St. Aloysius

Welcome & Parish Mission

St. Aloysius identifies itself as "a Catholic parish in Pewee Valley, Kentucky," with a mission "to bring souls into communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through worship in the sacraments with love and service to one another." Located at 212 Mt Mercy Dr in Pewee Valley, the parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Louisville and is now home to over 1,600 families, with continual growth in numbers every month. The parish recently acquired adjacent property upon which future growth can occur. The vision behind every addition or change to structures on campus is formation — reaching people in ways that spark deep spirituality and growth in faith.

History of the Parish

Parish roots go back to 1863, when Catholics in Rollington established a cemetery; two years later they built a small cottage church dedicated to St. Aloysius (1865). The appointment of Father Alexander J. Harnist as pastor in 1871 marked the official foundation of the parish. The community moved to Pewee Valley as the Interurban railroad drew population there, building a rectory in 1911 and a church in 1913–1914. The Sisters of Mercy opened a new school in 1926. Franciscan Friars served as pastors from 1924 to 1938, beginning with Father Alphonse Wilberding, O.F.M., followed by Father Albert J. Schmitt's twenty-nine-year pastorate (1938–1967). Allgeier Hall arrived in 1982, a contemporary church was dedicated in 1992 under Father Vincent Schweizer, and the parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2021.

• 1863 — Cemetery established in Rollington
• 1865 — Small cottage church dedicated to St. Aloysius
• 1871 — Parish officially founded; Fr. Alexander J. Harnist appointed first pastor
• 1873 — Methodist church purchased for use as a school
• 1911 — Rectory built
• 1913–1914 — Limestone Gothic Revival church built at 202 Mt. Mercy Drive (now the chapel; NRHP #89001983)
• 1924–1938 — Franciscan Friars serve as pastors (beginning with Fr. Alphonse Wilberding, O.F.M.)
• 1926 — Sisters of Mercy open a new school
• 1938–1967 — Fr. Albert J. Schmitt's 29-year pastorate; died in auto accident in 1967
• 1982 — Allgeier Hall athletic facilities added (funded by Men's Club bingo)
• 1992 — Contemporary-style church dedicated; original church becomes chapel
• 1995 — Additional classrooms, computer lab, gymnasium, and preschool/after-school facilities
• 2002 — Archdiocese acquires 4.6 adjacent acres and "Woodside" (NRHP Victorian house)
• 2009 — Current church expanded to seat about 1,200
• 2021 — 150th anniversary celebrated with Mass, picnic, and pilgrimage to St. Aloysius Cemetery

Architecture & Campus

The historic 1914 church at 202 Mt. Mercy Drive is a small Late Gothic Revival-style limestone building with corner towers and a "boldly crenelated front vestibule"; it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 27, 1989 (NRHP #89001983) and today serves as the parish chapel for smaller services. The current worship space is a contemporary-style church dedicated in 1992 and expanded in 2009 to seat about 1,200. The campus also includes Woodside, a Victorian house on the National Register of Historic Places, acquired with adjacent acreage in 2002 to allow for future possibilities.

• 1914 Late Gothic Revival church (limestone, corner towers, crenelated vestibule) — now the chapel
• 1992 contemporary church — expanded 2009, seats ~1,200
• Woodside — Victorian house on the National Register (acquired 2002)
• Allgeier Hall — athletic facilities (1982)
• Parish Lifetime Learning Center

Clergy & Pastoral Staff

St. Aloysius is currently served by Pastor Rev. John J. Stoltz, Associate Rev. Brito Cardenas, and Permanent Deacon Thomas L. Roth. The parish's lay pastoral team includes a Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education (Mary Hynes), Youth Minister (Mandy Kumler), Director of Worship and Music (Chris Tolbert), Director of Stewardship (Tim McGinty), Finance Manager (Susan Lim), Office Coordinator (Cindy Sullivan), and Receptionist (Jackie Gower). The parish school is led by Principal Paula Smith.

• Rev. John J. Stoltz — Pastor
• Rev. Brito Cardenas — Associate
• Deacon Thomas L. Roth — Permanent Deacon
• Mary Hynes — Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education
• Mandy Kumler — Youth Minister
• Chris Tolbert — Director of Worship and Music
• Tim McGinty — Director of Stewardship
• Susan Lim — Finance Manager
• Cindy Sullivan — Office Coordinator
• Jackie Gower — Receptionist
• Paula Smith — School Principal

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish's Formation ministry takes a "cradle-to-the-grave" approach, bringing every member of the community to a greater awareness of Jesus Christ and His work in the Roman Catholic Church. The Formation Coordinating Committee coordinates groups serving different ages and stages, from Preschool through adult OCIA. P.R.E.P. (Parish Religious Education Program) serves students in grades 1–8 who do not attend Catholic school, with classes in the school building on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.; Sacraments are celebrated in grade two and older. Vacation Bible School is offered for younger children, and a Bible Study meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Eagle's Nest (and Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.).

• Preschool program
• P.R.E.P. (Parish Religious Education Program) — grades 1–8, Sundays 9:30–10:45 a.m.
• Vacation Bible School
• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and catechized Catholics
• Youth Ministry
• Bible Study — Mon/Tue/Wed 9:30–11:00 a.m. (Eagle's Nest) and Tuesday 6:30 p.m.
• School Board

St. Aloysius Catholic School

Located in the heart of Pewee Valley at 122 Mt. Mercy Drive, St. Aloysius Catholic School serves approximately 460 students (school stats list about 423 enrolled) from age three through 8th grade. With the support of the parish community, the school provides Christ-centered religious formation and academic excellence, with graduates well-prepared for high school academics, eager for life-long learning, and committed to living their Catholic faith. The school has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2014 and 2020, and maintains a 10:1 teacher-student ratio. Students — the St. Aloysius Eagles — are organized into a "Houses" system and live out core values of being Eager to Learn, Accepting Responsibility, Giving to Others, Leading by God's Example, and Encouraging Kindness and Respect. The preschool program serves ages 3–5 on a school-year calendar, and after-school care is offered during the school year.

• Preschool–8 enrollment (~423–460 students)
• 10:1 teacher-student ratio
• Blue Ribbon School of Excellence — 2014 and 2020
• Principal: Paula Smith
• Address: 122 Mt. Mercy Drive, Pewee Valley, KY 40056
• Phone: (502) 243-2241; Fax: (502) 243-2241
• Preschool (ages 3–5) on a school-year calendar
• After-school care during the school year
• Eagles House system

Outreach & Social Concerns

The Social Concerns Committee is one of the parish's six coordinating committees; members serve three-year terms. Its purpose is to provide education on Catholic Social Teaching, to live out the faith by reaching out generously to those in need, and to advocate for a fair and just society. Practical ministries under its umbrella include Prison Ministry (serving the Women's Correctional Facility in Pewee Valley, with a weekly Mass offered by the pastor or a substitute priest), the St. Vincent de Paul Society (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, burying the dead, and sheltering the homeless), the Giving Tree (annual Christmas gift collection serving 100–120 children via the Oldham County Red Cross), Voter Registration & Legislative Advocacy, and Mercy In Motion.

• Social Concerns Committee
• Prison Ministry (Women's Correctional Facility, Pewee Valley)
• St. Vincent de Paul Society — third Thursday meetings
• Giving Tree (Christmas gifts for ~100–120 children)
• Voter Registration & Legislative Advocacy
• Mercy In Motion (youth-and-family service outreach)

Care for the Sick, Homebound & Bereaved

The St. Aloysius Care Team (SACT) is a group of trained parishioners who minister to fellow parishioners who are ill, homebound, in nursing homes, hospital out-patients, and their families. Most SACT ministers are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who take the Eucharist to the sick and shut-ins weekly as needed; the team also makes and distributes Prayer Blankets and Prayer Pockets (blessed by the parish priests) and sends monthly cards to homebound parishioners. Ministers to the Homebound take Communion to parishioners in homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. The Bereavement Ministry assists families after a death by preparing or delivering a meal following the funeral. The Health and Wellness Committee (formed Fall 2019) hosts blood-pressure checks, health fairs, and similar events.

• St. Aloysius Care Team (SACT)
• Prayer Blankets and Prayer Pockets ministry
• Ministers to the Homebound (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)
• Bereavement Ministry (meal support after funerals)
• Health and Wellness Committee (formed Fall 2019)
• Safety Concerns Committee (formed Fall 2019)

Parish Community Life

Parish community life is supported by a number of long-standing organizations. The St. Aloysius Men's Club sponsors youth sports teams and, along with bingo proceeds, helped fund Allgeier Hall's athletic facilities in 1982. The St. Aloysius Women's Club was founded in May 2013 under the motto "Serving Christ Together"; it meets monthly to pray, plan service to the church, and offer fellowship to women of all ages, hosting two annual Yard Sales and an Arts & Craft Bazaar in the fall. The Grounds/Facilities Committee monitors buildings and grounds and oversees cleaning and maintenance. The parish recently celebrated major milestones including the 100th anniversary of the historic 1914 church in 2012 and the parish's 150th anniversary in 2021.

• St. Aloysius Men's Club — bingo, youth sports, and community fundraising
• St. Aloysius Women's Club — founded May 2013
• Grounds/Facilities Committee
• Bounty of Hope — Christmas Day dinner for the elderly and families in need
• Fellowship of Concern

Contact, Location & Visiting

St. Aloysius Catholic Community is located at 212 Mt. Mercy Drive, Pewee Valley, KY 40056. The parish office phone is (502) 241-8452 and email is [email protected]. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (summer hours); the office is closed on weekends. St. Aloysius Catholic School is located at 122 Mt. Mercy Drive (phone 502-243-2241). The campus sits alongside a historic railroad track and the former Interurban Electric Line corridor in Oldham County.

• Parish address: 212 Mt. Mercy Drive, Pewee Valley, KY 40056
• Parish phone: (502) 241-8452
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• School address: 122 Mt. Mercy Drive, Pewee Valley, KY 40056
• School phone: (502) 243-2241
• County: Oldham County, Kentucky