Saint Margaret Mary Parish

In the beginning . . . St. Margaret Mary Parish was established on December 4, 1950 by a decree of His Excellency, John A. Floerish, Archbishop of Louisville. Father Ehrich J. Stuart was assigned as pastor and given the task of building the new parish. His official duties began on February 28, 1951.

Property on Arterburn Drive was purchased in November 1951. The home constructed on this property eventually became the parish rectory. Less than a year later, on October 17, 1952, the corner-stone of the church was laid. The first Mass was celebrated in the new church on August 2, 1953.

Staffed with seven Sisters from Mount St. Joseph, the first school year began the following month. The response of parents wanting a Catholic education for their children was so great that construction of a larger facility began in the summer of 1956.

Father Stuart announced his retirement in June 1973, and Father C. Patrick Creed was appointed pastor. In 1975, a renovation of the church and school was undertaken. Included in the renovation was the construction of Stuart Hall (gym).

After seven years at our parish, Father Creed was transferred, and Father James E. Wafzig became our next pastor. He, too, was with us for seven years. Under his guidance and leadership, lay ministry continued to grow in the parish.

Our fourth pastor, Father Nick Rice, came to St. Margaret Mary on January 15, 1987. Under his direction, the parish continued its growth both in membership and in spiritual development as a faith community. On April 14, 1991, ground was broken for the construction of a new worship space. The new church was dedicated on October 17, 1992, forty years after the cornerstone was laid for the original church.

When Father Rice was assigned new duties, Father B. J. Breen left his position as Chancellor for the Archdiocese and was installed as our fifth pastor on January 19, 1994. Father Breen still carries the responsibility of Vicar General for the Archdiocese.

Since 1994, our parish has committed to the practice of full stewardship as a way of life. Though challenging, the giving back to God of our time, talent, and treasure brings many rewards of joy and peace as we strive to center our lives in gratitude and service to God.

We continue to evaluate the needs of our thriving parish of approximately 1960 families and 5800 members. Our parish, which was “Planted in Faith,” continues to be “Growing in the Spirit” as a community of disciples of Jesus Christ.

With this growth of spirit has come the growth of our facilities once again. As Fr. B.J. Breen led us through a year of special activities to celebrate our parish’s 50th Anniversary in 2001, we also have enjoyed the completion of our parish’s most recent construction project.

Parishioners are very grateful for our new buildings, including the St. Margaret Mary Pastoral Center, which was begun June of 1999 and completed in July of 2000. We also saw the renovation and expansion of the St. Margaret Mary School, which is adding a third classroom to each grade level over the next few years, and our Parish Activity Center, which was completed in March 2001.

Thanks to the parishioners we have these new facilities, but more important is the fact that these are more than just buildings—they are places for us to celebrate God’s blessings and love for us and to carry out our parish mission of knowing, loving, and serving God.