About St. Agnes · Louisville, Kentucky
Saint Agnes Catholic Community is a parish in Louisville, Kentucky, founded in 1885 and entrusted since the 1890s to the Passionist Fathers (Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ). It is part of the Archdiocese of Louisville and is one of the signature Passionist parishes in the United States, where worship, formation, education and service are lived out under the Passionist charism of remembering and proclaiming Jesus' suffering love. The parish runs Saint Agnes School (PreK–8), a four-time U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School, and worships in an Italo-Romanesque church built in 1927–28 on Newburg Road in the Highlands area of Louisville.
- Established
- 1885
- Patron
- Saint Agnes of Rome
- Rector
- Rev. Bruno D'Souza, C.P.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Saint Agnes is a parish where the Passionist charism of embracing Jesus' suffering love shapes everything from the liturgy to the school yard. Families find a full Catholic life here: a PreK–8 school that is a four-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (1999, 2005, 2014, 2020), a parish-run food pantry with Dare to Care, RCIA and Inter-Parish Family Faith Formation, a vibrant music ministry and youth ministry, beloved Lenten fish fries and a long-running summer carnival — Louisville's first, dating to 1923. With more than 3,900 registered parishioners representing several generations, it offers the warmth of a multi-generational community rooted in the Highlands of Louisville.
Mass times at St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:30 p.m. (and by appointment)
About Saint Agnes Catholic Community
Saint Agnes Catholic Community is a parish in the Highlands area of Louisville, Kentucky, founded in 1885 and served by the Passionist Fathers (Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ) of Holy Cross Province. Its mission is to embrace Jesus' suffering love for all through worship, service, formation and education. The parish worships in an Italo-Romanesque church at 1920 Newburg Road and operates Saint Agnes School, a PreK–8 program with more than 450 students that has earned four U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards.
- Founded 1885
- Served by the Passionists (C.P.)
- Part of the Archdiocese of Louisville
- 1920 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205
Parish History
Saint Agnes dates its foundation to 1885, when Father Bernard H. Westermann was appointed to serve English-speaking Catholics south and east of Louisville, though Catholics had worshipped near Preston Park Seminary since 1871. The Passionists arrived in Louisville in 1879 and, at Bishop William George McCloskey's request, established St. Agnes Church in 1882, making the relationship permanent in 1892 under Father Felix Ward, C.P. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived in 1914 to lead the school; in 1923 the parish launched Louisville's first church carnival to fund a new church. Construction of the present Italo-Romanesque church began in 1927; it was dedicated in February 1928 with the campanile added by 1943. After Vatican II, the parish added a parish council (1969), school board (1971), parish house (1970) and parish center (2004).
- 1871 — Father George McCloskey gathers worshippers near Preston Park Seminary
- 1876 — A school exists at the site
- 1879 — Passionists arrive in Louisville
- 1882 — Passionists establish St. Agnes Church
- 1885 — Parish formally founded under Father Bernard H. Westermann
- 1890 — Bishop McCloskey entrusts Saint Agnes to Father Felix Ward, C.P.
- 1892 — Passionist pastoral relationship made permanent
- 1914 — Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrive to run the school
- 1923 — First Louisville church carnival held
- 1927–28 — Present Italo-Romanesque church built and dedicated
- 1943 — Campanile completed
- 1969 — Parish council formed
- 1970 — Parish house completed
- 1971 — School board formed
- 2004 — Parish center (dining, meeting rooms, undercroft) completed
Architecture & Campus
The parish church is an Italo-Romanesque style building constructed in 1927 and dedicated in February 1928. Its campanile was completed by 1943. The wider campus on Newburg Road also includes a 1970 parish house (with living quarters and offices) and a 2004 parish center offering dining/cafeteria facilities, meeting rooms and a church undercroft. The school building sits across the parish campus at 1800 Newburg Road.
- Italo-Romanesque church, 1927–28
- Campanile, 1943
- Parish house, 1970
- Parish center, 2004
- School building, 1800 Newburg Road
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Bruno D'Souza, C.P., who was installed as Pastor by Archbishop Shelton Fabre on October 5, 2024. Fr. Sebastian Xavier Konnully, C.P., serves as Parochial Vicar. Two permanent deacons — Ned Berghausen and Trey Mobley — round out the ordained ministry, with Deacon Trey Mobley also serving as Pastoral Associate. The lay staff manages parish operations, the school, music, youth ministry, faith formation, finances, facilities, human resources and volunteer coordination.
- Rev. Bruno D'Souza, C.P. — Pastor (installed Oct. 5, 2024)
- Rev. Sebastian Xavier Konnully, C.P. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Edward J. "Ned" Berghausen IV
- Deacon Joseph V. "Trey" Mobley III — Pastoral Associate
- Jessica Young — School Principal
- Ryan Newman — Business Manager
- Tom DeSpain — Facilities Manager
- Noah Bruce — Director of Music Ministry
- Maggie Muncy — Bookkeeper
- Sarah Inman — Capital Campaign Coordinator
- Carolyn Pape — Coordinator of Volunteers
- Pam Slagle — Administrative Assistant / Parish Secretary
- Bobbe Crouch — Human Resources Manager
- Aundrea George — Director of Youth Ministry
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Saint Agnes is designed to serve every age and stage. The Inter-Parish Family Faith Formation (IFFF) program is a collaborative effort with eight area parishes for children in kindergarten through eighth grade who do not attend Saint Agnes School; it is family-based, with weekly at-home lessons and a monthly large-group family event at Saint Agnes or another participating parish. Sacramental preparation for Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation is offered for all registered families.
