About St. John the Evangelist · Paducah, Kentucky
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish in Paducah, Kentucky, and the first Catholic parish in McCracken County. Founded in 1839 by German Catholic immigrants and led today by Rev. Bruce Fogle, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Owensboro. It serves the Paducah area with weekend and daily Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, a youth ministry, faith-formation classes, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, a Knights of Columbus council, the Daughters of Isabella, and a variety of other parish organizations on its long-standing campus off Old US Highway 45 South.
- Established
- 1839
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Bruce Fogle
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro
Why belong here
St. John's welcomes Catholics and newcomers into a faith community that has worshipped on the same site since 1839 and that takes its role as the mother parish of McCracken County seriously. Visitors find a generous sacramental schedule — three weekend Masses, weekday Mass on Wednesday through Friday, a weekly Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, and confession before every weekend Mass — together with a strong Catholic school tradition that continues through the Paducah Faith Formation program for children in public schools, a dedicated youth ministry, the parish's own St. Vincent de Paul conference and food pantry, a Knights of Columbus council (#10962), the Daughters of Isabella, the Homemakers Club, the Quilters, and the St. John Seniors Day Out. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, an RCIA candidate, or simply curious about the faith, the parish frames itself as a place where, 'no matter where you are on the journey, we welcome you.'
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:50 PM (in the church)
- Sunday 7:00–7:20 AM (in the church)
- Sunday 9:00–9:20 AM (in the church)
Adoration times
- Saturday 4:00–4:50 PM
- Sunday following the end of 7:30 AM Mass — 9:00 AM
Parish History
St. John the Evangelist traces its origins to 1839, when a group of German Catholic immigrants settled in what was then western Kentucky and began gathering for the sacraments in private homes served by the itinerant missionary Fr. Elisha J. Durbin. A first log church was raised on the parish's present site in 1849; a larger frame church replaced it in 1869 under Fr. Peter Haeseley; and the current church was built in 1932–1933 during the pastorate of Fr. Paul Barrett. The frame structure served for sixty-three years before the new church was dedicated in December 1933. The parish's school heritage ran from the early 'Spring School' through the Sisters of Charity (1900–1912) and the Sisters of Mercy (1913–1992), with a high-school curriculum offered from 1938 to 1965 and the grade school finally closing in 2008. A Kentucky historical marker (#2190) was placed on the grounds in 2013.
- Founded 1839 by German Catholic immigrants
- First log church built 1849 under Fr. Elisha J. Durbin
- Frame church built 1869 under Fr. Peter Haeseley
- Present church constructed 1932–1933 under Fr. Paul Barrett; dedicated December 1933
- Post-Vatican II removal of the canopy and high altar (1960s)
- 2003–2006 renovation under Fr. Bruce McCarty; altar re-dedicated February 19, 2006 by Bishop John J. McRaith
- Kentucky Historical Marker #2190 placed 2013
Worship
Parish worship centers on Sunday Mass — the Saturday 5:00 PM vigil and Sunday 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM celebrations — together with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 AM, a monthly First Saturday Mass at 7:30 AM, and Holy Day liturgies. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the church Saturday 4:00–4:50 PM and Sunday 7:00–7:20 AM and 9:00–9:20 AM. Eucharistic Adoration is scheduled Saturday 4:00–4:50 PM and Sunday from the end of the 7:30 AM Mass until 9:00 AM, alongside the regular bulletin announcements of Stations of the Cross during Lent.
- Saturday vigil Mass 5:00 PM
- Sunday Masses 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM
- Weekday Mass Tue–Fri 7:30 AM
- First Saturday Mass 7:30 AM
- Holy Day Vigil 6:30 PM (6:00 PM per bulletin) / Holy Day 7:30 AM
- Confession Sat 4:00–4:50 PM; Sun 7:00–7:20 AM and 9:00–9:20 AM
- Eucharistic Adoration Sat 4:00–4:50 PM and Sun after 7:30 Mass – 9:00 AM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education for the children of parish families in public schools is delivered through the Paducah Faith Formation program, a cooperative effort with the other area Catholic parishes. Classes meet at St. Mary Elementary School on Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:30 PM during the school year and serve students from preschool (ages 4–5) through 12th grade. Registration runs in two windows — early registration (e.g., March 16 to April 16) at $65 per child / $130 per family, and standard registration after April 16 at $85 / $170 — and includes a 50% referral incentive for the family that first refers a new enrollee. The parish shares this subsidy with St. Mary and the other area Catholic parishes.
- Preschool (4–5) through 12th grade
- Wednesdays 6:15–7:30 PM at St. Mary Elementary School
- Early registration discounts and referral incentives
- Joint parish program with St. Mary and other Paducah parishes
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
Adults who want to enter the Catholic Church — or who simply want to learn more about the faith — are invited into the parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Drawing on the model restored by the Second Vatican Council, the RCIA process walks inquirers through prayer, study, and discernment marked by a series of rites celebrated within Sunday Mass, culminating in the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- Prayer, study, and discussion
- Multiple rites celebrated in Sunday Mass
- Easter Vigil reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist for those ready
Youth Ministry
Parish youth ministry is coordinated by Lorie Brown and is a key part of the parish's outreach to its younger members. The youth group is referenced in the parish's ministries and events pages as a regular gathering for teens in the Paducah area, connecting into the broader faith-formation program and parish life.
