st martin de tours louisville

Saint Martin of Tours

639 s. shelby st., louisville, ky 40202.

• Church Info

We invite you to celebrate Mass with us at Saint Martin of Tours. We are located in Louisville, KY; Directions to our church can be found here .

Please note that Mass times are listed below.

The faith community of Saint Martin of Tours welcomes you!

Mass Times during COVID-19

• Saturday 12:00am - First Sat. , 4:00pm
• Sunday 8:00am , 10:00am , 12:00pm (Latin) - at the 12PM Mass Only
• Friday 7:00pm - First Fri.
• Weekdays 12:00pm - Mon To Fri.

Other Services

• Adoration 12:00am - 24 Hour Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
• Confessions Sat: 3:00pm-4:00pm

Current Bulletin

Bulletin archive, email notification.

Stay up to date with what is happening at Saint Martin of Tours. Each week we will send you an email update with a link to the current week's bulletin.

Email Notification Signup

Supporters of saint martin of tours, catholic organization, catholic retail, education & training, events & event planning, funeral homes & planning, professional services, become a supporter of saint martin of tours.

Fill out the following form to request more information on becoming a sponsor of this listing. One of our sales represenatives will follow up with you shortly.

Thank you for helping people Discover Mass!

DiscoverMass and MassTimes.org have partnered together to help make a single place to manage Parish info for the public.

Updates are currently being routed through MassTimes.org.

This is helpful for the Church and helps ensure greater accuracy for Catholics looking for Mass times on the Internet.

Email This post

Claim this business, sign into your account.

• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church

( catholic church in louisville, ky ), 639 south shelby street, louisville, kentucky, find a church within 10 20 25 miles of.

Location of Worship

Contact info, about st. martin of tours catholic church.

• St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church is a Catholic church in Louisville, Kentucky . We are a fellowship of believers, made in God's image and called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News with everyone through learning, listening, praying and working together actively to reach out to our communities. We are a place to believe, belong, and become!
• Phone: (502) 582-2827

Other Church Leaders

Administration, children and youth activities, community activities, other information.

• Dress Code:
• Adult Congregation:
• Under 18 Congregation:
• Other Information:

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church Location Map

St. Martin of Tours

Saturday, 4:00 p.m. Sunday, 7:45 a.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, 12:15 p.m.

Looking for today's Mass readings .

Update Church Info »

Daily Reflection Video

Liturgical Calendar

fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Catholic Churches by State

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Louisville, Kentucky

St. martin of tours mass times in louisville.

Saturday 4 pm Sunday 8 am Latin, 10 am Latin, 12 pm Latin, 3 pm Ordinariate

Daily Mass Times Monday-Friday 12 pm First Friday 7 pm First Saturday Midnight

Confession Saturday 3 pm

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

639 S Shelby St, Louisville, Kentucky 40202

502-582-2827

Church Website

Downtown Louisville Hospitality Listing

• LDP Staff Directory
• Friends of Downtown
• Downtown Development Corporation (DDC)
• LDMD Board of Directors
• LDMD Board Meeting Information
• 2023 – 2024 Donors
• Publications
• Data Dashboard
• Downtown Lowdown
• LDP Music Video
• Public Meetings and Panels
• Previous Downtown Development Strategies
• Newsletters
• Director’s Take
• Ambassador Testimonials
• Downtown Drive-In
• Food Truck Wednesday
• Downtown Pickleball Street Fest
• Happy Hour Music & Market Series
• Baird Urban Sports Park
• Hometown Tourism Celebration
• Reserve Event Spaces
• Sponsorship
• Attractions & Museums
• Amusements & Recreation
• Theaters & Performance Halls
• Downtown CineBus
• Public Art Map
• Alley Gallery
• Street Gallery
• Downtown Civil Rights Trail
• Louisville Slugger Walk of Fame
• Mural Gallery
• Restaurants in Downtown
• Bars in Downtown
• Brewers, Vintners, and Distillers
• Residential Listings
• Downtown Living Resource Map
• Where To Stay
• Shopping & Services
• Visitor Map
• Small Business Grants
• Small Business Resources
• Why Should You Have a Business Downtown?
• Small Business Loan FAQ
• Downtown Loan Funds
• New Business Welcome Package
• Commercial Listings
• Development Activity
• Parking Map
• TARC Routes
• Traffic Map
• LDMD Boundary Map
• Central Business District Map
• NuLu Neighborhood
• Hospitality Map
• Pedestrian Count Map
• Preservation Map
• Data & Research

