“Saint Bridget” Parish was established in 1873, named in honor of the patroness of Ireland. At first, it served residents of an area of Louisville called “Irish Hill.” The first church, a small wooden structure, was located on the east side of Baxter Avenue between Payne and Rogers streets.
The first pastor was Rev. James Ryan, who read the first Mass on October 12, 1873. Within a year, Fr. Ryan left his pastorship to join the Paulist Fathers in New York. Fr. John Creary was named as his replacement. Fr. Creary started a school in the parish in 1874.
Fr. Henry Connolly succeeded Fr. Creary in 1887, and in 1890 he moved the location of the church to Baxter and Hepburn avenues. It was he who changed the name of the parish in 1893 to “St. Brigid,” the correct spelling of the patroness of Ireland. A temporary two-story brick church was built in 1890, where the parking lot stands today. The church was on the first floor and classrooms were on the second level.
The dream of a grand church was realized when the present church was dedicated in 1913. Its architecture is mid-nineteenth century French Renaissance, featuring many stained-glass windows and paintings and a Henry Pilcher’s Sons organ in the choir loft. After the permanent church was built, the temporary brick building housed the school until a new school and convent could be constructed in 1928.
Saint Brigid School closed in 1973. During its ninety-nine years of operation, teachers at the school included the Sisters of Loretto, the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine, and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, as well as many lay instructors. In 1994, the school building was sold and converted to apartments.
The church building underwent major renovations in 1968 and 1987. In 1990, the Pilcher organ was renovated, and a Webber organ was added to the chancel. The two organs are interconnected such that both may be played from either console. Known for its excellent acoustics, St. Brigid has hosted many concerts in its history.
Under the leadership of Rev. Donald R. Goetz in 1994, St. Brigid joined St. James in a two-parish cluster. This relationship has only strengthened the St. Brigid parish community, as they collaborate on outreach programs such as the St. Vincent De Paul Society, Highlands Community Ministries, and Habitat for Humanity. Rev. Gary Padgett is the current pastor of our communities.
