The history of St. Julie Billiart Parish began on April 3, 1989. On that date, St. Stephen Church was closed to await renovation, and the two churches, St. Mary and St. Veronica, became “chapels.” Father Kenneth J. Schoettmer was appointed pastor of the new church and Father George R. Schmitz was named associate.

An earlier announcement by the Franciscans that they would no longer be able to staff St. Stephen Parish along with the dwindling number of priests for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati brought about the need for the merger of St. Mary, St. Stephen and St. Veronica Parishes. In his letter to the members of those three churches Archbishop Pilarczyk stated that the new parish had to have a new name and a new look so that all three groups could come together on an equal basis.

The birth of the new parish was not an easy one. Controversy abounded: petitions were circulated, appeals to Rome were made and a multitude of letters appeared in the local press. Renovation was the issue not merger. Sensitive to the age of the building and the needs of post-Vatican II liturgy, a renovation committee worked hard with Mr. Derek Howard, the architect, and Mrs. Darlene Stauble, the liturgical designer. Plans were submitted and approved by Parish Council and in October, 1989, Gebhart Contractors finally began work on the church. The fears of many were laid to rest when the community was invited to see what had been done