About St. Joseph · Mayfield, Kentucky
St. Joseph Parish (San José) is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Mayfield, Kentucky, belonging to the Diocese of Owensboro. Founded in 1887 on land purchased for $125, the parish has served the communities of Mayfield and Graves County for over 135 years through thick and thin — weathering everything from circuit-riding priests to the closure of its parish school. Today, under the pastoral care of Father Eric D. Riley (a native son of the parish, in office since 2011), St. Joseph ministers in both English and Spanish, celebrates daily and weekend Masses, hosts Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions several times a week, runs CCD and youth ministry programs, and operates an active St. Vincent de Paul conference for the needy.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Eric D. Riley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro (created 9 December 1937 by Pope Pius XI; first bishop: Francis R. Cotton)
Why belong here
St. Joseph Parish is a historic bilingual Catholic community that has served Mayfield and Graves County since 1887 and has grown into a true home for both English- and Spanish-speaking families. Daily Mass (Wed–Fri at 8 AM), weekend Masses in English and Spanish, three weekly Confession times, day-long Friday Adoration, and a bilingual Holy Rosary & Communion devotion make the sacraments accessible to working families. Active CCD and youth ministry, an on-site Hispanic Ministry under Madre Mary, and a chartered St. Vincent de Paul conference offer concrete ways to live the Faith through service to the poor — all under the care of a pastor who is himself a native son of the parish.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:00 PM
- Sundays at 8:30 AM
- Sundays at 10:30 AM
- Diocese listing also notes: 30 minutes before Mass
Adoration times
- Fridays 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday before the Third Sunday of the Month, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Third Sunday of the Month, 10:05 – 10:55 AM
History of St. Joseph Parish, Mayfield
St. Joseph Parish traces its roots to 19 April 1887, when the first church was dedicated on land purchased for $125. That same parcel still anchors the parish today. The first pastor, Father Lawrence Ford, was a circuit-riding priest who celebrated Mass only one weekday a month. Over the next 135+ years, twenty-four pastors — including several who served only briefly — built up a stable parish, a school staffed for generations by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, a bilingual ministry, and a worship space rich with mosaics, wooden carvings, and stained glass. The present church was begun in 1937 by Father Joseph Saffer and consecrated 4 May 1938 as the very first church dedicated in the new Diocese of Owensboro. The parish marked its 125th anniversary in 2012 with all three of its priest-alumni concelebrating.
- Founded 19 April 1887
- Present church built 1937–1938
- First church in the new Diocese of Owensboro
- 125th anniversary celebrated 2012
- Current pastor Father Eric D. Riley (2011–present)
Founding and Early Decades (1887–1937)
The founding pastor, Father Lawrence Ford, celebrated Mass once a month; within a decade under Father William King (1893–1897) the parish had its first school with Miss Mary Hackett as teacher. Father Anthony O'Sullivan (1909–1926) was the first long-tenured pastor and founded a Boy Scout troop; the original church bell, first rung on Easter Sunday 1900, is still in use. Father Louis Millard (1926–1932) began daily Mass, and Father J. H. Luckett (1932–1937) bought the property east of the church and welcomed the Ursuline Sisters, who opened the parish's first Sisters' School in 1934.
- First pastor: Father Lawrence Ford (1887–1889)
- Parish school opened under Father King in the 1890s
- Bell first rung Easter 1900, still used on feast days
- Daily Mass introduced under Father Millard
- Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph arrived 1934
The Present Church and the New Diocese (1937–1969)
Father Joseph Saffer began the present church in 1937, doing much of the craftsmanship himself; it was consecrated 4 May 1938, the same year the Diocese of Owensboro was created (9 December 1937) under Pope Pius XI with Bishop Francis R. Cotton. Father Leo J. Dienes built a new school in 1951 (Ursuline Sisters lived on the third floor), and Father Aloysius F. Powers built the current rectory in 1964.
