Father Dennis Jaspers’ first assignment was St. Vincent Ferrar Parish in 1966. He returned to the parish in 2016 and presently serves as pastor.
St. Vincent Ferrar Parish Celebrating 75 Years in Kenwood BY E IL E E N C ON N E L L Y, OS U
St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Kenwood was the site of a joyous celebration June 6, as the faith community marked its 75th anniversary. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr presided at the anniversary Mass, with Fathers Dennis Jaspers, pastor, and Tom Wray, parochial vicar, as concelebrants. There was a time when the now-bustling shopping and residential area where the parish is located was a little more than field. With the end of the Second World War and new homes being constructed, the population in Kenwood grew rapidly, and neighboring Catholic churches were unable to accommodate the faithful. The first Mass for the new parish, named for the Dominican preacher, was held at a local school gymnasium on March 17, 1946. The rapidly growing new parish needed its own space, so the Archdiocese of Cincinnati purchased 12 acres of land, and in July 1946, construction of the first building began. Father Norbert Miller was named administrator of the parish, which served approximately 175 families. The original church was a prefabricated surplus hanger from the war and served not only as worship space, but also as the school, convent and rectory. It’s still in use today and houses the school cafeteria, gym and parish offices. By 1956, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish had grown to 450 families, with school enrollment on the rise. Ground was broken for a new school building on Nov. 9, 1958. That facility, which still serves as the parish school today, was dedicated less than a year later by then Auxiliary Bishop Paul Leibold. The present church building was dedicated on Feb. 2, 1969. Denny Connor, whose parents, John and Virginia (better known as Bud and Jinny), were among the founding parishioners. With the exception of a couple of years away, Connor has always called St. Vincent Ferrer home. 1 2 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A P H
