About St. Peter · Lexington, Kentucky
St. Peter Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic parish in Lexington, Kentucky, founded in 1812 and serving downtown Lexington for over 200 years. A parish of the Diocese of Lexington, it is currently led by Rev. Peter Joseph Kizhakkeparambil (Fr. Peter Joseph) and two deacons. The present Barr Street church was dedicated in 1929, renowned for its fifteen large stained-glass windows that tell the story of the New Testament and the Church's evangelization. With about 285 households, St. Peter remains a vibrant downtown destination parish offering daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic adoration, OCIA, youth ministry, and a thriving Latin Mass community.
- Established
- 1812
- Patron
- St. Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Peter Joseph Kizhakkeparambil (Fr. Peter Joseph)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington (Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.)
Why belong here
St. Peter is the historic heart of Catholic life in downtown Lexington — a 200-year-old parish that welcomes newcomers as members of a vibrant faith family. Worshippers can pray at the altar beneath famous 1929 stained-glass windows, attend daily Mass in an intimate setting, and find traditional Eucharistic adoration twice weekly. The parish actively invites participation through its liturgical ministries (lectors, extraordinary ministers, altar servers, hospitality, cantors, musicians), a youth ministry with weekly Illuminate Nights on Wednesdays, a bereavement and prayer ministry, and OCIA for those discerning becoming Catholic. With convenient downtown parking behind the Wethington Parish Center and an accessible church building, St. Peter combines deep heritage with active community life.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 11:10–11:50 am
- Friday 11:10–11:50 am
- Anytime by appointment (call 859-252-7551)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 11:00–11:50 am
- Friday 11:00–11:50 am
About St. Peter Parish
We at Saint Peter Parish of the Diocese of Lexington are a community of Catholic Christians committed to being the presence of Jesus Christ in this section of His vineyard. Under the leadership of our Pastor and the Bishop of Lexington, we strive to build a faith community that will worship together, support Christian education on every level, and serve the needs of those in the community. We recognize that it is the Holy Spirit Who is 'Building up the Body of Christ' as we work to grow in our community and live out our commitment to the Gospel. Through our parish committees, we seek to identify and serve those in need, particularly the poor, elderly, sick, and distressed in our midst.
- Mission: a faith community that worships together, supports Christian education, and serves those in need
- Part of the Diocese of Lexington, Fayette Deanery
- Vibrant downtown parish with over 200 years of continuous Catholic presence
Welcome from the Pastor
Our family of faith has been a source of guidance, support, and sanctuary for thousands of God's people in beautiful downtown Lexington for over 200 years. We gather to worship, learn, reach out in service, and be Christ for one another. There are many ministries and ways our parishioners can give and receive. New parishioners may register online, by mail, or by picking up a form at the main entrance of the church. — Fr. Peter Joseph Kizhakkeparambil
- Pastor: Rev. Peter Joseph Kizhakkeparambil (since July 2019)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 859-252-7551
Parish History
St. Peter is the oldest Catholic parish in Lexington. Pioneer Catholics worshipped in homes and a log chapel until Fr. Stephen Badin built the first St. Peter chapel on Third Street in 1812. A second church followed in 1837 at North Limestone (Mulberry) and Third Streets, and after St. Paul was built on Short Street in 1868, St. Peter was maintained as a mission. Reinstated as a parish in 1909 under Fr. William Punch, a remarkable 20-year fund drive funded construction of the present Barr Street church, dedicated April 7, 1929. The 1983–1987 renovation ($155,000) added air-conditioning, new liturgical furnishings, and re-dedicated the portal stone from the Limestone Street church on the front lawn.
- First church: 1812, Third Street (built by Fr. Stephen Badin)
- Second church: 1837, North Limestone (Mulberry) Street
- Third (current) church: dedicated April 7, 1929, Barr Street
- Bicentennial celebrated in 2012
- 1997: merged under one pastor (Fr. Daniel Noll) with St. Paul and St. Peter Claver
- 2010: parish office moves into renovated building; renamed Wethington Parish Center in January 2011
Our Patron Saint — St. Peter the Apostle
Our patron saint, Peter the Apostle, was born as Simon, the son of Jona, in the town of Bethsaida on Lake Genesaret. The apostle Andrew was his brother, and the apostle Philip came from the same town. Saint Peter is the patron saint of Rome. His emblems in art and sculpture are a boat, keys, scroll, and a cock. His feast day is June 29 — a particularly fitting day to visit St. Peter Church in Lexington. Representations of Saint Peter are found in Christian art as early as the second century; he is shown as a man of energy, with short curly hair and beard, receiving the scroll of the law with veiled hands. He is the only apostle represented with a wand or staff, and in the fifth century he is first shown with the keys that afterward became customary.
