About St. Francis Xavier · Mount Washington, Kentucky
St. Francis Xavier is a Roman Catholic parish in Mount Washington, Bullitt County, Kentucky, belonging to the Archdiocese of Louisville. Established in 1846 and raised to parish status in 1966, it is the longest-surviving Catholic church building in Bullitt County. The parish serves around 721 registered families at 155 Stringer Lane, where a new 750+ seat church was dedicated in 2010, and runs a wide range of worship, formation, and outreach ministries under the motto 'Where Faith and Family Come Together.'
- Established
- 1846
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Fr. Jeff Nicolas
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier is a multi-generational Catholic community whose roots in Mount Washington stretch back to 1830 and whose current 750-seat church was dedicated in 2010. With 721 registered families it is large enough to offer a full sacramental and formation life — weekday and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, OCIA, youth and adult faith formation, choir, Knights of Columbus, Scouts, women's and family ministries, and an active SFX Outreach and St. Vincent de Paul-style assistance program — while remaining rooted in the small-town life of Bullitt County. Newcomers are welcomed through a clear registration process and dozens of ministries across worship, formation, parish life, and administration.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- First Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- 2nd Tuesday of the Month: 9:00 AM (additional)
- 2nd Wednesday of the Month: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Parish History — From Mission Church to 2010 Building
Catholic worship in Mount Washington began with private Masses in homes in 1830. The Smiths sold part of lot #60 to Bishop Flaget in 1845, and on October 4, 1846 the new frame church was dedicated and named for St. Francis Xavier. For decades it was a mission of Fairfield and later Shepherdsville. Father Bernard W. Knoer became its first resident priest in November 1948. Growth in the 1960s prompted a new church on Highway 44 at Stringer Lane; it was dedicated May 29, 1966, and on October 27, 1966 St. Francis Xavier was established as a parish with Father Henry G. Vessels as its first pastor. An educational wing was added in 1983, and a new 750+ seat church was dedicated on the same campus in 2010.
- 1830 — Father James Elliott organizes a parish at Mount Washington.
- 1846 (Oct. 4) — First church dedicated as St. Francis Xavier.
- c. 1880 — Mission of St. Michael, Fairfield; Mass roughly every fifth Sunday or every three weeks.
- 1911 — Becomes a mission of St. Aloysius, Shepherdsville; weekly Mass begins.
- Nov. 1948 — Rev. Bernard W. Knoer named first resident priest.
- 1961 — 8.28-acre campus purchased at Hwy 44 and Stringer Lane.
- 1965 — Groundbreaking May 2; first Mass in new church on Christmas Day.
- Oct. 27, 1966 — Parish established with Father Henry G. Vessels as first pastor.
- 1983 — Educational building added.
- 2010 — New 750+ seat church dedicated; heritage items from the old church relocated.
Worship & Liturgy
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday evening at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Weekday Masses are offered Tuesday and Friday at 8:30 AM, with Anointing of the Sick available 30 minutes before Mass. The parish livestreams Sunday Mass on YouTube for those unable to attend in person. Holy Day schedules are listed in the bulletin.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 5:00 PM
- Sunday Masses — 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
- Weekday Masses — Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 AM
- Anointing of the Sick — 30 minutes before Mass
- Live-streamed Sunday Mass on YouTube
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, an incoming pastor, a permanent deacon, and a lay pastoral and administrative staff. Nicolas has been appointed as his successor. Deacon Earl Baker assists with diaconal ministry.
- Incoming Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey S. Nicolas (also chaplain of Bethlehem High School)
- Permanent Deacon: Earl Baker
- Pastoral Associate: Paula Silliman
- Director of Religious Education: Lauren Battcher
- Youth Minister: Lisa Pence
- Director of Music: Carrie Gary
- Engagement Coordinator: Wende Aubrey
- Business Manager: Jennifer Sweeney
- Bookkeeper: Marda Weakley
- Administrative Assistant: Cara Blake
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Preparation programs accompany those that involve initiation or vocation, including OCIA for adults and Baptismal Preparation for families. The parish's 'I'm New' page directs newcomers to registration forms and sacrament contacts.
