St. Thomas Church

St. Thomas Church is a Catholic parish located in Bardstown, Kentucky, with a rich history dating back to the early 19th century.

History

The parish was formally established in 1812, although the site had been a gathering place for Catholic worship since 1795, when Thomas and Ann Howard built a log house on their property. This log house served as a home for missionary priests and a place for worship services[1][2]. In 1810, Thomas Howard bequeathed his farm to the Catholic Church, paving the way for the establishment of St. Thomas Parish[3][4].

The current Neo-Gothic brick church was completed in 1816 and was designed by Maximilian Godefroy, modeled after St. Mary's Seminary Chapel in Baltimore, Maryland[1][2]. The church was consecrated on August 15, 1816[1].

Role in the Community

St. Thomas Church played a significant role in the history of the Catholic community in the United States. It was the site of the first Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, founded in 1812 by Theresa Carrico, Elizabeth Wells, and Catherine Spalding[1][3]. The community moved to its current location in Nazareth, Kentucky, in 1822[1].

The church also housed St. Thomas Seminary from 1811 until 1869, serving as both a parish church and seminary chapel[2]. Additionally, St. Thomas supported an orphanage from 1850 to 1889, providing care and education for children[5].

Preservation Efforts

In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve the historic aspects of St. Thomas Church. Following the closure of the parish school in 1998, restoration work began on the original log cabin, which was completed and dedicated in 2006[1].

Current Status

Today, St. Thomas Church remains a vibrant community of faith in Nelson County, Kentucky. It continues to serve its members through various religious and educational programs, emphasizing lifelong formation and education[2]. The church's historic buildings are recognized as part of the National Register of Historic Places, added in 1976[1].

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_Thomas,_the_Apostle_and_Howard-Flaget_House [2] https://www.archlou.org/parishes/saint-thomas-parish/ [3] https://www.collaborative-novitiate.com/post/history-of-early-catholics-in-the-usa-a-trip-to-kentucky [4] https://kentuckykindredgenealogy.com/2019/12/05/gravestones-of-early-members-of-st-thomas-catholic-church-nelson-county/ [5] https://saintthomasbardstown.org/history