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church

• Address: 639 South Shelby Street, 40202
• Type of Space: church
• Phone: 502-582-2827
• St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church offers Catholic services in Downtown Louisville.
• St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church Website
• Get Directions

View Our Parish History

Archbishop John Glennon appointed Father Carl Rees as pastor. The Rev. Carl A. Rees, born September 29th, 1889, was the second son of Anton Rees and Wilhelmina (Wild) Rees at 2121 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Mo. He was baptized at SS. Peter and Paul Church on October 1st, 1889. His elementary education was at St. Francis de Sales Parochial School, Gravois and Ohio, St. Louis. His First Holy Communion was May 3rd, 1903 and his Sacrament of Confirmation was September 18th, 1904. He graduated from SS. Peter and Paul High school in June of 1906. He attended St. Louis University, St. Francis Solanus College, Quincy and St. Francis de Sales Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was ordained a Priest by Archbishop Glennon at Kenrick Seminary, Webster Groves, June 13th, 1916 and celebrated his First Solemn High Mass at St. Francis de Sales Church, June 25th, 1916. Fr. Rees served as Assistant Priest at St. John the Baptist Church and at St. Augustine’s Church, both in St. Louis. First Pastorate was SS. Philip and James Parish, River Aux Vases, Mo. He was appointed to establish St. Martin of Tours Parish on January 12th of 1939.

On Palm Sunday, April 2, 1939, it was announced that a new parish would be built and it would be named St. Martin of Tours. This announcement was made from the stage of the lower assembly hall of Notre Dame Convent where services were temporarily being held for a small congregation of “new” parishioners.

Prior to the Palm Sunday announcement, an office was established at 805 Cumberland Drive. Fr Huber, pastor of St. Andrew’s, furnished a list of families living “south of St. Andrew’s” and they were contacted by mail and invited to attend a general meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall on Thursday, February 16th, 1939. Those invited could respond by phone to “Riverside 5709” or by mail to the office. Included in the mail invitation was information about Holy Mass being said for the New Parish at the auditorium of the Notre Dame Convent on Sunday, February 19th at 8 A.M.

A Provisional Committee, “made up of sincere, level-headed men and women”, was formed to help work out plans for the building of the parish.

The Provisional Committee later became the General Parish Committee. For six months, until the middle of July, they met weekly. Funds were badly needed so various socials were held to raise money. A census was taken throughout the territory and subscriptions solicited but no one was found who would “sign” a pledge. It was the year 1939 and the big depression of the thirties stalked the memory of everyone. Memories of the depression rose each time Fr. Rees tried to obtain a building loan. Hoping to improve chances by raising collateral, the new pastor liquidated all his personal holdings but still met with no success. He inquired at every possible bank and was weary from trying. Fr. Rees turned to Bishop Winkelman who had assisted him with the parish’s start. With the Bishop’s signature, the loan was obtained. A troupe of volunteers from the Parish Committee made monthly collection visits throughout the territory. This system was discontinued with the distribution of Weekly Envelopes in November.

By the middle of March 1939, the site of the New Parish had definitely been determined – the south-west corner of Telegraph and Ripa Ave. This was a parcel of land measuring 2 ¼ acres and was purchased from the Forder Bros. Realty Co. There was some opposition to this site because it was thought that in a few years another parish would be needed a mile or possibly two miles to the south. Another possible site was what is now the Rose Gardens subdivision. The pastors of St. Andrew’s, St. Francis (Oakville), St. George (Gardenville), Seven Holy Founders (Affton), Assumption (Mattese), and the new St. Martin’s were called to a meeting with the Archbishop to discuss boundary lines of the new parish.

Boundaries were established as:

• Begin on Mt. Olive and Lemay Road
• Telegraph Road to West Loretta Street
• South side of West Loretta Street to Clyde
• West side of Clyde to West Arlee
• South side of West Arlee to Broadway
• West side of Broadway to Ripa
• South side of Ripa to the River
• Teddy Avenue to Barracks and along boundary of Barracks to the southern boundary of the Mehlville School District
• South on Lemay Ferry Rd (both sides of road) to southern boundary of the Mehlville School District

Thence, the Mehlville School District boundary on the west side and north side to starting point Mt. Olive and Lemay Ferry Road

