About St. Pius Tenth · Calvert City, Kentucky
St. Pius X Catholic Church is a small parish serving the Catholic community of Calvert City, Kentucky, in Marshall County along the Tennessee River. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Owensboro and is pastored by Fr. Brian Johnson, with Paula Schmidt serving as Pastoral Council Leader/Office Manager. Since its founding in 1953 — when the first Mass was celebrated in the local American Legion Hall — the parish has remained a close-knit, family-oriented mission, offering daily and weekend Mass, Reconciliation, faith formation for children and youth, and active ministries through the Knights of Columbus, Women's Ministry, choir, and parish volunteers.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Pius X (Pope St. Pius X)
- Rector
- Fr. Brian Johnson
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro
Why belong here
St. Pius X is the spiritual home of a small but devoted Catholic community in Calvert City, anchored by daily and weekend Mass, a Saturday Vigil, Rosary before weekend Masses, and Saturday confessions. The parish invests deeply in passing the faith on: children's Faith Formation (K–8) and a Youth Ministry group (7th grade through high school) meet on Wednesdays during the school year, with catechists and retreats for all ages. There are also active groups for men (Knights of Columbus, raising thousands of dollars a year for Marshall County charities), women (Women's Ministry, meeting the third Sunday of each month), a choir, a Bereavement Council, a Garden Ministry, and a 'Quilters for a Cause' group — giving new parishioners many easy ways to plug in and belong.
Mass times at St. Pius Tenth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Fridays: Adoration and Mass at 6:00 PM
Our History
St. Pius X began as a lay-led dream in the early 1950s, when Catholic families working in Calvert City's chemical plants and dam-construction projects had to drive fifty miles round-trip to Mass in Paducah. Father Albert Thompson, with help from local families, negotiated with Bishop Francis Cotton, secured the use of the American Legion Hall from owner Luther Draffen, and celebrated the first Mass in Calvert City on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 1953. Sixteen months later, a purpose-built church (with two classrooms) was dedicated by Bishop Cotton on September 5, 1954, and a Catholic school opened three days later. In 1962 the mission was raised to parish status. The history on the parish website was written by Sandra De Forge McGrath, one of the first children to receive First Communion at the new church.
- First Mass: Ash Wednesday, February 22, 1953, 8:00 AM (American Legion Hall)
- Site purchased: March 31, 1954
- Construction began: week of May 15, 1954
- Church dedicated by Bishop Francis Cotton: September 5, 1954
- School opened with 25 students: September 8, 1954
- First teacher: Sister Benita Tankersley, S.C.N.
- Elevated to parish status: 1962
- Founder credited: Fr. Albert Thompson (later Monsignor)
Founding Families
Sandra De Forge McGrath's parish history credits sixteen families whose work turned 'the dream of a Catholic Church in Calvert City' into reality. They are listed alphabetically on the parish's About page.
- Robert Axford
- Mr. Brewer
- Bill Crowe
- Joe Ferris
- Steve Girth
- James Gootee
- John Janiak
- Mae Jones
- Mr. Montag
- Albert Montgomery
- Joe Newman
- Joe Piers
- Charles Temporiti
- Father Albert Thompson
- Frank Tomsic
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation provides religious education for parents and children of all ages, with meetings, retreats, and classes generally held at St. Pius X Parish in Calvert City. Children's Faith Formation (kindergarten through 8th grade) meets every Wednesday during the school year, with parents encouraged to stay and help with food and crafts. The Youth Ministry Group (7th grade through high school) also meets Wednesdays during the school year and participates in community activities and retreats throughout the year. Volunteers are needed as catechists and aides; Safe Environment certification and a background check are required to work with children. The parish also supports sending youth to Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp & Retreat Center.
- Children's Faith Formation (K–8): Wednesdays during the school year
- Youth Ministry (7th–12th grade): Wednesdays during the school year
- RCIA for adults — introductory session each September
- Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp & Retreat Center sponsorship
- Contact: Paula Schmidt, (270) 395-4727 / [email protected]
RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA is a program available for non-Catholics interested in learning about the Catholic faith, as well as for those who wish to return to the faith. Adult volunteers are needed to serve as sponsors for candidates, and all parishioners are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. Classes begin in the fall, with an introductory session held in September.
- Open to non-Catholics and returning Catholics
- Introductory session: September (date announced each year)
- Contact: Fr. Brian Johnson, (270) 395-4727 / [email protected]
Parish Ministries
The parish runs a wide array of ministries that touch liturgical life, fellowship, charity, and the parish grounds. Lay volunteers lead nearly every group, and the parish actively invites new members to participate.
