About St Mary of the Assumption · Alexandria, Kentucky
St. Mary of the Assumption Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Alexandria, Kentucky, located in Campbell County within the Diocese of Covington. Established in 1860 by 30 German immigrant families, the parish operates a parish school (St. Mary School, founded 1867), a Wednesday Evening Religious Education program, vibrant Youth & Family Ministries, and reaches more than 900 registered families today. The current pastor is Father Joseph Gallenstein, assisted by Deacon Tim Britt, and the parish remains rooted in its rural German Catholic heritage while serving a growing suburban community.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Father Joseph Gallenstein
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a heritage-rich but forward-moving Catholic community that pairs a 165-year-old German Catholic identity with contemporary parish life — daily Mass, an elevator-accessible sanctuary, a National Blue Ribbon School (2016), an active peer-leader youth ministry, a vibrant Journey to Catholicism (RCIA) process, and Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays. Families who worship here benefit from a parish-run preschool through 8th-grade school accredited by the Kentucky Non-Public School Commission, a strong Wednesday Evening Religious Education program, and a recently dedicated Stadtmiller Family Parish Activity Center — all in a small-town setting within commuting distance of Cincinnati.
Mass times at St Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM (1st Saturday of the month, or anytime by appointment)
Adoration times
- 1st Friday: Mass at 8:30 AM, followed by Adoration until 10:00 AM (location per bulletin — church or chapel)
- 1st Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Adoration in the chapel in the parish office
History
St. Mary of the Assumption traces its founding to 1860, when thirty German immigrant families pooled $300 to buy four acres on Jefferson Avenue and another $700 by subscription to build their first church. The cornerstone was laid September 9, 1860 and Bishop George Aloysius Carrell, S.J., the first Bishop of Covington, dedicated the church on November 25, 1860. From that first quarter century (375 baptisms, 52 marriages) the parish has grown into a vibrant suburban community of more than 900 families, served today by a 1983 church, a National Blue Ribbon parish school, and a brand-new Parish Activity Center.
- 1860: 30 families purchase 4 acres on Jefferson Avenue for $300
- Sept. 9, 1860: First cornerstone laid; first church built by Mike Blenke
- Nov. 25, 1860: First church dedicated by Bishop Carrell, S.J.
- Oct. 1863: Benedictine Fathers of Covington take over pastoral care
- Jan. 2, 1865: Rev. P. D. Beck becomes first resident pastor
- 1867: Parish school opens with 70 pupils (teacher Andrew Maschinot)
- 1875: First separate school building erected
- Oct. 1, 1876: Sisters of Notre Dame take over teaching duties
- 1885: Silver jubilee; 375 baptisms, 52 marriages recorded
- May 15, 1890: Cornerstone of new church laid by Bishop Maes
- Oct. 25, 1891: Present-era historic church dedicated; cost $11,600; bricks made on grounds
- 1928-1930: New rectory designed by architect Edward J. Beiting
- Dec. 10, 1949: Old Campbell County school purchased for $20,500 at auction
- Sept. 1950: St. Mary High School opens with 32 freshmen
- Oct. 22, 1950: Bishop Mulloy dedicates the school to 'love the land'
- 1961: St. Mary High School becomes diocesan Bishop Brossart High School
- Sept. 1962: New St. Mary Elementary School opens
- 1966: Stained-glass windows installed in the church
- Nov. 7, 1982: Ground broken for new church by Bishop Ackerman
- Dec. 11, 1983: New church opens
- Sept. 2019: Cultivating Legacy Capital Campaign launched
- Aug. 15, 2021: Bishop Foys blesses new elevator and parking lot
- May 10, 2023: Bishop Iffert breaks ground for new building addition
- 2024: Stadtmiller Family Parish Activity Center dedicated
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions
St. Mary's offers daily Mass six days a week (with three Sunday Masses) plus Saturday Vigil. Confessions are heard on the first Saturday of the month and by appointment. First Friday Mass and Adoration is a centerpiece of parish devotional life, drawing on the spirituality of St. Sister Faustina: 'A Holy Hour before the Most Blessed Sacrament so pleases the Heart of Jesus…' The parish also celebrates First Communion, First Penance, Confirmation, Baptism, Marriage, and the Journey to Catholicism (RCIA) for adults and older children.
- Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM
- Sunday 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM (livestreamed), 11:00 AM
- Monday and Tuesday 8:30 AM
- Wednesday 7:00 AM
- Thursday 7:00 PM
- Friday 8:30 AM
- 1st Friday Mass 8:30 AM + Adoration until 10 AM (church or chapel, see bulletin)
- 1st Friday Adoration 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM in the parish office chapel
- Confessions: 1st Saturday 3:30-4:00 PM or by appointment
Parish Staff
Parish operations are led by Pastor Fr. Joseph Gallenstein and Deacon Tim Britt, supported by a team of parish and school staff. The parish secretary (Becki Cross), business manager, office assistant, Director of Religious Education/Sacraments (Jenn Ledonne), Director of Youth & Family Ministry (Susan Stewart), Director of W.E.R.E. (Stephanie Baxter), Director of Sunday School (Laurie Marzullo), Director of Music Ministry, School Principal (Jennifer Geiman), and Vice Principal (Jennifer Paolucci) make up the broader team.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Gallenstein (ext. 102)
- Deacon: Tim Britt (ext. 105)
- Parish Secretary: Becki Cross
- Director of Religious Education/Sacraments: Jenn Ledonne
- Director of Youth & Family Ministry: Susan Stewart
- Director of W.E.R.E.: Stephanie Baxter
- Director of Sunday School: Laurie Marzullo
- Director of Music Ministry
- Business Manager
- Parish Office Assistant
- Maintenance Manager: Mike Jones
School & Religious Education
St. Mary School has been in continuous operation since 1867, currently enrolling approximately 615 students from Preschool through Grade 8 across 38 classrooms. The school is accredited by the Kentucky Non-Public School Commission (most recently renewed March 2024, next renewal 2029-2030), and was named a 2016 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Enrichments include Art, Media, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish; school colors are blue and gold.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Approximately 615 enrolled; avg. K-8 class size 19
- Faculty: Principal, Asst. Principal, 39 full-time teachers, 2 part-time teachers, 2 counselors, 5 instructional aides
- Accredited by Kentucky Non-Public School Commission (renewed March 2024)
- 2016 U.S. Dept. of Education National Blue Ribbon School
- Standardized MAP testing (K-8); ARK Religion Test (2-8); High School Placement Test (Grade 8)
- School day 7:25 AM – 2:00 PM; Address 9 S. Jefferson St., Alexandria, KY 41001
- Phone 859-635-9539; Fax 859-448-4824
- School uniforms: navy, tan/khaki, blue, white, and blue/plaid
- Sisters of Notre Dame have taught at the school since 1876; lay-led since 1992
Youth & Family Ministries
Youth & Family Ministries serves grades K-12 with the Active Youth program, Peer Leader leadership group (grades 9-12), Confirmation preparation, retreats, and the Adopt-A-Grandparent intergenerational ministry. The Peer Leader Program helps teens engage with W.E.R.E. and other parish activities, while adult volunteers (Virtus-trained) guide the retreats. The Confirmation calendar typically runs from an August opening through spring Confirmation.
- Active Youth program
- Peer Leader Program (grades 9-12)
- Confirmation Preparation (8th graders) — parent meeting in September
- Confirmation Service Project
- Adopt-A-Grandparent
- Retreats for grades 6-12
- Adult Volunteer ministry (Virtus-trained)
Parish Ministries
Parish life is supported by ministries in five areas: Faith Formation, Justice & Charity, Ministry to Families, Prayer & Worship, and Youth Ministry. Liturgical roles include Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including visits to The Seasons @ Alexandria), Lectors, and Children's Liturgy of the Word leaders. Family-focused ministries include Marriage Sponsor Couples who meet with engaged couples during marriage preparation.
