About St. Francis de Sales · Paducah, Kentucky
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 116 South 6th Street in downtown Paducah, Kentucky, on the northeast corner of Sixth and Broadway. Founded in 1848 by Father Elisha J. Durbin and now housed in a tan-brick Classical Revival basilica built in 1899–1900, it is the oldest church in Paducah still standing on its original site and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 (along with its 1927 rectory). The parish belongs to the Diocese of Owensboro and is currently served by Fr. Gary Clark and Deacon Scott Jones, with a 2022 diocesan directory listing of 428 families (approximately 810 parishioners). Its parish mission statement — 'Rich in tradition, we are nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, to Live Jesus' — reflects a community that emphasizes Catholic heritage, daily and Sunday Mass, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and parish-wide ministry involvement.
- Established
- 1848
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), Bishop of Geneva, Doctor of the Universal Church
- Rector
- Rev. Gary Clark
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales offers a rare combination: a 175-plus-year-old parish community with a deep, documented pastoral lineage (at least eighteen named pastors across six generations of families), a stunning 1899 Classical Revival basilica on the National Register of Historic Places, and a tight-knit 428-family congregation. Daily Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday alongside two Sunday Masses, with Friday-morning Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday confessions, and the parish supports a broad slate of ministries — liturgical, music, youth, Red Bird (bereavement support for parents), and stewardship. It is also one of the seven parishes of the Paducah Deanery that partner with the St. Mary School System, so Catholic-school families find an engaged sending community here.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Also by appointment with the pastor (Fr. Gary Clark)
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (begins at the conclusion of the 8:00 AM Mass)
History of St. Francis de Sales Parish
St. Francis de Sales was founded in 1848 by Father Elisha J. Durbin, who purchased the corner of Sixth and Broadway on May 8, 1848 for $225 and named the parish for his patron saint. The first frame church was built in 1849, a second church was added in 1870 under Rev. Ivo Schacht, and the present Classical Revival basilica — the oldest church in Paducah still on its original site — was erected in 1899–1900 under Rev. Herman W. Jansen, with cornerstone laid June 5, 1899 and construction costing about $30,000. The matching rectory was built in 1927 under Rev. Henry A. Connolly. A major interior renovation in 1933–34 by Louisville architect T. J. Nolan and Paducah contractor Sam Guill laid terrazzo floors, expanded the vestibule in red gum woodwork, installed glass-panelled doors, and added six stained-glass side windows donated by parishioners; no major structural changes have been made since.
- 1848 — Corner lot purchased; parish founded by Rev. Elisha J. Durbin
- 1849 — First (frame) church built by parishioners
- 1870 — Second church built under Rev. Ivo Schacht
- 1899 — Cornerstone of present church laid June 5 under Rev. Herman W. Jansen
- 1900 — Present Classical Revival basilica completed (~$30,000)
- 1927 — Rectory built under Rev. Henry A. Connolly
- 1933–34 — Major interior renovation by T. J. Nolan and Sam Guill
- April 16, 1979 — Added to the National Register of Historic Places (#79003119)
- 2024–2025 — Designated Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage site by the Diocese of Owensboro
Architecture and the Historic Building
The present church is a tan-brick Classical Revival basilica inspired by the late-19th-century revival of classical architecture rooted in the École des Beaux-Arts. The symmetrical facade features a projecting pedimented pavilion flanked by twin square bell towers with domed cupolas, fluted Corinthian columns, sandstone quoins, dentils, egg-and-dart moldings, and a statue of St. Francis de Sales in the central niche. The two-story nave, six bays deep, terminates in a polygonal apse and is lined by six tall stained-glass windows. The interior was extensively remodeled in 1933–34 in polished red gum woodwork; the exterior and footprint have remained unchanged since. Together with its 1927 rectory, the complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for significance in Architecture and Religion.
- Style: Classical Revival / Beaux-Arts influenced
- Form: Two-story basilica, six bays deep, with polygonal apse and side aisles
- Materials: Tan brick, stone base, sandstone quoins
- Facades: Pedimented central pavilion, twin domed bell towers, Corinthian columns, dentil and egg-and-dart moldings
- Windows: Six tall stained-glass side windows capped with round-arched stone hood molds; rectangular clerestory windows
- Interior remodeled 1933–34 by T. J. Nolan (Louisville) and Sam Guill (Paducah): terrazzo floor, enlarged vestibule in red gum woodwork, glass-panelled front doors
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: April 16, 1979 (NRHP #79003119)
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is currently led by Fr. Gary Clark as pastor, with Deacon Scott Jones assisting and Jennifer Record serving as Business Manager (per the Diocese of Owensboro 2022 Directory). A Parish Council supports parish governance, and monthly council minutes are posted on the parish News page. The parish is part of the Diocese of Owensboro and the Paducah Deanery.
- Pastor: Rev. Gary Clark — [email protected]
- Deacon: Scott Jones — [email protected]
- Business Manager: Jennifer Record
- Parish Council — minutes published on the parish website
Parish Mission and Identity
St. Francis de Sales describes its mission as: 'Rich in tradition, we are nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, to Live Jesus.' The parish emphasizes traditional Catholic worship (daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions), formation (parish youth ministry, RCIA-style faith sharing), and outreach through ministries including Red Bird Ministries for bereaved parents, Music Ministry, Liturgical Ministries, Stewardship, and partnership with the St. Mary School System.
- Mission: 'Rich in tradition, we are nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, to Live Jesus.'
