About St. Henry Catholic Church · Elsmere, Kentucky
St. Henry Catholic Parish is a historic Northern Kentucky faith community located on Dixie Highway in Elsmere, serving the Erlanger/Elsmere area of Kenton County. Founded in 1890 as a mission of St. Paul Church in Florence, it has grown into one of the larger parishes of the Diocese of Covington, with a parish school recognized in 2016 as a National Blue Ribbon School. The parish is committed to proclaiming the Gospel, building an active worship community, providing Catholic education at all levels, and serving those in need.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- St. Henry (patron of the parish; feast traditionally celebrated July 15)
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin Kahmann
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington
Why belong here
St. Henry is a parish where a long Northern Kentucky Catholic heritage meets present-day community life: five Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, a robust Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program for public-school and homeschooled children in grades 1–8, two ongoing Bible study groups (Tuesday afternoon and second/fourth Tuesday evenings), a parish school recognized as a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for those discerning entry or completion of Catholic sacraments, and active outreach including a prayer line and a 'Return: Bringing Our Loved Ones Home' program for fallen-away Catholics. Newcomers can register online or in person at the parish office.
Mass times at St. Henry Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office, 859-727-2035)
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month, beginning at 9:15 AM (9:00 AM in June, July & August) with Benediction at 1:00 PM
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Henry Catholic Parish in Elsmere, Kentucky, is part of the Diocese of Covington and the Roman Catholic Church. Its stated mission is to accept the Lord's call — quoting Matthew 28:19 — to go out and make disciples of all nations, by proclaiming the Gospel, building an active worship community seeking a deeper faith, providing Catholic education at all levels, and serving those in need. The parish family views itself as members of a larger body of believers and is committed to the spiritual, educational, and social care of its members.
Parish History
Organized in 1890 by Reverend William Gorey as a mission of St. Paul, Florence, the parish built its first brick church at Garvey and Shaw Avenues. The church burned in 1899; a combined church-school building replaced it in 1901. The present church on Dixie Highway was dedicated in 1936. Mid-century growth brought new elementary wings (1949, 1964) and a parish high school (1967), with the high school later reorganized as a district school and relocated to Donaldson Road in 1998. The parish celebrated its centennial in 1990 (Centennial Commons) and its 125th anniversary in 2014–2015.
- 1890 — Parish organized by Rev. William Gorey
- 1893 — First school built on Shaw Avenue
- 1899 — Original brick church destroyed by fire; Benedictine Sisters arrive
- 1901 — New combined church-school dedicated by Bishop C. P. Maes
- 1936 — Present church on Dixie Highway dedicated by Bishop F. W. Howard
- 1949 — New school building with gymnasium
- 1964 — Additional elementary classrooms
- 1967 — New parish high school built
- 1984–85 — Sanctuary renovation under Fr. Goeke; high school becomes district school
- 1990 — Centennial celebration; Centennial Commons built
- 1998 — St. Henry District High School moves to Donaldson Road
- 2004 — Bishop Roger J. Foys rededicated church after capital campaign
- 2014–15 — 125th-anniversary capital campaign raises $400,000+
St. Henry Catholic School
St. Henry Catholic School is the largest ministry of the parish, serving children from preschool through eighth grade and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School. The school shares the Dixie Highway campus with the parish church and offices. Active parish membership is a condition of the parish-member tuition rate; registration and inquiries go through the school office at 859-342-2551.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- 2016 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School
- Office phone: 859-342-2551
- Website: sthenrynky.com
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education at St. Henry is delivered through the parish school and the parish-based Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program, which ministers to public-school and homeschooled children in grades 1–8 on Monday evenings, August through May. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) accompanies adults discerning the Catholic faith, baptized Christians entering full communion, and Catholic adults seeking Confirmation and first Eucharist, culminating at the Easter Vigil.
- CCD – Coordinator Susan Bier ([email protected])
- CCD classes: Monday evenings, August–May
- OCIA – contact parish office, 859-727-2035
- OCIA Journey culminates at the Easter Vigil
Adult Faith & Bible Study
Two Bible study groups meet regularly at St. Henry — one in the afternoon and one in the evening — and are open to all parishioners and visitors. The parish also hosts the 'Return: Bringing Our Loved Ones Home' small-group program to support family members praying for and accompanying loved ones who have drifted from the practice of the faith.
- Afternoon Bible Study — every Tuesday 12:00–2:00 PM, OCIA room (contact Pat Pope, 859-342-8080)
- Evening Bible Study — 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 PM, OCIA room (contact Mike Portwood, 859-878-6905)
- Currently studying the Acts of the Apostles and the Letter to the Hebrews
- Return program — contact Jack Levermann, [email protected]
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. Active parish membership and participation are stated conditions for receiving the sacraments and for the active-member tuition rate at the parish school. Parents register for Baptism through the parish office; first-time parents must complete a pre-Baptism class held on the first Monday of each month.
- Baptism — call parish office; first-time parents attend pre-Baptism class on the 1st Monday
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — through parish school or CCD
- Confirmation — diocesan celebration; active parish membership required
- Marriage — contact clergy and parish secretary at least nine months prior
- OCIA — for unbaptized adults, Christians entering full communion, and Catholics completing initiation
Parish Staff & Pastoral Team
The parish is led by a pastor and parochial vicar, supported by a retired priest in residence, parish staff, and lay ministry coordinators. Parish committee chairpersons oversee the Parish Council, Finance Council, and Parish Education Commission.
- Rev. Kevin Kahmann — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Doug Lauer — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Msgr. William Neuhaus — Retired, In Residence
- Susan Bier — Coordinator of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Mike Wagner — Music Director ([email protected])
- Christy Cool — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Jim Brown — Parish Business Manager ([email protected])
- Kris Staverman — Media Coordinator ([email protected])
- Keith Limbach — Finance Council & Parish Education Commission chair
Joining the Parish & Contact
St. Henry welcomes new parishioners — whether visitors who have attended Mass or newcomers to the area — and offers both online and in-person registration. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. The school office can be reached separately at 859-342-2551.
- Parish office: 859-727-2035
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Address: 3813 Dixie Highway, Elsmere, KY 41018
- School office: 859-342-2551
- Online registration available via sthenrychurch.net
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Gorey1890 (organizer; also pastor of Florence)
Founded the parish as a mission of St. Paul, Florence.
- Rev. B. J. Kolbe / Kolb1891–early 1900s
Built the first school (1893), invited the Benedictine Sisters, oversaw the rebuilding after the 1899 fire; new church dedicated 1901.
- Rev. Blenkeearly 1900s
Donated lots along with Bishop Maes for the new church site.
- Rev. George C. Bealerthrough April 27, 1933
Died in office; began the move toward a four-year high school.
- Rev. Edmond CorbyMay 14, 1933 –
Built the present 1936 church on Dixie Highway; first high school graduation June 1937.
- Msgr. John Elsaesser1964 – c. 1981
Led the post-war expansion: 1949/1964 elementary additions and the 1967 high school.
- Rev. John W. Goeke1981 – 1990
Renovated the sanctuary 1984–85; oversaw transition of the high school to a district school.
- Rev. Robert Wehage1990 – 1999
Led the parish's 100th anniversary in 1990; built Centennial Commons with marble statue of St. Henry.
- Rev. James Ryan1999 – c. 2015
Oversaw the 2004 rededication by Bishop Foys; led 125th-anniversary capital campaign.
- Rev. Gregory BachParochial Vicar 2014 – 2015; Pastor 2015
Parochial Vicar under Fr. Ryan; succeeded him as pastor.