About St. Louis Bertrand · Louisville, Kentucky
St. Louis Bertrand is a Roman Catholic parish in Old Louisville, Kentucky, staffed continuously by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph since its founding in 1866. The parish is dedicated to St. Louis Bertrand, O.P., the Spanish Dominican missionary known as the 'Apostle of South America.' Housed in an English Gothic church at 1104 South Sixth Street that was dedicated in 1873, the parish is renowned for its doctrinal preaching, daily confession, robust sacramental life, and the Dominican tradition of promoting the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and Marian devotion. With around 2,000 weekly attendees and over 1,100 registered families, it draws Catholics from across the greater Louisville area who seek the Order's signature blend of solemn liturgy, frequent Confession, and devotional life — including a Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and a shrine to the recently canonized Dominican tertiary St. Margaret of Castello.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- St. Louis Bertrand, O.P. (Spanish Dominican missionary, 1526–1581, 'Apostle of South America')
- Rector
- Very Rev. Bernard Timothy, O.P. (Prior/Pastor)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Louis Bertrand offers a uniquely Dominican Catholic experience in the heart of Louisville: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated with traditional solemnity and proper decorum by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, with daily Confession available six days a week — a rhythm that draws Catholics from across the metro. The parish is also a center for living devotion: the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration (including a Wednesday 'day' adoration from 12:30 to 7 p.m.), Marian processions, a Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, and a shrine to St. Margaret of Castello, alongside a robust lay community that includes the Dominican Laity (Third Order), the Rosary Altar Society, the Knights of Columbus, a youth and young-adult program, and an Emergency Aid Center that still opens its doors to neighbors in need, just as the parish did for 350 flood refugees in 1937.
Mass times at St. Louis Bertrand
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 11:00–11:45 a.m.
- Wednesday: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 12:30–7:00 p.m. (during Eucharistic Adoration)
- Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 3:30–4:00 p.m.
- Confessions are heard six days a week; also available during the monthly Family Holy Hour
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday: 11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
- Wednesday: 12:30–7:00 p.m. (with Benediction)
History of St. Louis Bertrand Parish
The Dominican Order's first American parish in Kentucky was St. Rose in Springfield, founded in 1805. Sixty years later, the Order moved into Louisville, establishing St. Louis Bertrand in 1866. The current English Gothic church at 1104 South Sixth Street was dedicated in 1873 and has been the spiritual home of the parish ever since. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, preaching at the 2016 150th anniversary Mass, called attention to the magnificent 19th-century altar and the stained-glass windows depicting the fifteen mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The Dominican Sisters ran the parish school from its early years until the school closed in 1967 as Catholic families migrated from Old Louisville to the suburbs.
- Parish founded 1866; church building dedicated 1873
- English Gothic architecture
- Dominican Sisters operated the school until 1967
- 150th anniversary celebrated in 2016 alongside the 800th anniversary of the Dominican Order
The Great Flood of 1937
In January–February 1937, the parish put the words 'gift of service' into practice on a vast scale. When the Ohio River flood left 350 people homeless in Louisville, the Dominican fathers and parishioners opened the church doors and the parochial school, set up an infirmary in one of the classrooms, and prepared meals in the priory kitchen. Women of the parish volunteered to wash dishes, and volunteers carried meals across a makeshift walkway of wooden planks laid across old school desks — a path above the floodwaters that crossed the parish grounds to the school building.
- 350 flood refugees sheltered by the parish
- Improvised walkway of planks across old school desks
- Meals prepared in the priory kitchen
Dominican Identity and Priestly Community
St. Louis Bertrand is one of the few parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville staffed by an entire religious Order — the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph. The Order of Friars Preachers, founded by St. Dominic de Guzmán, is known throughout the world for theological prowess, doctrinal preaching, and filial devotion to the Church and her magisterium. The present community includes a Prior/Pastor, a Subprior, three Associate friars, and four friars in residence, supported by a permanent deacon. The Dominican Laity (Third Order Dominicans) are deeply involved in the day-to-day life of the parish alongside other lay groups.
- Prior/Pastor: Very Rev. Bernard Timothy, O.P.
- Subprior: Rev. John Baptist Hoang, O.P.
- Associates: Rev. Bartholomew Calvano, O.P.; Rev. Leo Joseph Camurati, O.P.; Rev. Martin Martiny, O.P.
- In Residence: Rev. J. Anthony Breen, O.P.; Rev. Ambrose Eckinger, O.P.; Rev. Reginald Hoefer, O.P.; Rev. Zachary Sexton, O.P.
- Permanent Deacon: William R. Klump
Parish Staff (Four Pillars in Faith)
Beyond the Dominican friars and deacon, the day-to-day operations and ministry of St. Louis Bertrand are carried out by a small lay staff collaborating under the 'Four Pillars in Faith' banner. The Director of Faith Formation/RCIA, Rita Olson, has served since 2016 and also coordinates Eucharistic Adoration at St. Anne's Chapel. Hannah Miller serves as Music Director — a Sacred Music graduate of the University of Mary (2021) whose main instruments include piano, violin, organ, voice, and guitar. Amy Udermann is a Parish Associate who grew up attending St. Louis Bertrand, moved away briefly, and returned to the parish in 2004, joining the staff in October 2018. 'Father Timothy' (Very Rev. Bernard Timothy, O.P.) is the Prior/Pastor leading the Dominican community.
