Saint Stephen Catholic Church History
The First Catholic Church in Trigg County was St. Joseph Church built by German Catholics who migrated from Pennsylvania in 1872. In the area of Golden Pond, St. Joseph flourished as long as the iron mines produced. By 1910, the iron mines gave out and by 1925 St. Joseph church was closed. Several items from that first church are treasured by the people of St. Stephen and are displayed in the sacristy.
In 1965 The Diocese sold the parish property of St. Joseph to the Federal Government. Today, the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers have been impounded behind two huge dams, producing two of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. The Land Between the Lakes has become a nature preserve park and we hope that it remains as an environment that is conducive to peace and contemplation. St. Joseph Church has become just a memory but its spirit lives on in the vibrant faith community of St. Stephen. The mission of St. Joseph was served by priests from St. Peter and Paul Church in Hopkinsville and from Mayfield, Kentucky.
In response to the need from the increasing number of visitors to the lake region, Bishop Soenneker proposed a mission church for Trigg County in 1966. Fr. Carl Glahn, Pastor of St. Peter and Paul in Hopkinsville was directed to purchase land and to build a church with help of funds from the Extension Society. Today, a majority of the parishioners are people who have migrated from northern climates to enjoy the peace and serenity of Trigg County and the Land Between the Lakes. Many visitors come on the weekends and during the summer.
St. Stephen Church was built in 1966 on 3.7acreas of land at the corner of State Route 68 (Canton Road) and Allen Circle, about one mile west of the Trigg County Court House in Cadiz. It was dedicated August 14, 1966 by Bishop Soenneker, being constituted a Mission of St. Peter and Paul Church. The Extension Society in Chicago donated some $15,000 toward the $27,000 construction costs. The Extension money came from a bequest of Leslie O'Brian of Chicago in honor of his brother, Stephen. Hence, the mission was placed under the protection of St. Stephen, the First Martyr. The following priests have served St. Stephen Parish: Carl Glahn, 1966-1976, who supervised construction of the church and the addition made in 1974. Fr. Steven Dunn was pastor from July 1976 to August 1981. The parish Council was begun during this time. The Mission was constituted a parish when Fr. Joseph Nagele, A Glenmarian, became the first resident pastor in September 1981. In the Fall of 1981 the present rectory was built for some $20,000. A garage was built in July 1984 for the sum of $4,500. Fr. Richard Danhauer succeeded as pastor in June 1985 and remained until June 1995, Fr. Len Arcilesi succeeded Fr. Danhauer as pastor with the additional responsibility of founding the new parish of St. Michael in Oak Grove, Kentucky, serving the many retired and active military. Fr. Len Arcilesi remodeled the rectory and the church with oak pews and altar, four additional stained glass windows were installed and the dark oak paneling covered with drywall. A rose garden was developed and grounds were landscaped in 1997. An office area was built and connected to the rear of the church, along with new heating and air conditioning units in the year 1999. The church was re-carpeted, the parking lots were asphalted and striped and new light fixtures installed. A Women's Guild and a Men's Forum were organized for social concerns and fellowship. Helping Hands was begun at St. Stephen and has now become a major ecumenical outreach program serving the poor of Trigg County. The Parish council is promoting social concerns, adult religious education and an Outreach Program to lapsed Catholics. Religious Education for children is carried out by dedicated volunteer teachers. In the Jubilee year, Fr. Len Arcilesi continued as pastor, serving the spiritual needs of the Catholics of Trigg County and the many visitors until June 2000. Fr. Richard Cash was pastor from 2000 to 2003. In these years work continued on the interior of the church building with the addition of new statues in honor of Mary, the Mother of God and St. Stephen. The Stations of the Cross were renovated, the Blessed Sacrament was relocated and the Sanctuary was enhanced with decorative wooden trim and arches. Work continued on the Rectory with the kitchen being remodeled, new carpet and wood flooring installed and a new roof put on both the Rectory and the Church. To assist with the spiritual care of the sick and homebound, a parish nurse was added to the staff. During these 3 years, St. Stephen and St. Henry shared the pastoral experiences with Father Cash. In June of 2003, St. Stephen began a new venture by welcoming co-pastors, Fr. Carl McCarthy and Fr. John Thomas. These priests lived in Hopkinsville and from there served St. Peter and Paul, St. Michael in Oak Grove, and St. Stephen. Combining these three parishes, and having priests share pastoral responsibilities, shows the wider church need for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Catholic population of Trigg County continues to grow. Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake continue to draw population to this beautiful area of Kentucky. With the population increase a Long Range Planning Committee has been established to look towards the ever expanding spiritual needs of our church. In February of 2004, Fr. Boniface Orji, a priest from our Sister Diocese of Mandeville Jamaica came to serve in this area until December of 2004. In the church, a new baptismal font was added to the entrance. The rectory renovation continued with the removal of a wall between the kitchen and bedroom to create a dining room and the removal of a wall in the front entry to enlarge the living room. Fr. John Thomas served St. Stephen until June 2004 when he was reassigned as pastor of St. Peter and Paul and St. Michael. Fr. Carl McCarthy was reassigned as pastor of St. Stephen and St. Henry of Aurora and continued to serve the Mission of Christ in both Trigg and Marshall Counties until the assignment of Fr. Babu Kulathumkal Joseph in 2006. In the summer of 2009, a narthex was constructed onto the church and became the new entryway.