958: Parish established; Father Earl J. Rausch named founding pastor
- 1959: Saint Christopher School opens for grades 1–4 with 67 students
- 1960: First church building completed; school expands to grades 5–8
- 1961: Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph convent built and sisters staff the school
- 1982: Current church building completed during Father Ivo Cecil's pastorate
- 2005: Parish school closes; faith formation continues through CCD
- 2016: Designated a Jubilee Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
Staff & Clergy
Saint Christopher is served by pastor Father Jeffrey G. Hopper and two permanent deacons, supported by a small lay staff. The parish's clergy and staff list is published on both the parish site and the Archdiocese of Louisville parish page.
- Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey G. "Jeff" Hopper
- Permanent Deacon: Joseph D. Calvert
- Permanent Deacon: Theodore C. "Ted" Luckett
- Pastoral Associate for Sacraments and Formation: Glory Kramer
- Business Manager: Renee Jenkins
- Secretary: Kathy Jordan
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The Religious Education (CCD) program serves children from pre-K through 12th grade, as well as adults. Classes meet on Sunday mornings between the two Sunday Masses — 9:15 AM to 10:30 AM, September through April — in the Parish Life Center. There are no registration or program fees; the program is funded by parishioner giving. RCIA (Catechumenate) is also supported, and preparation classes are required for Baptism and Marriage.
- CCD Religious Education: Sundays 9:15–10:30 AM, Parish Life Center
- Grades pre-K through 12, plus adult sessions
- RCIA Catechumenate
- Baptism preparation class (call parish office)
- Marriage prep: contact Fr. Hopper at least 6 months before the wedding
- Contact: Glory Kramer, (270) 317-0985, [email protected]
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. The 'Sacraments' page on the parish website offers an extended reflection on each as a 'door to the sacred.' Marriage preparation is arranged directly with the pastor; those discerning a vocation are directed to the Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office.
- Baptism (infant and adult) — preparation class required
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation — Wed, Sat, and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick (quarterly Fridays with Stations of the Cross)
- Marriage — begin prep at least 6 months in advance
- Holy Orders / Vocations — referral to the Archdiocese Vocation Office (Fr. Michael Wimsatt)
Parish Outreach & Community
Saint Christopher's outreach reflects the diversity of its membership. The parish annually celebrates its patron's feast with an 'Ethnic Food Festival' showcasing the cultural backgrounds of parishioners, plus a 'blessing of motor vehicles' because St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. Outreach also includes the local Knights of Columbus council and a St. Vincent de Paul conference that aids neighbors in need.
- Annual Ethnic Food Festival around the Feast of St. Christopher
- Blessing of motor vehicles at weekend Masses
- Knights of Columbus Council 12623 (Saint Christopher, Radcliff)
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Brigid–St. Christopher (rent, utilities, and grocery assistance)
Parish Building, Renovation & Art
The current church was constructed in 1982 during Father Ivo Cecil's pastorate. In the 2010s, during the pastorate of Father Dennis Cousens, parishioners funded a major interior renovation through the 'Building a Future of Hope' campaign and other donations. The renovation lightened and ornamented a previously dark, minimalist modern interior with classical-style Stations of the Cross and two shrines — Divine Mercy (depicting Christ and the Armed Forces, honoring the many military families from Fort Knox) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (especially meaningful to the parish's Filipino families).
- 1982: Current church building completed under Father Ivo Cecil
- 2010s interior renovation led by Father Dennis Cousens
- Ornate Stations of the Cross added in white frames with gold leaf accents
- Divine Mercy shrine honoring military members from all branches
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine (important to Filipino families)
Contact & Office Information
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached by phone, fax, or email. The mailing and physical address is on South Wilson Road in Radcliff.
- Address: 1225 S. Wilson Road, Radcliff, KY 40160
- Phone: (270) 351-3706
- Fax: (270) 351-1225
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Earl J. Rausch1958 (founding)
Founding pastor; celebrated the first Masses at Radcliff Elementary School and led the building campaign for the church, school, and rectory.
- Father Ivo (Edward) CecilPastorate included 1982
Ordained May 8, 1954; WWII Navy veteran; oversaw construction of the new (current) church building in 1982. Died January 30, 2012, age 85.
- Father Dennis CousensBefore Fr. Hopper
Pastored the major interior renovation that ornamented the 1982 church with classical detailing, Stations of the Cross, and the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrines for military and Filipino families.
- Rev. Jeffrey G. "Jeff" HopperCurrent
Current pastor; welcome message on the parish website.