Introduction to the Parish History
By Lorena Bland
The people of St. Romuald’s Catholic Church will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the parish in the Year of Our Lord, 2011.
The parish was established under the guidance of Father Charles Nerinckx. Construction of the first church began in the late fall of 1810. It went without a roof for about six years. It was known as a Fair Weather Church. It was located near the center of the cemetery.
In 1841, under the guidance of Father John C. Wathen a larger facility was erected and dedicated. This was the Little Red Brick Church and was located near the front of the cemetery.
In 1897, with Father William L. Gabe as pastor, the foundation for the third and present church building was laid. It took two years to complete the church. The present church was consecrated on August 27, 1903 by Most Reverend Denis O’Donoghue, Archbishop of Louisville. Eight years later, in 1911, Saint Romuald Parish celebrated its Centennial.
In 1962, with Father Cletus Bihn as pastor, the church building was completely remodeled, nearly doubling its seating capacity. Space was added for two confessionals, more pews, storage closets and two new side entrances. A gray terrazzo floor was laid over the entire worship space. New central heating and air conditioning was installed as well. A new tabernacle was placed and a new hand-carved wooden crucifix was hung from the ceiling. The refurbished and modernized church building was blessed by The Most Reverend Henry J. Soenneker, Bishop of Owensboro on February 17, 1963.
In 1986, with Father Pat Reynolds as pastor, members of the parish remodeled the nave and sanctuary and renovated the church. The pews and woodwork were refinished, the stations restored and carpet was installed.
In the same year, the Pieta sculpture and an old altar, which were removed from the church in 1962, were located and brought back into the worship space. New heating and air conditioning were installed.
We started a fund for a pipe organ. Incredibly 90% of the $43,000 goal was reached in 5 months. The organ was ordered and installed the fall of 1987.
The 175th anniversary of the establishment of St. Romuald Parish was celebrated during the week of October 5, 1986. There was a whole week of celebrating beginning with Mass, and then dinner.
The new pipe organ was dedicated and blessed by The Most Reverend John McRaith, third bishop of Owensboro, on November 9, 1987.
The Repair, Restore and Enhance Project, under the guidance of Father Tony Bickett began on August 1, 2003. The flat roof on the back of the church was taken off and a new gable roof was built to match the rest of the church’s roofline. The pews were taken out and refinished. The beautiful stained-glass windows were repaired and cleaned. Additional storage was added by building a second floor over the sacristy. Mr. Jeff Rhodes laid a beautiful gray tile on the sanctuary floor.
A new circular art-glass window was commissioned and installed on the north-east wall of the sanctuary above the sanctuary. The Pieta sculpture was repaired and also received a new coat of paint. The Consecration Crosses and another stained glass window, donated by Father William L. Gabe, were located and placed back in the church, behind the Pieta sculpture.
While the church was under renovation, Mass was held in the parish hall, from August 1st until November 21st. Our church and our faith will continue to grow as it has in the past.