The Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission was created in 1969 by the merger of the Diocese of Covington Catholic Information Center and th Northern Kentucky Association of Protestant Churches.

For over 40 years our members have been committed to fostering unity among Christians in Northern Kentucky through dialogue, cooperative ministry and worship, as well as sponsoring various Inter-faith programs.  Our current general membership includes Christians from these denominations and affiliations: African Methodist Episcopal, Anglican Catholic, Baptist, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Science, Church of God, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, United Church of Christ and United Methodist.

 OUR HISTORY

Under the leadership of its founding members the IFC initially emphasized unity activities such as interracial and interreligious dialogue, recreational and Bible shool events.  Members of suburban churches joined members from inner-city churches in Newport and Covington to work on youth activities, inter-church worship services, concerts and retreats.

Mr. Harley Fisk (Disciple of Christ) was IFC's first president and Rev. Don Hellmann (Roman Catholic) our first vice-president.  Mary Pons was the Commission's first secretary and also its first executive director.  Under her sucessor, Sister Martha Walther, a Benedictine nun from St. Walburg Convent in Villa Hills, the range of activities broadened to include an emergency assistance program, Good Friday and Thanksgiving community services, interfaith prayer groups and new clergy welcome breakfasts.

In 1983, the IFC established the Exodus Jail Ministry program.  Trained volunteers provide a "listening ministry" for the spiritual needs of inmates at Northern Kentucky county jails and juvenile facilities.  The program eventually became a joint venture of Interfaith and the Northern Kentucky Mental Health Association.

During the tenure of the Rev. Carolyn Tyler (1985 - 1987), the IFC initiated a disaster response program after the tornado of March 1985 that devestated parts of the region.  The program inspired an overwhelming reponse from individuals, churches and organizations.

The Rev. William Neuroth was chosen as executive director in 1987 followed by a reorganization plan in 1989 establishing three Sections [Faith and Order, Work and Life, and Operations] to encourage greater participation from denominational delegates.  During Rev. Neuroth's first tenure [1987 - 2002], the IFC became a lead agency in establishing or supporting a range of programs/organizations in response to social service and community needs in Northern Kentucky.

These include: 

The annual YOM HaSHOAH HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE (our 16th annual servuce will be in April 2010) is believed to be the only Christian-sponsored remembrance in our country of the  six million Jews killed in the Holocaust.  Jewish leaders are members of the planning committee and Jewish members participate in the service.

The GREATER CINCINNATI/NORTHERN KENTUCKY AIRPORT CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM -an idea that was envisioned by two ministers, Dr. Michael Watts (Baptist) and the Rev. Larry Leslie (Roman Catholic).  The IFC provided initial organizing support and called the first organizational meeting in November 1989 to create a ministry of "presence" and prayer for both travelers and for airport employees.  The current chapel was dedicated in 1997.

The INTER-FAITH ORGANIZATION (ECHO) - In February 1991 Sister Mary Dorgan, a Sister of Divine Providence, called together church members, clergy and laity, to discuss the need to establish a "soup kitchen" for the homeless and hungry in Campbell County.  The IFC initially served as the contact agency for promotion, information and contributions.  On April 18, 1991, the program's first weekly meal was served at the First Church of the Nazarene in Newport.  Later that same year a permanent facility at Ninth and York Streetss in Newport was purchased, renovated and given to ECHO by David Hosea, a Northern Kentucky businessman.  An evening meal is served there daily.

The INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK (IHN) - In June 1993 the Interfaith Commission became the prime mover in establishing the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Northern Kentucky.  IHN is a national program providing shelter, meals and support for homeless families, primarily through local churchs, volunteers and social service agencies.  "Host congregations" provide meals and temporary shelter for homeless families on a weekly rotating basis.  "Support congregations" provide volunteers to assist in meal preparation, dinner and overnight hosting, and other activities.  The program is located at Ninth and Patterson Streets in Newport, Kentucky.

The INTERFAITH COMMISSION FLOOD RELIEF PROGRAM - The massive flooding of the Ohio and Licking Rivers in March 1997 led to the IFC's temporary Flood Relief Program.  In collaboration with the Salvation Army and American Red Cross, the Commission coordinated the work of volunteers from churches throughout the Midwest who assisted survivors as they moved from crisis to recovery.

The Interfaith Commission's offices moved into its current location in the Henry Hosea House at Ninth and York Streets in Newport in October of 1996.  At the same time, it adopted a new mission statement that still serves to guide its members today.

"The Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission is an association of Christians interested in encouraging ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, cooperative ministries, and occasions for joint worship.  We also encourage and participate in dialogue with members of other faith traditions."