About St. Alphonsus · Owensboro, Kentucky
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, is a vibrant parish rooted in history, serving 199 families and 562 members. Originally established as a humble cabin in the woods, it evolved into a brick church and cemetery, with its first log church built in 1845. The parish offers a full range of ministries, including youth and faith formation, and maintains active liturgical and service groups. It is part of the Diocese of Owensboro and welcomes all who seek to serve and praise the Blessed Trinity.
- Established
- 1825
- Patron
- St. Alphonsus
- Rector
- Fr. John Okoro
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro, KY
Why belong here
Join a community that offers active youth groups, faith formation for children through 12th grade, and a wide range of ministries including liturgical, music, and hospitality roles. The parish serves 199 families and 562 members, with 50-60 children in its Religious Education program and a strong commitment to service and spiritual growth.
Mass times at St. Alphonsus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 4-4:30pm at St. Alphonsus before Saturday evening mass
- by appointment with Fr. John
- during Adoration on 1st Friday at St. Alphonsus
Adoration times
- after 7:30am mass on the First Friday of the month
A Brief History
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church is located in western Daviess County, Kentucky. Once a little cabin in the woods, it is now a thriving parish with a beautiful brick church and cemetery. In the early days the parishioners were served by missionary priests on horseback. The first known of these was Father Elisha Durbin in 1825. Father Walter Coombs came to St. Alphonsus in 1845 and built the first log church on five acres of land donated by John Rodman. When this log Church was completed, Mass was offered for the first time by Father John Boyle, who served St. Alphonsus once a month for two years. He was the only priest in this region of Kentucky, paying regular visits to St. Alphonus and other adjacent missions. Following Father Boyle, Father Eugene O'Callaghan attended St. Alphonsus once a month for years. He was at this time stationed in Owensboro. The first resident pastor was Father Ivo Schacht who served the parish from 1861-1864. Father Schacht's first work was the enlarging of the log church, after which he purchased five acres of land from James Glenn and erected a log cabin school. In September 1861, St. Alphonsus parish opened its first Catholic School with Misses Mitty Landrum and Nora Moore as teachers. He also brought Lorettines to St. Alphonsus. Sisters opened the school in October 1863 giving it the name of St. Joseph Female Institute, but it was popularly called St. Joseph Academy. This building was destroyed by fire on December 30,1870. The Sisters returned back to their mother house in Loretto. The log church burned in 1868 and the task of the new pastor, Father Paul Joseph Volk, in 1870 was to rebuild. Legend has it that the new bricks were soft and unfit for use when taken from the kiln. The masons went home expecting not to return for a few days until another batch was burned. About dust Father Volk was seen walking around the kiln praying. Miraculously, the bricks had hardened. Father Volk, after building St. Alphonsus Church, started to rebuild St. Joseph Academy. It was completed August 14, 1874 and furnished with five Urlulines from Louisville. Father Volk died at the Mount November 2, 1919 and was buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Father Oberlinkels succeeded Father Volk in 1885 and remained until 1888. During his time the St. Alphonsus Rectory was built. It was during this time on July 6, 1886 that the post office at St. Joseph was established. Father O'Sullivan opened st. Alphonsus School in September 1901. In 1904 the school closed because of financial reasons and was re-opened again in 1913. Father McAleer, who served the parish from 1949-1962, did not own and can be especially remembered walking down the road with a big cigar. He is the only priest buried st St. Alphonsus. The years that followed brought many different priests to the parish and saw many improvements to the church and school. St. Alphonsus School closed in May 1988 when the Catholic Schools around the Diocese began to consolidate closer to Owensboro. Currently, the parish serves 199 families and 562 members. Between 50 and 60 children participate in Religious Education program and the parish has an active Youth Group.
Faith Formation
Faith Formation provides religious education for children in preschool through 12th Grade. Classes are held at St. Alphonsus Parish Hall on Wednesdays during the school year from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. If you would like to volunteer as a catechist or as an assistant, please contact Sr. Vivian or Fr. Anthoni Ottagan. Safe Environment certification and background check are required. We will work with you to get certified to work with children in the Diocese of Owensboro. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) RCIA is a gradual process of initiation in the Catholic Faith through prayer, study, discussion, and ritual for: Unbaptized adults who wish to explore the Cathoic Faith and to possibly prepare for the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Adults who have been baptised in another Christian community who want to learn more about the Catholic religion and be received into the Faith Baptized Catholics who have not received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation and who desire to enter fully into the community of the Catholic Church, perhaps as preparation for Marriage in the Church. Adult volunteers are needed to serve as sponsors for candidates and provide other assistance. Additionally, all parishioners are welcome to attend any or all the sessions. Contact Fr. Anthoni Ottagan for more details.
Ministries
Apply NOW! Liturgical Ministries Altar Server (Acolyte) Assisting at the Eucharistic celebration. Open to the boys and girls ages 8 through adult. Training is available. Please contact Fr. Anthoni or Ms. Kay Beth. Lector The lector provides effective proclamation of Word of God during the Eucharistic Celebration and leads community in prayer petitions. Eucharistic Minister Prepare water, wine and hosts for weekend masses. Assist in the distribution of the Eucharist at the masses, to the homebound, to nursing home patients, and to hospital patients. After mass, make sure things are cleaned and put away, lights are turned off. Training is provided. Gift Bearer To bring the gifts of bread and wine and collection baskets during the mass. Good opportunities for the families to participate. Usher Assist with seating, take up collections, and distribute bulletins. Training is available. Greeter Welcome and Greet all who come to attend Masses. Open the doors for the people. Sacristan Unlock the Church, turn on lights and the microphone system, prepare water, wine, hosts, chalice and purificater . Make sure servers, ushers, lector, Eucharistic ministers are present before Mass. After mass, make sure the sacred vessels are cleaned and put away, lights are turned off, microphone system is off and doors are locked. Training is available. Music Ministry Music and singing is most important part of Liturgical Celebration. Choir practice is done every Monday at 5:30pm. It is open to all. Please contact Kay Beth Riney (270-929-8771) Liturgy Committee To plan the liturgical celebrations, spiritual activities for the parish, various devotional practices of the Church. Bereavement Committee Help provide meals following a funeral Hospitality Committee To assist sick, homebound of our parish, to visit or send cards, prepare meals once a month, welcome new parishioners, etc.. If you are interested in any other ministry or wanted to involve/start please contact Fr. John Okoro any time.