- Church begun 1937 by Father Saffer
- Diocese of Owensboro created 9 December 1937
- First diocesan church: St. Joseph, dedicated 4 May 1938
- New school completed 1951
- Current rectory built 1964
Art, Renovation, and Modern Era (1969–Present)
Under Father Francis Mastrovito, TOR (1969–1983), the church gained the Trinity mosaic, wooden carvings of the Lord's Baptism and the Holy Family, and Rosary stained-glass windows; he also built the current Parish Center on the site of the 1887 church. After a stretch of short-tenured pastors, Father Ray Clark (1996–2001) and Father Tony Jones (2001–2006) established the parish's bilingual and outreach identity — Jones oversaw a full renovation completed in 2004 (new altar and lectern dedicated by Bishop McRaith in August 2005), reorganized the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and created the Social Justice Committee. Father Eric D. Riley, a native son, has been pastor since 2011.
- Trinity mosaic, Holy Family carvings, Rosary windows added 1970s–80s
- Parish Center built on site of 1887 church
- Church renovated 2004; new altar dedicated 2005
- St. Vincent de Paul reorganized under Father Jones
- Father Eric D. Riley, pastor since 2011
Worship, Mass, and Sacraments
St. Joseph offers daily Mass on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8:00 AM, a Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30 PM, a Sunday morning Mass in English at 9:00 AM, and a Sunday Mass in Spanish at 11:00 AM. Confessions are heard three times each week — Saturdays at 4:00 PM and Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30 AM. The diocese's listing also notes that a priest is available for Confession 30 minutes before every Mass. A 2024 Baptismal Schedule (Bilingual) and the parish Ministry Schedule are published on the website. The sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick are celebrated regularly; arrangements are made through the parish office at 270-247-2843.
- Daily Mass Wed–Fri 8:00 AM
- Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM (English)
- Sunday 9:00 AM (English) and 11:00 AM (Spanish)
- Confessions three times a week
- Bilingual Baptism preparation
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Eric D. Riley and assisted by Deacon Michael Clapp. Staff include Business Manager Christie Scarbrough, Director of Religious Education (Melissa Armstrong in 2019 listings; with Wanda Shelby and Fr. Riley also involved in CCD/youth ministry), Music Ministers Michelle Crider and Ethan Martin, and Parish Council Chair Dr. Michael Gavin. The Hispanic Ministry is led by Madre Mary. The parish's St. Vincent de Paul conference president is Chris Thompson. Population stands at about 1,397 registered parishioners in 507 families (per the 2019 diocesan directory).
- Pastor: Rev. Eric D. Riley
- Deacon: Michael Clapp
- Business Manager: Christie Scarbrough
- Music Ministers: Michelle Crider, Ethan Martin
- Parish Council Chair: Dr. Michael Gavin
- Hispanic Ministry: Madre Mary
- SVdP Conference President: Chris Thompson
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Religious education remains a top priority at St. Joseph Parish even after the closure of St. Joseph School in 2012. Programs include Elementary CCD, Middle School Youth Ministry, and High School Youth Ministry, with Wanda Shelby, Christie Scarbrough, and Fr. Riley sharing leadership. The parish also supports a St. Vincent de Paul Learning Center.
- Elementary CCD
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- High School Youth Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Learning Center
Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano / San José)
St. Joseph has been a bilingual parish for decades and welcomes Spanish-speaking families from Mayfield and the surrounding area. The Sunday 11:00 AM Mass is celebrated in Spanish, Holy Rosary & Communion is bilingual, Baptism preparation is offered in both languages, and the Hispanic Ministry office — housed in one of the buildings east of the rectory purchased under Father Ray Clark — is staffed by Madre Mary (270-247-2843).
- Sunday Misa en Español 11:00 AM
- Bilingual Holy Rosary & Communion, Fridays 6:00 PM
- Hispanic Ministry office: Madre Mary, 270-247-2843
- Spanish-language Baptism schedule
Outreach and Social Justice
Outreach to the poor is central to parish life. The St. Vincent de Paul Society (conference president Chris Thompson) helps neighbors in need, the parish supports a Social Justice Committee, and a St. Vincent de Paul Learning Center offers educational support. These ministries were reorganized and strengthened under Father Tony Jones in the early 2000s.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Social Justice Committee
- St. Vincent de Paul Learning Center
Music and Liturgy
Music Ministry is led by Michelle Crider and Ethan Martin, and the choir loft still houses the original St. Francis stained-glass window installed under Father Francis Mastrovito in the early 1980s — a reminder of the parish's deep Franciscan chapter.
