About St. James · Elizabethtown, Kentucky
St. James Catholic Church is a large, historic parish in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, belonging to the Archdiocese of Louisville. Founded in 1851 as a mission church, it has served Catholic families in Elizabethtown and southern Hardin County for more than 175 years and today operates a parish school (Saint James Catholic School), a Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry and outreach ministry, a growing Hispanic ministry (with a weekly Spanish Mass), and a full sacramental and faith-formation program for children, youth, and adults. The parish worships at its current church on West Dixie Avenue, which was built in the early 1970s and is the spiritual home to a diverse congregation of English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics in central Kentucky.
- Established
- 1851
- Patron
- Saint James
- Rector
- Very Rev. Michael T. Wimsatt
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Saint James is a long-established, mission-driven Catholic parish that still lives out its founding commitments to word, worship, and service. It offers the full sacramental life — daily and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, Reconciliation multiple times a week, Eucharistic Adoration most days, and Anointing of the Sick on request — together with Family Faith Formation for children, sacramental preparation, Confirmation for teens, adult faith formation, Vacation Bible School, and FORMED digital catechetical resources. Parishioners serve the wider community through the Saint Vincent de Paul Outreach (rent, utility, and food assistance in Elizabethtown and southern Hardin County) and through Saint James Catholic School, which has been a continuously Catholic school for generations. With bilingual ministry, a strong music program, and a parish planning process currently underway, it is a welcoming place both for lifelong Catholics and for those inquiring into the faith.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm
- Monday 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
- Sunday (Domingo) Confesiones (Español) 2:15 pm
- Wednesday 5:00 pm (additional during Advent & Lent)
- Not available on holidays
Adoration times
- Monday 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (after 6 pm Mass)
- Tuesday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Wednesday (Mass at School) 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Wednesday (Mass at Church, school breaks) 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Thursday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Friday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Saturday 8:30 am – 9:00 am
- Not available on holidays
Parish Mission & Identity
Saint James Catholic Church describes itself as 'God's pilgrim people on earth … led by the Holy Spirit to serve Christ and His Holy Catholic Church.' Its mission statement calls the parish to 'seek a more excellent way' (1 Cor. 12:31) by exalting God through the sacraments and Mass, evangelizing, enriching Catholic formation for all ages, educating through its parish school, living stewardship as a way of life, and expanding mission while honoring the parish's past.
- Exalting God through the Sacraments and Mass with special attention to preaching and music
- Evangelizing by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ
- Enriching the formation of our Catholic faith in children, youth, adults and families
- Educating children and youth through our progressively academic, traditionally Catholic school
- Expressing faith in God, love for Christ and trust in the Holy Spirit through Stewardship as a way of life
- Expanding our mission and ministries while honoring our past and building our future
History of Saint James
The parish began in 1851 as a mission church, with Father Terrence John Disney becoming its first resident priest in 1869 and the Sisters of Loretto opening Saint Mary's Academy on Poplar and Miles Streets in 1870. A new church was built in 1884, and the school took the name Saint James School in 1902. The 20th century saw the parish organize the Knights of Columbus Council #1455 (1909), build a new school (1923), found Elizabethtown Catholic High School (ECHS, the 'Knights') in 1951, and dedicate the present church in April 1971.
- 1851 – Saint James begins as a mission church
- 1869 – Father Terrence John Disney becomes first resident priest
- 1870 – Sisters of Loretto open Saint Mary's Academy
- 1872 – First rectory built
- 1884 – Cornerstone of the new Saint James Church blessed
- 1894 – Parish has grown to 90 families / 500 members
- 1902 – School takes the name Saint James School
- 1909 – Knights of Columbus Council #1455 organized
- 1916 – KofC #1455 purchases the Harding Collegiate Building for its meeting hall
- 1923 – New school constructed
- 1937 – Saint James School PTA formed
- 1951 – High school takes the name Elizabethtown Catholic High School (ECHS), mascot the Knights
- 1954 – Ground broken for the new ECHS
- 1968 – Steering committee formed to raise $500,000 for a new church
- 1971 – Cornerstone of the current church laid Jan 19; first Mass Feb 5; dedication Apr 18
- 1972 – First Parish Council formed
- 1982 – Father John Spalding dies and is buried in Saint James Cemetery; Batcheldor Hall dedicated in honor of C. Joseph Batcheldor
- 1990 – Parish stewardship program established
- 1991 – Eighth grade re-added to the school
- 1995 – Parish re-purchases the former grade school building at Miles and Poplar Streets
- 1997 – Renovated school building reopens under Father J. Richard Sullivan
- 2005 – Saint James School becomes the only remaining Catholic school in Region VIII
- 2007 – Parish purchases 49.2 acres on Robinbrooke for future growth
- 2008 – Archbishop Kurtz blesses the Robinbrooke Campus land and names Father Chuck Walker pastor
- 2014 – Father Martin Linebach named pastor
- 2020 – Father Michael Wimsatt named pastor (current)
- 2026 – Parish celebrates its 175th anniversary with a Feeding America service project
Parish & School Staff
The parish and school teams at Saint James handle faith formation, worship, music, business, mission advancement, and facilities. Saint James Catholic School is led by Principal John Stith and Assistant Principal Pat Black.
