About St. Edward Catholic Church · Cynthiana, Kentucky
St. Edward Catholic Church is a small, welcoming Catholic parish in Cynthiana, Kentucky, part of the Diocese of Covington. Founded in 1864, the parish serves Harrison County with a church, an attached parish school (preschool through 5th grade), and a parish cemetery. Under the pastoral care of Rev. Joe Rielage, St. Edward offers daily and Sunday Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, CCD religious education, OCIA for adults, a youth ministry, a Right to Life outreach, and a parish cemetery — all in the spirit of being 'a welcoming Catholic community centered on the Eucharist.'
- Established
- 1864
- Patron
- St. Edward the Confessor
- Rector
- Rev. Joe Rielage
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington
Why belong here
St. Edward is a small, family-sized Catholic community in Cynthiana where everyone is treated as a cherished child of God. The parish pairs Sunday and weekday Mass with a robust parish school (preschool through 5th grade), CCD religious education, OCIA for adults, a youth ministry, an active Right to Life outreach, a parish cemetery ministry, and a Spirit Sisters women's group — all under a pastor and staff who know their parishioners by name. It is an ideal spiritual home for anyone seeking a faith-based school, a serious Eucharistic community, and a place to grow in discipleship in Harrison County.
Mass times at St. Edward Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–5:00 PM
- Sunday 9:00–9:30 AM
Adoration times
- Friday Adoration (suspended June 5, resumed dates per parish announcements)
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Edward describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community centered on the Eucharist, striving to live and to share the good news and to grow in discipleship with the Lord.' Fr. Joe Rielage extends personal greetings to visitors, regulars, and anyone seeking a new spiritual home, and the parish emphasizes that 'everyone is a cherished child of God.' It is a small, family-sized community in Cynthiana that warmly welcomes new families and visitors.
Our History
Catholic life in Cynthiana dates to 1825, when settlers arrived via the inland buffalo trails. From 1854 Mass was offered twice a month at the Wall Schoolhouse, and the congregation was organized by Rev. John Force. Fr. Eberhard Brandts built the first St. Edward church, dedicated on Ascension Day 1864, and the parish grew through the Civil War era (during which the school was commandeered as a morgue after Morgan's raid).
- 1853–1860: Cynthiana organized as a station/mission of the Diocese of Covington
- 1864: First St. Edward church dedicated on Ascension Day
- 1871: Bishop Toebbe laid the cornerstone of the present brick church
- 1872: Mission became an independent parish under Rev. Ferdinand Brossart
- 1876: Church formally dedicated October 29
- 1920: Parish school re-opened with the Sisters of Divine Providence
- 1965: Church and rectory destroyed by fire (December 30)
- 2014: 150th Anniversary celebrated
Mass & Sacraments
Mass is celebrated Tuesdays at 5:00 PM, Wednesday through Friday at 9:30 AM, Saturday Vigil at 5:30 PM, and Sunday at 10:00 AM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday 4:30–5:00 PM and Sunday 9:00–9:30 AM.
Baptism
Parents are encouraged to have their child baptized as soon as possible after birth. First-time parents attend a preparation session before the baptism. The parish office should be contacted at least one month in advance. Adults interested in the Catholic faith are invited to contact the parish for information about Baptism through the OCIA process.
Holy Matrimony
Couples interested in being married at St. Edward are asked to contact the parish office before setting a wedding date, at least 10 months in advance.
Funerals
Families are asked to contact the parish office before finalizing the date so that availability can be confirmed.
St. Edward Catholic School
St. Edward Catholic School provides a rigorous, faith-infused education for preschoolers through 5th grade, with a curriculum grounded in current research and teaching methods. The school emphasizes respect, responsibility, courage and kindness, alongside communication, decision-making, and creative and critical thinking. Doors open at 7:30 AM, classes run 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the office is staffed 7:30 AM–4:00 PM. The school began a Preschool Program in August 2006 and inaugurated a 'House System' in 2025 — four houses named for the Catholic Cardinal Virtues — to grow community, teamwork, and character development among K–5 students.
- Grades served: Preschool through 5th
- School office: 859-234-2731
- Emails: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Website: stedwardkyschool.org
- Address: 107 N. Walnut Street, Cynthiana, KY 41031
- 2025 House System (Cardinal Virtues) and 'See You at the Pole' participation
Religious Education & OCIA
Adriana Haas serves as both CCD coordinator and the religious teacher at St. Edward School. Early registration for the fall CCD program is open each spring; families who enroll before August 1 receive a discounted fee (e.g. $75 vs. $90 in a recent year). Applications and fees may be submitted at the church office Tuesday–Friday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process through which men and women enter the Catholic Church, study the Gospel, and receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
- CCD registration: Adriana Haas, [email protected]
- OCIA / RCIA: contact the parish office ([email protected])
Parish Staff
St. Edward is served by a small, dedicated lay and clerical staff headed by Fr. Joe Rielage. The Music Director, Director of Religious Education, Business Manager, Right to Life Coordinator, Chief Sacristan, Cemetery Contact, and church/school office staff together keep the parish, school, and cemetery running day to day.
- Pastor: Rev. Joe Rielage ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education: Adriana Haas
- Music Director: Dr. Beth Laytart
- Business Manager: Mark Sifford
- Right to Life Coordinator: Resa Hersel
- Cemetery Contact: Johnny Schreiber
- Chief Sacristan: Nancy Zaletta
- Church/School Office Staff: Carol Hyatt
Parish Committees & Councils
Parish life at St. Edward is shaped by five standing committees, each chaired administratively by Fr. Joe Rielage. Membership lists, with names and contact details, are published on the parish website.