- Faith Formation: Adult Faith Formation, Sunday School, Journey Faith Sponsors
- Justice & Charity ministry area
- Ministry to Families: Marriage Sponsor Couples
- Prayer & Worship: Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Youth Ministry: Active Youth, Peer Leader Program
Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage)
St. Mary celebrates all seven sacraments with structured preparation programs tailored to each age and stage. Baptisms are scheduled on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Sundays at 12:15 PM, with a parent preparation class held the second Tuesday of each month. First Penance (2nd grade) is celebrated in mid-January; First Communion at the end of April. Confirmation for 8th graders is celebrated in early calendar year on a date set by the Diocese of Covington; adult Catholics are confirmed at the Cathedral on Pentecost. Children over age 7 who are unbaptized enter the Journey to Catholicism process.
- Baptism: 1st, 3rd, 4th Sundays at 12:15 PM; parent class 2nd Tuesday
- Penance: First Penance for 2nd graders mid-January
- Eucharist: First Communion for 2nd graders at end of April
- Confirmation: 8th graders in early calendar year (Diocese of Covington schedule); adults at the Cathedral on Pentecost
- Marriage: Marriage Sponsor Couples available; call parish office
- Journey to Catholicism (RCIA): August through Easter Season
- Adaptive sacramental preparation available by contacting W.E.R.E. Director
Facilities & Capital Improvements
The Cultivating Legacy Capital Campaign, announced in September 2019, is transforming the parish campus. Already complete are a new church parking lot and a church elevator (blessed August 15, 2021 by Bishop Foys). Under construction as of 2023 is a new four-classroom addition and the Stadtmiller Family Parish Activity Center (PAC) — containing a gymnasium for 500 adults/700 children and three preschool classrooms. The third phase will renovate the old gymnasium into STEM classroom space.
- Church elevator (2021)
- Larger church parking lot (2021)
- Four new classrooms addition (2023-2024)
- Stadtmiller Family Parish Activity Center with new gymnasium (2024)
- Three new preschool classrooms (each 750 sq ft)
- Planned renovation of previous gymnasium into STEM classrooms
- Rectory rebuilt 1929-1930 (architect Edward J. Beiting)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lorenz Spitzelberger (mission, Four Mile)1860–1863
Served Alexandria as a mission from Four Mile parish alongside Twelve Mile and Stepstone in Pendleton County
- Benedictine Father Gregory (Covington)October 1863
Benedictine pastor after the order took over the parish
- Benedictine Father Gabriel (Covington)January 1864
Benedictine pastor
- Benedictine Father Isador (Covington)August 1864
Benedictine pastor
- Rev. Eberhart SchulteAugust 1864
Listed as pastor in the parish records
- Rev. P. D. BeckJanuary 1865–
First resident pastor of St. Mary's; the parishioners purchased a frame house next to the church for $850 as a rectory at his assignment
- Rev. B. A. Baumeister1876 onward
Paid $800 toward the church debt; celebrated Solemn High Mass at a later jubilee Mass
- Rev. Lorenz/Rev. H. Thien and others1880s
Pastors through the years including Rev. P. A. Prulage (1885 silver jubilee), Rev. William Tappert (a later former pastor), Rev. Francis Hund (former pastor), and Rev. R. (Richartz)
- Rev. Louis Fey1928–June 12, 1932
Built the new rectory (1928-1930) with architect Edward J. Beiting; transferred to Holy Cross Church, Latonia, June 12, 1932
- Rev. Carl FischerJune 12–September 9, 1932
Served as pastor 'pro term' until Rev. De Jaco's appointment
- Rev. Francis J. De JacoSeptember 9, 1932–
Long-tenured pastor who oversaw the 1949 purchase of the school/high-school building, the 1950 dedication of St. Mary High School, the 1962 elementary school, and the parish's transition into a suburban congregation
- Msgr. Wrobel1957 (active)
Supervised construction of the twelve-classroom school in 1957
- Fr. Joseph GallensteinCurrent (as of 2025)
Current pastor; oversaw Cultivating Legacy Capital Campaign, the 2021 elevator and parking lot dedication, and the 2023 groundbreaking for the new Parish Activity Center; led 2024-2025 Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome