St. Gregory The Great

Parish History

St. Gregory the Great Parish is among the oldest Catholic communities in central Kentucky, with its roots reaching back to 1827 when settlers gathered for Mass at a farmhouse on or near the present church site. Occasional prayer gatherings continued until 1851, when Catholic families built the first church at what is now St. Gregory Cemetery. The parish is officially established as of 1845. After Father William D. Pike erected a second church in 1922, Father Leo Smith became the first resident pastor in 1923, with Father P. Tscheider, S.J., remembered as the first recorded pastor (1854). The farming community was hit hard by the Great Depression, prompting many to leave; in 1935 St. Gregory was attached to the Nazareth community under Father James P. McGee, who served the parish for some twenty years. The present-day church was built in 1960, and rapid growth in the 21st century led the parish to formally adopt its current mission statement in 2005.

• Catholic worship on the site since 1827
• Parish established 1845
• First church built 1851 at the cemetery
• Second church built 1922 under Fr. William D. Pike
• First resident pastor, Fr. Leo Smith, assigned 1923
• Attached to Nazareth under Fr. James P. McGee from 1935 for ~20 years
• Present church built 1960
• Mission statement adopted 2005

Parish Mission

The parish mission statement, crafted in 2005, guides the entire community's life and ministry: "With Jesus Christ as our model, and inspired by the Word of God, we are called forth from the altar to live Gospel stewardship, to welcome the stranger, to serve the needs of others, and to nourish spiritual growth at all levels of human development." The parish sees itself as sharing in the broader work of the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Mass & Liturgical Schedule

St. Gregory offers a full weekly schedule of Masses. Saturday Vigil is at 5:00 PM (4:00 PM outside Daylight Savings), Sunday Masses are at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (the 10:00 AM Mass is offered with Facebook Live), and daily Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 AM. Wednesday Mass moves to 8:45 AM when St. Gregory School is in session so students and staff can attend together. Holy Day schedules are listed in the parish bulletin.

• Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (4:00 PM outside DST)
• Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (Facebook Live at 10:00 AM)
• Tuesday–Friday: 8:00 AM
• Wednesday: 8:45 AM when school is in session
• Holy Days: see bulletin

Pastoral & Administrative Staff

St. Gregory is led by Pastor Rev. Kien T. Nguyen and supported by a team of lay staff who handle faith formation, music, parish operations, and the parish school. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and can be reached at (502) 348-6337 or [email protected].

• Pastor: Rev. Kien T. Nguyen
• Parochial Vicar: Fr. Charles Mungai
• Adult Faith Formation Coordinator: Andrew Salsman
• Children's Faith Formation Coordinator: Clara Fulkerson
• Music Director: Shirl Thomas
• Business Manager: Kim Fell
• Secretary: Deidre Mackin
• School Principal: Camille Boone

Formation Committee

The Formation Committee brings together parishioners and staff to coordinate the catechetical and educational needs of the whole parish. It oversees Children's Faith Formation Ministries, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and Adult Faith Formation Ministries. The committee is chaired by Brigid Morgan, who also serves as Parish Council Liaison.

• Children's Faith Formation Ministries
• Youth and Young Adult Ministries
• Adult Faith Formation Ministries
• Contact: Brigid Morgan, Chair & Parish Council Liaison

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation at St. Gregory is described as "the process by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study." Opportunities include Bible study, RCIA, retreats, and service-oriented programs. Inquiries and involvement are directed to Renelle Stallings via the parish office.

• Adult Bible Study
• Compassionate Ministries
• Journey of Faith
• Lenten Mission
• Parish Retreat Days
• RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
• Sponsor Couples Program
• Social Responsibility / GoodNewsPeople
• Adult Confirmation Preparation

Children's Faith Formation & Children's Church

Children's Faith Formation is coordinated by Clara Fulkerson and includes Children's Church — a program for children ages 3 through 2nd grade that takes place during the 10:00/10:30 AM Sunday Mass. Ministry teams rotate monthly to lead lessons and activities for the children during the Liturgy of the Word. Adult leaders help with planning, providing lessons, and assisting with children's activities.

• Children's Church for ages 3 through 2nd grade during Sunday Mass
• Monthly rotating ministry teams
• Contact: Clara Fulkerson

St. Gregory School

St. Gregory School is a parish Catholic school serving Pre-K through Grade 8 in Samuels, Kentucky. It opened in 1924 in an old bottling house under the care of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth; by 1925 enrollment had doubled and the school had moved into the first floor of a family home. In 2024 the school celebrated its 100th anniversary, with roughly 215 students enrolled (up from 146 nine years earlier) and about 25% of students non-Catholic. The school emphasizes faith formation, academic excellence, and character development, and is beginning a multi-phase expansion including a secure entryway, relocated administrative offices, and additional learning spaces. Principal Camille Boone leads the school.

• Founded 1924 in an old bottling house
• Staffed originally by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
• Pre-K through Grade 8
• 100th anniversary celebrated in 2024
• Approximately 215 students, ~25% non-Catholic
• Principal: Camille Boone
• Multi-phase campus expansion underway

Music Ministry

The parish Music Ministry is led by Director Shirl Thomas and supports the Mass schedule across weekend and daily liturgies. Fitting for the parish's patron — St. Gregory the Great, patron of musicians and the source of "Gregorian" chant — the ministry serves a central role in the parish's liturgical life.

• Music Director: Shirl Thomas

Patron Saint

St. Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I, c. 540–604) was one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church, a reformer of liturgy and church music, and a major scriptural commentator of the early medieval period. He is traditionally the patron of musicians, singers, students, teachers, scholars, and popes — a fitting patron for a parish that runs both a school and a music ministry. His feast day is September 3.

• Patron of musicians, singers, students, teachers, scholars, and popes
• Feast day: September 3
• Reformer of liturgy and church music; namesake of Gregorian chant

Visit, Contact & Office Hours

St. Gregory welcomes visitors and newcomers. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The mailing address is 330 Samuels Loop, Cox's Creek, KY 40013. Phone: (502) 348-6337; Fax: (502) 348-5784; Email: [email protected].

• Office hours: Mon–Thu, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Phone: (502) 348-6337
• Fax: (502) 348-5784
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 330 Samuels Loop, Cox's Creek, KY 40013