Excavation on the school building began on June 9th, 1939. Construction began on the 18th of the month. The bid by the Kloster Co., General Contractor, had been accepted. The Corner Stone, a gift of Mr. Ernest Speh of the Speh Monument Company, was placed with appropriate ceremony on Sunday, September 10th, 1939 by the Most Rev. C. H. Winkelmann. Committees assisted in locating and assembling all the countless furnishings needed for a church and school. Desks and other school equipment were located at and obtained from St. Francis de Sales Parish; pews, confessional, pedestals, etc., from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; altar, vestment case and countless other things from St. Andrew’s Parish; Mass Vestments and altar linens, book stand, etc., from St. Liborious; Ciborium, etc., from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish; Gold Monstrance and Votive Stands from Msgr. Sisener of St. Agatha’s Parish; Stations of the Cross from Notre Dame Convent; Candlesticks, Vases, Vestments, etc. from SS. Peter and Paul’s Parish; and many other necessary things from many other places. Items were stored in various parishioners’ garages and basements.

On Sunday August 27th, Marriage Banns were announced for the first time.

John Slucenschneider and Isabelle Vandeven’s wedding was performed on September 16th, 1939 at St. Andrew’s church.

The first Baptism recorded from the new St. Martin’s was that of Helen Emma Callison who was born on March 21st, 1939 and baptized on April 16th, 1939.

School opening day in September of 1939 found the school building not quite ready but by concentrating effort on the classrooms, school opened on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, October 2nd. Archbishop Glennon dedicated the school on May 26, 1940.

The chapel was ready in the new building (school) for the first service on Sunday, November 5th. Three Masses were scheduled and the Chaplain of Notre Dame Convent, Rev. Louis H. Bruns, would say the last Mass at 10:30. For over 6 years, or until the appointment of an assistant priest in February 1946, Fr. Bruns regularly served the parish with Sunday Mass and sermon.

On January 22nd, 1940 the first funeral was held – Mrs. Naomi Chapman. The first Baptism in the new chapel was Myrna Claire Hahn and was held on November 5th, 1939. The first Christmas was memorable. A heavy snow had fallen and the premises glittered in a “white Christmas.” Mass was at 5 A.M. A loudspeaker had been erected on the roof of the building and played the famous record “Chimes from the Tower of the Monastery Church of the Archabbey of Beuron.” A little house crib was acquired and a small stable was made. The school children each received a Christmas box of sweets and in turn, brought the Christ Child a “birthday” present.

During the Lenten season of 1940, a Mission (from February 25th to March 10th) was conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers. The HOLY NAME SOCIETY and CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN MOTHERS were canonically erected during this occasion. 108 parishioners were enrolled as charter members of the HOLY NAME SOCIETY and Fr. Rees called the first meeting for April 15th, 1940. On January 7th, 1940 (before the Mission) a meeting was called with the purpose of organizing the ladies into a confraternity. 40 ladies attended this meeting. On March 3rd, 1940, on the closing day of the week of the ladies’ Mission, a solemn reception was held in the chapel and 100 ladies were enrolled as charter members. There was a second Mission held in March of 1945 and the third in the 10th Anniversary year in September of 1949.

Early in 1940, a little farmhouse was completed to serve as a priest’s house.

An outstanding event of the spring of 1940 was the First Holy Communion held on Sunday, April 21st.

The war years were uncertain and trying.  Many of our young men were called into service; food was rationed; wages were high and commodities scarce. Some 100 young men of the parish were drafted or volunteered for the army or navy. Three gave up their lives in the line of duty: Luke Deters, U.S. Navy died at sea; Eugene Muich, killed in action; Harry Vescovo died in camp. St. Martin’s conducted periodic drives for war funds.

Midst the din and rhythmic thud of hammers, nails, and woodwork, the first classes at St. Martin of Tours were held on October 2, 1939 with a total enrollment of one hundred sixty children. The classes were led by Sister M. Lambertine and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  In 1940 the enrollment started soaring – 190; 1941 – 204; 1942 – 205; 1943 – 211; 1944 – 222; and each year saw each classroom more crowded – four classrooms – four teachers! In 1945 another classroom was opened only to be filled to capacity – 5 rooms containing 269 children. This condition made all concerned realize the immediate need for even more rooms, hence plans were made and stakes were driven for our “Annex” which would supply two additional classrooms for use early in the fall semester. In 1946, the frame Annex was built to accommodate the ever-increasing enrollment. The Annex was opened for use on October 28th. By September 1948, enrollment was 329. 

