Our Mother of Sorrows was established on January 4, 1937, by
Archbishop John A. Floersh. It was formed primarily by parishioners from
within St. Elizabeth’s boundaries. The famous 1937 flood of the Ohio
River paralyzed the city, delaying the assignment of the first pastor,
Father Edward Link. At preliminary meetings a census showed 475 families
in the new parish. St. Elizabeth generously offered its church basement
for religious services.
On April 5, 1937, ground was broken for a temporary church.
Dedication of the completed structure took place later that year. Early
in 1938 the present school building was completed. The children of the
parish were educated by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and later by
lay teachers until the school closed in 2005.
The parish congregation grew rapidly; on January 26, 1958, the
cornerstone of the permanent church was blessed. At the completion of
the church building in December 1958, it was debt free.
Through the generosity of many dedicated parishioners throughout the
years working in harmony under the guidance of their pastors, the faith
community of Our Mother of Sorrows—currently with more than 1,000
parishioners—has evolved. The parish has committed itself to “serving
the spiritual, moral and physical needs of our community…. to building
God’s kingdom on earth through diversity and outreach of our various
parish ministries.”