- Baptism (with Baptismal Preparation)
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- First Communion (Eucharist)
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
Lifelong Faith Formation & Education
St. Francis Xavier offers formation for every age — from children's faith formation classes and Children's Church to a High School Youth Group and Vacation Bible School for kids, plus adult opportunities through OCIA, a Faith Study Group (formerly Bible Study), the J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Club, Women's Club, and Men's and Women's Retreats. The 1983 educational building continues to serve as the parish's formation hub.
- OCIA / 'Come and See' gatherings (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Adult Faith Formation and Faith Study Group
- J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Club
- Women's Club
- Men's and Women's Retreats
- Children's Faith Formation
- Children's Church
- High School Youth Group
- Vacation Bible School
- Baptismal Preparation
Parish Life & Family Ministries
Under its mission 'Where Faith and Family Come Together,' the parish hosts a wide array of parish-life ministries that build community across ages — from family ministry and rosary-making to prayer and blanket outreach. A stewardship form is available to help newcomers register and share their time, talent, and treasure.
- Family Ministry
- J.O.Y. Club (Just Older Youth)
- Rosary Makers
- Women's Club
- Prayer Tree
- Prayer Blanket Ministry
- Stewardship / Planned Giving / Legacy Fund
Worship Ministries (Liturgical Roles)
Lay faithful serve the parish in every liturgical role, supported by a Director of Music and dedicated volunteer ministry leaders. The 2010 church's choir room and two sacristies support this work.
- Altar Servers / Acolytes
- Altar Society
- Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers and Greeters)
- Ministers of Holy Communion (Eucharistic Ministers)
- Ministers of the Word (Lectors)
- Adult Choir
- Youth Choir
Outreach & Charity
SFX Outreach operates a separate phone line and runs the parish's charitable work. The parish hosts the Bullitt County conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the old church building, primarily serving Mount Washington residents with limited assistance to other Bullitt County cities. In November 2020 the parish packaged and donated 24,408 meals through Love the Hungry. The parish also hosts American Red Cross Blood Drives on campus.
- SFX Outreach — (502) 538-0674
- St. Vincent de Paul (Bullitt County Conference) — utilities and food assistance
- Love the Hungry meal-packing events
- American Red Cross Blood Drives on campus
- Prayer Blanket Ministry
- Prayer Tree
Affiliated & Community Organizations
Beyond its parish-sponsored ministries, St. Francis Xavier partners with national Catholic and civic organizations that meet on campus.
- Knights of Columbus
- Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA
- American Red Cross
Administration & Facilities
A standing administrative team supports parish operations and stewardship of the campus, which today includes the 2010 church, the 1983 educational building, and the historic Catholic cemetery adjacent to the parish.
- Audit Committee
- Buildings and Grounds
- Safety Committee
- Stewardship / Planned Giving
- Long Range Planning
- Debt Reduction and 'Expanding our Embrace' campaigns
- Legacy Fund
- St. Francis Xavier Cemetery — volunteer mowers welcome; contact parish office for plot information
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone, fax, email, or in person. Office hours run Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The 'I'm New' page gathers registration forms, campus map, Mass and sacrament schedules, and ministry sign-ups in one place.
- Address — 155 Stringer Lane, Mt. Washington, KY 40047
- Parish Office — (502) 538-4933
- Fax — (502) 955-0449
- SFX Outreach — (502) 538-0674
- Email — [email protected]
- Office Hours — Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Website — http://sfxmw.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Elliott (St. Michael, Fairfield)1830–1871
Organized the parish and celebrated Mass in private homes and at the 1846 church as a mission.
- Father Eugene O'CallaghanAfter 1871
Named pastor of Fairfield and its Mt. Washington mission.
- Rev. Bernard W. KnoerFrom November 1948
First resident priest of St. Francis Xavier.
- Rev. Clarence C. Nord
Followed Knoer; led the push for a new church building in the 1960s.
- Rev. Henry G. VesselsNamed Aug. 23, 1966; first pastor
On October 27, 1966, St. Francis Xavier was established as a parish with Fr. Vessels as its first pastor.
- Rev. Robert Dale Cieslik
Pastor; also serves as Historian for the Archdiocese of Louisville; announced retirement, succeeded by Fr. Jeffrey S. Nicolas.
- Rev. Jeffrey S. NicolasAppointed
Appointed pastor of St. Francis Xavier and chaplain of Bethlehem High School, succeeding Fr. Cieslik.