- Youth Minister: Lorie Brown
- Tied to the Paducah Faith Formation program
Christian Service & Community Outreach
St. John the Evangelist runs or hosts a substantial network of social and fraternal ministries. The parish sponsors the local St. Vincent de Paul Society and its Food Pantry on Cairo Road (open Tue/Wed/Thu 10:00 AM–1:00 PM), the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at 2025 Cairo Road (270-442-9351), and partners with Catholic Charities. Knights of Columbus Council #10962 — based at 6725 US Hwy 45 — meets for service and fellowship and hosts a monthly Bingo night at the KC Hall (first Thursday, doors open 4:30 PM, with a free meal for all who buy a Bingo ticket). The Daughters of Isabella, the St. John Homemakers Club, the St. John Quilters, the St. John Seniors Day Out, a parish support group, and the Compassionate Friends of Western Kentucky round out the parish's social ministry footprint.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society and Food Pantry (2001 Cairo Rd)
- St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store (2025 Cairo Rd, 270-442-9351)
- Knights of Columbus Council #10962 (6725 US Hwy 45, 270-554-0700); contact Leroy Poat 270-519-0358
- Daughters of Isabella (1st Tuesday, 6:30 PM, KC Hall, Jefferson St)
- St. John Homemakers Club (2nd Wednesday, 6:30 PM, school cafeteria, Sep–May)
- St. John Quilters
- St. John Seniors Day Out (1st Thursday, 11:00 AM, Café; no January or September)
- Compassionate Friends of W KY (1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 PM, KC Hall)
- St. John Support Group (3rd Wednesday, 10:30 AM, Pizza Inn)
- Respect Life
Music Ministry
Music at St. John is led by Adam Horbovetz, the parish's Music Director, who also serves the parish's faith-formation program as Director of Religious Education. Photographs of the nave in the romeofthewest.com essay show the parish's musicians preparing for Holy Mass, indicating an active volunteer choir that supports the parish's regular and special liturgies.
- Music Director: Adam Horbovetz
- Volunteer choir supporting weekend and special Masses
Sacraments
Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Reception into Full Communion are arranged through the pastor and parish office. The parish bulletin sets out clear policies for families: parents are asked to contact the pastor for an appointment and preparation for infant Baptism, and couples are asked to notify the pastor at least six months before the proposed wedding date; at least one party must be 19 years of age or one year out of high school.
- Baptism: contact pastor for appointment and preparation
- Marriage: six-month notice; at least 19 years of age or one year out of high school
- RCIA for adult initiation
- Anointing of the Sick available through the parish office
Parish Staff & Office
Parish operations are run by a small staff under the direction of the pastor. As of the most recent bulletin and staff page, the team includes Rev. Bruce Fogle as pastor, Deacon Bill Clark assisting, Hazel Wurth as secretary, Paula Englert as bookkeeper, Adam Horbovetz as music director and director of religious education, and Lorie Brown as youth minister. The parish office is open weekdays with reduced hours on Friday.
- Pastor: Rev. Bruce Fogle
- Deacon: Bill Clark
- Secretary: Hazel Wurth
- Bookkeeper: Paula Englert
- Music Director / DRE: Adam Horbovetz
- Youth Minister: Lorie Brown
- Office: 270-554-3810; Rectory: 270-554-7988; Fax: 270-534-9163
Diocese of Owensboro
St. John the Evangelist is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro, which was erected in 1937 from territory taken from the Diocese of Louisville. The diocese is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Louisville, and its current ordinary is Bishop William Francis Medley. Paducah-area parishes participate together in the Paducah Faith Formation program and in shared ministries such as the St. Vincent de Paul conference.
- Diocese of Owensboro, erected 1937
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Louisville
- Diocesan listing includes St. John the Evangelist Parish
Visiting the Parish
Visitors are warmly welcomed at weekend and daily Mass, before which confession is heard in the church. The Kentucky Historical Marker commemorating the parish's founding and long-running school is on the grounds, and a popular photo essay of the nave, altar, tabernacle, and crucifix is available on the romeofthewest.com blog. The parish office is the right place to inquire about weddings, baptisms, RCIA, parish registration, or facility use.
- Office hours Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Wednesday closed; Friday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Always call ahead or email [email protected] for appointments
- Bulletin available online at stjohnspaducah.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Elisha J. Durbin1839–c.1849+
Missionary priest from Union County who celebrated the first Masses for the German immigrant families and directed the building of the first log church in 1849.
- Fr. Peter Haeseleyby 1869
Directed construction of the larger frame church that replaced the burned log church in 1869.
- Fr. Paul Barrett1932–1933 (construction)
Pastored during the construction of the present church building, dedicated December 1933.
- Fr. Bruce McCartyearly 2000s–c.2006
Led the 2003–2006 general renovation, addition (restrooms, reconciliation room, sacristy), and the February 19, 2006 Mass of Thanksgiving and Dedication of Altar with Bishop John J. McRaith.
- Rev. Bruce Foglepresent pastor
Current pastor per the parish website, diocesan listing, and bulletins.