About St. Lawrence · Louisville, Kentucky
Saint Lawrence is a Catholic parish in the Shively/south-end area of Louisville, Kentucky, established on September 3, 1953 by Archbishop John A. Floersh from territory carved out of Saint Helen Parish. Worship is offered in a 700-seat church rededicated on May 30, 2010 after a major renovation, with the original cornerstone preserved in the Gathering Space. The parish today numbers around 530–615 registered families, sustains a Music Ministry, faith formation for all ages, the Saint Lawrence Child Enrichment Center/Pre-K, and co-sponsors Notre Dame Academy with neighboring parishes.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Saint Lawrence
- Rector
- Rev. Steven J. Reeves
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
Saint Lawrence is a south-end Louisville parish where the founding families' names are literally sealed in the cornerstone of the church they built in 1955 — a tangible sign of a community built on stewardship and continuity. It offers a full sacramental life (daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays 9–10 a.m., Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses including a live-streamed 10:30 a.m., and First/Third Saturday confessions), faith formation for every age (Children's Liturgy of the Word, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, RCIA, adult small groups), a Music Ministry with choir, cantors, instrumentalists and a Resurrection Choir, and a commitment to Catholic education through Notre Dame Academy and the Saint Lawrence Child Enrichment Center/Pre-K. It is also a parish that puts its buildings to work for the community — the Parish Hall hosts RCIA, senior cards, bereavement lunches, and family celebrations, while the Joey Carter Sports Complex gathers neighbors for summer softball and volleyball.
Mass times at St. Lawrence
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Saturday: 4:00 PM (before the 5:00 PM Mass, in the Reconciliation Room)
- Third Saturday: 4:00 PM (before the 5:00 PM Mass, in the Reconciliation Room)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00–10:00 AM
Welcome & Mission
Saint Lawrence Parish describes itself as 'a faith-filled family, formed by God, welcoming ALL, serving those in need, empowered by the celebration of the Sacraments to live the Good News of Jesus Christ.' The parish invites visitors and newcomers to attend Mass, sign up for faith formation, or join one of its many volunteer ministries.
- Mission: 'faith-filled family, formed by God, welcoming ALL, serving those in need, empowered by the celebration of the Sacraments'
- I'm New page on the parish website
- Online contact form for questions
Parish History
Saint Lawrence was established on September 3, 1953 by Archbishop John A. Floersh, with territory taken from Saint Helen Parish. Forty-five families became the founders at the November 11, 1953 meeting; by the February 26, 1955 groundbreaking the parish numbered 420 families. Mass was first celebrated at Alice Waller Elementary School on Dixie Highway. Reverend James R. Meder was the founding pastor; the school opened in the fall of 1955 staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and later the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. The cornerstone was sealed with a time capsule and the parish was dedicated in May 1955.
- Founded September 3, 1953 by Archbishop John A. Floersh
- Territory carved from Saint Helen Parish
- 45 founding families (Nov 11, 1953); 420 families by groundbreaking
- First pastor: Rev. James R. Meder
- Cornerstone sealed May 22, 1955 with founders' names, 1922 silver dollar, medal of St. Dominic, Courier-Journal, The Record
Growth, Buildings & Renovation
Through the decades Saint Lawrence added a Parish Hall (1987), a 1998 school addition with library and computer room, a renovated Community Room, the conversion of the Rectory into parish offices (2004), and the conversion of the convent into the Child Enrichment Center. The major 2009–2010 'Building a Future of Hope' construction under Fr. Shooner rebuilt the church for 700+ worshippers while preserving part of the original structure and the 1955 cornerstone in the Gathering Space; the rededication was celebrated by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz on May 30, 2010.
- 1987 Parish Hall (later renovated with youth, art, music rooms and Community Room)
- 1998 school addition: library, computer room, two classrooms
- 2004 Rectory renovation → parish offices
- Convent → Saint Lawrence Child Enrichment Center / Pre-K
- 2009–2010 new church; rededicated May 30, 2010; seating 700+
- Joey Carter Sports Complex with 2010 fieldhouse addition
Parish Leadership & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Steven J. Reeves, assisted by Permanent Deacon David S. Maxwell (and Deacon Ted Marks, who also serves as Director of Operations). The office staff includes Katherine Alberts (Director of Worship and Music), Susan Goebel (Parish Administrative Assistant / Business Administration & Secretary), Donna Humphrey (Bookkeeper), Tracy McCoy (Custodian), and Joe Holleman (Maintenance).
