This file photo shows the March 15, 2013 groundbreaking for the future John Pail II Catholic School in Morganfield. In the foreground, left to right: Fr. Greg Trawick, Fr. Freddie Byrd, Fr. Terry Devine, and Bishop William F. Medley. COURTESY OF JPII SCHOOL
Thirteen years since groundbreaking, JPII School sees ‘light at end of the tunnel’ with debt retirement campaign
BY JPII SCHOOL LEADERSHIP, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The dedication of Union County Catholics to preserving Catholic education shines as a powerful example of faith, community resolve, and long-term vision.
The groundbreaking for John Paul II Catholic School in Morganfield, Kentucky, took place 13 years ago on March 15, 2013, with Bishop William F. Medley presiding. Two years, later the school opened its doors to students on August 13, 2015, marking a new chapter in Union County’s Catholic education story.
The school achieved another major milestone with its recent debt retirement campaign. While Robert Ervin served as the chair, he had a lot of donors step up their generosity to finally move the school debt to $300,000 as of February 2026.
“We still had a $1.3 million balance in July of 2023, and we’ve worked really hard to the point we can see a light at the end of the tunnel,” Ervin said, adding that he’d hoped to have the debt completely satisfied, “but the community really did a great job giving this effort all they had.”
For more than two centuries, Catholic education has been woven into the fabric of life in this county, dating back to the early 19th century when religious orders like the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth began establishing academies and schools across the region.
This legacy includes institutions such as St. Vincent Academy (founded in 1820), St. Agnes School in Uniontown (founded between 1873 and 1875), St. Peter School in Waverly (opened in 1910), and St. Ann’s in Morganfield (built in 1912). Generations of students received an education from dedicated religious sisters and lay teachers.
By the early 21st century, declining enrollments and aging facilities prompted a bold decision. Between 2014-2015, parishioners from local parishes– St. Ann, St. Agnes, St. Peter, St. Ambrose, Sacred Heart, and others – partnered with the Diocese of Owensboro to invest in the future. They took out a significant loan (approximately $11 million, as recalled by community members) to fund the construction of a new, consolidated school. This involved closing and demolishing the historic St. Ann’s Catholic School building (which had served students until its final day in May 2015) and erecting a modern facility across the street.
Today, John Paul II Catholic School thrives at 307 South Church Street in Morganfield. It serves approximately 230 students in Pre-K through eighth grade, welcoming both Catholic and non-Catholic families. The school fosters an atmosphere centered on a mission to form disciples of Christ while delivering academic excellence and preparing students to be responsible members of their families, churches, and communities. Programs include strong academics, faith formation, arts, sports, community service, and more, all in a supportive environment that emphasizes moral and spiritual growth.
The parishioners’ commitment – through financial sacrifice, prayer, and collective effort – has ensured that Catholic education remains vibrant in Union County. This enduring legacy, now over 200 years strong, continues to shape young lives and strengthen the local faith community for generations to come.
Originally printed in the March 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
