Parish History

St. Catherine’s Catholic Church History

1944   First Mass offered in McMinnville for three families in Dixie theatre by Fr. Peter Davitt of Winchester, TN.

1947   St. Lucy Motor Chapel brought to McMinnville by Fr. Davitt.

1948   First convert, Mina Turner, baptized on March 27th.

1951   First chapel opened in grocery store under leadership of Fr. Davitt.

1953   Local parish became mission of St. Rose Parish in Murfreesboro, TN.  Fr. James Kemper, pastor.

1956   $10,000 donation made by the family of Catherine Cecilia Reed in her memory to build a church in the Diocese of Nashville.

1957   Most Rev. William L. Adrian, Bishop of Nashville, selected McMinnville as the site of this new church and the land was purchased on Faulkner Springs Road.  Ground work was broken and the new church was named St. Catherine’s of Alexandria in memory of the benefactor.

1958   St. Catherine’s Catholic Church was dedicated on March 25th , the Feast of the Annunciation.  Monsignor Thomas Reed celebrated the dedication Mass, Archbishop William O’Brien preached the dedication sermon and Bishop William Adrian, Bishop of Nashville presided.  The parish consisted of thirty (30) adolts and fifteen (15) children.

1958-1963   Fr. Philip Thoni, Pastor of St. Rose Parish celebrated Mass each Sunday.

1968   St Catherine’s Mission was constituted a Parish with full parochial rights. Fr. Mark Sterbenz, S.D.S. became the first resident Pastor of St. Catherine’s on June 29th .

1968   Ground broken for St. Catherine’s parish rectory in October.

1971   Outside atatue of Our Lady of Grace was presented to the parish by Mrs. Mary Bathe Rocca, daughter of the late Robert Bathe, in his memory.

1972   Fr. Gregory Putzer, S.D.S. was appointed Pastor of St Catherine’s on June 1st .

1975   Church bell tower was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Nelms of Irving College and Mr. Robert Sauer of Mid-Tennessee Crating Corporation and erected on June 1st .

1975   Stained glass window in the front of the church was installed on June 15th .

1981   Stained glass windows on the sides of the church were installed on March 16th .  Bishop Niedergeses solemnly blessed the windows on April 8th .

1983   Silver Jubilee Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend James Niedergeses, Bishop of Nashville on March 17th .

1984   Fr. Joseph Lubrano, S.D.S., appointed Pastor of St. Catherine’s on June 28th.   St. Gregory’s, Smithville became sister parish of St. Catherine’s in August.

1985   Memorial alter and furniture dedicated in memory of Fr. Gregory in a special Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend James Niedergeses, Bishop of Nashville.

1986   30th Anniversary of St. Catherine’s Mass celebrated on March 25th by Most Reverend James Niedergeses.

1989   First Mass in Spanish was celebrated in June.

1992   The portico was added to the front in June.

1994   Parish growth (110 families) and increased participation in Religious Education spurred parish leaders to evaluate construction of a new parish hall.

1995   Ground broken for a 6000 square foot classroom and activity center – Alexandria Hall.

1996   Fr. Jim Brett, S.D.S., was appointed pastor of St. Catherine’s.  The Most Reverend Edward Kmiec, Bishop of Nashville dedicated Alexandria Hall & Parish Center in a special celebration.

1998   Fr. Barry Griffen, S.D.S., joined the Community as “in residence” Priest.  Outdoor Stations of the Cross built by Fr. Jim Bretl.

2002   Purchased adjacent property and two houses to be used for the church office and teen center.

2006   Fr. David Cooney, S.D.S. appointed Pastor in July.

2007  A second Spanish Mass (Sunday, 1:00 pm) was added due to the growth in Hispanic families in the parish.