- Daily and Sunday Mass; Friday Adoration; Saturday Confession
- Word on Fire reflections with Bishop Robert Barron; Jesus Thirsts weekly reflections
- Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage designation (2024–2025)
Ministries and Groups
The parish supports a wide range of lay ministries serving the parish and the wider community. Music Ministry and Liturgical Ministries support the celebration of Mass; Stewardship coordinates the giving of time, talent, and treasure; Red Bird Ministries provides support to parents who have lost a child; Parish Youth Ministry serves all ages; and Support and Counseling Services offers referrals. The parish also participates in the broader diocesan and ecclesial life via links to the Diocese of Owensboro, the USCCB, the Holy See, and the eBreviary.
- Red Bird Ministries — support for parents grieving the loss of a child
- Liturgical Ministries
- Parish Youth Ministry (all ages)
- Music Ministry
- Stewardship (Time, Talent, and Treasure)
- Support and Counseling Services
- Parish Council and other committees
Catholic Education — St. Mary School System
St. Francis de Sales is one of seven supporting parishes of the St. Mary School System, the PK3–12 Catholic school system serving the Paducah Deanery. St. Mary operates a preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school on the Highland Blvd and Elmdale Road campuses, and sends three voting members (plus associate members) to the St. Mary Education Committee. The school system is mission-focused: 'St. Mary, a Christ-centered community rooted in Catholic tradition, empowers students academically, encourages selfless sacrifice, and nurtures learners to become a positive influence on others.' St. Francis de Sales parishioners may choose St. Mary as their parish-supported Catholic school option.
- St. Mary Preschool (PK3–PK4) — 377 Highland Blvd., Paducah
- St. Mary Elementary School (K–5) — 377 Highland Blvd., Paducah
- St. Mary Middle School (6–8) — 1243 Elmdale Road, Paducah
- St. Mary High School (9–12) — 1243 Elmdale Road, Paducah
- Three voting St. Francis de Sales members serve on the St. Mary Education Committee
Sacraments and Devotions
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments through regularly scheduled liturgies and by appointment. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons and by appointment; weddings, baptisms, anointing of the sick, and funerals are coordinated through the parish office. Daily Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday alongside Sunday Masses; Friday-morning Eucharistic Adoration follows the 8:00 AM Mass; and special Jubilee Year of Hope devotions are available as part of the parish's designation as a diocesan pilgrimage site.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration: Friday 8:30–9:30 AM
- Daily Mass Tuesday–Thursday at 12:05 PM; Friday at 8:00 AM
- Sunday Masses at 8:30 and 11:00 AM; Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM
- Baptism, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Funeral Liturgies — by arrangement through the parish office
Visiting St. Francis de Sales
Visitors are warmly welcomed to attend Mass, pray in the historic church, or stop by the parish office at 116 S 6th Street during office hours. The 1899 Classical Revival building — a National Register of Historic Places property — is itself a highlight, with its pedimented facade, twin bell towers, and stained-glass side windows. Note that all church doors are locked after the First Reading at Mass; latecomers should use the front, middle door on Broadway where an usher will admit them until the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins.
- Address: 116 S 6th Street, Paducah, KY 42001
- Phone: (270) 442-1923
- Email: [email protected]
- Latecomer entrance: front, middle door on Broadway (until Liturgy of the Eucharist)
- Nearby NRHP landmarks: Hotel Irvin Cobb (across Sixth Street), Market House Historic District, Grace Episcopal Church
Getting Involved
Parishioners and newcomers are invited to get involved through liturgical ministries, music ministry, youth ministry, stewardship, the Parish Council, and the parish's support for the St. Mary School System and the Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin and monthly ministry schedules, and offers a 'Lead Adult Recruitment Form' for those interested in taking on leadership roles.
- Weekly parish bulletin (linked from the parish homepage)
- Monthly Ministry Schedules
- Lead Adult Recruitment Form
- Parish Council minutes (posted under News)
- Homebound / Hospital Notification
- Prayer / Special Intention Requests
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Elisha J. Durbin1848–c.1873
Founder of the parish; purchased the corner of Sixth and Broadway on May 8, 1848 for $225; supervised construction of the first church in 1849; named the parish for his patron, St. Francis de Sales. Died in Louisville in 1887.
- Rev. William Oberhulsman1850–1854
First resident pastor of the newly built first church.
- Rev. John F. Reed1854–1857
Second pastor.
- Rev. John M. Boyle1856–1859
Listed among successive pastors in the NRHP nomination and parish records.
- Rev. John M. Beyhurst1857–1860
Succession pastor.
- Rev. Michael Power1860–1864
Succession pastor.
- Rev. William Bourke1864–1868
Succession pastor.
- Rev. Edward O'Driscoll1864–1871
Succession pastor during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.
- Rev. Ivo Schacht1869–1871
Built the second church on the property in 1870.
- Rev. Benno Janssen1871–1876
Succession pastor.
- Rev. Peter Thomas Meagher1876–1881
Succession pastor.
- Rev. John C. Feehan1881–1882
Brief pastorate.
- Rev. John F. Reed1882–1882 (returning)
Returned briefly.
- Rev. Herman W. Jansen1882–1909
Longest-serving early pastor; 'well-known and beloved figure in Paducah'; laid the cornerstone of the present church June 5, 1899 and completed it in 1900 at a cost of about $30,000.
- Rev. Henry A. Connolly (Connally)1909–1927
Built the present rectory in 1927.
- Rev. John D. Fallon1927–1938
Oversaw the 1933–34 interior renovation (terrazzo, enlarged vestibule, red gum woodwork, glass doors).
- Rev. Albert J. Thompson1938–1957
Long post-war pastorate.
- Rev. Charles DeNardi1957–1963
Mid-century pastor.
- Rev. Robert T. Wilsonnamed 1963
Pastor as of the dedication of the Kentucky Historical Society marker; continued into later decades.
- Rev. Gary Clarkcurrent (as of 2022 diocesan directory and parish website)
Current pastor; email [email protected].
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