About St Augustine · Covington, Kentucky
St. Augustine Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Peaselburg neighborhood of Covington, Kentucky, belonging to the Diocese of Covington. Established on June 20, 1870 by Bishop Augustus M. Toebbe as the fifth Catholic parish in Covington, it has served the Peaselburg community for over 150 years. The parish anchors a campus that includes the 1914 crimson-brick church, a school (K-8), and parish organizations; its identity is rooted in working-class neighborhood life, sacred music, the St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Lenten Fish Fry, and a recently completed $1.5 million Capital Campaign that restored the interior for the 150th anniversary and the 2025 church rededication.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- Saint Augustine of Hippo
- Rector
- Father Niby Kannai
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington
Why belong here
St. Augustine is a 150-year-old neighborhood parish where the bells still call the people of Peaselburg to worship and the doors stay open to anyone seeking the sacraments, sacred music, or a helping hand. Daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration three days a week, Saturday confessions, and a robust OCIA process welcome those exploring the Catholic faith, while the St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Parish Outreach Center at City Heights, and the Boosters Club/Holy Name/St. Monica societies make service to neighbors a lived reality. Add in St. Augustine Catholic School (K–8), the Society of Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin young adult group, the Lenten Fish Fry, and a freshly rededicated and restored temple — it is a place where tradition, beauty, and community converge.
Mass times at St Augustine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
- Wednesday 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
Parish History
St. Augustine Parish was established on 20 June 1870 by Bishop Augustus M. Toebbe as the fifth Catholic parish in Covington and placed under the patronage of his patron saint. The first church-and-school building on Augustine Street was dedicated 16 October 1870; within forty years the parish outgrew it, broke ground on the present 19th Street church in 1913, and Bishop Camillus Maes dedicated the new crimson-brick building on 20 December 1914. The school was dedicated 10 September 1916, the gymnasium added in 1953, and the interior was last completely overhauled in the 1970s following Vatican II. Fourteen pastors have served since 1870, and the parish has remained the spiritual anchor of the Peaselburg neighborhood through two world wars, the Great Depression, and the modern era.
- Founded 20 June 1870 by Bishop Augustus M. Toebbe
- First church dedicated 16 October 1870 on Augustine Street
- Present church dedicated 20 December 1914; cost $106,074.53
- School dedicated 10 September 1916; cost $39,498.30
- Gymnasium added 1953
- 150th anniversary celebrated in 2020
- Fourteen pastors since 1870
Capital Campaign & Church Restoration (2018–2025)
In February 2018, then-pastor Father Daniel Schomaker launched a $1.5 million Capital Campaign focused on conservation, preservation, renovation, and restoration in preparation for the parish's 150th anniversary. The work, which continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, replaced the HVAC with a state-of-the-art VRF system engineered by KLH Engineering and installed by Blau Mechanical; restored the three 105-year-old tower bells with new iron yokes, trunnions, and wooden foundations plus pull ropes (so they can be rung by hand again); added light-sensitive LED façade lighting by Seco Electric; replastered and repainted walls and ceiling; and revealed century-old painted frames around the Doctors of the Church and stained-glass windows that had been hidden behind acoustic tile since 1945. EverGreene designed the new liturgical-artistry program — a starry ceiling, a Calvary mural behind the crucifix, and shrine-specific patterning — and crafted new liturgical furnishings with Ratigan-Schottler. The campaign culminated in the 12 January 2025 church rededication and altar consecration by Bishop John Iffert.
- $1.5 million Capital Campaign launched February 2018
- New VRF HVAC installed (KLH Engineering / Blau Mechanical)
- Three 1914 bells restored with new iron yokes, trunnions, and pull ropes
- LED façade and bell-tower lighting installed by Seco Electric (21 June 2019)
- EverGreene liturgical artistry: starry ceiling, Calvary mural, shrine patterning
- Ratigan-Schottler liturgical furnishings (ambo, narthex niches, candle stands, confessional shrines)
- Rededication of church and consecration of altar 12 January 2025 by Bishop John Iffert
Liturgical Art & Furnishings
The restored 1927 Austin pipe organ — silent for more than three decades — was celebrated at the Epiphany Sacred Music Concert on 6 January 2024 and continues to anchor the parish's sacred-music life. The new altar, dedicated 12 January 2025, features a mother pelican Eucharistic symbol and gold ornamentation, and its reliquary vault holds first-class relics including those of St. Andrew, St. John Vianney, and St. Pius X. Painted frames around the Doctors of the Church and the rose window were rediscovered during the renovation after being hidden since 1945.
