About St. Sebastian · Calhoun, Kentucky
St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Calhoun, Kentucky, was founded in 1858 as a mission to serve a small Catholic community in a predominantly Protestant area. The parish grew slowly, with Masses held at private homes before a frame church was built in 1871. In 1952, the parish moved to a new site, repurposing a roller skating rink into a church, school, and recreation hall. The parish has maintained strong community ties through ministries, picnics, and dedicated clergy, including long-serving pastor Father Walter Hancock and current pastor Father Maury Riney. It continues to serve the spiritual and educational needs of its parishioners in McLean County.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. Sebastian
- Rector
- Father Maury Riney
- Diocese
- Diocese of Owensboro
Why belong here
Join St. Sebastian to be part of a parish with deep roots and a strong sense of community. Experience faith through regular Masses, sacraments, and ministries like C.C.D. and the Knights of Columbus. The parish offers a welcoming environment for families, with a history of picnics, school, and outreach that continues to strengthen the faith of its members.
Mass times at St. Sebastian
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 3:00 pm before Saturday Mass
History
In 1858, Bishop of Owensboro visited Calhoun, preaching to a largely Protestant audience. Permission to form a parish was granted June 6, 1858. Reverend Eugene O'Callaghan organized the parish, with Masses held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quirk. Father Paul Volk built the first church in 1871. The parish struggled for decades, with Masses sometimes occurring only once a month. In 1952, the parish moved to a new site, repurposing a roller skating rink into a church, school, and hall. The school closed in 1967, and in 1972, St. Sebastian joined with St. Charles for Catholic education. Father Walter Hancock revitalized the parish in the 1980s with picnics, renovations, and community outreach. The parish was remodeled under Father Maury Riney, who is the current pastor.
Ministries
The parish offers a variety of ministries including C.C.D. (Catechetical program), Knights of Columbus Council #15484, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and parish picnics. The parish also has a history of church school and community outreach.
- C.C.D. program
- Knights of Columbus Council #15484
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Parish Picnics
- Church School (historical)
- Adoration (not listed, but implied by structure)
Sacraments
The parish offers sacraments including First Communion and Confirmation. The first First Communion was held on November 25, 1953, and the first Confirmation on March 14, 1954.
- First Communion
- Confirmation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Eugene O'Callaghan1858
Organized the parish from Owensboro.
- Reverend Paul Volk1869–1919
Built the first church; purchased property in 1871; died in 1919.
- Reverend Louis Herberth1896
Pastor from St. Martin Church in Rome, Kentucky.
- Father Nahstoll and Father Borntraeger1937–1938
Pastors who cared for 15 families during hardship.
- Father Higdon1947
Pastor with assistants Father O'Bryan and Father Walter Hancock.
- Father Libbs1952
Led the drive to move to the present location and build the school.
- Father Walter Hancock1983–2000
Revitalized the parish with picnics, renovations, and community outreach.
- Father Maury RineyPresent
Current pastor; led remodeling of church and C.C.D. program.