About Saint John the Evangelist · Carrollton, Kentucky
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church is a Roman Latin-rite parish in historic Carrollton, Kentucky, and is the western-most parish in the Diocese of Covington. The parish traces its origin to July 31, 1853, when Bishop Spalding of Louisville laid the cornerstone for a church that would serve the small Catholic community along the Ohio River. The current gothic church building, dedicated on June 25, 1916 by Bishop Ferdinand Brossart, was designed by architect Leon Coquared — the same architect who designed the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington — and is fondly nicknamed "the cathedral in the cornstalks." The parish of about 272 families also shepherds the Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission at Perry Park and celebrates a weekly Spanish Mass for its growing Hispanic community.
- Established
- 1853 (cornerstone); 1854 (parish established); 1855 (first church dedicated); 1916 (current church dedicated)
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas F. Picchioni
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist offers the rare gift of a true small-town Catholic community anchored by a striking gothic church designed by the same architect as the Covington Cathedral. Active parishioners can join a CCD faith-formation program for grade-school children, Confirmation preparation for 10th-graders, RCIA for adults, a parish youth ministry, a bilingual music ministry (English and Spanish choirs), and Hispanic Ministry outreach that includes a weekly Spanish Mass. The parish is one of only three Diocese of Covington churches designated by Bishop John Iffert as a Jubilee sacred site for 2025, where pilgrims may receive the Jubilee indulgence — a meaningful draw for visitors in addition to regular parishioners.
Mass times at Saint John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:50 pm – 4:20 pm
- Sunday: 9:10 am – 9:20 am
- 1st Monday: 7:15 am – 7:45 am
- 1st Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:30 am
- First Friday: 11:15 am – 11:45 am (during adoration)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (with closing Benediction)
- First Friday: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Parish Overview
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman-Latin rite Catholic parish of the Diocese of Covington, serving the greater Carroll County area of Kentucky from its location at 507 Fifth Street in historic Carrollton. It also ministers to the Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission at Perry Park in Owen County. With a Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses (English and Spanish), and a full weekly weekday schedule, the parish combines traditional liturgical life with active formation, youth, music, and outreach programs.
- Type: Catholic parish (Roman-Latin rite)
- Diocese: Covington (the parish predates the diocese's formation)
- Address: 507 Fifth Street, Carrollton, KY 41008
- Phone: (502) 732-5776 | Fax: (502) 732-9062
- Mission: Transfiguration of Our Lord, 260 Inverness Rd., Perry Park, KY 40363
History of St. John the Evangelist
Founded in 1853 by a community of 33 English- and German-speaking families and named in honor of Charles Carroll of Carrollton (whose cousin John Carroll became America's first bishop), St. John's cornerstone was laid by Bishop Spalding of Louisville on July 31, 1853. The first church — a colonial-and-modified-gothic structure costing $2,235.01 — was dedicated in July 1855. The current gothic church, designed by Leon Coquared (architect of the Covington Cathedral), took 14 years to build and was dedicated on June 25, 1916 by Bishop Ferdinand Brossart. On October 5, 2012 the parish opened a year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of the present church, by which time it had grown to 272 families.
- Cornerstone laid: July 31, 1853 by Bishop Spalding
- First church dedicated: July 1855; cost $2,235.01
- First resident pastor: Fr. Charles Schafroth (October 1855)
- Golden Jubilee cornerstone of current church: October 5, 1902 by Bishop Maes
- Current church dedicated: June 25, 1916 by Bishop Ferdinand Brossart
- Parish center built: 1959 (replaced the 1865 school/convent)
- 150th anniversary Mass: October 5, 2012, with Bishop Roger Foys
Architecture & Notable Features
The 1916 church is a highly gothic structure designed by Leon Coquared — the same architect who designed the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington — and is fondly called "the cathedral in the cornstalks." Among its treasures: the $500 sanctuary crucifix group with Saints John and Mary, donated by Fr. Ahmann; a 19th-century Stolzenberg crèche imported in 1894; and a magnificent pipe organ from the Pischer Organ Company of Louisville, half-funded by the Carnegie Foundation.
- Style: Gothic
- Architect: Leon Coquared (also designed Covington Cathedral)
- Dedicated: June 25, 1916 by Bishop Ferdinand Brossart
- Sanctuary crucifix group: ca. 1894 (Fr. Ahmann)
- Stolzenberg crèche: imported 1894, $400
- Pipe organ: Pischer Organ Company of Louisville
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. John's Education/Faith Formation Commission coordinates the parish's catechetical mission, working with the diocese and parish staff to develop programs for all ages. Children typically begin faith formation in first grade and prepare for First Eucharist and Confirmation over the following years. The Faith Formation Commission "assists, promotes and supports parishioners in understanding that the entire parish community has responsibilities for participating in the evangelization and teaching mission of Jesus entrusted to the Church."
- CCD classes for grade-school children (Parish Center classrooms)
- First Eucharist preparation (typically after first-grade faith formation)
- Confirmation preparation begins in grade 10 (parent/child classes + retreat)
- Christian Sexuality class (completed before Confirmation prep)
- Director of Religious Education: Misty Buchanan
- All CCD classrooms are in the Parish Center (lower and upper levels)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments with structured preparation programs for children and adults. First Eucharist and Confirmation each have dedicated preparation tracks with required classes and forms (downloadable from the parish website under the Sacraments tab). Adults seeking Baptism, First Communion, or full reception into the Catholic Church are invited to join RCIA.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage — set an appointment with the priest
- Anointing of the Sick and visitation to the sick
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Ministries & Parish Life
Parish life is supported by an active Music Ministry (with both English and Spanish choirs singing together at major feasts like the 2012 anniversary Mass), a Youth Ministry led by Tim and Ruth Ann Hendrick, and a vibrant Hispanic Ministry coordinated by Maricela Carbajal. Liturgical, financial, and formation decisions are guided by the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Liturgy Committee, and the Faith Formation Commission.