- Patron: St. Peter the Apostle
- Feast Day: June 29 (shared with St. Paul)
- Emblems: boat, keys, scroll, cock
Stained Glass Windows
St. Peter's signature feature is its fifteen large arched stained-glass windows installed in 1929. The left aisle windows depict stories of Jesus' interaction with St. Peter — the giving of the keys of the Kingdom and the washing of Peter's feet — while the right windows portray saints who played important roles in the Church's evangelization. Smaller windows tell stories of the Old Testament. Restoration was carried out by Mezalick Design Studio of Philadelphia: initial evaluations in January 2015, repairs to two windows in July 2015 (covered by the Lexington Herald-Leader), eight more windows refurbished in August 2016, and the final five restored in April 2017, completing the project.
- 15 large arched stained-glass windows installed 1929
- Left aisle: New Testament scenes involving St. Peter
- Right aisle: saints central to evangelization
- Smaller windows: Old Testament stories
- Restoration: Mezalick Design Studio, Philadelphia, 2015–2017
Parish Staff
St. Peter's parish staff includes the pastor, parish secretary, director of religious education, music director, youth ministry coordinator, and wedding coordinator, supported by three deacons.
- Rev. Peter Joseph Kizhakkeparambil — Pastor ([email protected])
- Cindy McDonald — Director of Religious Education (ext. 1643)
- Hannah Braden — Secretary ([email protected])
- Lubitza Hershberger — Music Director ([email protected])
- Donovan L. Rodriguez — Youth Ministry Coordinator (ext. 1648; [email protected])
- Pat Kaluski — Wedding Coordinator (859-270-7437)
- Deacon Ted Fraebel, Deacon Scott Hunt, Deacon Phil Latiff
Liturgical Ministries
As Catholics, the Liturgy of the Eucharist is our most important act of worship as a community. While the primary participants are the priest and the assembly, many others take part: lectors, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, sacristans, altar servers, hospitality ministers (ushers), cantors, and musicians. Liturgical ministers (except cantors and musicians) are assigned to one weekend Mass monthly on a rotating team schedule; musicians are assigned at the Music Minister's discretion. The parish is always in need of new ministers as teens graduate, parishioners move, and current ministers step back.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Sacristans
- Altar Servers
- Hospitality Ministers (Ushers/Greeters)
- Cantors and Musicians
Caring Ministry
The Caring Ministry at St. Peter Parish oversees the parish's outreach to those in need — the bereaved, the homebound, the elderly, and caregivers of those with dementia or Alzheimer's. Prayer Ministries are an important part: you may ask for prayers through the prayer chain, request a Mass Intention, or arrange visits with prayer and Holy Communion/Mass for the elderly and homebound. The parish also offers bereavement support groups and caregiver support groups.
- Bereavement Ministry
- Prayer Chain and Mass Intentions
- Visits to the elderly/homebound with prayer and Holy Communion
- Support groups for caregivers of dementia/Alzheimer's patients
Youth Ministry — Illuminate Night
Illuminate Night is an opportunity for young people to grow in faith, build meaningful friendships, and be part of a welcoming Catholic community where everyone belongs. Through engaging activities, prayer, and reflection, the youth ministry fosters a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, exploring the richness of the Catholic faith and striving to live out the Gospel with joy, service, and purpose. Young people are welcome no matter which parish they belong to, where they live, or where they go to school.
- Illuminate Night: every Wednesday 6:00–7:00 pm in the St. Peter Parish Building
- Open to teens from any parish
- Coordinator: Donovan L. Rodriguez
Sacraments
Each sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace; when we participate worthily, each provides the life of God in our soul. The first three sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion — are the Sacraments of Initiation. Older children and adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion follow the OCIA process.
