About St. Patrick · Louisville, Kentucky
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a large, vibrant Roman Catholic parish in eastern Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky, established in June 1988 by Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P. Today the parish counts over 5,000 parishioners and operates St. Patrick Catholic School (Preschool through 8th grade) as its largest ministry from a shared campus at 1000 N. Beckley Station Road. Under the pastoral leadership of Very Rev. Jeffrey P. Shooner, V.G., the parish describes itself as 'the welcoming Catholic Community of St. Patrick, a beacon of Christ's love,' committed to joyful Eucharist, lifelong formation, a caring parish family, generous outreach, and stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.
- Established
- 1988
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jeffrey P. Shooner, V.G.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Louisville
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a large, multigenerational parish where parishioners of every age are welcomed and supported on their journey to a deeper relationship with God. It offers a complete rhythm of parish life — joyful weekend and daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, rosary, Reconciliation, and First-Tuesday extended confession — alongside robust lifelong formation for children, youth, and adults (including the OCIA process for those becoming Catholic). Outreach runs deep through the Knights of Columbus Fr. Roy Dentinger Council #390, Disciples for Life, parish blood drives, and other service opportunities, while St. Patrick Catholic School (Preschool–8th grade) shares the campus as the parish's largest ministry.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00–4:30 p.m.
- First Tuesday of the month: 3:00–7:00 p.m.
- By appointment through the Parish Office: 502-244-6083
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered at the parish (specific posted times are listed in the parish bulletin; First Tuesday extended hours overlap with the 3:00–7:00 p.m. Reconciliation time).
Mission & Identity
St. Patrick describes itself as 'the welcoming Catholic Community of St. Patrick, a beacon of Christ's love, where all ages support each other as we journey to a more intimate relationship with God.' The parish commits to four pillars: praising the Lord joyfully in Eucharistic celebrations, embracing lifelong education and spiritual growth, building a vibrant and caring parish family, and reaching out generously to those in need. It also embraces stewardship as a way of life, asking parishioners to give 'first fruits of time, talent, and treasure to serve the Lord.'
History
The Catholic Community of St. Patrick was established in June 1988 by Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P., who appointed Father John L. (Jack) Schindler as founding pastor. The first Mass was celebrated on June 22, 1988 at the Eastwood Community Center; the parish worshipped there for roughly two years before moving in 1990 to a leased building in the Middletown Industrial Center known as 'the warehouse.' In August 1993, the parish relocated to its present site at 1000 North Beckley Station Road, where the original 24,000-square-foot building housed the church, school, and offices. Miles Hall was added in August 1997 in honor of founding members Bill and Phyllis Miles, providing 17 classrooms. The third and final building phase was completed in fall 2001, with a 1,200-seat worship space dedicated on October 14, 2001, the Mary Beth Bowling Educational Center, and the Celtic Center gymnasium.
- Founded June 1988 by Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P.
- Founding pastor: Fr. Jack (John L.) Schindler
- First Mass: June 22, 1988, Eastwood Community Center
- 1990: Moved to 'the warehouse' in Middletown Industrial Center
- August 1993: Moved to current Beckley Station Road campus
- August 1997: Miles Hall opened (named for Bill and Phyllis Miles)
- October 14, 2001: 1,200-seat church dedicated
- 2018: Beacon of Hope Capital Campaign launched
Clergy
St. Patrick is currently led by Very Rev. Jeffrey P. Shooner, V.G., who serves as pastor and, since July 1, 2023, as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Louisville. He is supported by an associate pastor, a priest in residence, and three permanent deacons, along with a full pastoral staff.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Jeffrey P. Shooner, V.G.
- Associate: Rev. D. Loi Pham
- In Residence: Rev. T. Anthony Smith
- Permanent Deacons: Gregory M. Gitschier, Scott R. Haner, and Mark J. Rougeux, D.Min.
About Fr. Jeff Shooner
Fr. Jeff Shooner grew up in the Archdiocese of Louisville, attending St. Polycarp parish and school and graduating from Holy Cross High School in 1989. He earned a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1993 and served on active duty as an Air Force intelligence officer. He then studied at Theological College at the Catholic University of America and was ordained to the priesthood on December 11, 2004. His prior assignments include associate pastor at Immaculate Conception in LaGrange and St. James in Elizabethtown, pastor of St. Lawrence, sacramental moderator of St. Boniface, Vicar for Priests, and Vocation Director. He is an Eagle Scout active in Catholic scouting, has served on the Board of Directors of Holy Cross High School, and concurrently pastors St. Boniface alongside St. Patrick.
Pastoral & School Staff
Beyond the priests and deacons, St. Patrick's day-to-day ministry is led by lay directors and a school principal, each with a clearly defined area of service.
- Director of Engagement: Lynne Marshall
- Director of Children's Formation: Joanie Hendricks
- Director of Adult Formation and Initiation: Tammy Kessler
- Director of Youth Ministry: Jonna O'Bryan
- Director of Worship and Music: Julie Roth
- Pastoral Associate: Carrie Williamson
- Coordinator of Hospitality and Communication: Madison Whitehouse Monnin
- School Principal: Dr. Nathan Sturtzel
Devotions & Other Services
The parish keeps a regular devotional rhythm around its weekend Masses and welcomes new parishioners through quarterly gatherings. Nursery and Sunday School are available during the 11:00 a.m. Mass from the weekend after Labor Day through May.