- Director of Faith Formation/RCIA: Rita Olson
- Music Director: Hannah Miller
- Parish Associate: Amy Udermann
- Pastor: Father Timothy, O.P.
Marian and Eucharistic Devotions
The devotional life of the parish reflects the Dominican tradition handed down from Our Lady herself. The Rosary holds pride of place (according to Dominican tradition, given to the Order by the Blessed Virgin Mary), with the Sodality of the Most Holy Rosary forming girls aged 7–18 in prayer and holy friendship. Marian processions are held throughout the year, and a Grotto in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes and a stunning shrine dedicated to the recently canonized Third Order Dominican St. Margaret of Castello supplement the devotional landscape. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is honored on First Fridays following the noon Mass, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary receives its own veneration. Veneration of the Relic of St. Bernadette takes place following the 12:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays.
- Rosary Sodality for girls aged 7–18 (Third Sundays)
- Rosary Altar Society for women (Third Sundays, 10 a.m.)
- Marian processions throughout the year
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Shrine of St. Margaret of Castello
- First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart
- Veneration of the Relic of St. Bernadette on Saturdays
Parish Ministries and Lay Organizations
Lay faithful, many of whom commute significant distances, are deeply woven into the daily life of St. Louis Bertrand. The Dominican Laity (Third Order Dominicans) are particularly involved, along with the Rosary Altar Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Marian Movement of Priests, the Sts. Anna & Simeon Society (a prayer apostolate for those suffering from extended illness or injury), and the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, who gather for pro-life prayer following the 7:00 a.m. Mass on Second Saturdays. The Walking with Moms and Families in Need ministry offers social, emotional, spiritual, and material support to families in crisis.
- Dominican Laity / Third Order Dominicans
- Knights of Columbus
- Rosary Altar Society
- Marian Movement of Priests
- Sts. Anna & Simeon Society
- Helpers of God's Precious Infants
- Walking with Moms and Families in Need
- Traveling Madonna (vocations devotion)
- Redbird Grief Group (Fourth Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 p.m.)
Youth, Family, and Young Adult Life
St. Louis Bertrand runs a Youth Group for 7th & 8th graders and a separate High School Youth Group, coordinated through the office of the Director of Faith Formation. Young Adults — men and women ages 18 to 39 — meet for fun, prayer, and education on the First and Third Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Frassati Room. Family life is supported through the monthly Family Holy Hour on the last Thursday at 6:00 p.m., during which families pray together and confessions are available. The Sodality of the Most Holy Rosary offers girls aged 7 to 18 a formation in Marian devotion alongside fun activities and holy friendships.
- 7th & 8th Grade Youth Group
- High School Youth Group
- Young Adults (18–39), First & Third Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
- Family Holy Hour, last Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
- Rosary Sodality for girls aged 7–18
Outreach: Emergency Aid Center
The parish Emergency Aid Center continues the community's long tradition of charity dating back to the 1937 flood. The Center opens three days a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. — to provide food assistance and help with utility bills (such as power bills) to parishioners and members of the local community. Volunteers and donations are coordinated through the parish office; those interested in helping or referring a family in need can email [email protected] for the Walking with Moms ministry.
- Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
- Food and utility-bill assistance
- Contact: [email protected]
- Walking with Moms: [email protected]
Pipe Organ Project (2029 Installation)
St. Louis Bertrand has contracted with Saint John's Abbey Organ Builders of Collegeville, Minnesota, for its Opus 5 — a three-manual, 36-stop instrument with a detached, reversed console, mechanical key action, electric stop action, and a multi-level combination action. The tonal design draws on 19th-century German builders Carl August Buchholz and Friedrich Ladegast, with the Hauptwerk and Nebenwerk divisions largely enclosed. A distinctive feature is a Physharmonika — a set of free reed stops played from a third manual and located in the console — with two Äoline stops dynamically expressive through variable wind pressure. Installation is scheduled for 2029; the parish invites donations to support the project via stlb.org/pipe-organ-project.
- Builder: Saint John's Abbey Organ Builders, Collegeville, MN
- Three manuals, 36 stops
- Distinctive Physharmonika division
- Scheduled installation: 2029
Sacramental Life and Devotional Schedule at a Glance
- Daily Mass: Mon–Sat, 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
- Sunday Mass: 7:00, 9:00, 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 5:15 p.m.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:15 p.m.
- Confessions: Mon–Fri 11:00–11:45 a.m.; Wed 6:00–7:00 p.m.; Sat 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 3:30–4:00 p.m.
- Eucharistic Adoration: Mon–Fri 11:00–11:45 a.m.; Wed 12:30–7:00 p.m. (Benediction)
- First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart following 12:00 p.m. Mass
- Helpers of God's Precious Infants: Second Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. Mass + procession
- Family Holy Hour: Last Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Edward Gorman, O.P.
Pastor at the time of the parish's 150th anniversary celebration in 2016, per The Record newspaper.
- Very Rev. Bernard Timothy, O.P.
Current Prior/Pastor per the parish website.