LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It was music that revived a nearly empty Louisville church in the 1970s.
Now that same church, the Shrine of St. Martin of Tours, hopes to keep singing but needs help to expand its sacred music program.
Director of Sacred Music Emily Meixner said holy music is one piece of what makes St. Martin so special.
“Back in the 1970s, the parish only had about 30 people in attendance every Sunday,” Meixner said.
Music brought it back to life.
“And around that time, Father Vernon Robertson was made pastor with the intention that he would be the one to close the parish,” she said.
As an independently wealthy man, Robertson had converted to the Catholic faith and then became a priest. But instead of closing the parish when he became pastor, he had another idea in mind.
He put his money toward the music.
St. Martin of Tours Youth Schola Program at Fr. Robertson's gravesite
“He had a vision and he saw the beautiful architecture and the beautiful organ and he said, ‘If I can’t fill it with people, I will fill it with music,’” Meixner said. “He tuned the organ, he hired professional singers, and grew it into what it is today.”
On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, St. Martin is hoping to raise funds to support the sacred music program with scholarships and expand the Youth Schola Program.
“The term schola is a Latin term. The full term is schola cantorum, which means school of singing,” Meixner said. “They (the children) are being trained in Gregorian chant, they're being trained in traditional hymnody, and they're being trained in sacred polyphony.”
The youth program started about 10 years ago and currently has 27 members from 7 years old through high school.
Every November, the young group of singers honors the man who revived the church with music at his gravesite.
But it’s within the walls of the church where the music truly comes to life. The architecture, the dome ceiling, the marble — all working together in a magnificent way.
“It's one of the most beautiful spaces to sing in the city, no doubt,” Meixner said.
Meixner points to two quotes from St. Augustine:
“Singing is for he who loves.”
“To sing is to pray twice.”
“When you have this beautiful, incredible music that you're singing together as a group, it fosters the movement of the heart as well as the mind toward prayer,” she said.
To learn more about the sacred music program at St. Martin of Tours or to make a donation, click here.
More Community Stories:
Louisville organizations provide free Thanksgiving food baskets, meals to families in need
Community food giveaway in west Louisville teaches youth the value of giving back
Shelbyville family competes on Family Feud to win cash
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