- 1927 Austin pipe organ restored
- Mother pelican Eucharistic symbol on the new altar
- First-class relics of St. Andrew, St. John Vianney, St. Pius X in the reliquary vault
- Recovered painted frames around the Doctors of the Church
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions
St. Augustine offers the Mass and the sacraments in the Roman (Latin) rite. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM, with an additional Wednesday evening Mass at 7:00 PM; the Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00 PM and Sunday Masses are at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. The Sacrament of Penance is heard Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM (or by appointment), and Eucharistic Adoration is offered three days a week: Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7:00–7:45 AM and Wednesday afternoon 1:00–3:00 PM. First Fridays are observed. The tower bells ring the Angelus daily at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. and now also strike on the hour and half-hour.
- Daily Mass Mon–Fri 8:00 AM; Wed also 7:00 PM
- Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 AM
- Confessions Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM or by appointment
- Adoration Tue & Thu 7:00–7:45 AM; Wed 1:00–3:00 PM
- Daily Angelus bells at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.
St. Augustine Catholic School
St. Augustine Catholic School is a parish school serving Kindergarten through 8th Grade on the parish campus at 1840 Jefferson Avenue, Covington, KY 41014 (phone 859-261-5564). The school is supported by the Home & School Organization (HSO), which meets four times a year on a $3 family membership, and by the Boosters Club, which provides athletics and awards two partial scholarships each year to graduating eighth graders continuing on to Catholic high school. The Boosters Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the gym.
- K–8 parish school at 1840 Jefferson Avenue, Covington, KY 41014
- School phone: 859-261-5564
- Home & School Organization (HSO) supports the school
- Boosters Club awards two partial Catholic-high-school scholarships annually
Religious Education & OCIA
The parish runs an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process for adults discerning entry into the Catholic Church; the parish currently has seven catechumens preparing to enter the Church. OCIA meets on Mondays at 6:30 PM in the gym. Parish-school religious education is delivered through St. Augustine Catholic School (K–8).
- OCIA meets Mondays 6:30 PM in the gym
- Seven individuals currently discerning entrance into the Catholic Church
Sacred Music
Sacred music is a signature ministry of St. Augustine. The parish hosts Sacred Music Concerts — including the 22 February 2025 concert with the NKU Chamber Choir and String Ensemble, and the Epiphany Concert on 6 January 2024 that celebrated the installation of the restored 1927 Austin pipe organ. Director of Music Patrick Mason leads the program, and each year on the Solemnity of Christmas Father shares the gift of music from the ambo; in 2023, the hymn O Magnum Mysterium was reworked by Mr. Mason and sung by Father for Christmas. Recordings of concerts are made available for listening online.
- Director of Music: Patrick Mason
- Restored 1927 Austin pipe organ
- Sacred Music Concerts with visiting choirs and ensembles
- Annual Christmas music from the ambo by the pastor
Parish Organizations
Parish life at St. Augustine includes many organizations for all age groups, offering members a chance to meet and grow as a Christian community while supporting parish needs and ministries.
