About St. Brigid · Louisville, Kentucky
St. Brigid Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, founded in 1873 to serve the Irish immigrant community of 'Irish Hill.' The parish is clustered with neighboring St. James Church (since 1994), and together they share staff, liturgy, and outreach programs while each parish retains its own identity. Today St. Brigid is pastored by Rev. Gary T. Padgett as part of the Archdiocese of Louisville, offering daily and Sunday Mass, the sacraments, faith formation, and an active corps of ministries including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Knights of Columbus, a music program, and a young adult group.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. Brigid of Ireland
- Rector
- Rev. Gary T. Padgett
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Brigid is a warm, mid-sized Highlands parish that combines the beauty of a 1913 French Renaissance–style church with an active community life. Worship is supported by a long tradition of excellent liturgical music (a 1913 Pilcher organ paired with a 1990 Webber organ), and parishioners are drawn into service through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Social Outreach Committee, a Respect Life Team, Eucharistic Outreach to the Homebound, a Young Adult group, and joint work with St. James on Habitat for Humanity, Dare to Care, and Highlands Community Ministries. The parish offers daily noon Mass (except the first Monday of the month), Saturday vigil, two Sunday morning Masses, weekly confession, and A.G.I.F.T. (Adults Growing in Faith Together) as a welcoming entry point for inquirers and adults preparing to become Catholic.
Mass times at St. Brigid
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 3:45 PM (at St. Brigid)
- By appointment: (502) 645-8863
Parish History
St. Brigid was founded in 1873 to serve the Irish community of “Irish Hill” in Louisville, with the first Mass celebrated on October 12, 1873, by founding pastor Rev. James Ryan. The parish moved in 1890 to its present Baxter and Hepburn Avenues site under Fr. Henry Connolly, who in 1893 corrected the spelling to “St. Brigid.” The present church was dedicated in 1913 in the mid-nineteenth century French Renaissance style, paid for largely through parishioner fundraising.
- 1873: 'Saint Bridget' Parish established; first pastor Rev. James Ryan celebrates first Mass October 12, 1873
- 1874: Fr. John Creary succeeds Fr. Ryan and opens a parish school
- 1890: Parish relocates to Baxter & Hepburn; temporary two-story brick church built (later demolished for a parking lot)
- 1893: Parish renamed 'Saint Brigid' by Fr. Henry Connolly
- 1912 (July 28): Cornerstone of the present church laid
- 1913 (October 5): Current church dedicated; French Renaissance style, Pilcher organ in choir loft
- 1928: New school and convent built; old temporary church demolished
- 1968 & 1987: Major church renovations
- 1973: St. Brigid School closes after 99 years
- 1990: Pilcher organ renovated; Webber chancel organ added; the two interconnected
- 1994: Under Rev. Donald R. Goetz, St. Brigid joins St. James in a two-parish cluster; school building sold and converted to apartments
- 2012 (June): Rev. Anthony Olges becomes pastor of the cluster
- 2014 (June): Rev. Gary Padgett becomes current pastor
- 2023 (September): Parish celebrates its 150th anniversary
The Building and Its Acoustics
The 1913 church is built in the mid-nineteenth century French Renaissance style, of stone and yellow brick, and is filled with stained-glass windows and paintings. Its organ tradition — a 1913 Henry Pilcher's Sons organ in the choir loft, paired with a 1990 Webber chancel organ, the two interconnected — combined with the building's acoustics has made St. Brigid a frequent concert venue in the Highlands.
- Mid-19th-century French Renaissance architecture
- Stone and yellow brick exterior
- Stained-glass windows and paintings throughout
- Henry Pilcher's Sons organ (1913) in the choir loft
- Webber organ added to the chancel (1990); both organs interconnected and playable from either console
- Known for excellent acoustics; has hosted many concerts in its history
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Gary Padgett, with a Senior Associate Pastor, a Visiting Associate Pastor, a Deacon, a Retired Deacon, and two priests in residence. Lay staff support worship, music, weddings/funerals, sacraments, finances, and the bulletin.
- Rev. Gary Padgett — Pastor
- Rev. James Hackett — Senior Associate Pastor
- Rev. Muwonge Expedito — Visiting Associate Pastor
- Fr. John Burke — Retired, in Residence
- Fr. Paul Eve — In Residence
- Dn. William Tribbey, O.F.S. — Deacon
- Dn. Louie Dugan — Retired Deacon
- Kristin Kupper — Parish Manager
- Adelaide Hess — Bookkeeper
- Judy Forcht — Accountant / Payroll
- Kate Breen — Admin Assistant / Bulletin / Mass Intentions
- Martha Tribbey — Admin Assistant
- Paula Rich — Admin Assistant / Ministries
- Patsy Bourke — Worship & Funeral Coordinator
- Dr. Thomas Parr — Director of Music & Organist (St. Brigid)
- Philip Hines — Director of Music & Organist (St. James)
- Elizabeth Lichtsteiner — Wedding Director / Goetz Center Rental / Sacramental Records
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Adults interested in the Catholic faith — including those preparing to be received into the Church — begin with A.G.I.F.T. (Adults Growing in Faith Together), a weekly program of inquiry and faith sharing led by Fr. Gary Padgett.
