About St. Patrick · Taylor Mill, Kentucky
St. Patrick Parish and Shrine is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Covington, located in Taylor Mill, Kentucky (northern Kentucky, just outside Covington). Founded in 1966 by Bishop Ackerman and the Reverend Cyril Eviston, the parish worships in a church built in 1968 on Mills Road. In 2007 Bishop Foys elevated St. Patrick to the status of a diocesan Shrine with a devotion to Our Lady of Knock, and the shrine received a relic of the gable wall from Knock Shrine, Ireland in 2009. Today the parish is pastored by Fr. Jeff VonLehmen and runs a perpetual adoration chapel, a parish primary school (Preschool through 5th grade with expansion planned), and a CCD religious-education program for children Preschool age 4 through 8th grade.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Jeff (Jeffrey D.) VonLehmen
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers the rare gift of a 24/7 Adoration Chapel open every day of the year, a daily 7:35 AM Mass Monday through Wednesday and Friday, and a strong Eucharistic and devotional life centered on Our Lady of Knock as an official diocesan Shrine. The parish is family-focused: a growing Catholic primary school (Preschool–5th with plans for 8th grade), a CCD program for ages 4 through 8th grade, a High School Youth Ministry that travels to the Steubenville Youth Conference, plus Bible studies, a Women's Walking with Purpose group, a Men's Group, a Grief Support Group, and a 'Helping Others Return' parent group. Its small size means parishioners know one another and are directly involved in ministries for the sick, homebound, bereaved, and RCIA candidates.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Every Saturday 12:00 – 1:00 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the Adoration Chapel on the parish campus
Parish History & Shrine Designation
St. Patrick was established in 1966 by Bishop Ackerman of the Diocese of Covington, with Father Cyril Eviston as founding pastor. The first Mass was celebrated in the new building on December 22, 1968 — before that, parishioners worshipped in the gym at Taylor Mill Elementary School. In 2007 the parish was elevated to a Shrine by Bishop Foys with a devotion to Our Lady of Knock, and in 2009 the shrine received a relic of the gable wall from Knock Shrine, Ireland, used each year in a nine-day novena.
- 1966 — Parish established; Father Cyril Eviston appointed first pastor by Bishop Ackerman
- 1968 — Cornerstone laid September; first Mass in new church December 22
- c. 1970s — Father Reilly succeeds Father Eviston
- 1983 — Father Reilly retires; Father Edwin Heile appointed
- July 2000 — Father Heile retires; Father Jeff VonLehmen appointed by Bishop Muench
- October 7, 2007 — Bishop Foys designates the parish as a Shrine to Our Lady of Knock
- May 2009 — Shrine receives relic from Knock Shrine, Ireland
- 2020–2022 — Parish Primary School opens and expands; 'New Evangelization' phase launched
Our Lady of Knock Shrine
Since 2007 St. Patrick has been a diocesan Shrine with a particular devotion to Our Lady of Knock. A piece of the gable wall from Knock Shrine, Ireland — where Mary is venerated as having appeared in 1879 — was blessed to the parish in May 2009. Each year the relic is brought out for parishioners and visiting pilgrims to touch during the nine-day novena, with prayer intentions offered to Our Lady of Knock for her intercession.
Parish Staff & Contacts
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Jeff VonLehmen and Deacon Terry Mason, supported by an office staff, school and CCD leadership, liturgical and pastoral ministers. The secretary's office is staffed Monday–Wednesday and Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00–11:00 AM.
- Pastor — Fr. Jeff VonLehmen
- Deacon — Rev. Terry Mason ([email protected])
- School Principal/Director — Pam Nunnelley (859-344-7040)
- CCD Religious Education Administrators — Margie Giffen & Kim Puthoff ([email protected])
- Acolyte, Worship Ministries, Sick/Homebound & Bereavement — Paul Washnock
- Secretaries — Monica Lonnemann ([email protected]) & Chris Bradburn ([email protected])
- Altar Society — MaryAnn Wilson
- Joyful Noise (music) — Joe Ising (513-616-4463)
Sacraments
The parish prepares children and adults for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Baptisms for children 12 and under are scheduled through the parish office; older youth and adults are prepared through the RCIA/OCIA program. Weddings must be arranged at least six months in advance; Holy Orders inquiries are directed to the diocesan Vocation Director.
