On St. Thomas Farm in Nelson County, Kentucky, a modest springhouse stands as a steadfast relic of the early 19th century, with its lower portion likely dating back to the 1790s. This unassuming structure bears witness to the farm’s pivotal role in shaping the Catholic Church in Kentucky and founding the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

The story begins with Thomas and Ann (Gough) Howard, pioneer Catholics who purchased nearly 370 acres along the Beech Fork River, south of Bardstown. In 1795, they built a log house, now preserved as a museum, where for nearly fifteen years, they welcomed missionary priests to provide religious instruction and celebrate Mass. Their home became a cornerstone for Kentucky’s early Catholic community and laid the foundation for St. Thomas Farm’s historic legacy.

In 1811, the farm became home to St. Thomas Seminary, the first seminary west of the Allegheny Mountains, where priests were trained to serve the Catholic faithful on the frontier. Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget, the first bishop of the Diocese of Bardstown, also resided there, guiding the diocese in its formative years. Just one year later, in 1812, Father John Baptist David founded the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth on the property. The Sisters began their mission of education and charity by operating a girls’ school and orphanage, with the springhouse playing a vital role in their daily life.

Built near a steady source of fresh water, the springhouse provided a cool place to store milk, butter, and other perishables long before refrigeration. It sustained the seminary, Bishop Flaget’s household, and the Sisters of Charity as they worked to serve the community. Beyond its practicality, the springhouse stands as a symbol of the faith, ingenuity, and resilience that defined the Catholic pioneers of Kentucky.

Today, this humble structure continues to tell the story of the people who shaped St. Thomas Farm: Thomas and Ann Howard, whose faith created a gathering place for frontier Catholics; Bishop Flaget, who built a thriving diocese; and the Sisters of Charity, whose mission of service transformed lives. It is a testament to enduring faith and perseverance, much like the cool, steady spring that still flows within its walls.