Saints John and Elizabeth

About Saints John and Elizabeth Catholic Parish

Saints John and Elizabeth Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish in Grayson, Kentucky, rooted in the hills of Eastern Kentucky and united by the love of its members for Jesus Christ and His Church. The parish serves the Catholics of Carter and Elliott Counties within the Diocese of Lexington and describes itself as 'a small parish with a big heart.' Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, returning to the faith, new to the area, or simply searching for a place to encounter God, you are welcome. Inspired by its patrons — John the Baptist and Elizabeth — the parish seeks to bear witness to Christ with humility, joy, and fidelity through worship, prayer, service, and fellowship, and to share Christ's mercy with its neighbors across Carter and Elliott Counties.

Parish History: From Glenmary Mission to Permanent Church

The parish traces its origins to 1964, when the Diocese of Covington asked the Glenmary Home Missioners to determine the Catholic needs in Carter and Elliott Counties. After locating the known Catholics in January of that year, Glenmary held the first Mass at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Rizk in Grayson. As the community grew, Mass moved first to a Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) trailer donated by Monsignor Ralph Beiting near the old courthouse, then to a home on Horton Street that still serves as the rectory and was once known as 'The Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church.' After several years of construction, the permanent church building was dedicated in 1972 and named Saints John and Elizabeth, honoring Saint John the Baptist and his mother, Elizabeth, as well as John and Elizabeth Madden, parents of benefactor Reverend Leo Madden.

• 1964: Mission founded in Grayson by Glenmary Home Missioners at the request of the Diocese of Covington.
• First Mass celebrated at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Rizk.
• Worship moves to a CAP trailer donated by Monsignor Ralph Beiting.
• Liturgy moves to the Horton Street home (now the rectory) under the name 'The Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church.'
• 1972: Permanent church building formally dedicated as Saints John and Elizabeth Catholic Church.
• 1988: Parish becomes part of the newly created Diocese of Lexington, established by Pope John Paul II.
• July 2013: Pastoral care transitions from Glenmary Home Missioners to the Diocese of Lexington.

Pastor and Parish Staff

The parish is currently served by Fr. Danny Taylor, pastor, with Ann Duncan serving as parish secretary. Fr. Taylor was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and earned a degree in Accounting from the University of Kentucky in 2013 before feeling a call to serve the Church. He entered St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in 2014 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 2020. Before coming to Sts. John and Elizabeth he served as a parochial vicar in various parishes and as a youth minister; from 2023 to 2025 he was sacramental minister at Holy Spirit Parish–Newman Center and Vocations Director for the Diocese of Lexington.

• Rev. Danny Taylor — Pastor (2025–present); phone (859) 492-3011; email [email protected]
• Ann Duncan — Parish Secretary
• Parish office phone: (606) 474-9979
• Parish email: [email protected]

Worship Schedule and Sacraments

The parish offers a focused weekly schedule designed to serve a small but devoted rural community. In addition to the regular English-language schedule, Spanish-speaking Catholics are served by a Mass on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.

• Sunday Mass: 11:30 am
• Wednesday Mass: 6:00 pm
• Thursday Mass: 9:00 am
• Spanish Mass: 5:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
• Holy Day Masses: call the parish for schedule
• Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wednesday 4:30 pm and Sunday 11:10–11:25 am, or by appointment
• Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday 11:00 am (per diocesan directory) and a Simple Exposition and Adoration at 5:30 pm before the Wednesday evening Mass

OCIA and Adult Faith Formation

The parish welcomes anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith — whether exploring Christianity for the first time, preparing to enter the Church, or simply seeking to grow in understanding. Sessions are held on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Parish Hall, which sits in the church parking lot. Inquire with Fr. Danny at [email protected] for the current schedule and any seasonal breaks.

• OCIA / Formation sessions: Thursdays, 7:00–8:00 pm, Parish Hall (church parking lot)
• Contact: Fr. Danny Taylor — [email protected]
• All are welcome — explorers, catechumens, candidates, and lifelong Catholics seeking formation

Diocese of Lexington and Deanery

Saints John and Elizabeth is part of the Big Sandy / Licking Deanery of the Diocese of Lexington, which covers the eastern Kentucky counties of Boyd, Carter/Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Lawrence/Martin, Letcher, Magoffin, Morgan/Menifee, and Pike. The Diocese of Lexington was created by Pope John Paul II in 1988 as a mission diocese for central and eastern Kentucky. The dean is Rev. Rob Adams, VF.

• Deanery: Big Sandy / Licking
• Counties served: Carter and Elliott
• Diocese of Lexington established: 1988 by Pope John Paul II

Glenmary Home Missioners and the Parish Mission

For nearly half a century the parish was shepherded by the Glenmary Home Missioners, a Catholic religious society founded in 1939 by Father William Howard Bishop with the vision of placing a permanent Catholic presence in every county of the United States. Glenmary founded 76 parishes and helped develop 88 others across rural Appalachia and the South. Saints John and Elizabeth remains a testament to that vision: a large share of its members today are local Catholic converts — a fruit of Glenmary's evangelization among the Catholics of Carter and Elliott Counties.

• Glenmary Home Missioners founded 1939 by Fr. William Howard Bishop.
• Glenmary established 76 parishes and helped develop 88 others nationwide.
• Pastoral care at Sts. John & Elizabeth was transferred from Glenmary to the Diocese of Lexington in July 2013.

Parish Life and Stewardship

The parish describes itself as a 'little church with a big heart' that cares for one another body and soul. Active stewardship is visible in parish-led fundraising efforts such as the 'Caring for Every Heart: An AED for Sts. J&E' campaign through #iGiveCatholic, which raised more than twice its $1,800 goal to install an Automated External Defibrillator for emergencies during Mass and other gatherings — a project the parish frames as 'faith in action' for a rural area where emergency response times may be longer.

• Active households: roughly 36 (diocesan directory); approximately 55 families (parish self-description)
• Recent stewardship effort: #iGiveCatholic AED campaign — goal $1,800, raised over $3,600
• Mission: to care for neighbors across Carter and Elliott Counties through worship, prayer, service, and fellowship