- Holy Name Society — all men of the parish 18+; co-sponsors the Friday Lenten Fish Frys; meets Thursday after the first Sunday, 7:30 PM in the gym, preceded by the rosary and followed by sandwiches and euchre
- St. Monica Society — all women of the parish 18+; co-sponsors the Fish Frys; meets third Tuesday, 7:30 PM in the gym, preceded by the rosary and followed by cards
- Home & School Organization (HSO) — meets four times a year, $3 family dues
- Boosters Club — athletic program and two annual Catholic-high-school scholarships; meets second Tuesday, 6:30 PM in the gym
- Catholic Order of Foresters — Court 2515
- Pathfinders — seniors 55+; meets first Monday, 1:30 PM in the gym with dessert and cards; picnic in September, Christmas party, day and overnight bus trips
- Society of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin — young adult group (21–40+); fellowship, prayer, and holy relationships for couples and singles
Outreach & Charity
St. Augustine lives out the corporal works of mercy through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and a partnership with the City Heights Outreach Center. The parish SVdP conference distributes food and resources on Tuesdays from 3:30–4:30 PM, and the help line is 859-341-3219. In collaboration with the parishes of St. Timothy and St. Agnes, St. Augustine helps the City Heights Outreach Center meet the needs of families in that neighborhood (859-491-4584).
- St. Vincent de Paul conference — food/resources distributed Tuesdays 3:30–4:30 PM
- SVdP help line: 859-341-3219
- City Heights Outreach Center partnership with St. Timothy and St. Agnes parishes (859-491-4584)
Annual Events & Fundraisers
The parish calendar centers on traditional events that bring Peaselburg together — most notably the Friday Lenten Fish Fry (doors 4:00–7:00 PM, in-person dining or carry-out, cash or credit), the Summer Festival (live music, cold beer, major raffle, split-the-pot, bankers, silent auction, kid's games), and the Sacred Music Concerts throughout the year. The pictoral parish directory is also a periodic community milestone.
- Lenten Fish Fry every Friday in Lent, 4:00–7:00 PM
- Summer Festival — June 12 & 13, 2025
- Sacred Music Concerts (Epiphany, Advent, etc.)
- Pictorial parish directory
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Father Niby Kannai as pastor (since 2025), a Catholic priest, author of seven books, and teacher with a passion for counseling education, Eucharistic spirituality, and pastoral care; he has led pilgrimages, taught at the University of Cincinnati and Webster University, served at Tender Mercies homeless shelter, and ministered in Kerala, India as well as at St. Henry, Mother of Christ, and St. Edward parishes. Deacon Rev. Mr. John Leardon assists; Patrick Mason serves as Director of Music. Karen Kleisinger and Jan Tallarigo are listed among parish staff.
- Father Niby Kannai — Pastor (2025 – Present)
- Rev. Mr. John Leardon — Deacon
- Patrick Mason — Director of Music
- Karen Kleisinger — Parish Staff
- Jan Tallarigo — Parish Staff
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Augustine Catholic Church at 413 West 19th Street, Covington, KY 41014. The parish office phone is (859) 431-3943 and the school phone is (859) 261-5564; email is [email protected]. The parish website is www.staugustines.net. The church is located at the corner of 19th Street and Euclid Avenue in the Peaselburg neighborhood, and is visible at night thanks to the 2019 LED façade and bell-tower lighting installed during the Capital Campaign.
- Address: 413 West 19th Street, Covington, KY 41014
- Parish: (859) 431-3943 — School: (859) 261-5564
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.staugustines.net
- Corner of 19th Street and Euclid Avenue, Peaselburg
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father L. Neumaier1870 – 1871
- Father Joseph Goebbels1871 – 1877
- Father William Robbers1877 – 1879
- Father Clement Jesse1879 – 1883
- Father Paul Abeln1883 – 1911
- Father William Kathman1911 – 1926
- Monsignor Charles Woeste1926 – 1957
In 1937 had the three tower bells automated and instituted the daily Angelus at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.
- Monsignor Joseph Lubrecht1957 – 1977
- Father Joseph Broering1977 – 1987
- Monsignor Donald Hellmann1987 – 1992
- Father Leo Schmidt1992 – 2015
- Father Thomas Dorn2015 – 2017
Served as Parochial Administrator
- Father Daniel Schomaker2017 – 2025
Launched the 2018 $1.5M Capital Campaign that restored the church for the 150th anniversary and the 2025 rededication
- Father Niby Kannai2025 – Present
Current pastor; priest, author, and teacher with prior ministry in Kerala, India and at St. Henry, MQH, and St. Edward parishes