About St. Martin · Owensboro, Kentucky
St. Martin Catholic Church is a small, Eucharist-oriented parish located in the rural community of Rome, Kentucky, just south of Owensboro in Daviess County. Founded in 1873 when the Catholic families of Rome were organized by Fr. Ivo Schacht, pastor of St. Stephen in Owensboro, the parish has served generations of western Kentucky Catholics with weekday and weekend Masses, faith formation for all ages, the sacraments, and a strong tradition of lay ministry. Its members remain committed to prayer, education, and service — the three pillars named in the parish's own mission statement. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Owensboro and is currently shepherded by Rev. Daniel Dillard.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. Martin (of Tours)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel Dillard
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro
Why belong here
St. Martin offers the rhythms of a small, rural Catholic parish where parishioners know one another and are invited into genuine ministry — not just attendance. Daily weekday Mass (Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 a.m.), a robust Sunday schedule, weekly Reconciliation on Saturday and Sunday, and faith formation for both children and adults mean that every age and stage has a place. The parish's mission statement names what it actually practices: prayer, education, and service — lived out through the Parish Council, liturgical ministries, RCIA, the long-running Quilting Club, and the rental-supported Parish Hall that hosts community events.
Mass times at St. Martin
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday 9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. (usually the 3rd Wednesday of the month — please consult the current bulletin)
Mission Statement
St. Martin Parish describes itself as 'a Eucharist oriented spirit filled community of disciples committed to prayer, education and service.' The statement appears prominently on the home page of the parish website and frames every other ministry and program — from daily Mass to the Quilt Club — as an expression of those three commitments.
- Eucharist-oriented
- Spirit-filled community
- Committed to prayer, education, and service
Parish History
Founded in 1873 when Fr. Ivo Schacht organized Rome's Catholic families, the parish grew through donated land, a school staffed by Ursuline Sisters (1920–1954), and the 1957 church still in use today. The stained-glass windows from 1908–1910 survive from the original church. Successive pastors expanded the school, rectory, and lay ministry — most notably Fr. Victor Boarman, who organized the Parish Council and brought lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist into parish life. A full pastoral succession from the 1880s to the present is published on the parish history page.
- Land gifted April 20, 1872
- Parish organized and first church built in 1873
- First resident pastor: Rev. John Riley (1891)
- Stained-glass windows donated 1908–1910
- School staffed by Ursuline Sisters 1920–1954
- Current church dedicated December 17, 1957
- Rectory built 1964; six classrooms added 1966
- Parish Council organized 1982
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Martin serves both children and adults under the leadership of Director of Religious Education Debi Hopkins. Children's sacramental preparation leads to First Eucharist in the second grade and Confirmation in seventh or eighth grade. Adult formation includes small-group discussion, Scripture studies, parish-wide retreats, and the RCIA process for those exploring Catholicism or completing their initiation.
- Director of Religious Education: Debi Hopkins ([email protected], 270-316-2580)
- Sunday school and sacramental preparation for children
- Adult faith-enrichment classes, Scripture studies, and retreats
- Curriculum aligned with diocesan standards
- Parents partnered as primary educators of faith
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
St. Martin welcomes inquirers year-round. The parish runs a combined RCIA process that serves the unbaptized, Christians validly baptized in another denomination, and 'born Catholics' who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation. Inquiry is non-pressuring — 'Come and see' — and parishioners are encouraged to refer anyone who might be curious. Baptisms of children (age 7+) and adults normally take place at the Easter Vigil.
- Year-round inquiries welcome
- Combined sessions for unbaptized, baptized Christians, and lapsed Catholics
- Contact the pastor or Director of Religious Formation to enroll
- Easter Vigil is the usual time for adult/older-child baptism
Sacraments
The parish's Sacraments page lays out clear, practical guidance for each of the seven sacraments: when they are celebrated, who to contact, and how preparation works. Infant baptisms ordinarily occur on Sundays during or after Mass; First Communion is celebrated in April or May for second-graders; Confirmation is conferred by the Bishop every two years; and Anointing of the Sick is given on the first Friday of each month. Couples must contact the pastor at least six months before a wedding.
- Baptism — Sundays during/after Mass; older children and adults at Easter Vigil
- Confirmation — 7th/8th grade or Easter Vigil; Bishop visits every two years
- Eucharist (First Communion) — second grade, April or May
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3–4 p.m. & Sunday 9:30–10:00 a.m.