- A.G.I.F.T. – Adults Growing in Faith Together
- Meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM
- Location: Goetz Center (basement of St. Brigid Church)
- Open to Catholics and non-Catholics with questions about the faith
- Direct inquiries can also be made to Fr. Gary Padgett through the parish website
Parish Ministries
St. Brigid maintains a wide range of lay ministries, councils, and outreach groups. Several are operated jointly with clustered parish St. James, including the Pastoral Council and the Knights of Columbus council (Sts. Brigid & James Council #16179).
- Pastoral Council (joint St. Brigid & St. James; meets second Tuesday of the month)
- Worship Committee
- Music Ministry (Dr. Thomas Parr, Director of Music & Organist at St. Brigid)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Social Outreach Committee
- Eucharistic Outreach to the Homebound
- Senior Outreach Committee
- Respect Life Team
- Knights of Columbus — Sts. Brigid & James Council #16179
- Hospitality
- Volunteer Opportunities
Young Adult Group (Highlands Young Adult Catholics)
Highlands Young Adult Catholics is a group of men and women ages 18–40 who gather for fellowship, breaking open God's Word, and service to the Louisville Highlands. The group was formed in August 2019 by young adult parishioners at St. James and is supported by Fr. Steven Reeves and Fr. Gary Padgett.
- Ages 18–40
- Formed August 2019 by St. James young adult parishioners
- Bi-weekly meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:00–8:15 PM in the St. Brigid Goetz Center
- Faith on the Rocks (tough-topic discussion) — 4th Thursday, led by Fr. Gary Padgett
- Coed Bible studies, social events, and service activities
- Contact: Claire Ackerson, 502-224-3038
Outreach and Charity
St. Brigid joins with clustered parish St. James and the wider Louisville community in a strong tradition of charitable outreach. Active partners include the parish's own St. Vincent de Paul Society, neighborhood ministries, and citywide efforts against hunger and poverty.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (parish helpline: 502-584-5565, ext. 28)
- Highlands Community Ministries
- Dare to Care
- Habitat for Humanity (works with other area churches)
- Eucharistic Outreach to the Homebound
- Respect Life Team
- Senior Outreach Committee
Sacraments
Information on the sacraments is coordinated through the parish office and the designated lay staff. Sacramental records, weddings, and funerals each have a dedicated coordinator.
- Baptism, Marriage, Funeral — contact the parish office: (502) 584-5565
- Sacramental Records and Wedding Director: Elizabeth Lichtsteiner
- Worship & Funeral Coordinator: Patsy Bourke
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA) — A.G.I.F.T. weekly program
Cluster with St. James
Since 1994 St. Brigid has been partnered with St. James Church (1826 Edenside Avenue, Louisville) in a two-parish cluster. The parishes share staff and collaborate on outreach and council work while remaining independent and retaining their own identity, histories, and worship schedules.
- Two-parish cluster formed in 1994 under Rev. Donald R. Goetz
- St. James address: 1826 Edenside Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204
- St. James phone: (502) 451-1420
- St. James Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 7:00 PM; Daily Mass Tuesday 8:30 AM
- Joint Pastoral Council and joint Knights of Columbus council (Sts. Brigid & James #16179)
- Shared outreach: St. Vincent de Paul, Highlands Community Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Dare to Care
Contact, Office Hours, and Location
St. Brigid's parish office serves visitors and parishioners Monday through Thursday and half a day on Friday. The church is in the heart of the Highlands at Baxter and Hepburn Avenues.
- Address: 1520 Hepburn Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204
- Phone: (502) 584-5565
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sbsjlou.org/
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Confession appointment line: (502) 645-8863
- St. Vincent de Paul helpline: (502) 584-5565, ext. 28
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Ryan1873–1874
First pastor; celebrated the first Mass on October 12, 1873. Left within a year to join the Paulist Fathers in New York.
- Rev. John Creary1874–1887
Succeeded Fr. Ryan; started a parish school in 1874.
- Rev. Henry Connolly1887–
Succeeded Fr. Creary; moved the parish in 1890 to Baxter and Hepburn Avenues; renamed the parish “Saint Brigid” in 1893.
- Rev. Donald R. Goetz1994–
Led the formation of the two-parish cluster with St. James in 1994.
- Rev. Anthony OlgesJune 2012 – June 2014
Became pastor of the St. Brigid–St. James cluster in June 2012; retired in June 2014.
- Rev. Gary T. PadgettJune 2014 – present
Current pastor of St. Brigid and St. James.