About St. Philip · Melbourne, Kentucky
St. Philip Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the rural village of Melbourne, in Campbell County, Kentucky, belonging to the Diocese of Covington. The parish describes itself as a close-knit rural community of about two hundred registered families, and it has sponsored St. Philip School since 1909 (with classes in session from 1910 onward). Weekday and weekend Masses are celebrated in the parish church on Mary Ingles Highway, and the parish grounds also house the parish school, the Parish Center, and active lay organizations including the Altar Society, Worship Committee, Boosters, and the Board of Total Catholic Education (BOTCE).
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- St. Philip the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Robert A. Rottgers
- Diocese
- Diocese of Covington
Why belong here
St. Philip is a small rural parish where the pastor, school principal, deacon, and parishioners know one another by name. With about two hundred registered families, organizations like the Altar Society, Worship Committee, Boosters, and Board of Total Catholic Education (BOTCE) make it easy to get involved in the life of the parish. Add to that a parish-sponsored K–8 Catholic school, weekly adoration and confession opportunities, and Holy Hour on Wednesdays, and visitors find a full parish life on a human scale.
Mass times at St. Philip
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM, or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Adoration)
- Wednesday 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Holy Hour
About St. Philip Parish
St. Philip Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Covington, situated in the rural village of Melbourne in Campbell County, Kentucky. The parish registers about two hundred families and welcomes visitors to one of its weekend Masses. The parish campus on Mary Ingles Highway includes the church, the parish office, St. Philip School (K–8), and the Parish Center.
- Diocese of Covington
- Approx. 200 registered families
- Rural Melbourne / Campbell County, KY
History
The parish traces its school to 1909, with classes opening in 1910. From the start, the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky staffed and supported St. Philip School, building a Catholic school tradition that has lasted more than a century. The school community marked its one hundredth anniversary in 2010.
- Parish school founded 1909; classes began 1910
- Staffed by the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky since inception
- Centennial celebrated in 2010
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Robert A. 'Bob' Rottgers, ordained May 30, 2009, with the support of Deacon Benton Clift and a small staff. Father Rottgers is also closely involved with the parish school, celebrating Mass with students twice a week, attending sacrament meetings, and offering Reconciliation to the students.
- Rev. Robert A. (Bob) Rottgers — Pastor (ordained May 30, 2009)
- Deacon Benton Clift
- Mrs. Theresa Frilling — Parish Secretary
- Mrs. Lisa Cropenbaker — Bookkeeper
- Mrs. Kim Brewer — Principal (per Catholic Church Directory)
Parish Organizations
Parish life at St. Philip centers on a handful of long-standing lay organizations that make it easy to plug into worship, fellowship, and school life.
- Altar Society
- Worship Committee
- Boosters
- Board of Total Catholic Education (BOTCE)
- Parent Teacher Club (school)
St. Philip School (K–8)
Saint Philip School is a parish-sponsored Catholic elementary school serving Kindergarten through Grade 8, with a small enrollment (around 74 students) and a low student–teacher ratio that allows individualized attention. Classrooms are equipped with CleverTouch boards, iPads, Chromebooks, and laptops, and students use a computer lab and the Parish Center for PE and music. Students attend Mass twice a week, taking active roles as lectors, altar servers, musicians, and vocalists.
- Founded 1909 (classes 1910); Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky since inception
- Motto: 'We are all welcome.' Mascot: Rebels
- Grades K–8, full-day Kindergarten
- Subjects include PE, Music, Art, Computers
- Speech / Counseling available
- Sports: Archery, Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball
- School motto drawn from parish openness: 'We are all welcome.'
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Saint Philip School is supported by tuition payments and subsidized by St. Philip Parish. Families sign a tuition agreement each spring; there is a $100 deduction for payment in full before August 15. Active parish-member families may apply for tuition assistance through the Norbert Frilling Education Fund (NFEF) via the FACTS online application process, with notifications sent in late May.
- Parish K–8 tuition: 1 student $4,613; 2 students $6,150; 3+ students $7,175
- Out-of-parish K–8 tuition: 3+ students $10,250
- Norbert Frilling Education Fund (NFEF) — FACTS online application
- $100 deduction for full payment before August 15
- Large Family Discount available (with Bishop Brossart HS connection)
Sacraments
Parishioners can celebrate the usual sacraments through the parish office. Confessions are heard every Saturday before the vigil Mass or by appointment; the pastor also celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation with students. First sacraments, baptism, and marriage preparation are coordinated through the parish.
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:45–4:15 PM or by appointment
- Baptism preparation available
- Marriage preparation available
- First Reconciliation / First Communion preparation through parish and school
Visit and Contact
St. Philip Parish and St. Philip School share a campus on Mary Ingles Highway in Melbourne, Kentucky, in the Diocese of Covington. Visitors are warmly invited to attend any Mass and to contact the parish or school offices for more information.
- Parish Office: (859) 441-8949 — Fax (859) 441-2611
- School Office: (859) 441-3423 — Fax (859) 441-2611
- Parish/Church: 1402 Mary Ingles Hwy., Melbourne, KY 41059
- School: 1400 Mary Ingles Hwy., Melbourne, KY 41059
- Website: http://www.stphilipky.org/