- Inter-Parish Family Faith Formation (IFFF) — August through May
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — weekly during 9:30 a.m. Mass, K–2
- Sacramental preparation: First Eucharist (grade 2), First Reconciliation (grade 4), Confirmation (grade 8)
- Vacation Bible Days — first week of June, 9:00 a.m.–noon, PreK–5
Adult Faith Formation & RCIA
The Adult Faith Formation Committee envisions, plans and implements ongoing education and formation opportunities for adults, all aimed at growing in the life of Christ through shared reflection, prayer and study. The RCIA process is the ordinary way non-Catholics and unbaptized adults enter full communion with the Church, beginning each September and culminating at the Easter Vigil; it is coordinated by Deacon Trey Mobley and accompanied by a parish team.
- Small Christian Communities
- Mornings of Reflection
- Scripture Lecture Series
- Parish Mission
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Sept.–Easter Vigil)
- Coordinator: Deacon Trey Mobley — [email protected] / 502-451-2220 ext. 563
Saint Agnes School
Saint Agnes Catholic School, at 1800 Newburg Road, is a PreK–8 parish school that has been a symbol of Catholic educational excellence for more than a century. It is the first elementary school in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to be named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School four times — in 1999, 2005, 2014 and 2020 — and also earned a U.S. Green Ribbon designation in 2019. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission, and is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Louisville.
- Founded January 1914 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
- Centennial celebrated in 2014
- Enrollment: over 450 PreK–8 students
- Faculty and staff of 45+
- Four-time National Blue Ribbon School (1999, 2005, 2014, 2020)
- U.S. Green Ribbon School (2019)
- Accredited by SACS and the Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission
- School phone: (502) 458-2850
- School email: [email protected]
- Principal: Jessica Young
Music & Youth Ministry
Liturgical music is central to worship at Saint Agnes. The Music Ministry, directed by Noah Bruce, enriches Mass and other prayer and reflection opportunities throughout the parish year. The parish also runs a dedicated Youth Ministry program under Aundrea George.
- Director of Music Ministry: Noah Bruce
- Director of Youth Ministry: Aundrea George
Outreach, Stewardship & Charity
Saint Agnes maintains a robust outreach network coordinated by an Outreach Committee (formed in 2007) and a Parish & Community Ministry Team. The parish hosts a Dare to Care food pantry every fourth Saturday of the month, runs a beloved Lenten Fish Fry in the school cafeteria, and operates the annual Saint Agnes Carnival each July — Louisville's first church carnival, dating to 1923. Other outreach ministries include a Quilting Group whose work supports the Carnival's Quilt Booth, Funeral Hospitality, and a New Baby Meals / Host Family program that brings meals to families with newborns.
- Outreach Committee (since 2007)
- Dare to Care Food Pantry — 4th Saturday of each month
- Saint Agnes Fish Fry — Fridays in Lent
- Saint Agnes Carnival — annual, in July (since 1923)
- Quilting Group (most Wednesday mornings; contact Lori Codey, 502-322-4470)
- Funeral Hospitality
- New Baby Meals / Host Family program
- Connect & Reconnect Team (since 2014)
- Parish & Community Ministry Team
Parish Life & Community
Saint Agnes describes itself as a vibrant, welcoming and loving family of believers, with more than 3,900 registered parishioners representing several generations of membership. Community-building activities include the Lenten Fish Fry, the July Carnival, Vacation Bible Days, Small Christian Communities, funeral hospitality and the New Baby Meals program — alongside school and parish athletics through the parish's PTO and athletics programs.
- More than 3,900 registered parishioners
- Multi-generational membership
- Annual Carnival (July) and Fish Fries (Lent)
- Parish athletics and PTO
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The parish welcomes visitors, newcomers, returning Catholics and anyone exploring the Catholic faith. Pastor Fr. Bruno D'Souza, C.P., invites anyone to reach out for information about Mass schedules, events, ministries, sacraments or ways to get involved.
- Parish Office: 1918 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205
- Phone: (502) 451-2220
- Fax: (502) 454-8483
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: M–F, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- School Office: (502) 458-2850 / [email protected]
- Website: http://stagneslouisville.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bernard H. Westermann1885
First priest appointed to serve English-speaking Catholics south and east of Louisville, founding pastor.
- Father George McCloskey1871
Earlier gathered worshippers near Preston Park Seminary (today's Bellarmine University); a school existed around 1876.
- Father Felix Ward, C.P.1890
Passionist priest to whom Bishop William G. McCloskey entrusted Saint Agnes; the Passionists made the relationship permanent in 1892.
- Father Cletus Brady, C.P.1913–1914
Purchased the abandoned school that launched Saint Agnes School in January 1914.
- Rev. Bruno D'Souza, C.P.2024–present
Installed by Archbishop Shelton Fabre as Pastor on October 5, 2024.