Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Society of St. Vincent de Paul -

An international lay Roman Catholic

organization dedicated to the poor,

Bishop John Spalding brought the

idea to Louisville when he saw it

during trips to Europe to recruit

teachers for the state’s Catholic

school system. In 1853, the first

conference was est. at Cathedral

of the Assumption. It expanded to

over 100 local Catholic parishes.

Louisville Historic League.

[Reverse]

Open Hand Kitchen -

In 1982, Archbishop Thomas Kelly

offered St. Paul’s Church, school,

& rectory to the Society for the

Open Hand Kitchen to provide meals

to those in need. The Society grew

to include a shelter, housing,

kitchen, food pantry, and recovery

center, with the campus spanning a

block. By the 21st century, 150,000

meals were annually served.

Shelby Park Neighborhood Association.

Dedicated on December 28, 2020.