About St. Paul Catholic Church · Lexington, Kentucky
Historic St. Paul Catholic Church is a downtown Lexington, Kentucky parish founded in the Catholic community that first worshiped on this site in 1793 under Fr. Stephen Theodore Badin. The current Gothic Revival church building was constructed in 1865 and consecrated on October 18, 1868, and is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in central Kentucky. Located at 501 West Short Street in the historic district, St. Paul serves a diverse downtown community with Mass in both English and Spanish, and is widely known for its inclusive LGBTQ+ ministry that has drawn national attention.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Very Rev. Richard Watson
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington
Why belong here
Historic St. Paul offers a rare combination: a 150-year-old Gothic Revival sanctuary in the heart of downtown Lexington, daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ ministry that explicitly welcomes every member of God's family, and parish house roots at the birthplace of Mary Todd Lincoln. Add to that historic stained glass, Stations of the Cross by the court painter of Munich, and a tight-knit, diverse downtown community committed to accompaniment—St. Paul is a parish where visitors are likely to feel both the weight of Catholic heritage and the warmth of a community that intentionally lives its welcome.
Mass times at St. Paul Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Adoración y confesión en español / Adoration and confession)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- 1st Friday 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- By appointment: text 859-420-4182 or email [email protected]
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- 1st Friday 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
About Historic St. Paul Parish
Historic St. Paul Catholic Church is the presence of Jesus in downtown Lexington. Quoting Pope Francis on the parish website: 'We must create a “culture of encounter,” a culture of friendship, a culture in which we find brothers and sisters.' Built in 1865, the Gothic Revival church was dedicated and consecrated on October 18, 1868 and is, per the parish's Diamond Jubilee booklet, 'one of the most perfect examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the country.' The parish hosts English and Spanish Masses, embraces the diversity of downtown Lexington, and explicitly welcomes every person, especially those who have felt marginalized. The Church, Brossart House, and school are on the National Register of Historic Places; the parish has been awarded the Bronze Plaque from Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation.
- 1,130 households
- In the heart of the Historic District, Downtown Lexington
- Two blocks from Transylvania University; close to UK campus and downtown hospitals
Parish History: Recollections of St. Paul
Catholic life in Lexington began in 1793 when Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin arrived as the area's first resident priest. Mass was celebrated in private homes until 1801, then in a log cabin chapel until 1812. On St. Patrick's Day 1811, Fr. Badin and Fr. Thomas O'Flynn launched a courthouse subscription drive that raised $300 on the spot. A brick Gothic chapel was built in 1813 on land bought from Robert and Anne Todd; Fr. William Willett (the first native Kentuckian ordained) was pastor. A new St. Peter Church was dedicated on North Limestone in 1837. In 1864 the parish raised funds for pastor Rev. John H. Bekkers to build a still-larger church; the cornerstone was laid November 12, 1865 and the church was consecrated October 18, 1868. Fr. Bekkers was buried in a vault in the main vestibule at his request. On June 27, 1909 the parish was divided, creating today's reestablished St. Peter Parish.
- 1793 — Fr. Badin arrives in Lexington
- 1811 — St. Patrick's Day subscription drive
- 1813 — First brick Gothic chapel built (Todd deed)
- 1837 — New St. Peter Church dedicated
- 1865 — Cornerstone laid by Bishop George Carrell
- 1868 — Consecration of present St. Paul Church
- 1909 — Division of parish; reestablishment of St. Peter Parish
Architecture & Art
Designed by Pickett and Son of Cincinnati, the building is a textbook example of Gothic Revival with a 210-foot bell tower that was the tallest in the city at its dedication. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places and has received the Bronze Plaque from Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation. Its stained glass was made by the Riordan Stained Glass Company of Cincinnati, then the oldest stained glass maker in the U.S.; the three original west-facing windows were installed as 'temporary' and the sanctuary windows were added for the centennial. The 14 oil-on-canvas Stations of the Cross were painted in 1884–1885 by Julius Frank, court painter of Munich, and the steeple was restored on January 29, 1994.
- Gothic Revival architecture by Pickett and Son, Cincinnati
- 210-foot bell tower (tallest in Lexington at dedication)
- Riordan stained glass — three original West Short Street windows plus centennial sanctuary windows
- 14 Stations of the Cross by Julius Frank (1884–1885)
- Steeple restoration completed January 29, 1994
Pastoral Leadership & Staff
The parish is led by Very Reverend Richard Watson, Pastor and Vicar for Priests for the Diocese of Lexington. His team includes Deacon Ramon Alfaro (Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education), Deacon Chris Cecil (Minister to the Sick and Homebound), Stan 'JR' Zerkowski (Pastoral Associate & Director of LGBTQ+ Ministries), and Sr. Clara Fehringer, OSU (Parish Administrator Emerita). Karen Arreola serves as Secretary, Receptionist, and Bulletin Editor. William Stoops and Minerva Maya co-chair the Parish Discernment & Visioning Ministry, Lance Mann chairs the Finance Council, and Daniel Cooper and Patrick Mason volunteer on Web & Communications.
