Brief History

In the wake of the Second Vatican Council, two young priests, Fathers James E. Flynn and Richard F. Fowler, were serving on the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission that helped parishes implement changes in the liturgy and church architecture. Both were at a point in their lives when they would soon be pastors of parishes. In 1970, they approached Archbishop Thomas McDonough with a request to form and co-pastor a new parish in Louisville. They described to the archbishop their vision of a community that would reflect the spirit and theology of Vatican II.

Fr. Flynn said, “We knew from our own experience and our formation in Scripture, Liturgy and Social Justice issues that faith communities were being called to shift their self-understanding of church to become more intimately involved.” Archbishop McDonough was supportive of the priests’ ideas and gave his approval and encouraged them to circulate in the archdiocese and talk to people about this innovative undertaking.

The east end of Jefferson County was growing rapidly. A close associate of the priests suggested they look in Anchorage where there was a property called Burrwood which was owned by the archdiocese and adjoined St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage. There was a house on the property that had been used as a residence for the archbishop in times past; it was in a state of disrepair in 1970. On a cold January day in 1971, Frs. Flynn and Fowler explored the overgrown property and decided it was the perfect location for the new faith community.

Fr. Fowler commented that it was the eve of the Feast of Epiphany. “Jim, we’ve got to name the new parish ‘Epiphany.’ ” Soon, those interested in joining this new parish and the co-pastors began working on the grounds and the old stucco house, which would become Epiphany House. In the meantime, space was rented at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, for celebration of liturgy, meetings and classes. The first Eucharistic liturgy was celebrated in the gym of the orphanage on June 20, 1971. Catholics came from all over the archdiocese to liturgies in the orphanage gymnasium.

Working committees and ministries blossomed with the growth of the community and in late 1974 the parish left the gym and moved to the new Epiphany Worship Center, the parish’s new home. Over the years, the community center and youth center were added as the needs of the parish grew.

 – Excerpt from “Journey of a Pilgrim People”