- Knights of Columbus — Catholic men's fraternal charity organization; meets monthly, supports Marshall County charities with funds raised from Lenten fish fries and a June charity golf tournament
- Women's Ministry Group — meets the 3rd Sunday of the month in the parish hall for food, faith, fun, and fellowship
- Bereavement Council — provides meals following funerals
- Garden Ministry — tends the parish garden
- Quilters for a Cause — meets at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Hall, Grand Rivers
- Music Ministry / Choir — open to all, practice most Tuesdays after 6 PM Mass and most Fridays at 5 PM
- Arts & Decorations / Arts & Entertainment
- Scripture Reading/Listening — Wednesdays 10:00–11:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua
Liturgical Ministries
Lay liturgical roles are filled and trained at the parish, with opportunities for both adults and children (altar servers are accepted from age 9 through adult). Training is provided for Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, and Sacristans.
- Altar Server (Acolyte) — ages 9 through adult; training mandatory
- Eucharistic Minister — distributes Communion at Mass and to the homebound, nursing homes, and hospitals
- Lector — proclaims readings and prayer petitions
- Gift Bearer — brings the gifts of bread and wine at weekend Masses
- Usher — assists with seating, collection, and bulletins
- Greeter — welcomes all who come to weekend Masses
- Sacristan — prepares the church before and after Mass
Parish Council & Leadership
Parish life is shepherded by a Parish Council with chairs for the major areas of parish life, alongside a Finance Council, the Knights of Columbus, and the parish Arts & Decorations team. Paula Schmidt serves as Pastoral Council Leader (PCL) and Office Manager; she also coordinates Faith Formation, the bulletin, and the website.
- Gary Traylor — Chair, Parish Council
- Nora Canon — Secretary & Finance, Parish Council
- Paula Humphreys — Spiritual Life, Parish Council
- Stacy Newby — FFY & Religious Education, Parish Council
- Debbie Anspauch — Social Program/Outreach, Parish Council
- Michael Bowling — Building & Groundskeeper, Parish Council
- Harold Dacus — Chair, Finance Council
- Mike Cannon — Knights of Columbus
- Paula Schmidt — Arts & Decorations; also PCL/Office Manager
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus council at St. Pius X is a Catholic men's fraternal organization whose primary functions are Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism — with Charity as the main purpose. The council meets monthly, opening with prayer, and decides which Marshall County charity to support at each meeting. Funds come from Friday Lenten fish fries and the charity golf tournament held the first Saturday in June, with the council donating an average of $8,000–$10,000 per year locally. A once-a-year special fundraiser weekend also benefits the Marshall County Exceptional Center, contributing an additional ~$2,000.
- Monthly meetings, opening with prayer
- Lenten Friday fish-fry fundraisers
- Charity golf tournament — first Saturday of June
- Annual donation average: $8,000–$10,000 to Marshall County charities
- Special weekend fundraiser for Marshall County Exceptional Center
- Contact: Philip Scheidegger, (270) 331-1445
Our Pastor & Staff
St. Pius X is served by Fr. Brian Johnson as pastor, with Paula Schmidt as Pastoral Council Leader and Office Manager (also coordinating Faith Formation, the bulletin, and the parish website). The parish office is staffed limited hours during the week.
- Fr. Brian Johnson, Pastor — Office (270) 395-4727 / Cell (270) 668-7675 / [email protected]
- Paula Schmidt, PCL/Office Manager — (270) 395-4727 / [email protected]
- Bookkeeper/Bulletin/Website — (270) 395-4727 / [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM; Thursday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is located at 777 E. 5th Avenue, Calvert City, Kentucky (mailing address PO Box 495, Calvert City, KY 42029). The main parish phone is (270) 395-4727 with fax (270) 395-5747, and email is [email protected]. The parish website publishes the weekly bulletin, the Sunday homily, and the parish calendar.
- Address: 777 E. 5th Avenue, PO Box 495, Calvert City, KY 42029
- Phone: (270) 395-4727
- Fax: (270) 395-5747
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stpiusx.us/
Safe Environment & Reporting
The parish follows the Diocese of Owensboro's revised sexual abuse policy (effective July 1, 2014), which is available in the back of church, on the parish bulletin board, in the book rack, in the parish office, and on the diocesan website. To report to civil authorities, the parish lists local law enforcement at (270) 395-4545 and the Kentucky Child Abuse Hotline (toll-free 1-877-KYSAFE1 / 1-877-597-2331). Reports of abuse by Church personnel may also be made through the Pastoral Assistance Coordinator at 270-852-8380.
- Diocesan sexual abuse policy effective July 1, 2014
- Local law enforcement: (270) 395-4545
- Kentucky Child Abuse Hotline: 1-877-597-2331
- Pastoral Assistance Coordinator: 270-852-8380
Our Mission Statement
Published on the parish home page: 'We, the parishioners of St. Pius X Church, gather in the name of the Lord and His Son, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, thanking them for the many blessings that they have given us. We gain strength from the Word of God in order to share and celebrate God's love through the sacraments.'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Albert Thompson (later Monsignor Albert Thompson)1953 onward (founder)
Original pastor who led the effort to establish Mass in Calvert City; celebrated the first Mass on Ash Wednesday, Feb 22, 1953, in the American Legion Hall.