About St. Francis of Assisi · Pikeville, Kentucky
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Lexington located in Pikeville, in the heart of Pike County in the Central Appalachian mountains of Eastern Kentucky. The parish traces its roots to 1914, when only three Catholics were reported in Pikeville, and it was formally dedicated in 1949 under the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi. The parish has long served as the main Catholic presence in Pike County and once operated Saint Francis of Assisi School (1953–2020). Today the parish is led by Father Rob Adams and reaches beyond its brick-and-mortar community through an active livestream and digital ministry serving Eastern Kentucky.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Father Rob Adams
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lexington
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a small but mission-driven Eucharistic family that explicitly welcomes everyone in Pike County and the greater Central Appalachian region, with the conviction that Christ meets each person where they are. The parish nurtures ongoing religious education and spiritual growth, offers varied opportunities for social enrichment, and serves neighbors in tangible ways through Blessing Boxes, a Christmas Store, and support for United Helping Hands. Even after the closure of St. Francis of Assisi School in 2020, the parish continues to reach Eastern Kentucky through a livestreamed Sunday Mass and an active digital ministry, making it accessible to parishioners and seekers far beyond Pikeville.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm (before the 5:00 pm Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 pm
Parish History
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Pikeville traces its history from a 1914 report of just three Catholics in the town to its formal dedication under the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi on October 7, 1949. The parish was born through the persistent effort of a local non-Catholic, John Yost, who from 1935 corresponded with visiting priests and Bishop Francis Howard about property in Pikeville suitable for a church.
Franciscan Founding Era (1949–1974)
At the invitation of Bishop William Mulloy of Covington, the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis (TOR) from Loretto, Pennsylvania, first visited Jenkins and Pikeville in October 1947. Father William Schreder, TOR, broke ground on the church on November 28, 1948 and became the first resident pastor at its 1949 dedication. The TOR Franciscans staffed the parish continuously until February 4, 1974.
- Father William Schreder, TOR (first resident pastor)
- Father Gabriel Stephens, TOR (opened school, 1953)
- Father Nicholas Wilger, TOR (1961–1966)
- Father Raphael Landser, TOR (1966–1967)
- Father Roger Chunta, TOR (1967–1971)
- Father Cletus Adams, TOR (1971–1972)
Diocesan Pastoral Succession
When the TOR Franciscans returned care of the parish to the Diocese of Covington in 1974, Father Jerome Stern became the first diocesan pastor. The parish was placed in the newly created Diocese of Lexington in 1988. Successive pastors oversaw school renovations, mission churches, and a complete new church building dedicated in 2015.
- Father Jerome Stern (1974–1983)
- Father Terrence Hoppenjans (1983–1997); founded St. Joseph the Worker (1985) and Jesus of the Mountains (1988)
- Father Stephen Gallenstein (1997–2002); school renovation 2000
- Father Benny Valayath, H.G.N. (2002–2005)
- Father Wilfred Fraenzle (2005–2010)
- Father Daniel Fister (2010–2013)
- Father Richard Watson (2013–2019); installed Aug 25, 2013
- Father Rob Adams (2020–present)
New Church and Jubilee Year of Mercy
On June 8, 2014, the Solemnity of Pentecost, the parish broke ground at the site of its new church, and Bishop John Stowe celebrated the Mass of Dedication on May 23, 2015. Bishop Stowe designated St. Francis of Assisi a pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year of Mercy; the Holy Doors were opened on December 13, 2015 and the parish hosted the Diocesan Day of Pilgrimage on July 9, 2016.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious education remains a core ministry of the parish. Father Rob Adams leads adult religious education, and Sister Amy Westbrook coordinates Sunday School and Religious Education for children. Volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults must complete a volunteer application (mailed to 147 Bryan St., Pikeville, KY 41501) and finish the diocesan CMGConnect online training before serving.