- Very Rev. Richard Watson — Pastor & Vicar for Priests for the Diocese of Lexington (859-420-4182, [email protected])
- Deacon Ramon Alfaro — Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education (859-368-6586, [email protected])
- Deacon Chris Cecil — Minister to the Sick and Homebound (502-352-8426, [email protected])
- Stan 'JR' Zerkowski — Pastoral Associate & Director of LGBTQ+ Ministries (859-327-1047)
- Sr. Clara Fehringer, OSU — Parish Administrator Emerita (859-509-2662, [email protected])
- Karen Arreola — Secretary / Receptionist / Bulletin Editor (859-252-0738, [email protected])
- Lance Mann — Chair, Finance Council
- William Stoops & Minerva Maya — Co-Chairs, Parish Discernment & Visioning Ministry
LGBTQ+ Ministry & Fortunate Families
Founded in 2016 by Stan 'JR' Zerkowski after the Pulse nightclub shooting, the LGBTQ+ Ministry at Historic St. Paul Catholic Church is one of the most recognized in the United States. The parish intentionally proclaims that 'all are welcome' — and lives it. Members serve on the Parish Discernment & Visioning Ministry, in liturgical ministries, and in service beyond the parish's doors. JR Zerkowski also leads the Diocese of Lexington's LGBTQ Outreach Commission and helps other parishes build inclusive ministries through Fortunate Families. He received a handwritten note from Pope Francis on October 13, 2023 praising the ministry, and the parish's work was featured on CBS Evening News in May 2025.
- Director: Stan 'JR' Zerkowski
- Co-Facilitators, LGBTQ Socials: Nick Ralston & Brad Yelvington
- Co-Facilitators, Fortunate Families: Melody Turpin & Dru Moon
- Liaison to Spanish-speaking community: Toni Gonzales
- Monthly LGBTQ+ socials at Brossart House (next door to the church)
- Same-sex couples seeking a blessing may contact Fr. Richard Watson (859-420-4182)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Deacon Ramon Alfaro serves as the parish's Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education. The St. Paul's Children's Church program runs every Sunday during the 10 AM Mass for children ages 2–6, offering a modified homily with age-appropriate activities. Older youth have a separate youth ministry page. Saints Peter and Paul Elementary and Middle School sit next to the church, with an Early Childhood campus on Barr Street next to St. Peter Church — both supported in part by St. Paul parishioners.
- Children's Church ages 2–6 at 10 AM Sunday Mass
- Saints Peter and Paul Elementary & Middle School (next door)
- Early Childhood campus on Barr Street
- Director: Deacon Ramon Alfaro
Community Outreach & Service
St. Paul's downtown location supports several outreach initiatives, including the Open Door Lunch Hour community meal, support for The Little Mountain School, and ministry to the sick and homebound through Deacon Chris Cecil. The parish community is intentionally diverse and embraces a 'culture of encounter' — finding brothers and sisters across every line of difference and serving joyfully beyond the doors of the parish church.
- Open Door Lunch Hour (community meal)
- The Little Mountain School (support)
- Minister to the Sick and Homebound — Deacon Chris Cecil
- Building Justice ministry
Getting Involved: Serve Your Parish
Volunteers are invited to serve across liturgical, formation, outreach, and administrative ministries. To get involved, contact JR Zerkowski or Deacon Ramon Alfaro, or fill out the online form on the parish website.
- Contact JR Zerkowski or Deacon Ramon Alfaro
- Online interest form on saintpaul.cdlex.org/serve
Office Info & Contact
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The parish follows Lexington Catholic High School closures for winter weather; if those schools close, the office closes and daily Mass is canceled. Stay connected through the parish email list.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (859) 252-0738
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–12:30 PM, 1:00–4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John H. Bekkers1864–?
First pastor of St. Paul; laid the cornerstone in 1865; founded the parish school for boys, helped found St. Joseph Hospital, and purchased land for Calvary Cemetery. Buried in a vault in the main vestibule at his request.
- Rev. Stephen Theodore Badinarrived 1793
First resident priest in Lexington; arrived 1793 and offered the first Masses for Catholic settlers.
- Rev. William Willettserved before 1837
First native Kentuckian ordained; led the congregation in the original St. Peter chapel.
- Rev. Edward McMahonserved c. 1830s
Made a fundraising tour of New Orleans and dedicated the 1837 St. Peter Church.