Parking

Since we are located in the Historic District, our parking lots may fill up quickly. Arriving early, you will find a spot in the lot behind the church. Due to the generosity of LV Harkness and Greentree Antiques, Saint Paul Parishioners are now able to park in their parking lot at 531 West Short Street for Sunday Masses, provided they are not renting their parking lot for a downtown event. They are located on Short Street just down from the church.

On Saturdays and Sundays and daily after 5pm, you may park on the city streets - even at Metered Parking.
There are various city-owned garages in the area, the closest being at The Square.

Come and see us! We are...

Next door to the Lexington Opera House
Near all downtown hotels 
Close to the University of Kentucky Campus
Near the UK, Baptist and Catholic hospitals
Two blocks from Transylvania University
Across the street from The Square
In the center of Lexington's fine dining
In the heart of the Historic District Downtown Lexington

Join us while visiting Lexington and the Bluegrass.

We're not perfect, 
we simply are a community of imperfect people,
sinners who love Jesus; 
we are a church that tries our very best 
to serve others and welcome all people.

There is a place at the Lord's Table for you; 
we will welcome, respect,
serve, value and embrace you
as we, together,
build the Kingdom of God!

Settlers in the present Lexington and Scott County areas petitioned their Archbishop John Carroll of the Baltimore see, for a priest to reside with them and minister to their spiritual needs. Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin arrived in 1793 and was a shepherd to Catholics in 10 Kentucky settlements Mass was offered in private homes until 1801 when a lot, on which an old log cabin stood, was purchased from the family of John McNair. This cabin, which was located between Main and Short streets, just west of our present church, was used by the mission of Lexington for church related activities until 1812Rev. Charles Nerincyx, as early as 1808, referred to that structure as the “St. Peter chapel. Lexington families were able to attend Mass and receive sacraments when time and weather permitted Fr. Badin to travel to Lexington.
Fr. Stephen Badin and about a dozen Catholic families were eager to construct a more permanent church in which to worship. Fr. Badin and Fr. Thomas O’Flynn, aided by Col. Joseph Hamilton and Captain Nathaniel Hart, opened a subscription drive on St. Patrick’s Day, 1811 on the steps of Lexington’s courthouse. Protestants and Catholics subscribed liberally and $300.00 was raised on the spot and the amount continued to grow. A lot was purchased on July 13, 1813 for $312.00 from Robert and Anne Todd (Deed Book G, page 464 in the Fayette County Clerk’s office). A one-story, brick, Gothic chapel was built on the land, with the remainder of the lot reserved for a cemetery. This church was located on Third Street east of North Limestone Street near the old Episcopal cemetery.

The pastor, the first native Kentuckian to be ordained, was Fr. William Willett. Our ancestors worshipped in this St. Peter church until 1837.
Parishioners found it difficult to raise funds for a more spacious building to house the growing number of Catholic families. The pastor, Fr. Edward McMahon, made a tour of New Orleans to seek donations. The process of building a new church building on North Limestone Street was begun on property owned by the Sisters of Charity. The new church was dedicated on December 3, 1837. Following the dedication ceremony of this church a collection was taken to “defray the expenses incurred in the erection of the church”. The congregation continued for 30 years to support their parish and to save money for a new and larger worship space, which they envisioned would serve their needs and those of future generations.

This church served the people from 1837 – 1868. It was then maintained for special occasions and reestablished as the site of St. Peter Parish in 1909. In 1864, Catholics in Lexington again collected funds to give their new pastor, Reverend John H. Bekkers, for the purchase of land on which to build a new church to accommodate the growing congregation.
Messrs. Pickett and Son of Cincinnati designed the church. According to the Saint Paul Diamond Jubilee booklet “Saint Paul church is said to be one of the most perfect examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the country”.
Father Bekkers, the first pastor of Saint Paul parish is credited with opening a school for boys next to the church. He was also instrumental in the founding of Saint Joseph hospital and he purchased land for Calvary Cemetery. At Father Bekkers’ request he was buried in a vault in the main vestibule of Saint Paul church. On June 27, 1909 Saint Paul parish was divided into two separate and distinct parishes. Two hundred ninety-one families became members of the new parish. This marked the reestablishment of Saint Peter Parish and parishioners worshiped in the old Saint Peter church on North Limestone Street until property for a new church could be purchased.
Saint Paul church is in the heart of Lexington and is in the Western Suburbs historical district. Saints Peter and Paul Elementary and Middle Schoolare located next to Saint Paul Church. The Early Childhood campus is on Barr Street next to St. Peter Church and is also supported in part by Saint Paul parishioners.
 

Links
Knights of Columbus History Project at the Lexington Library

St Paul History Project at the Lexington Library

Historic Saint Paul Church was built in 1865; For over 150 years, we have been the presence of Jesus in downtown Lexington!

Architects: Pickett & Son, Cincinnati, OH.
Dedicated and Consecrated in 1868

Saint Paul Church is said to be one of the most perfect examples
of Gothic Revival architecture in the country.

On Sunday last, that beautiful specimen of church architecture, which the Catholics of this city have erected under difficulties and in the face of obstacles that would have discouraged or have been insurmountable to a less persevering people, was consecrated to the services of religion, and henceforth, it will be known as Saint Paul Church. By the addition of this splendid edifice to our public buildings, our city has gained its brightest ornament.
(Observer & Reporter, October, 1868)

The impressive oil on canvas 14 Stations of the Cross were painted in 1884-1885 according to a letter dated 19 January 1924 written to a Mr. J.P. Maloney of Lexington, KY by a then very aged BishopBrossart. Julius Frank, the artist, was the foremost artist in Munich and painter to the Court of Munich (copy of letter is in parish archives).

