During the mid 1940’s, the Archdiocese of Louisville researched the Catholic population in the Audubon area and determined that there was a need for another parish. This situation was burdensome to the area parishes responsible for meeting these families’ spiritual needs. To alleviate this situation, a new parish was formed. From St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Our Mother of Sorrows and Holy Family, the new St. Stephen Martyr Church was formed with about 350 families.

On November 4, 1948, Father Clemens Weiker moved into the Our Mother of Sorrows rectory and began preparations for building the new church and school. Future parishioners of St. Stephen Martyr dropped special envelopes into the Sunday collection at their churches. This money was later to be used as a base for the building fund.

An old World War I hospital was available for the convent and the site for the church and school was an empty lot purchased by the Archdiocese right after World War I, located at the corner of Hess Lane and Pindell Avenue. A home at the corner of English Avenue and Greenup was available for sale and was purchased for $1,500. Construction of the parish church and school began September 9, 1949 by Thomas Nolan and Sons. The church/school combination was built in an L shape with a church seating capacity of over 600.

October 23, 1949, Rev. John Lyons blessed and laid the cornerstone. The first Mass was said by Father Weiker on June 11, 1950 in conjunction with the first festival of St. Stephen Martyr. Open house was held on December 26, 1950 and St. Stephen Martyr Church was blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Floersh.

Throughout the history of St. Stephen Martyr, the parishioners have shown their support through a variety of social organizations. Some of these were: Women’s Altar Sodality, the Girl Scouts, Saint Bernadette Society and MOSS Club. During the late fifties and early sixties, the Marteen Club was formed under the direction of Father Prindiville and the PTA. Today we have many different ministries.

As the Vatican council impacted upon the church, St. Stephen Martyr rose to meet the changing needs. During the sixties a focus was placed upon adult education. Renewal missions based upon the new directives of the second Vatican council were formed. Religious education study sessions were held in homes and at the church.

In the early seventies, parishioners began to take a greater role within the church/school community. Lectors and lay ministers served at mass. A parish council and school board were formed. In 1970, Mrs. Evelyn Kalbhin became the first lay principal. Goals were set to keep humanness in education and to motivate through individualization and positive interaction.

April 3, 1974, a tornado came through the area and rebuilding began. The late 1970’s brought Fr. Roy Stiles as pastor. Cletus Ratterman was ordained deacon. On March 1, 1981, the parish decided to build a new church. Door to door campaigns were established, building fund pledges were conducted and the parish picnic was re-instituted.

On November 8, 1981, a groundbreaking ceremony was held and the new church of St. Stephen Martyr would be dedicated by Archbishop McDunough on December 19, 1982. The remainder of the eighties focused upon improving interfaith relations with local churches and the needs of the parish. In 1984 the parish council made a decision to hire a Pastoral Associate. Sister Mary Ortho Ballard became the first female Pastoral Associate in October 1985.

Today, the St. Stephen Martyr community is actively promoting the spiritual and social activities vital to our community.