About St. Leonard · Louisville, Kentucky
St. Leonard Parish in Louisville, Kentucky, was founded in 1953 on land donated by Leonard Blandford and named in his honor. The parish began with 58 members and its first Mass was celebrated in a nearby orphanage chapel. Over the decades, it has grown into a vibrant community with a school, ministries, and facilities including a Family Life Center. The parish is rooted in Catholic tradition and emphasizes faith formation, service, and worship for all ages.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Saint Leonard of Port Maurice
- Rector
- The Very Reverend A.L. Chandler, KCHS
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Leonard offers a welcoming community rooted in Catholic tradition, with ministries for all ages including 'Leos on the Go' for seniors and 'Leonard Ladies' for women. The parish emphasizes lifelong faith formation, active service, and vibrant worship through Mass, RCIA, and outreach programs. Families are supported through a strong school history and ongoing parish activities.
Parish History
St. Leonard Parish was established in 1953 on land donated by Leonard Blandford. The first Mass was held in October 1953 at St. Joseph Orphan’s Home. Father Joseph Emrich was the first pastor. The parish built a church, rectory, convent, and school, with the school opening in 1957. Ministries like St. Vincent de Paul and Legion of Mary were formed early on. After Vatican II, a lay council and RCIA programs began. Major renovations occurred in 1972 and 1996–97. A $1.3 million Family Life Center was completed in 2002. The parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2003 with 483 families. The school transitioned to Immaculata Classical Academy in 2020.
Ministries
The parish offers a wide range of ministries for all ages and interests, including St. Vincent de Paul Society, Legion of Mary, 'Leos on the Go' for active seniors, and 'Leonard Ladies' for women. RCIA programs began in the early 1980s, and a lay advisory board (Parish Council) was established after Vatican II. The parish also has a strong history of outreach, including a Vietnamese refugee ministry and participation in United Crescent Hill Ministries after the 1974 tornado.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Legion of Mary
- Leos on the Go
- Leonard Ladies
- RCIA
- Parish Council
- Vietnamese Refugee Ministry
- United Crescent Hill Ministries
Faith Formation
St. Leonard emphasizes lifelong faith formation, inspired by the Second Vatican Council. Programs include RCIA for adult catechumenate, youth and adult education, and ongoing formation for parishioners of all ages. The parish has a strong tradition of stewardship and community involvement, with programs that respond to the baptismal call of parishioners.
Sacraments
The parish offers the full range of sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Marriage, and Holy Orders. RCIA programs are available for those preparing for initiation into the Catholic Church. The parish also supports sacramental preparation for children and adults.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Emrich1953–1969
First pastor; built church, rectory, convent, and school.
- Rev. William O’Hare1969
Appointed pastor after Father Emrich.
- Rev. James Hackett1988
Appointed pastor; served until 2002.
- Rev. R. Dale Cieslik2002–2008
Appointed pastor; oversaw major facility expansions.
- Rev. B. J. Breen2008–2017
Appointed pastor; served until 2017.
- Rev. Louis J. Meiman2017–2026
Appointed pastor; served until July 2026.
- The Very Reverend A.L. Chandler, KCHS2026–present
Current pastor, appointed July 2026.