- Anointing of the Sick — first Friday of the month
- Marriage — contact pastor six months in advance
- Holy Orders — Diocesan Vocation Director (270) 683-1545
Parish Staff & Contacts
St. Martin is served by a small, dedicated staff who together cover pastoral, formation, communications, and music/business needs. The parish office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Rev. Daniel Dillard — Pastor
- Debi Hopkins — Director of Religious Education
- Nicole Gray — Director of Communications
- Daven Edmonds — Organist / Business Manager
- Parish office: (270) 685-0339
- Parish Hall rental line: (270) 315-3572
- Office hours: Tue / Wed / Thu, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Quilting Club
A beloved tradition: the parish Quilting Club meets Wednesday afternoons in the Old School Hall. The gathering combines fellowship, craft, and a living connection to the parish's educational past. Contact Rosemary Krampe at (270) 315-3572 for details.
- Wednesday afternoons
- Old School Hall
- Contact: Rosemary Krampe, (270) 315-3572
Parish Hall Rentals
The parish operates a Parish Center with a Main Hall (with kitchen), a Little Hall (without kitchen), and four classrooms available for rental. Parishioners receive a substantially reduced rate, and parish organizations, parish functions, and diocesan events are not charged. Event insurance ($95) and refundable damage/clean-up deposits ($200 each) apply. The building must be vacated by 2:00 a.m.
- Main Hall — Parishioners $165 / Non-Parishioners $465
- Little Hall — Parishioners $150 / Non-Parishioners $200
- Classrooms — $25 each
- Damage/Clean-Up deposits $200 each
- Event Insurance $95
- Building vacated by 2:00 a.m.
- Rentals begin the morning of the event; clean-out by 7:00 a.m. the next day
Pastoral Succession
The parish history page publishes a complete list of pastors stretching from the 1880s to the present day, including brief notes on a few of the most formative leaders — Rev. John Riley (the first resident pastor, 1891), Rev. Louis Herberth (whose tenure overlapped the 1908–1910 stained-glass donations), Fr. Joseph Saffer (under whom the 1957 church was built), Msgr. Gilbert Henninger (1962–1982 expansion era), and Fr. Victor Boarman (1982–1989, who organized the Parish Council and lay liturgical ministry before retiring after 50 years of priestly service).
- Fr. Ivo Schacht organized the parish in 1873
- Rev. John Riley — first resident pastor (1891)
- Rev. Louis Herberth — 26-year tenure (1896–1922)
- Fr. Joseph Saffer — built the current church (1957)
- Msgr. Gilbert Henninger — 20-year expansion (1962–1982)
- Fr. Victor Boarman — organized Parish Council (1982–1989)
- Rev. Daniel Dillard — current pastor (2025–)
Kroger Rewards & Community Programs
The parish participates in the Kroger Community Rewards program, letting shoppers direct a portion of their purchases to St. Martin. This is one of several small but steady ways the parish funds its ongoing ministry and outreach.
- Kroger Community Rewards program
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ivo Schacht1873
Pastor of St. Stephen in Owensboro who organized the Catholic families of Rome into the new parish
- Rev. F.J. Croghan1885–1888
- Rev. G.A. Vantroostenberg1888–1890
- Rev. J.J. Abell1890–1891
- Rev. John Riley1891–1896
First resident pastor of St. Martin (appointed November 1891)
- Rev. Louis Herberth1896–1922
Long-tenured pastor under whom the stained-glass windows were donated (1908–1910)
- Rev. Daniel A. (last name not fully listed on site)1922–1925
- Rev. Paul Barrett1925
- Rev. Thomas Hennessy, C.S.C.1925–1926
- Rev. S.J. Mensa1926–1932
- Rev. Bart J. Beruatto1932
- Rev. G.L. Mensa1932–1934
- Rev. Carlos A. Poole1934–1936
- Rev. C. Rudolph Carrico1936–1937
- Rev. Martin Nahstoll1937–1939
- Rev. William Borntraeger1939–1948
- Rev. Joseph William Saffer1948–1962
Led the major building program; oversaw the 1957 new church dedicated by Bishop Francis R. Cotton
- Rev. Monsignor Gilbert Henninger1962–1982
Built new rectory (1964) and added six classrooms, library, and restrooms to school (1966)
- Rev. Victor C. Boarman1982–1989
Organized Parish Council, initiated greater parishioner involvement, and brought lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist into service. Retired after 50 years of priestly ministry.
- Rev. Joseph Mils1989–2000
- Rev. Leonard Arcilesi2000–2004
- Rev. Pet Hughes2004–2012
- Rev. Maury Riney2012
- Rev. Martin Hayes2012
- Rev. John Ighacho2012–2013
- Rev. Pat Bittel2013–2023
- Rev. Larry McBride2023–2025
- Rev. Daniel Dillard2025–present
Current pastor