About St. Luke · Louisville, Kentucky
St. Luke is a small Catholic parish serving southern Jefferson County, Kentucky, in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Established in 1965 to minister to blue-collar and middle-income families in the area, the parish shares its pastor and staff with neighboring St. Rita in Okolona. After a 1997 fire destroyed the original church complex, parishioners rebuilt, and the new church was dedicated in 2000. Today the community of roughly 700 registered families gathers for Mass on weekends and weekdays, runs RCIA classes, hosts a thespian troupe, and keeps a strong tradition of parish meals and fellowship.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- Saint Luke the Evangelist
- Rector
- Very Rev. T. Michael Tobin, V.F.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Luke offers the warmth of a small, family-sized Catholic community in southern Jefferson County where parishioners know one another by name. With weekday and weekend Masses, a Saturday confession time, an active RCIA program, a long-running thespian troupe (the Wilderness Trail Players), a youth program that walks young people through Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, and beloved parish chicken dinners ten times a year, there is room to participate in the life of the parish as much or as little as a family wishes. The parish shares its pastor with neighboring St. Rita in Okolona, broadening the network of community and faith.
Mass times at St. Luke
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM
Welcome to St. Luke Catholic Parish
St. Luke is a small Catholic community in southern Jefferson County, Kentucky, affiliated with and sharing its pastor and staff with St. Rita in Okolona. With about 700 registered families and a robust volunteer staff, the parish invites newcomers to introduce themselves and get involved in any of its many activities, from RCIA and youth ministry to the long-running Wilderness Trail Players theater troupe.
Parish History
Founded in 1965 to serve the blue-collar and middle-income families of southern Jefferson County who had been traveling to St. Rita in Okolona, St. Luke grew quickly. The first parish Mass, the first parish meeting, the first card party, and the first religious education classes were all held in 1965 at St. Rita. A rectory was completed in 1966, the church/education building was begun that July, and the new church was dedicated in 1967. In the early 1970s parishioners studied opening a school; after being initially denied in 1976, they won permission in April 1977. St. Thomas More donated desks, and St. Luke School opened in 1978, operating until 1993. In 1995, when an archdiocesan reorganization plan included St. Luke among seven parishes slated for closure, parishioners' advocacy convinced the Archdiocese to keep St. Luke open. A devastating 1997 fire destroyed the entire church complex, but parishioners rebuilt, and a new church was dedicated in 2000.
- 1965 — Parish founded with Fr. Vincent Manger as first pastor
- 1966 — Rectory completed; first Mass celebrated in the rectory basement
- 1967 — Church/education building dedicated
- 1976 — Initial school request denied
- 1977 — Permission to build a school granted
- 1978 — St. Luke School opened
- 1993 — Parish school closed
- 1995 — Closure proposed in archdiocesan reorganization; parish kept open after consultation
- 1997 — Fire destroyed entire church complex
- 2000 — New church dedicated
- 2004–2005 — Region IV Renewal with four other parishes; shared media center opened
Clergy & Staff
St. Luke is currently led by Very Rev. T. Michael Tobin, V.F., who was appointed pastor of St. Rita and St. Luke parishes effective June 17, 2020, by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz. Fr. Tobin is a native of Sacramento, California, was ordained on August 7, 1993, after studies at the University of Louisville and the American College Seminary in Louvain, Belgium, and has served as Vicar for Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese. He is assisted at St. Luke by retired priest in residence Fr. Joe Rankin and Permanent Deacon Kenneth J. Mitchell.
- Pastor: Very Rev. T. Michael Tobin, V.F.
- Retired, in residence: Rev. Joseph M. Rankin
- Permanent Deacon: Kenneth J. Mitchell
- Youth: John Sohl
- Parish Council: Crystal Sohl
- DRE: Debbie Minton
- Business Manager: Roger Costello
- Finance Council: Karen Johnson
- Secretary: Bob Jaggers
Becoming Catholic — RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process by which the Catholic Church welcomes new members into the faith. At St. Luke, RCIA is described as a journey of conversion of heart that brings participants to Jesus through learning, discussion, prayer, and community. Classes are ongoing; those interested are invited to contact the parish office at (502) 969-3291.
- RCIA classes — contact the parish office for current schedule
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
St. Luke runs a parish Religious Education program (DRE: Debbie Minton) for children, and a dedicated youth ministry that introduces young parishioners to Pope John Paul II's 'Theology of the Body' teachings. The youth director recreates each of JPII's original Wednesday audiences via video, walking teens through the series John Paul II delivered beginning in September 1979 and continuing for several years.
- Religious Education (DRE program)
- Youth Ministry — Theology of the Body series based on Pope John Paul II's audiences
Parish Life, Fellowship & Hospitality
St. Luke is known for its warm, family-style fellowship. The parish hosts an all-you-can-eat chicken dinner about ten times a year, served after the 10:00 AM Mass on the second Sunday of the month, with cooks and kitchen helpers always welcome. A parish lending library offers Catholic books and videos for all ages, including works by St. Pope John Paul II and contemporary writers such as Scott Hahn, plus materials for children.
- All-you-can-eat chicken dinner — 2nd Sunday of the month after 10 AM Mass (about 10 times a year)
- Parish lending library of Catholic books and videos
The Wilderness Trail Players
The Wilderness Trail Players is a parish thespian troupe founded more than 30 years ago at St. Luke. The group has produced many stage plays for the parish over the years and also travels to perform at other venues around the Louisville metro area. Anyone with an actor's heart is invited to check them out.
- Parish theater troupe — founded over 30 years ago
- Stages productions at St. Luke and travels to other Louisville-area venues
Facilities & Rentals
The parish's physical amenities allow for both large and small gatherings. A gym is available for larger events and an education space for smaller ones; both are available for rental at fair prices. The parish also has access to a very good DJ for events. Inquiries about rentals can be directed to Bob Jaggers at (502) 777-7324 after 4 PM.
- Gym (large gatherings) — available for rental
- Education space (small gatherings) — available for rental
- DJ available for events
- Rentals contact: Bob Jaggers, (502) 777-7324 after 4 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Vincent Manger1965 (founding pastor)
First pastor of St. Luke, established the parish for blue-collar and middle-income families in southern Jefferson County.