In April of 1941, dishes and a stove were bought and gas installed in the school kitchen.  September 1941 was the beginning of our hot lunches for the school children. The kitchen was operated by two ladies of the W. P. A. (Works Projects Administration – an American New Deal agency).  Fr. Rees stated that about 125 children were fed every school day. The first year of operation was completed successfully in June 1942 and a decision was quickly arrived at to continue the lunches in the following September. Due to rationing, the lunches started around October 12 at 10 cents a plate and served 145 children.  By February 1943, the surplus foods furnished by the Government were discontinued but the school lunches continued. In September of 1943, Fr. Rees reported that the Government had diminished its allowance and that the Red and Blue Points necessary for purchasing foods were difficult to obtain. The lunch offerings were now 15 cents instead of 10 cents.  The Council of Catholic Women had been furnishing the milk free of charge to the Catholic Schools. This service was discontinued. A charge of 5 cents was then made for the half-pint of milk served each child. From 1943 to 1946, about 140 children were served hot lunches every day. In September of 1945, Fr. Rees reported that due to help from the United States Agricultural Department lunches would be served with milk for 10 cents. The number of children participating in hot lunches increased

constantly.  In September of 1946, 3 lady parishioners were placed in charge of the school lunches and menus. Some 200 children were fed every day.  Due to the increase in the cost of food, lunches were now 15 cents.

By 1956, the population of the parish had increased enough to warrant adding a second story to the school building. 

In June of 1956, Fr. Vincent Ott celebrated his First Solemn Mass at the parish, becoming the first former pupil of St. Martin’s to do so. 

The St. Martin of Tours Band was established around 1967.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame staffed the school until the 1986-87 school year.  The school closed in 2009

THE SEWING CIRCLE (LATER KNOWN AS THE QUILTERS) : On February 21st, 1939, at a Provisional Parish Committee Meeting, it was decided that the parish ladies would meet weekly to sew at various homes of the members. Sewing was done at the ladies’ homes until the first quilting party which was held in the new building on Thursday, November 16th, 1939 with about 25 ladies present. With the cooperation of the neighboring parishes, the sewing circle was happy to offer 70 handmade quilts at their first annual quilt social which was held in the new building on April 27th, 1940.

TEEN SODALITY : In 1940, the first graduates left St. Martin of Tours and in the fall, the Teen Sodality was organized.  The first enrollment took place on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1940 at which time 10 graduates were enrolled.

USHER’S SOCIETY : In October of 1939 a permanent Usher’s Society was formed. 

The SACRED HEART LEAGUE was established on August 23, 1940.

For the 10th anniversary year of the parish, it was decided to have a two-night Homecoming.  This was held on Friday and Saturday, August 26th and 27th.  The attraction was a Grand Fish Fry on Friday night and a delicious chicken dinner on Saturday night. There were also carnival concessions and rides and booths.

GIRL SCOUTS :  In December of 1948, a representative of the Girl Scouts approached St. Martin of Tours about forming a troop.  The first large affair was the Solemn Investiture in Church on Friday, April 16th, 1949.  There were 65 girls and 22 adult scouts who recited the Girl Scout Laws and Promises and received a blessed Girl Scout Pin.  In 1972, first-grade girls were invited into the program and given the name “Pixies.”

BOY SCOUTS : The Catholic Investiture Service and Charter Presentation of the first Scouts of St. Martin of Tours Troop 422 took place on January 21, 1952.  It was funded by the Men’s Club. There were 10 adults and 30 scouts in the program.

WOMEN’S BOWLING LEAGUE : In June of 1947 the ladies formed a four-team bowling league.  They elected to bowl at St. George’s Alleys on Thursday nights. The next year they bowled at the Holly Hills Lanes.  Because of increased interest, an eight-team league was formed. In June of 1949, it was decided to bowl at the newly installed Bowling Alleys of St. Boniface Parish on Tuesday nights.

MEN’S BOWLING LEAGUE: The men’s league was first formed in 1947 with five teams and bowled at St. Andrew’s Church Bowling Alleys. In the 1948-49 season, they went to an eight-team league and needed to have a larger facility so they went to the Holly Hills Bowling Lanes.  In the 1949-50 season, there were still 8 teams but the league was moved to the St. Boniface Bowling Alley.

In later years, bowling for both the men and the women moved to South Twin Lanes now known as DuBowl Lanes.

The first meeting of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES was held at the Rectory on December 18, 1946. The outstanding event in later years was the decision in 1947 to put on a drive for funds for a new church.