- Pastor: Rev. Steven J. Reeves
- Deacon: David S. Maxwell
- Deacon / Director of Operations: Ted Marks
- Director of Worship and Music: Katherine Alberts
- Parish Administrative Assistant: Susan Goebel
- Bookkeeper: Donna Humphrey
- Custodian: Tracy McCoy; Maintenance: Joe Holleman
Pastor Succession
The parish's published history lists the succession of pastors from its 1953 founding to the present.
- Rev. James R. Meder — founding pastor (1953)
- Rev. Jeffrey P. Shooner — led the 2010 church renovation/rededication
- Rev. Terry Langford
- Rev. Tony Smith
- Rev. William P. 'Bill' Burks
- Rev. Steven J. Reeves — current pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers faith formation for all ages — Children's Liturgy of the Word during Mass, ongoing Religious Education for children, Youth Ministry, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) which meets weekly in the Community Room, and adult small groups. The parish encourages parishioners to grow in their understanding and love of God through these programs.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Religious Education (children)
- Youth Ministry
- RCIA (weekly in the Community Room)
- Adult small groups
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry, led by Director of Worship and Music Katherine Alberts, lifts the parish's prayer through a parish choir (meeting every other Tuesday at 6:30 PM), cantors who lead congregational song, instrumentalists, and the Resurrection/Bereavement Choir for funeral Masses. The parish also calls for liturgical volunteers — lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — to participate more deeply in the Mass.
- Parish Choir (every other Tuesday 6:30 PM)
- Cantors (with weekly rehearsal)
- Instrumentalists
- Resurrection / Bereavement Choir (Funeral Masses)
- Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Catholic Education: Notre Dame Academy & Child Enrichment Center
In 2004 Saint Lawrence joined with Saint Denis and Saint Helen parishes to found Notre Dame Academy — the first regional Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Louisville — housed in the former Saint Lawrence School building at 1927 Lewiston Drive. Enrollment was around 430 students in 2020–21. The parish also runs the Saint Lawrence Child Enrichment Center, which offers Pre-K and before/after-school care from the renovated convent.
- Notre Dame Academy — founded 2004 by Saint Lawrence, Saint Denis, and Saint Helen
- Notre Dame Academy housed at 1927 Lewiston Drive
- Enrollment ~430 students (2020–21); 489 with Pre-K
- School Principal: Ashley Titus
- Saint Lawrence Child Enrichment Center (Pre-K, before/after-school care)
Parish Life, Outreach & Facilities
Beyond worship and formation, Saint Lawrence puts its campus to work for the community. The Community Room hosts the senior citizens' card group on Wednesdays, Bereavement luncheons for grieving families, weekly RCIA, and is available for parishioners celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or the birth of a child. The Joey Carter Sports Complex is used for Friday-night softball, sand volleyball, and parish events, with a fieldhouse (locker rooms, restrooms) added in 2010.
- Community Room: RCIA, seniors' cards (Wed), bereavement lunches, family celebrations
- Bereavement luncheon ministry
- Joey Carter Sports Complex — softball, sand volleyball, parish events
- Fieldhouse with locker rooms and restrooms (added 2010)
- Parish Hall and grounds available for rentals
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or the online contact form on the parish website.
- 1925 Lewiston Drive, Louisville, KY 40216-2523
- Phone: (502) 448-2122 | Fax: (502) 448-2163
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stl-lawrence.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James R. Mederfounding pastor (1953–)
Named by Archbishop Floersh; led the parish from 45 founding families through the 1955 groundbreaking and dedication.
- Rev. Jeffrey P. Shooner
Led the Building a Future of Hope renovation; co-rededicated the new church with Archbishop Kurtz on May 30, 2010.
- Rev. Terry Langford
Succeeded Fr. Shooner.
- Rev. Tony Smith
Succeeded Fr. Langford.
- Rev. William P. 'Bill' Burks
Succeeded Fr. Smith; pastor per Archdiocese of Louisville listing.
- Rev. Steven J. Reevescurrent
Current pastor per official site and Archdiocese of Louisville.