About St. Ambrose · Cecilia, Kentucky
St. Ambrose Parish in Cecilia, Kentucky, was established in 1879 and serves a small but dedicated community of approximately 100 households. The parish is named after Saint Ambrose, the fourth-century Bishop of Milan, and its current church building, constructed after a 1955 fire, was dedicated in 1956. The parish has a long history of Catholic education, with a school built in 1922 and later closed in 1968. It is currently administered by Rev. Benedict J.F. 'Ben' Brown, who serves as both pastor and administrator, and is part of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
- Established
- 1879
- Patron
- Saint Ambrose
- Rector
- Rev. Benedict J.F. 'Ben' Brown
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Join a parish with deep roots in faith and community, where sacraments are celebrated in a welcoming environment and where ministries like catechesis, outreach, and liturgical music foster spiritual growth. The parish offers a strong sense of belonging through regular Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and opportunities to serve others, especially through its long-standing tradition of Catholic education and parish outreach.
Mass times at St. Ambrose
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Quarterly Communal Service in conjunction with Anointing at weekend Masses
History
The parish was established as early as 1842 at White Mills, but the community of Cecilia outgrew it. Father John Fitzgerald became the first pastor in 1889 and built the original church dedicated to Saint Ambrose. A tornado destroyed the brick church in 1904, replaced by a frame structure. In 1922, an elementary school was built and served by the Sisters of Loretto. The church was destroyed by fire in 1955, and Mass was held in a picnic pavilion while a new brick church was built. The current church was dedicated in 1956. The parish has had several notable pastors, including Father Anthony Howard (1945–1967), Father Robert Brown (1974–1988), and Father Earl Rausch (who closed the school in 1968). Since 2007, pastoral care has been shared with Saint James Parish, and since 2018, St. Ambrose has also assumed responsibility for the Oratory of St. Clare in Colesburg.
Clergy
Rev. Benedict J.F. 'Ben' Brown serves as the current pastor and administrator. He was appointed in 2007 and began pastoral care in 2018. Pastors include Father Anthony Howard (1945–1967), Father Robert Brown (1974–1988), Father Earl Rausch (1967–1974), and Father Stanley Osborne (1988–1990).
Contact
The parish office can be reached at 859-481-8435. Emails are available at [email protected] and [email protected].
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Anthony Howard1945–1967
Longest tenure; oversaw construction of current buildings.
- Father Robert Brown1974–1988
Third longest tenure.
- Father Earl Rausch1967–1974
Closed Saint Ambrose School in 1968.
- Father Stanley Osborne1988–1990
Second longest tenure; served in retirement after Father Brown.
- Father Benedict Brown2007–present
Appointed administrator in 2007; began pastoral care in 2018.