- Music Ministry / Choirs: Jeanne Shepherd
- Hispanic Ministry: Maricela Carbajal
- Youth Ministry: Tim & Ruth Ann Hendrick
- RCIA: Jeanne Shepherd & Rosada Harr
- Faith Formation Commission
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Liturgy Committee
Parish Staff & Directory
St. John's is led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Thomas F. Picchioni and supported by Deacon Michael Keller, a Business Manager, Director of Religious Education, Hispanic Ministry coordinator, and a dedicated team of parish volunteers serving in music, RCIA, and youth ministry. The Parish Center (503 Fifth Street) houses offices, CCD classrooms, and a handicap-accessible Parish Hall with a full kitchen for receptions and gatherings.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. Thomas F. Picchioni
- Deacon: Michael Keller
- Business Manager: Don Wright
- Director of Religious Education: Misty Buchanan
- Hispanic Ministry: Maricela Carbajal
- Music: Jeanne Shepherd
- RCIA: Jeanne Shepherd & Rosada Harr
- Youth Ministry: Tim & Ruth Ann Hendrick
Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission (Perry Park)
Since 1992 the parish has also shepherded Transfiguration of Our Lord Church at Perry Park Resort in Owen County, originally built in 1974–1975. The mission church was nearly destroyed in the catastrophic March 1997 Kentucky River flood, which filled it nearly to the top of the pews; it was repaired, decorative stonework was added to the sanctuary, and Bishop Robert Muench celebrated a special dedication Mass on October 26, 1997.
- Address: 260 Inverness Rd., Perry Park, KY 40363
- Phone: (502) 732-5776 (shared with St. John's)
- Built: 1974–1975; first Mass on Transfiguration Sunday, August 1975
- Placed under St. John's pastor: July 1, 1992
- 1997 flood renovation dedicated by Bishop Robert Muench, Oct. 26, 1997
Diocese of Covington & Jubilee Status
St. John the Evangelist is part of the Diocese of Covington, which was formed in 1853 while the parish's original church was being built. It is the western-most parish in the diocese. For the Holy Year 2025, Bishop John Iffert named three churches — including St. John's — as sacred sites where pilgrims may obtain the Jubilee indulgence. St. John's had also been designated for the 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
- Diocese: Covington (formed 1853)
- Western-most parish in the diocese
- Jubilee sacred site (2025, with Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption & St. Patrick, Maysville)
- Also designated for the 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Leander Streber, OFM1853–1855
First pastor; celebrated the cornerstone Mass and built up the original Catholic community.
- Rev. Charles Schafroth1855
Blessed the church bell 'Mary' and the parish cemetery; became first resident pastor in October 1855; built the first brick schoolhouse.
- Rev. P.F. Koller1855–1856
- Rev. Joseph Hoeflinger1856–1857
- Rev. Joseph Gezowsky1857
- Rev. Andrew Michel1859
- Rev. D. Winands1859–1861
- Rev. I. Weissenberger1861–1863
- Father Gregorius, OSB1863–1864
- Rev. Edward Froelich1864–1865
- Rev. John Stephany1865–1870
- Rev. J. Schiff1870–1872
- Rev. Stephan Schmid1872–1886
- Rev. Paul Kolopp1886–1890
- Rev. Carl Richartz1890–1894
- Rev. Ignatius Ahmann1894–1907
Initiated the building of the much larger present church; laid cornerstone Oct. 5, 1902; donated the sanctuary crucifix group and imported the Stolzenberg crèche (1894).
- Rev. Clement Bocklage1907–1916
Led the parish through years of strict economy so interior work could resume in 1915.
- Rev. Otto Hafen1916–1919
Pastor at the dedication of the new gothic church on June 25, 1916; purchased the pipe organ.
- Rev. Borgias Lehr1919–1927
- Rev. Henry Hagedorn1927–1930
- Rev. Joseph Sieg1930–1954
- Msgr. John Walsh1954–1960
Led the campaign to replace the 1865 school/convent; present parish center was built in 1959.
- Rev. Henry Haacke1960–1970
- Rev. Raymond Mulhem1970–1976
- Rev. Leo H. Frankrone1976–1983
- Rev. John Werner1983–1992
- Rev. William Neuhaus1992–1999
Pastored when Transfiguration of Our Lord Mission (Perry Park) was placed under St. John's care in 1992.
- Rev. Michael Barth1999–2005
- Rev. Gerald Reinersman2005–2007
- Rev. Kavungal Davy, C.M.I.2007–2013
Began weekly Spanish Mass and free English lessons; undertook outreach to the Hispanic community.
- Rev. Allan Frederick2013–2017
Assigned as Parochial Administrator on July 1, 2013; named Pastor on July 2, 2014.
- Rev. Jacob Straub2016–2017
- Rev. Johnson Thekkudan, C.M.I.2017–2018
- Rev. Thomas F. Picchioni2018–present
Current Parochial Administrator.