St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church and Howard-Flaget House

St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church is a brick Greek Revival building south of Bardstown with a cross-shaped plan and rounded apse, designed by architect Maximilian Godefroy. The property includes both the church and the Howard-Flaget House standing nearby.

The church was built between 1813 and 1816 as Kentucky's first Roman Catholic place of worship. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The church stands as a symbol of Catholic settlement in Kentucky and continues to serve the local faith community. Visitors can see how early Catholic communities expressed their beliefs through the building's design and continued use.

The site is located about three miles south of Bardstown town center and is accessible by car. It is best to check ahead for visiting hours since the church holds active services and may have limited public access times.

The architect Godefroy also designed St. Mary's Seminary Chapel in Baltimore using similar design principles, showing early connections between Kentucky and established Catholic centers to the east. This architectural link reveals how Sulpician institutions shared design ideas across regions.

Location: Kentucky

GPS coordinates: 37.76667,-85.48361

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:04