Saint Francis de Sales Parish
Paducah KY
42001
Who we are
Rich in tradition, we are nourished by the Word and the Eucharist to “Live Jesus”
Church Website
Saint Francis de Sales Parish on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Fr. Gary Clark
Leader Position:
Pastor
Phone:
Fax:
270-443-4616
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Fr. Gary Clark
Administration
Admin Name:
Parish Office
Admin Address:
116 South 6th Street
Paducah
Kentucky
42001
Paducah
Kentucky
42001
Phone:
Fax:
270-443-4616
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Parish Office
Parking
Parking lot on the corner of 6th Street and Kentucky Avenue
Saint Francis de Sales Parish Mass Times
Mass Times:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 12:05pm
Friday - 8:00am
Saturday - 5:00pm
Sunday - 8:30am, 11:00am
Confessions:
Saturday - 3:30-4:30pm or by appointment
It's been more than 5 months since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 12:05pm
Friday - 8:00am
Saturday - 5:00pm
Sunday - 8:30am, 11:00am
Confessions:
Saturday - 3:30-4:30pm or by appointment
It's been more than 5 months since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Worship Languages
English
Prayers and Hymns
Main Bible:
New American Bible - Revised Edition
Other information
Saint Francis de Sales Parish History
Fr. Elisha Durbin, a priest with missionary zeal who ministered throughout western Kentucky, first began gathering Catholics in Paducah in 1848. These first Masses were held in the home of John Grief, located on the south side of Kentucky Avenue west of 6th Street.
Property for the church was purchased on May 8, 1848 from Thomas Brandon for $225. The first church, built of brick with a unique blue limestone foundation, was erected by parishioners in 1849 and sat well back from Broadway. It was surrounded by a high fence so that livestock could roam freely on the grounds.
A second, much larger church was built in 1870 under the direction of the pastor, Fr. Ivo Schacht. This church, also built of brick, was much nearer Broadway. Part of the old church was converted into a rectory for the use of the Carmelite priests who then served the parish.
The cornerstone of the present church was laid on June 5, 1899, and the church was dedicated on May 13, 1900. It was built of pitchedface, buffbrick with Bedford stone trimmings, and its style suggests Italian Renaissance with two domed bell towers. While construction was underway, Mass was celebrated in Lehrer’s Hall over a grocery store on the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Kentucky Avenue. The Pastor at this time was Fr. H. W. Jansen. The cost of the construction was $35,000.
The mural above the altar, representing the Ascension, was painted by Leo Mirabile, a native of Sicily, in 1936. In 1949 he returned to repaint the mural and to add portraits of ten saints to the overhead walls. In 1984, the tabernacle was removed from the high altar and a Eucharistic Chapel was built. The altar we currently use was donated by St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Kentucky, in 1987. The baptismal pool was constructed and new lighting installed in the church in 1997. In 2004, a new Parish Hall was completed.
The parishes of St. Thomas More (1943) and Rosary Chapel (1947) were founded from St. Francis de Sales.
Property for the church was purchased on May 8, 1848 from Thomas Brandon for $225. The first church, built of brick with a unique blue limestone foundation, was erected by parishioners in 1849 and sat well back from Broadway. It was surrounded by a high fence so that livestock could roam freely on the grounds.
A second, much larger church was built in 1870 under the direction of the pastor, Fr. Ivo Schacht. This church, also built of brick, was much nearer Broadway. Part of the old church was converted into a rectory for the use of the Carmelite priests who then served the parish.
The cornerstone of the present church was laid on June 5, 1899, and the church was dedicated on May 13, 1900. It was built of pitchedface, buffbrick with Bedford stone trimmings, and its style suggests Italian Renaissance with two domed bell towers. While construction was underway, Mass was celebrated in Lehrer’s Hall over a grocery store on the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Kentucky Avenue. The Pastor at this time was Fr. H. W. Jansen. The cost of the construction was $35,000.
The parishes of St. Thomas More (1943) and Rosary Chapel (1947) were founded from St. Francis de Sales.
"Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God."Chuck Smith
Saint Francis de Sales Parish listing was last updated on the 6th of November, 2023