- Music Ministers: Michelle Crider, Ethan Martin
- Choir loft with St. Francis window
- Bilingual liturgical celebrations
St. Joseph School (1934–2012)
The parish's school was begun in 1934 by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph on property east of the church, housed a new building completed under Father Dienes in 1951, and was run for decades by the Ursuline Sisters (who lived on the third floor). The school celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009 and was closed in May 2012 due to insufficient enrollment. Faith formation for children, youth and adults continues to be a top priority of the parish.
- School opened by Ursuline Sisters 1934
- New school building completed 1951
- 75th anniversary 2009
- Closed May 2012 due to insufficient enrollment
Visiting St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph is located at 702 West Broadway in Mayfield, the seat of Graves County, Kentucky. From Purchase Parkway (US 69), take Exit 22 and head east on Broadway Street; the church sits at the corner of 14th Street. The parish office can be reached at (270) 247-2843. Parking is available on site around the church and Parish Center.
- Address: 702 W Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066
- Phone: (270) 247-2843
- Email: [email protected]
- From US 69 Exit 22, east on Broadway
- Corner of 14th Street and Broadway
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Lawrence Ford1887–1889
First pastor; a circuit-riding priest of the Diocese of Louisville, celebrated Mass one weekday a month.
- Father Thomas A. York1889–1892
- Father George Weiss1892–1893
- Father William King1893–1897
Established the first parish school, hiring Miss Mary Hackett as its first teacher.
- Father L. E. Clements1898–1902
Continued the school with twenty-five students, both Catholic and non-Catholic.
- Father George Cone1902–1903
Short tenure.
- Father P. J. McNeil1903–1909
Built the first rectory, added new pews and concrete walks.
- Father Anthony O'Sullivan1909–1926
Loved the parish and only left due to illness; established a Boy Scout troop.
- Father Louis Millard1926–1932
Began the celebration of daily Mass in the parish.
- Father J. H. Luckett1932–1937
Bought property east of the church in 1934; Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph began the first Sisters' School.
- Father Joseph Saffer1937–1949
Built the present church starting in 1937, doing much of the manual labor and craftsmanship himself; it was consecrated and dedicated 4 May 1938, the first in the new Diocese of Owensboro.
- Father Leo J. Dienes1949–1957
Built a new school, completed 1951; Ursuline Sisters lived on the third floor.
- Father Clarence Pettit1957–1963
- Father Aloysius F. Powers1963–1969
Supervised construction of the current rectory in 1964.
- Father Francis Mastrovito, TOR1969–1983
Third Order Regular Franciscan from Pennsylvania; added the Trinity mosaic, the wooden Baptism/Holy Family side altars, and the Rosary stained-glass windows; extended the playground; built the current Parish Center on the site of the 1887 church.
- Father John Speaks1983–1987
- Father Peter Chiodo (Precious Blood Order)1987–1988
- Father Henry Cecil1988–1989
- Father B. J. HagmanJanuary–June 1990
- Father Patrick Bittel1990–1996
- Father Ray Clark1996–2001
Served in both English and Spanish; acquired the buildings east of the rectory housing the Hispanic Ministry offices, the Learning Center, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Father Tony JonesJune 2001–January 2006
Reorganized the St. Vincent de Paul Society and established the Social Justice Committee; oversaw the church renovation completed Thanksgiving 2004; Bishop McRaith dedicated new altar and lectern August 2005.
- Father Ken MikulcikJanuary 2006–June 2011
Served in both English and Spanish.
- Father Eric D. Riley2011–present
Returned to his home parish as pastor; serves both English and Spanish communities; presided over the 125th anniversary in 2012.