The Fund Raising Campaign sprang from a meeting of the Board of Trustees held on July 17, 1947. The purpose was to discuss the ways and means of raising a considerable amount of money to be set aside for the building of a new church.  Many meetings concerning this topic were held. A campaign committee was appointed to assist in setting up the “Fair Share” contribution plan and the Kick-off Dinner. Sunday, November 9th was set as “solicitation day” and all members of the Campaign Committee were given a blessing by Fr. Rees.  Before sundown that day, $60,000 had been pledged. November 1949 marked the end of the campaign.  

Of note are the minutes from July 13, 1948. Additional property is necessary for the future adequate operation of the parish and now is the time to acquire it before the adjoining property is sold or developed. Fr. Rees and a member of the Board would contact and discuss the property matter with Mr. Forder, owner of the plot directly south of the church property. The contract to rent our building as a voting place was approved. Financially, the parish as of July 1st, 1948 has $14,601.43 in church treasury and $15,357.35 in New Church fund.  Renovating the school kitchen and endeavoring to get floor covering was announced.  The expense was to be met from the school lunch program.  

The architect for the building would be Raymond Maritz with construction being awarded to the Charles C. Kloster Company. The new building (church) was to be situated on the sloping site adjacent to the school building with the entrance from St. Martin’s Lane.  Provision was made for a future convent. The rectory would be situated between the church and the school. The nave of the church was designed to seat 750 worshippers and an assembly hall in the lower level would accommodate 1,000 people. With 3 meeting rooms and a kitchenette, the cost of the building was to be $400,000.  Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on July 30, 1950. Approximately 1,000 people marched in the parade honoring the occasion and an estimated 500 others gave witness to the placing of the symbolic cornerstone of the new Church of St. Martin of Tours in Lemay. On April 22nd, 1951, the Most Revered Joseph E. Ritter, Archbishop of St. Louis, performed the cornerstone-laying ceremony. Dedication of the Church was held on August 3, 1952.

During these years, the rectory was moved from the small farmhouse on Telegraph Road to Tweed Drive to its present location adjoining the church.

The Men’s Choir was begun in the 1950s.  During one Christmas season, they performed on KMOX radio.

In 1958, a committee was formed within Confraternity of Christian Mothers and it was called the Home and School program. The 12 members received special training to enable them to assist with health-testing for the children. The volunteers kept health records, did library duty, office work, and took charge of the uniform sales and exchanges.

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION : Starting originally with 3 girl’s softball teams (year unknown), the program increased in numbers and activities that now include in 1974 (?) 273 children playing on 11 softball teams, 10 baseball teams, 13 soccer teams, 3 volleyball teams, and 4 basketball teams.

The “Harry Noss Invitational Tournament,” named for a deceased young man from the association, is a special event of the year in which second-grade boys baseball teams compete. In 1964, the program was expanded to include public school children.

On Christmas night of 1959, exactly 20 years after he had celebrated the first Christmas Mass in the parish he loved so well, Fr. Carl Rees passed away following a stroke. 

In January of 1960 the Right Reverend Monsignor Anthony A. Esswein arrived to replace Father Rees.

Under Monsignor Esswein’s direction, the Men’s Club , the St. Vincent de Paul Society (1960) and the Senior Adult Club (1962) were formed. The Sisters’ Convent was built and all parish indebtedness to the Archdiocese was paid. The original sanctuary was completely remodeled.

Monsignor Esswein suffered a stroke and died in October, 1972.

Many organizations/clubs have been added to the St. Martin of Tours community since its early days.  Some have just changed names. 

They include: Finance Board, Parish Council, Stewardship Committee, Liturgical Ministries (Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Adult Choir and Cantors, Gift Bearers, Liturgy Commission, Altar Society and Ushers & Greeters), Blood Drive, Adult Education, Pro-Life, Scrip, Money Counters, Funeral Choir, Art & Environment, Legion of Mary, Funeral Luncheon, Bingo Committee, ACA, and Rectory Volunteers.

Current church interior after 2020 renovation (click to enlarge): 

Click to see St. Martin's Crest & Motto explained

Priests who have served throughout the parish's history:

Reverend Rees 1939-1959 Monsignor Esswein 1960-1972 Monsignor Runge 1972-1991 Reverend Althoff 1991-1997 Reverend Callahan 1997-2003 Reverend Borgerding 2003-2005 Reverend Ferrara 2005-2013 Reverend Richardson 2013-2015 Monsignor McCumber 2015-2017 Reverend Waldman 2017-present

Principals who have served throughout the parish's history:

