St. Paul Parish - Lexington at 501 West Short Street, Lexington, KY 40507-1254 US - Recollections

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.

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”.

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 Middle School is located next to Saint Paul Church. The elementary campus is on Barr Street next to St. Peter Church and is also supported in part by Saint Paul parishioners.

Sr. Clara Fehringer,OSU is the present Parish Life Director. Fr. Charles Niehaus, SJ is our Parish Priest.