- Parish Council — President: Linda Mattmiller
- Finance Council — Mark Sifford
- Education Board — Mark Hatmaker
- Cemetery Committee — Chair: Adam Gasser
- Maintenance Committee — Chair: Mark Perraut
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, St. Edward runs a Right to Life ministry (Resa Hersel), a Spirit Sisters women's fellowship that organizes pilgrimages and outings, a youth ministry (monthly meetings), a music ministry under Dr. Beth Laytart, and ongoing food bank collections for the local food bank. Annual parish traditions include the Blessing of the Animals and the May Crowning of Mary.
- Right to Life
- Spirit Sisters
- Youth Ministry
- Music Ministry / Choir
- Sacristans
- Food Bank outreach (monthly requested item)
St. Edward Cemetery
In 1869, thirty acres of land were purchased at the intersection of the Keller and Falmouth Pikes for a parish cemetery; Bishop Toebbe blessed part of it in 1871. Fr. Patrick Jones (1895–1901) cut walks and roadways and built a substantial enclosing wall, transforming what had been 'little more than an unkept field.' The Cemetery Committee, chaired by Adam Gasser, continues to maintain the cemetery today, with Johnny Schreiber as the parish staff contact.
- Established 1869 (blessed by Bishop Toebbe in 1871)
- Located at Keller and Falmouth Pikes intersection
- Committee Chair: Adam Gasser
- Parish staff contact: Johnny Schreiber
Events & Parish Life
The parish Events page lists Finance Committee Meetings (e.g. monthly in the school cafeteria), Spirit Sisters pilgrimages (such as a recent trip to the new gardens at St. Patrick Cemetery, Maysville, KY, with its visitor center, Garden of Gethsemane replica and 15 Stations of the Cross), and notices about parish offices and adoration schedules (e.g. 'No Adoration on Fridays starting June 5th').
- Monthly Finance Committee Meetings
- Spirit Sisters trips and outings
- Adoration schedule changes posted on Events page
Current Happenings & School Life
The parish's 'Current Events' feed highlights school and parish activities: the September 2025 'See You at the Pole' prayer gathering, the Blessing of the Animals celebrated by Fr. Joe, the May Crowning ceremony, First Communion celebrations, the launch of the House System, and house spirit days where the leading house gets to silly-string Fr. Joe.
- First Communion Sunday
- Mary Crowning (May)
- Blessing of the Animals
- See You at the Pole
- House System spirit days
Join Us
St. Edward and its school warmly welcome anyone looking for a place to learn about God, the Catholic faith, or a dynamic faith-based education. New families are invited to attend Mass, events, or activities, and inquiries about joining the Catholic faith through OCIA are welcomed.
- Contact: Fr. Joe Rielage, [email protected]
- OCIA / RCIA available
- Parish registration and school enrollment available
Contact & Visit
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The office can be reached by phone at 859-234-5444 (fax 859-234-9823), or by email at [email protected]. For after-hours emergencies, call Mary Grable at 859-588-4469. Online donations are accepted through the parish website.
- Address: 107 North Walnut Street, Cynthiana, KY 41031
- Phone: 859-234-5444
- Emergency line: 859-588-4469 (Mary Grable)
- Online giving available on stedwardky.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Force1853–c.1860
Organized the Cynthiana congregation as a mission; said Mass in homes and later in the Wall Schoolhouse.
- Rev. Eberhard Brandts1860–1872
Built the first frame church of Cynthiana, dedicated in honor of St. Edward on Ascension Day 1864; purchased the present church site.
- Rev. Ferdinand Brossart1872–1875
First resident pastor; oversaw construction of the present St. Edward Church, putting it under roof before his transfer.
- Rev. Thomas Major1876–1883
Dedicated the new brick church on October 29, 1876.
- Rev. Joseph Merschmann1883–1891
Purchased adjoining lot for a rectory.
- Rev. Thomas McGrady1891–1895
Built the present rectory; converted the old frame church into a social center with a YMI Council.
- Rev. Patrick Jones1895–1901
Lifted the parish debt by July 1898; improved St. Edward Cemetery with walks, roadways and an enclosing wall.
- Rev. Frank Kehoe1901–1903
Installed the Gothic fan-groined vault ceiling of the church.
- Rev. John Adlesperger1903–1909
- Rev. George Bealer1909–1919
Installed art glass windows.
- Rev. Declan Carroll1919–1928
Opened the parish school in September 1920 with 62 pupils under the Sisters of Divine Providence.
- Rev. William Curry1928–1947
- Rev. Joseph Collins1947–1957
- Rev. Albert McCracken1957–1964
Built a new school and convent.
- Rev. Urban Hortsman1964–1971
Rebuilt the church and rectory after the December 30, 1965 fire.
- Rev. Lawrence Keller1971–1986
Retired a $170,000 parish debt by 1980.
- Rev. Louis Brinker1986–2001
Known for devotion to Mary, the praying of the rosary, and emphasizing the Pro-life message.
- Rev. Douglas Lauer2004–2017
Led seven-year property expansion campaign totaling over $350,000; oversaw new preschool (2006), playground (2009) and Parish Service Awards (2008).
- Rev. Harry Allen Settle, Jr.2017–c.2022
Installed Parochial Administrator June 2017; Pastor July 2018.
- Rev. Joe Rielagecurrent
Current pastor.