Sister M. Lambertine Schnorbus 1939-1944 Sister M. Lorenz Blatz 1944-1948  Sister M. Maura Owens 1948-1951  Sister M. Rene Goupil Edelmann 1951-1954  Sister M. S. Kostka Scherr 1954-1959  Sister M. Loran Roche 1959-1960  Sister M. Lorenz Blatz 1960-1969  Sister Harold Marie Bexten 1969-1971  Sister Carmen Marie Chandler 1971-1973  Sister Jo Donna Grimes 1973-1983  Sister Edwin Marie Meyer 1983-1985  Ms. Marie M. Ziolkowski 1985-1988  Mrs. Joanne Geels 1988-2000  Mrs. Mary Chrapek 2000-2001  Mr. Greg Sturgill 2001-2006  Mrs. Aleta Marshall 2006-2009

Archbishop designates St. Martin of Tours a shrine

On May 18, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre designated St. Martin of Tours Church, 639 S. Shelby St., a diocesan shrine — The Shrine of St. Martin of Tours.

“This honor is a recognition of what the parish has been for the past 40 years,” said Father Paul Beach, St. Martin’s pastor, whose new title is rector.

St. Martin, located just east of downtown Louisville, has long had the “atmosphere of a shrine,” he said, noting a renaissance at the parish that began in the 1970s.

For close to three decades now, the Gothic-style church has remained open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The spire is lit at night, and it draws people in, even in the pre-dawn hours, he noted.

With the University of Louisville Hospital Trauma Center nearby, people come to “find a place of quiet, peacefulness and prayer at a time of tragedy,” said Father Beach.

Archbishop Fabre has decided that St. Martin will continue to care fully for its members through the sacraments and programs, such as religious education and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. So nothing will change for parishioners, Father Beach noted.

But as a shrine, St. Martin will also offer “special opportunities” to help individuals grow in faith, including: • Pilgrimages to the campus. • A partial indulgence that will be granted to those who visit and pray at the shrine on certain feast days: St. Martin, observed Nov. 11; St. Bonosa, the second Sunday of June; St. Magnus, the second Sunday in August. Sts. Magnus and Bonosa were third-century martyrs whose relics — their skeletal remains — are on display at St. Martin.

The partial indulgence is an “opportunity to focus on prayer as it leads to conversion of heart,” said Father Beach. “The church offers us special grace through acts of penance and prayer.”

St. Martin’s designation as a shrine will also be distinguished by an expectation that it serve the whole archdiocese rather than a particular neighborhood. Father Beach said St. Martin’s members, who come from throughout Jefferson County and beyond, are excited about the designation.

“They see it as an honor, a distinction. They have a great deal of pride in the church,” he said.

He believes parishioners are drawn to the church by the very things St. Martin’s pastors have focused on over the years — the music, the adoration chapel and outreach to the poor through the Schuhmann Center, which serves the homeless, and the Golden Arrow Center, which serves mothers and children.

The honor of being named a shrine may be the culmination of work that started at the parish as far back as the 1970s, he said.

In the ‘70s St. Martin experienced a “renaissance” under the leadership of Father Vernon Robertson.

St. Martin was established in 1853 as a parish for German immigrants. In the 1950s, families started moving to the suburbs, causing a decline in membership and bringing it to the brink of closure by the late 1970s, he said.

“Father Robertson was creative and thought outside the box,” said Father Beach. His efforts, which included a choir and a popular restaurant in the parish’s rectory, known as the “Afro-German Tea Room,” helped the parish regain its footing, he said.

At that time, the parish started offering daily eucharistic adoration, Benediction, organ concerts and a weekly Latin Mass that drew people from around the city and beyond.

St. Martin’s membership has grown steadily over the years, said Father Beach. There are currently more than 1,800 members. He noted that the community is young and that he frequently celebrates baptisms for infants.

St. Martin offers Mass daily at noon, on Saturday evenings and three Masses on Sundays. St. Martin’s designation as a diocesan shrine will allow it to continue offering Mass in the Extraordinary Form, a liturgy celebrated in Latin, every Sunday at noon.

The Two Hearts Devotion is celebrated monthly and the chapel is open for eucharistic adoration 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Historic statue of Mother Catherine Spalding unveiled

Catholic Relic Tours

Wednesday, may 2, 2018, saints' relics in st. martin of tours church in louisville, kentucky.

Great information! But, I'm wondering if there are 2 St. Bonosa's in the USA? The martyr in Louisville was about 15 or more years old. She came to St. Martin of Tours Parish in 1901 from Rome. The other, younger, St. Bonosa that journeyed through France, Idaho, and Oklahoma must be a different Roman Christian. Do you have more information on the younger Bonosa?