St. Joseph

About St. Joseph Parish

St. Joseph Catholic Church sits at 248 South Main Street in historic downtown Winchester, Kentucky, just off Interstate 64 and roughly 18 miles east of Lexington. The parish has been part of the Clark County community since 1872, and the current church building was constructed in 1910. About 194 families are registered, with members of every age — from newborns to people in their nineties — worshipping together under pastor Father James Kinney. The parish describes itself as a 'vibrant faith community committed to seeking a full Christian life, sharing an active Catholic faith, and serving others with love, grace and dignity.'

History

St. Joseph was established in Winchester in 1872, making it one of the older Catholic parishes in central Kentucky. The present church building on South Main Street was erected in 1910 to replace the original, and a Kentucky Historical Society marker recognizes its historic significance. In 1919 the Sisters of Divine Providence opened a Catholic school on the parish campus to serve local families — that school continues today as Saint Agatha Academy, still sharing the parish address. Over more than 150 years the parish has grown into a multigenerational community of roughly 194 families, with English and Spanish Masses, a school, Religious Education, and a St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Clergy and Staff

St. Joseph is pastored by Father James Kinney, who in early 2026 announced that his tenure as pastor will conclude on July 1, 2026 after about three and a half years of service. He is assisted by Father Enrique Montoya, who supports the Spanish-language Mass and other pastoral needs. Two deacons — Deacon John Roche and Deacon Ron Allen — minister alongside the priests. Lay staff include a parish office manager and a coordinator of Religious Education.

• Father James Kinney — Pastor
• Father Enrique Montoya — Co-Pastor / Spanish Ministry
• Deacon John Roche
• Deacon Ron Allen
• Kathie Schweikart — Coordinator of Religious Education

Saint Agatha Academy — Parish School

Sharing the parish campus at 244 South Main Street, Saint Agatha Academy is the oldest private school in Winchester. It was founded in 1919 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, who saw a need for Catholic education in the community. Over the decades the school has served as a boarding school, grade school, and high school; today it offers a classical Catholic education from preschool and kindergarten Montessori through 8th grade. Enrollment is open to children of all faith traditions, and tuition assistance is available.

• Founded 1919 by the Sisters of Divine Providence
• Oldest private school in Winchester, Kentucky
• Serves PreK (3-year-olds) through 8th grade
• Classical liberal arts curriculum with Montessori preschool
• Phone: (859) 744-6484 — saintagathaacademy.org

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish's Religious Education program, coordinated by Kathie Schweikart, complements the parish school by serving children in grades 1–8 whose primary schooling is not at Saint Agatha Academy. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Family Rosary kicking off the year on the first Wednesday of September. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation requires completion of prior-year classes, and Saint Agatha students preparing for sacraments also attend the Wednesday evening sessions.

• Wednesday evening classes, 6:00–7:00 PM
• Family Rosary — first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM
• Sacramental preparation: First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
• Youth Group meetings during the Religious Education season

Sacraments

Information about the parish's sacramental preparation is published in the bulletin. Parents arrange Baptism through the parish office; First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are prepared for through Religious Education or Saint Agatha Academy; couples are asked to contact the Pastor at least six months before a wedding; and the Anointing of the Sick is available to those who are ill or homebound through the parish's Homebound Ministry.

• Baptism — by appointment
• Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00 PM or by appointment
• First Reconciliation & First Communion — preparation through Religious Ed or Saint Agatha
• Confirmation — preparation through Religious Ed or Saint Agatha
• Matrimony — contact the Pastor six months in advance
• Anointing of the Sick & Homebound Visits — contact the parish office

Ministries, Outreach, and Devotions

Beyond the Sunday schedule, St. Joseph supports a wide range of liturgical and pastoral ministries. Liturgical roles include lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, sacristans, and the Music Ministry led by Laura Fritz. Outreach includes the parish's Homebound Ministry for parishioners who cannot attend Mass and a local St. Vincent de Paul Society for those in material need. Devotional life includes a monthly Family Rosary, all-day Friday Adoration, and a periodic '33 Days to Eucharistic Glory' book club in the parish Conference Room.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Homebound Ministry
• Music Ministry
• Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Sacristans
• Family Rosary
• 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Book Club
• Journey of Hope support for divorced Catholics
• Flocknote texting list and online prayer group

Giving, Stewardship, and Parish Life

The parish participates in the Diocese of Lexington's Annual Appeal and runs an in-house 'Building on our Heritage' renewal program, in which Father Kinney asks each family to prayerfully renew its annual financial commitment. Parishioners can also support Saint Agatha Academy through programs like the Queso Times voucher fundraiser and Kroger Rewards (community rewards ID #55334). The parish keeps families connected through Flocknote text messaging and weekly bulletins posted to the parish website.

• Annual Diocesan Appeal
• 'Building on our Heritage' stewardship renewal
• Kroger Community Rewards — ID #55334
• Flocknote text-message parish communication
• Weekly bulletins posted online