Our stained glass windows were commissioned through the Riordan Stained Glass Company, Cincinnati, OH. Riordan Stained Glass is the oldest stained glass maker in the USA. The firm rivaled the great stained glass makers in Munich and employed the finest artists in Munich (this is congruent with the employ of Munich Court Painter Julius Frank).

Riordan rivaled the stained glass manufactured in Munich (e.g.: Franz Meyer). The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were manufactured by the same company for the parish centennial. The three windows on the front of the church facing West Short Street are original to the church and from the same company; they were installed with the intent that they would be temporary and eventually replaced with fine stained glass. 

We are a proud member of the BGT 

• Awarded The Bronze Plaque from BlueGrass Trust for Historic Preservation.

Our Parish House is site of the birthplace of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Our Church, Brossart House and School are on the National Register of Historic Places.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST (A Sketch of Renovation Projects)

As we celebrate in our church, let us remember that the upkeep of the church building has always been entrusted to those who have worshiped in its sacred space. We need your continued financial support and prayers if we are to continue in the tradition of our forefathers.

March 30, 1864 |  Lexington Transcript
"We learn of the intention of the members of the Catholic congregation in this city to redouble their efforts in raising funds for a new church edifice, their present church being too small.... May their endeavor be crowned with success, and a noble structure soon rise up... as an ornament to our city".

 November 11, 1865 |  Observer & Reporter
"The cornerstone of the new Catholic church will be laid. A procession will start from St. Peter Church on Limestone Street and traverse the principle streets of the city until it reaches Short Street, the site of the new church, when interesting ceremonies will take place".

June 23, 1866 |  Observer & Reporter
"... a grand picnic on the Fourth of July...for the purpose of raising funds for the new Catholic church...  As the erection of a church to the honor and worship of Almighty God is a thing that  all Christians are more or less interested in, we trust that the generous and noble minded citizens of Lexington...will come forward as usual and contribute liberally in...this grand undertaking".

 September 26, 1866 |  Observer & Reporter
Suspended? "The work on the new Catholic church is to be suspended for want of funds. ... We very much regret this, as it would have been with one single exception the finest edifice of the kind in the state. Can our Catholic friends not make one more effort to bring it to completion"?

June 5, 1867 |  Observer & Reporter
"The grand strawberry festival for the benefit of the new Catholic church commenced on Monday evening at the church building on Short Street and thus far has proved one of the most elegant and successful affairs of the kind to which our citizens have been treated for years".  **Note (The fair was one of many fundraising events for the new church.) 

September 26, 1868 | Observer & Reporter
The Grand Festival - "A Grand fair to be held in the beautiful and spacious audience room of the new Catholic church...We would advise them (fairgoers) not to lose the opportunity of having a full and unobstructed view of one of the finest churches in the country, erected at great expense by a poor congregation, a fact that speaks volumes for their piety, their generosity and their public spirit".

October 18, 1868        
Dedication of Saint Paul Church. "On Sunday last, that beautiful specimen of church architecture, which the Catholics of this city have erected under difficulties and in the face of obstacles that would have discouraged or have been insurmountable to a less persevering people, was consecrated to the services of religion, and henceforth, it will be known as Saint Paul Church.  By the addition of this splendid edifice to our public buildings, our city has gained its brightest ornament, and the liberality, energy, and piety that saw it to its successful completion will have in it the lasting and most enduring monument". 

October 13, 1869 |  Observer & Reporter
"The new Catholic church is to be made additionally attractive by a chime, consisting of three bells.  The arrival of the melodious bells will be awaited with impatience". 

June 16, 1875 |  Observer & Reporter
Big improvements are being made to Saint Paul Church. Broad front steps are added in front of the new church...

June 24, 1883 |  Lexington Transcript
"The new clock in the tower of St. Paul's church is now in perfect running order.  It is a valuable improvement.... The chime will be placed on the clock within the next ninety days...The old bell will be used to strike the hours". 

August 22, 1892 |  Lexington Leader
"The cross on the spire has been regilded by daring steeple climbers and the steeple proper covered with new slate. ...Today the interior is a wilderness of scaffolding,...upon which  painters will ply their skillful brushes during the next few weeks".

September 1, 1943 |  Letter to Parishioners  Rev. Joseph McKenna, Pastor
"On Sunday, September 26, St. Paul's will celebrate the diamond jubilee of its present building. In commeration of the church's 75 years of faithful and continuous service, we think it fitting that donations be accepted for the creation of a fund to be used for needed repairs and improvements to the church and the school.  ...since the work must be postponed until after the war, we suggest donations be given in the form of U.S. war bonds..." 

September 28, 1968 |  Lexington Herald & Leader
"In celebration of their centennial this fall, St. Paul's Catholic Church...recently completed a total remodeling to both their church and parish house, at a cost of $200,000".

January 29, 1994
Marked the completion of the restoration of the steeple. One hundred thirty eight years ago, the cornerstone of  Saint Paul Church was laid by Bishop George Carrell of Covington.  Members of the parish have kept the church and parish house in good repair throughout the years.