Diocese of Covington at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41014 US - Most Rev. James Kendrick Williams, D.D.

James Kendrick Williams was born on September 5, 1936, in Larue County, Kentucky. Following his graduation from My Old Kentucky Home High School in Bardstown, Kentucky he began studying for the priesthood at St. Mary College, St. Mary, Kentucky, and St. Mary School of Theology at South Union, Kentucky.

Father Williams was ordained at the Cathedral of the Assumption on May 25, 1963, by Bishop Charles G. Maloney, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Father Williams held various positions in the archdiocese including: Associate Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, Vicar of Education for four rural parishes, President of the Town and Country Apostolic Council, Director of the Rural Office of Religious Education, Director of the Archdiocesan Planning Office, Director of the Clergy Personnel Commission, and associate pastor of several parishes.

In 1983, Father Williams was appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Louisville, a position he held until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Covington and Titular Bishop of Catula on April 15, 1984. He was ordained the first Auxiliary Bishop of Covington on June 19, 1984 by Bishop William A. Hughes at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

On March 2, 1988, Bishop Williams was installed as the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky.