Parish History
| Catholicism in the city of
Fulton, Fulton County, KY, was traced to 1881 when Rev.
J. Walsh, O.C.C., and Rev. Anastasius Kreidt, O.C.C.,
Assistant Pastors from Paducah and from the Order of
Carmelite Priests, came to Columbus, Fulton, Hickman, and
Murray for Mass. In August of 1881 a yellow fever
epidemic forced the Carmelite Priests to leave the
Purchase Area, after having lost several priests. In 1882-1895 Fulton was served by priests from Paducah, Mayfield, and later Hickman. Fulton became a Mission of Mayfield in 1896, and was served by priests from Mayfield, who came by horse and buggy once a month for Mass. Some homes, where Mass was held after 1909, were those of Ella Purcell, Pete Fowler, and Viola Allen. Priests attending were: Rev. Anthony O'Sullivan, Rev. E.F. Callahan and Rev. F.J. Gettlefinger. In the fall of 1932, Bishop J.A. Flourish of Louisville entrusted to Father J.H. Luckett, Pastor of Mayfield, the task of building a new brick church in Fulton. In 1937, west Kentucky was separated from the Louisville Diocese and became part of the Owensboro Diocese. St. Edward's Church then became a Mission of Sacred Heart Church of Hickman with Rev. C.R. Carrico, Pastor. St. Edward's constructed a new sanctuary in 1968, across the front of the former building, thus doubling the size of the original church. The new facility features a full size basement, which was needed for activity purposes. The original building now constitutes the rear of the church. The new structure was authorized by Bishop Henry J. Soeneker, Bishop of Owensboro, and under the direction of Father William Fields, pastor of St. Edward's in 1968. The R.C. Omar house adjacent to the church was purchased in 1972 for future use. The house was rented until 1986 when it was converted into a Religious Education Building. Purchase of the Pearlee McClellan Hogan house for a rectory was approved by the Diocese in June, 1985. After renovation, in December, 1985, Rev. John Meredith moved into the house. St. Edward's Parish has always been actively involved in Parish and Community Activities. Organizations of the Church include: Parish Council, Finance Comniittee, Men's Club, and Altar Society, which dates back to 1932, and a vibrant Parish Religious Education program. Members participated in the Renew Program and are presently involved with the Lay Ministry Formation Program. Members of Hickman County attending St. Edward's Church, built a church in Clinton, KY, in 1983. This was a loss to St. Edward's, but since that time we have had substantial growth in the parish due to the industrial growth of the area. |