- Baptism Registration — for children 12 and under (form on the parish site)
- Confirmation — CCD and Summer Sacraments for grades 3–7
- Marriage — 6+ months in advance, 3 possible dates, confirm Mass before reception
- RCIA/OCIA — classes for adults seeking initiation or returning to the faith
- Holy Orders — contact Fr. Conor Kunath, Diocese of Covington Vocation Office, 859-392-1566
St. Patrick Primary School & CCD
St. Patrick opened its primary school with Preschool and Kindergarten, added First Grade, and broke ground on a four-room classroom addition funded by a donation from Paul and Annie Naberhaus. The current expansion plan is to grow the school through 8th grade in the coming years and to begin an endowment. The on-site CCD program complements the school with religious education for Preschool age 4 through 8th grade, plus Summer Sacrament classes for grades 3–7.
- Preschool — ages 3 through Pre-K
- Primary — Kindergarten through 5th Grade (All-Day Kindergarten available)
- CCD — Preschool age 4 through 8th Grade
- Summer Sacraments — grades 3 through 7 (June through August)
- Family Max Credit and Tuition Assistance available
Adult Faith Formation & Bible Studies
Adult Faith Formation at the parish includes the 8-Week and 24-Week Bible Timeline studies with Jeff Cavins, a 24-week study on the Gospel of Matthew, a 20-week study on the Acts of the Apostles, and Book Studies with Fr. Jeff (including his own publication, 'New Adams New Eves in the Praying Hands of God for Nothing is Impossible for God'). Periodic retreats include Oremus, Discernment of Spirits, School of Virtue, Parent and Grandparent Day Retreat, Post-Christmas Retreat at St. Ann's Convent, and Common Sense Parenting.
Youth & Family Ministries
St. Patrick is intentional about reaching younger families: the High School Youth Ministry meets Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM in the house behind the pastor's house and travels to the Steubenville Youth Conference, while parish life includes a Men's Group, a Walking with Purpose Women's Bible Study, a Grief Support Group, and a 'Helping Others Return' parent group.
Outreach to the Sick, Homebound & Bereaved
Eucharistic Ministers (coordinated by Paul Washnock) bring Communion to the sick and homebound; the parish has expanded this outreach through video contact alongside in-person visits. A Bereavement Ministry accompanies grieving families, and Father Jeff visits the hospital and nursing homes on behalf of the parish.
Visit, Contact & Giving
The parish offices are open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday–Wednesday and Friday, and 9:00–11:00 AM Saturday (closed on the listed holidays and holy days). Mass is livestreamed via Worship Window, the pastor's homily is available as a podcast, and giving can be made online anytime through WeShare (one-time or recurring). Newcomers may register online through the parish website.
- Parish App — linked from the parish website
- Parish Registration — online form
- FORMED subscription — linked from the parish site
- VIRTUS Training and Volunteering
- Notify Parish of Sick / Homebound
- WeShare Online Giving
- Livestream via Worship Window
Holy Cross District High School
St. Patrick remains a feeder parish of Holy Cross District High School, which added an Academic Enhancement program in 1997 for students with learning disabilities and has operated at or above full capacity (432+ students) since 2001. An Open House is typically held each January for 7th and 8th graders and their families.
Diocese of Covington
St. Patrick is one of the parishes of the Diocese of Covington, which covers much of northern Kentucky. The Diocese of Covington's Find-Priests directory lists Fr. Jeffrey D. VonLehmen's current assignments as Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Taylor Mill, and Chaplain of Holy Cross District High School.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Cyril Eviston1966–c. 1970s
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop Ackerman; a 'jovial Irishman' who led the establishment of the parish, including the cornerstone in September 1968 and first Mass in the new church on Dec. 22, 1968.
- Rev. Mr. Reilly (Father Reilly)after Fr. Eviston – retired 1983
Continued the growth planted by Father Eviston.
- Rev. Edwin Heile1983 – retired July 2000
Instrumental in raising the money for the stained glass windows still in the church today.
- Rev. Jeffrey D. (Jeff) VonLehmen2000 – present
Appointed by Bishop Muench. Led beautification of the church building, acquisition of the patron St. Patrick statue and parish sign, and the building/operation of the perpetual Adoration Chapel.