- Olivia Dvorjak — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Joshua Walls — Coordinator for Adult Faith Formation
- Tim Watts — Director of Music Ministry
- Jennifer Moran — Director of Mission Advancement ([email protected])
- Lorena Cantero — Administrative Assistant for Faith & Worship ([email protected])
- Andy Padgett — Facilities & Maintenance Supervisor
- Aaron Kubat — Facilities & Maintenance Assistant
- Gail Hereford — Secretary & Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Scott Johnson — Business Manager ([email protected])
- John Stith — Principal, Saint James Catholic School
- Pat Black — Assistant Principal, Saint James Catholic School ([email protected])
- Laurie Bradford — Office Administrator, Saint James Catholic School
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Saint James offers a family-centered program of religious education for children, sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation / First Communion and Confirmation, an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process for adults, Vacation Bible School, and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training course. The parish also subscribes to FORMED, giving every parishioner free access to Catholic video, audio, and book content online.
- Family Faith Formation — classes for children age 3 through grade 6, including preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion
- Confirmation — preparation for grades 8 through 12, beginning in September and concluding with the Rite of Confirmation the following September
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for adults inquiring about becoming Catholic or completing initiation
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) — crafts, snacks, Bible stories, games, music, and Mass on the last day
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — formation course for catechists and parents
- FORMED — parish digital subscription; sign up at formed.org using zip 42701
Sacramental Preparation
The parish walks families and individuals through each of the seven sacraments. Sacramental preparation is required for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick is available on request.
- Baptism — first of the three sacraments of initiation; offered throughout the liturgical year at all ages
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — second-grade preparation, either through Saint James Catholic School or Family Faith Formation
- Confirmation — final sacrament of initiation; grades 8–12; preparation begins in September
- Marriage — contact the parish office for preparation and scheduling
- Anointing of the Sick — available on request through the parish office (270-765-6268)
Saint Vincent de Paul Outreach & Food Pantry
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Saint James Catholic Church runs a parish food pantry and outreach program from Batcheldor Hall on the parish campus at 307 West Dixie Avenue. The pantry is open Monday–Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and is closed on Fridays, weekends, and national holidays. The society provides spiritual and material assistance to those who are financially unable to meet basic needs such as rent, utilities, and food, helping clients in Elizabethtown and southern Hardin County. It is run by volunteers, with 99% of donations directed toward assistance to those in need.
- Location: Batcheldor Hall, 307 West Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown
- Hours: Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; closed Friday – Sunday and national holidays
- Phone: 270-763-4249
- Point of Contact: Bob Roush, President — 270-737-3532
- Serves: Elizabethtown and Southern Hardin County
Saint James Catholic School
Saint James Catholic School is the parish's K–8 (and through 8th grade) Catholic elementary school, located on the parish campus. In 2005 it became the only remaining Catholic school in Region VIII of the Archdiocese of Louisville to provide education in the Catholic tradition. The school is governed by a School Board chaired by the pastor and includes parent and community members.
- Phone: 270-765-7011
- Principal: John Stith
- Assistant Principal: Pat Black ([email protected])
- Office Administrator: Laurie Bradford
- School Board Executive: Father Michael Wimsatt (Pastor), Father Cole McDowell (Associate Pastor), John Stith (Principal), Patrick Black (Assistant Principal), Kevin Blain (Chair), Gregory Lee (Co-Chair)
Parish Office, Address & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, email, or in person at 307 West Dixie Avenue in Elizabethtown. The office is closed for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
- Parish Office — 307 West Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
- Phone: 270-765-6268
- Parish Fax: 270-982-3303
- Email: [email protected]
- Saint James Catholic School: 270-765-7011
- Saint Vincent de Paul Outreach: 270-763-4249
- Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (summer hours: Friday 8:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Terrence John Disney1869–
First resident priest of Saint James.
- Father Thomas Murray1928–
Appointed Pastor of Saint James Church.
- Father Barth Beruatto1933–
Assigned as Associate Pastor.
- Father Edward J. Menke1937–
Appointed Pastor; Saint James School PTA formed under his tenure.
- Father Wilfred J. Hayden1941–
Appointed Pastor.
- Father Vincent Sciolla1918–
Appointed Associate Pastor.
- Father Louis Bossung1963–
Named Pastor of Saint James Church.
- Father John Lehmenkuler1963–
Named Associate Pastor.
- Father John Talbott Spalding1964–
Named Pastor.
- Father Stanley Osborne1972–
Assigned as Associate Pastor; first Parish Council formed.
- Father C. Joseph Batcheldor1979–
Named Pastor; Batcheldor Hall later dedicated in his honor.
- Father William L. Fichteman1989–
Assigned Pastor in June.
- Father J. Richard Sullivan1997–
Installed as pastor by Archbishop Kelly; renovated school building reopened that fall.
- Father Peter Do2002–
Assigned to Saint James.
- Father Chuck Walker2008–
Named pastor by Archbishop Kurtz.
- Father Martin Linebach2014–
Named pastor of Saint James Catholic Church.
- Father Michael Wimsatt2020–
Named pastor of Saint James Catholic Church (current pastor).