Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

The Shrine of St. Martin of Tours in Louisville, Kentucky, remains open to pilgrims 24 hours a day, regardless of weather conditions. Father Paul Beach, the rector of the shrine located at 639 South Shelby Street, emphasized that "in tornadoes, thunderstorms, snowstorms, blizzards — the doors of this church have never been locked" since 1996.

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre has designated the shrine as a pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year. This follows Pope Francis's call for Catholics to be renewed as "Pilgrims of Hope." The shrine is one of six pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of Louisville where visitors can receive a plenary indulgence.

Father Beach explained that visiting the shrine offers an experience similar to early Christian pilgrimages to martyrs' tombs. The shrine houses relics of two early Christian martyrs, St. Magnus and St. Bonosa. "We have the opportunity to do that in Louisville," he said.

Visitors often come on impulse after noticing the steeple or while visiting nearby University of Louisville Hospital. Father Beach noted that families dealing with hospital emergencies find solace at the shrine: "This is a place where people can find peace and quiet."

The shrine attracts diverse visitors from various backgrounds and locations. According to Father Beach, "You can come here at three in the morning and the adoration chapel will be full."

The church's history dates back to its cornerstone being laid in 1853 and dedication in 1854 for German immigrants in Louisville. In 1857, Ursuline Sisters were invited from Germany to teach at its school.

By 1977, declining membership nearly led to closure until Father Vernon Robertson revitalized it with music and liturgy: "If I couldn’t fill it with people, I’d fill it with music," he reportedly said.

Outreach ministries began in subsequent years: Schuhmann Social Service Center for poor and homeless individuals started in 1982; perpetual adoration commenced in 1996; Golden Arrow Center for mothers and children launched in 1997; Archbishop Fabre declared it a diocesan shrine on May 18, 2023.

Pilgrims may visit during feast days like St. Bonosa’s on July 15 or St. Magnus’s on August 19 or explore relics such as those belonging to these Roman martyrs brought over by Monsignor Francis Zabler through papal permission.

Stained glass windows depicting biblical stories were installed during renovations around early-1890s by Royal Bavarian Art Institute featuring dedications written predominantly German language reflecting immigrant heritage influence within church community members’ devotions include images/statues representing Catholic saints alongside busts/relics honoring figures like St Teresa Benedicta Cross/St Faustina among others available self-guided tours online/offline options exist too covering historical aspects including original baptismal font significant some long-time families five generations baptized there organ restored multiple times ongoing efforts seek final phase completion via donations welcome anytime eucharistic chapel located rear right corner site serves needs diocese varied reasons attending services volunteering outreach programs other archdiocesan sites Cathedral Assumption Basilica Joseph Proto-Cathedral Bardstown Church Augustine Lebanon Holy Cross Loretto Helen Glasgow additional details found website contact parish office phone number listed below article part series exploring pilgrimage locations Jubilee Year sources include Centenary Church Martin Tours Record archives