Historical Marker

Our Lady Church

Historical marker location:

Louisville, Kentucky

( Rudd Ave. at Cedar Grove Terrace, Louisville)

Congregation organized in 1837-38 by Father Stephen Badin, the first priest ordained in US. He saw to Portland's spiritual welfare when it was first a community of French immigrants. Also helpful in forming church were Bishop Flaget, first bishop west of Alleghenies, and Bishop Chabrat, first to be ordained in Ky. Bricks in original church, 1841, used for this one.

Reverse

Portland - French immigrants established a community here in 1806. In 1814 it was surveyed and platted. By 1837 it was incorporated as a suburb of Louisville. It was an early river port and boatbuilding center-41 steamers had been built by 1855. Portland was site of first tramway in US, connecting it with Louisville, and once famous hostelry of South, St. Charles Hotel.