- Baptism: Pre-Baptism Class required for parents and godparents; child's birth certificate required; godparents must be fully initiated Catholics, registered and active, at least 16 years old; a letter of suitability from the godparent's pastor required if from another parish
- Marriage: Contact the Parish Office Manager at least 6 months in advance; wedding guidelines, music list, and Worksheet form available
- Confirmation preparation available
- Anointing/visitation of the sick and homebound available through the Caring Ministry
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church's way of helping people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. It is a gradual process — typically about 12 months — of prayer, discussion, study, and celebration, culminating in the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. OCIA welcomes unbaptized adults seeking Baptism, as well as baptized Christians of other faith traditions making a Profession of Faith.
- OCIA sessions: Sundays 9:40–10:40 am at the Wethington Parish Center
- New inquirers welcome at any time
- Catechumens typically received at the Easter Vigil
Faith Formation / Religious Education
Director of Religious Education Cindy McDonald coordinates the parish's religious education program and faith formation for children. OCIA for older children and Confirmation preparation are part of this work, supporting Christian education on every level — a stated mission of the parish.
- Director of Religious Education: Cindy McDonald (ext. 1643)
- Children's religious education
- Confirmation preparation
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Children for older children
Music & Liturgy
St. Peter's Music Ministry, directed by Lubitza Hershberger, provides cantors and musicians for weekend Masses and supports the parish's liturgical celebrations. Wedding-appropriate music lists are made available to couples planning to marry at the church.
- Music Director: Lubitza Hershberger ([email protected])
- Cantors and musicians assigned at the Music Minister's discretion
- Wedding-appropriate music list provided for couples
Contact, Location, and Directions
The St. Peter Church Office is in the Wethington Parish Center at 125 Barr Street, between the Sts. Peter and Paul School Early Childhood Center and the federal courthouse. The church building is at 145 Barr Street. Parking is behind the school and the Wethington Parish Center; the church parking lot is accessible off of Pleasant Stone Street and is shared with the Sts. Peter and Paul School Early Childhood Campus. The parish is listed by the Diocese of Lexington as handicap accessible.
- Phone: 859-252-7551 | Fax: 859-252-1853
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Church: 145 Barr Street, Lexington, KY 40507
- Parish Office: 125 Barr Street (Wethington Parish Center)
- Handicap access available
Diocese of Lexington
St. Peter Parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, led by Most Reverend John Stowe, OFM Conv., the third Bishop of Lexington (ordained and installed May 5, 2015; named by Pope Francis on March 12, 2015). St. Peter is one of eight parishes in the Fayette Deanery, alongside the Cathedral of Christ the King, Holy Spirit/Newman Center, Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary, Pax Christi, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Paul, and St. Peter Claver.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington
- Bishop: Most Reverend John Stowe, OFM Conv. (since May 5, 2015)
- Deanery: Fayette Deanery
- Diocesan office: 859-253-1993
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Stephen Badin1812 (founding)
Pioneer missionary priest responsible for building the first St. Peter chapel on Third Street.
- Fr. William Punch1909–
Reinstated the parish in 1909; began a 20-year 25¢-a-week fund drive that paid for the present Barr Street church.
- Fr. Daniel Noll1997–
Assigned in 1997 as the single pastor for the three downtown parishes (St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Peter Claver).
- Fr. Gino Donatelli, S.J.1997–
Associate pastor for the three downtown parishes, 1997.
- Fr. A. Charles Savarimuthu, H.G.N.2004–
Heralds of Good News (India) missionary order; assigned as Sacramental Minister.
- Fr. Nicholas (Nick) PaganoJuly 2006–
Assigned as Parish Priest in July 2006.
- Fr. John ListJuly 2007–
Assigned as Pastor in July 2007, with Pam Berger as Pastoral Associate and Director of Faith Formation.
- Rev. Paul Wethington
Former pastor in whose memory the Wethington Parish Center was named in January 2011.
- Fr. Thomas Thai
Built a brick wall beside the rectory that enhanced the landscaping.
- Fr. Ted Kelleruntil 2018
Lived in the parish rectory until his passing in 2018.
- Rev. Peter Joseph KizhakkeparambilJuly 2019–present
Current pastor.