- Sunday School / Religious Education (contact: Sr. Amy Westbrook, [email protected])
- Adult religious education led by Father Rob Adams ([email protected])
- RCIA
- Bible Studies
Service and Outreach
Quoting Matthew 25:40 — 'Whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did it for me' — the parish frames its service ministries as central to the Gospel. The parish's mission statement emphasizes support for the needs of families in Pike County, the nation, and the world.
- Blessing Boxes (food collection)
- Christmas Store
- United Helping Hands
- Ushers and liturgical volunteers
Music and Liturgical Ministries
The parish welcomes musicians and singers into its music ministry. Volunteers are encouraged to speak with the musicians before or after Mass to indicate which Mass they plan to attend and how often they'd like to serve.
- Choir / singers
- Instrumentalists
St. Francis of Assisi School (1953–2020)
Saint Francis of Assisi School opened in the basement of the church in the fall of 1953 with two Sisters of Divine Providence serving students in grades 1–8. The school received a classroom addition in 1993 and was renovated in the summer of 2000. The school closed on July 1, 2020.
Pastoral Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Father Rob Adams, pastor, with Rebecca Griffith serving as Administrative Assistant. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm; the office can be reached at 606-437-6117 or [email protected].
- Father Rob Adams — Pastor
- Rebecca Griffith — Administrative Assistant
Mission, Vision, and Digital Outreach
The parish's stated mission is to be a Eucharistic family of Catholic Christians, nourished by the sacraments and guided by the Holy Spirit, proclaiming Jesus Christ and the Good News of Salvation while providing continuous religious education and supporting families in Pike County and beyond. Its current vision is to develop a strong digital ministry to preach the Gospel and lead people in Eastern Kentucky to the sacraments — an outreach that has become especially important since the closure of the parish school in 2020.
- Sunday 10:30 am Mass livestream via Facebook
- Online outreach to Eastern Kentucky
Visit and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at 147 Bryan Street, Pikeville, KY 41501. The office can be reached by phone at 606-437-6117 or by email at [email protected] during office hours, Monday–Thursday, 8:00 am–3:30 pm.
- Address: 147 Bryan Street, Pikeville, KY 41501
- Phone: 606-437-6117
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 am–3:30 pm
- Website: stfrancispikeville.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/stfrancispikeville
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William Schreder, TOR1949–1956
First resident pastor; broke ground on the original church in November 1948 and was appointed by Bishop William Mulloy at the dedication on October 7, 1949.
- Father Gabriel Stephens, TOR1956–1961
Opened St. Francis of Assisi School in the church basement in 1953 with two Sisters of Divine Providence.
- Father Nicholas Wilger, TOR1961–1966
Third Order Regular of Saint Francis pastor.
- Father Raphael Landser, TOR1966–1967
Third Order Regular of Saint Francis pastor.
- Father Roger Chunta, TOR1967–1971
Third Order Regular of Saint Francis pastor; returned again in 1972.
- Father Cletus Adams, TOR1971–1972
Third Order Regular of Saint Francis pastor.
- Father Jerome Stern1974–1983
First diocesan pastor after the TOR Franciscans returned care of the parish to the Diocese of Covington on February 4, 1974.
- Father Terrence Hoppenjans1983–1997
Established Saint Joseph the Worker Mission in Elkhorn City (1985) and Jesus of the Mountains Mission in Phelps (1988); oversaw interior renovation of the church in the 1980s.
- Father Stephen Gallenstein1997–2002
Renovated Saint Francis of Assisi School in the summer of 2000.
- Father Benny Valayath, H.G.N.2002–2005
Heralds of Good News priest.
- Father Wilfred Fraenzle2005–2010
- Father Daniel Fister2010–2013
Pastor of St. Francis and the missions in Elkhorn City and Phelps from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013.
- Father Richard Watson2013–2019
Formally installed by Bishop Ronald Gainer on August 25, 2013; celebrated the groundbreaking (2014) and dedication (2015) of the new church; opened the Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year of Mercy on December 13, 2015; appointed pastor of St. George in Jenkins in May 2017; left St. Francis in July 2019.
- Father Rob Adams2020–present
Became pastor on July 1, 2020, after serving as associate pastor since July 1, 2017.