St. Cecilia Church at 5313 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051 US - History
St. Cecilia has been part of the Diocese of Covington since 1880. Under the leadership and vision of its first full time pastor, Father Henry J. Heringhas, St. Cecilia began by serving the rural families of southern Kenton County. The church has always been prominently positioned within the historic center of the city of Independence, which is the County Seat of Kenton County.
In 1890, the parish served 17 families. The church of 1919 served 61 families and could seat 225 persons, while the addition in of 1965 increased seating to 400.
Two parishes were created from St. Cecilia; St. Patrick in 1966, and St. Barbara in 1967. The 1990s saw tremendous growth presently being experienced by our parish. In 1996 there were 425 families, but as of June 2006 we had 563 registered families.
Plans for our new church were presented to the parish on June 4, 1987. Groundbreaking was on October 14, 1990, and the church was dedicated on December 14, 1997. Our new church can easily seat 830 persons in the pew, and with added chairs can accommodate. Our parish is expected to experience a 15-20% increase each year for the next several years.
As we continue to grow we pray that we shall always be faithful to God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--and to His Church here on earth and to His Vicar, our Holy Father the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.
Historical Timeline
| 1880 |
Mission of St. Paul Church in Florence.
First church built on present site of Swindler Funeral Home.
First Mass celebrated the third Sunday of November preceding the feast of St. Cecilia; thus St. Cecilia Parish was created. |
| 1894 |
Extensive addition to church of two side altars and stained glass windows |
| 1911 |
Present Cemetery property purchased. |
| 1918 |
Church completely destroyed by fire. |
| 1919 |
First resident pastor, Fr. Henry Heringhaus, appointed.
New church erected at present location. |
| 1921 |
Rectory completed. School commenced in rectory. |
| 1923 |
New four-room school housing 41 pupils erected and dedicated. Two of the rooms were living quarters for the Sisters. |
| 1930 |
Golden Jubilee. 220 pipe organ purchased for celebration. |
| 1950 |
New rectory completed. |
| 1958 |
Eight-room school completed. |
| 1965 |
New addition to the church, renovation of the sanctuary and a new sacristy completed. |
| 1966 |
St. Cecilia parish divided to create St. Barbara Church. |
| 1967 |
St. Cecilia parish again divided to create St. Patrick Church. |
| 1990 |
Groundbreaking for present building. |
| 1992 |
Undercroft of church completed and in use. |
| 1992 |
Original 1923 school building destroyed by fire. |
| 1997 |
Present Church building completed and dedicated for the Catholic community of St. Cecilia. |
| 2006 |
Installation of new altar. |
| 2009 |
Old church building removed. |
The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought. --Psalm 22:32
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