- Rosary: Saturday 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Nursery & Sunday School during 11:00 a.m. Mass (Labor Day weekend through May)
- Quarterly New Parishioner Welcome Gatherings (May 17, August 16, November 22 in 2026)
Sacraments
Information on the celebration of each sacrament is available through the Parish Office and the parish website's Learning Together section, including preparation programs for parents and adult inquirers.
- Baptism — preparation required
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion — preparation for children and parents
- Christian Initiation (OCIA, formerly RCIA) — for those becoming Catholic
- Confirmation — see parish school and youth ministry
- Matrimony — contact the Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the Parish Office
- Reconciliation — Saturday and First Tuesday schedule
Learning Together: Faith Formation
St. Patrick offers a continuum of faith formation for every age and stage, from infancy through adulthood. Children's Formation serves birth through 5th grade, Youth Ministry covers grades 6–12, and Adult Formation provides large- and small-group opportunities for enrichment. The parish runs the Christian Initiation (OCIA) process for those seeking to become Catholic, alongside baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Communion preparation.
- Children's Formation (birth–5th grade)
- Youth Ministry (grades 6–12)
- Adult Formation
- Christian Initiation (OCIA)
- Baptism preparation
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation
Adult & Family Life
Adult faith enrichment is offered through Bible studies, prayer groups, seasonal formation series, and a variety of small communities for men, women, young adults, and seniors, reflecting the parish's commitment to lifelong growth.
- The Fishermen (Men's Ministry)
- Women's Circle
- The Women at the Well
- Young Adult Ministry (adults ~21–40ish)
- Senior Ministry: Leprechauns
- Bible Studies & Prayer Groups
- Recharge Your Faith
- Multicultural Ministry
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Director of Worship and Music Julie Roth coordinates the parish's liturgical ministries, including the Adult Choir and Children's Choir, with a stated motto of 'Make it work.' Volunteers are welcomed in nearly every area of liturgical service.
- Ushers
- Sacristans
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Altar Servers (school-age and adult)
- Musicians — Adult Choir
- Children's Choir
- Art & Environment
- Altar Linens
Service & Outreach
The parish lives out its 'beacon of Christ's love' mission through organized service opportunities that operate under Catholic Social Teaching, supporting both parish-based and wider Louisville-area efforts.
- Knights of Columbus — Fr. Roy Dentinger Council #390 (formed October 2015; 120+ members; 30+ supported charities under Faith, Family, Community, Life)
- Disciples for Life (dignity at every stage of life)
- Parish Blood Drive
- Additional service opportunities linked through the parish
St. Patrick Catholic School
St. Patrick Catholic School shares the parish campus and is described by the parish as its largest ministry. The school serves students in Preschool through 8th grade with a focus on academic excellence, faith formation, and the well-being of the whole child. It welcomes both Catholic and non-Catholic families and partners closely with parish life — Women's Circle, Men's Basketball, Bible studies, Welcome Retreats, athletic coaching, and more.
- Preschool (3- and 4-year-old program, full and half day, 5 days a week)
- Elementary and Middle School through Grade 8
- School Principal: Dr. Nathan Sturtzel
- Absentee Line: 502-719-0371
- Parish Partnership: families invited to engage across parish ministries
- Open House and Inquiry-based admissions; 2027/2028 admissions kick off mid-September 2026
Campus & Facilities
The St. Patrick campus has grown in three building phases since 1993 and now includes the worship church, Miles Hall, the Mary Beth Bowling Educational Center for the Arts and Sciences and Middle School, the Celtic Center gymnasium, and a Preschool building added through the Beacon of Hope Capital Campaign.
- Worship space dedicated October 14, 2001 (~1,200 seats)
- Miles Hall (1997) — 17 classrooms
- Mary Beth Bowling Educational Center
- Celtic Center (multi-purpose gymnasium)
- Preschool building & Learning Commons (Beacon of Hope Campaign)
Getting Involved & New Parishioners
Newcomers are welcomed through a simple three-step process led by Director of Engagement Lynne Marshall: complete the New Parishioner / Parish Registration Form, complete the Gifts of Time and Talent form, and set up online giving through PushPay. Quarterly Welcome Gatherings (e.g., May 17, August 16, November 22 in 2026) help newcomers connect with parish staff and ministries.
- New Parishioner / Parish Registration Form
- Gifts of Time and Talent Form
- PushPay Online Giving setup
- Quarterly New Parishioner Welcome Gatherings
- Safe Environment Training (required for those working with children and vulnerable adults)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person at the Beckley Station Road campus, and can watch the live-streamed 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass through the parish website.
- Address: 1000 North Beckley Station Road, Louisville, KY 40245
- Phone: (502) 244-6083
- Fax: (502) 719-0359
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stpatlou.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/stpatricklou
- Live-streamed Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m. on stpatlou.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John L. (Jack) Schindler1988–founding pastor
Appointed by Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P. as the parish's founding pastor; celebrated the first Mass on June 22, 1988 at the Eastwood Community Center and led the parish through its early 'warehouse' years and move to Beckley Station Road in 1993.