About Diocese of Memphis
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee (Latin: Dioecesis Memphitana in Tennesia) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church covering the 21 counties of West Tennessee — roughly 10,654 square miles between the Mississippi River and the Tennessee River. It was erected on June 20, 1970, by Pope Paul VI, carved out of the Diocese of Nashville, and made a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Today the diocese comprises 46 parishes and missions, 13 Catholic schools, four deaneries, and roughly 70,000 Catholics, led since 2019 by its sixth bishop, the Most Reverend David P. Talley. Its mother church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, sits on Central Avenue in midtown Memphis.
- Bishop
- David P. Talley
- Established
- 1970
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Territory
- The 21 counties of West Tennessee west of the Tennessee River — Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley — covering roughly 10,654 square miles (27,585 km²).
- Parishes
- 46
- Province
- Archdiocese of Louisville
History of the Diocese of Memphis
Although Catholic life in Memphis stretches back to the 1871 founding of Christian Brothers College by Brother Maurelian Sheel, the Diocese of Memphis itself is relatively young: Pope Paul VI erected it on June 20, 1970, separating 21 West Tennessee counties from the Diocese of Nashville. The first bishop, Carroll T. Dozier, was installed before 8,500 people at the Mid-South Coliseum on January 6, 1971. Five successors have led the diocese since — including Cardinal James Stafford, who went on to Denver and the Roman Curia — and Bishop David P. Talley became the sixth ordinary in April 2019 after Pope Francis removed Martin Holley in October 2018.
- Erected June 20, 1970 by Pope Paul VI from the Diocese of Nashville
- 21 West Tennessee counties covering 10,654 square miles between the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers
- First Bishop Carroll T. Dozier installed January 6, 1971 at the Mid-South Coliseum
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Louisville since 1970
Bishops in Succession
Six ordinaries have shepherded the diocese in just over fifty years — an unusually rapid turnover driven largely by Roman translations and one papal removal. James Stafford (1982–1986) was elevated to Cardinal in 1998; Daniel Buechlein, a Benedictine, moved to Indianapolis in 1992; J. Terry Steib, a Divine Word Missionary, served the longest tenure (1993–2016) and launched the Jubilee schools program; Martin Holley was removed by Pope Francis in October 2018 after a Vatican visitation; and David P. Talley, a Southern Baptist convert, became the sixth bishop on April 2, 2019.
- 1. Carroll Thomas Dozier (1970–1982)
- 2. James Francis Stafford (1982–1986) — later Cardinal
- 3. Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B. (1987–1992)
- 4. J. Terry Steib, S.V.D. (1993–2016) — Bishop emeritus
- 5. Martin David Holley (2016–2018) — Bishop emeritus, removed
- 6. David P. Talley (2019–present)
Office of the Bishop — David P. Talley
Bishop David Prescott Talley was appointed sixth Bishop of Memphis by Pope Francis on March 5, 2019, and installed on April 2, 2019. A native of Alabama raised as a Southern Baptist, he converted to Catholicism at age 24 while a student at Auburn University and was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1989, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. He holds a Master of Social Work and a Doctorate in Canon Law, served as Bishop of Alexandria, Louisiana before coming to Memphis, and was elected chairman of the USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs in 2020. In July 2019 he established the diocese's four deaneries (Western, Central, Northern, and Southeastern) to foster collaboration among parishes and better regional planning.
- Appointed March 5, 2019; installed April 2, 2019
- Convert from Southern Baptism at age 24; ordained a priest June 3, 1989 in Atlanta
- Chair, USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (2020)
- Created the four deaneries in July 2019
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, at 1695 Central Avenue in midtown Memphis, is the principal church of the Diocese of Memphis and the seat (cathedra) of the diocesan bishop. The parish was founded in 1921 by Bishop Thomas Sebastian Byrne as the ninth Catholic parish in Memphis; Monsignor Dennis J. Murphy built the original three-story brick combination church-and-school, and the Sisters of Mercy staffed the school. The present domed Romanesque/Spanish Colonial Revival church, designed by Richard J. Regan of Regan and Weller, was begun as a crypt in 1927 and dedicated on July 31, 1938. After a major envelope and interior restoration by Hord Architects, the cathedral was rededicated by Bishop J. Terry Steib on December 8, 2001, with the diocesan coat-of-arms Coptic cross woven into the renewed decorative program.
- Address: 1695 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
- Phone: (901) 725-2700
- Parish founded 1921; cathedral designated 1971
- Present church dedicated July 31, 1938; rededicated after renovation December 8, 2001
Mass, Confession, and Adoration at the Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the most convenient place for visitors to fulfill Sunday and weekday Mass obligations in Memphis, with daily Masses Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon, a Saturday morning Mass at 8:00 a.m., and Sunday Masses at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 noon, plus a 5:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 9:30 to 9:50 a.m. and 11:30 to 11:50 a.m., with additional times by appointment. First Friday Adoration is also scheduled.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon
- Weekday Masses: Mon–Fri 6:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon; Saturday 8:00 a.m.
- Confessions: Saturday 3:30–4:30 p.m.; Sunday 9:30–9:50 a.m. and 11:30–11:50 a.m.
- First Friday Adoration monthly
The Four Deaneries
In July 2019 Bishop Talley reorganized the diocese's parishes into four vicariates forane (deaneries) to improve regional planning, encourage collaboration, and strengthen fraternal support among priests. Each dean is an ex officio member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council.
- Western Deanery — Father Mike Werkhoven
- Central Deanery — Father Joseph Kaump
- Northern Deanery — Father Carl Gregorich
- Southeastern Deanery — Father Dennis Schenkel
Parishes and Missions
The Diocese of Memphis includes 46 parishes and missions spread across 21 West Tennessee counties, ranging from historic inner-city parishes such as St. Peter (190 Adams Avenue, Memphis) to suburban churches in Bartlett, Collierville, Cordova, and Germantown, to rural parishes in places like Paris, Savannah, and Parsons. Many parishes operate parish schools, faith-formation programs, and sacramental preparation; large parishes such as St. Brigid (Cordova-area) and St. Francis of Assisi (Cordova) host multiple weekend Masses in English and Spanish.
- 46 parishes and missions across 21 counties
- Includes historic parishes: St. Peter, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, St. Patrick
- Suburban hubs: St. Brigid, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ann (Bartlett), Church of the Incarnation (Collierville)
- Rural parishes: St. Mary (Savannah), St. Matthew (Milan), St. Philip the Apostle (Somerville), St. Regina (Parsons), St. Michael
Multicultural and Non-English Masses
Reflecting the diocese's growing diversity, Bishop Talley's directory lists dedicated Masses in Spanish, Korean, Filipino, Polish, and Latin across multiple parishes — a quiet but steady expansion of Catholic life in West Tennessee.
- Korean Mass — Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Germantown (Sunday 10:00 a.m.)
- Filipino Mass — Church of the Nativity, Bartlett (1st Sunday, 12:30 p.m.)
- Polish Mass — St. Ann, Bartlett (2nd Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Sept.–May)
- Latin Mass — St. Theresa the Little Flower, Memphis (Saturday 8:15 a.m.)
- Spanish Masses — 17 parishes including Blessed Sacrament, Ascension, Incarnation, St. Brigid, St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic Schools Office
Catholic education in the diocese spans 175 years — from the 1871 founding of Christian Brothers College by Brother Maurelian Sheel to a contemporary network of 13 diocesan, parochial, and private schools. The Catholic Schools Office, led by Superintendent Pierre Nic Antoine, serves more than a dozen campuses across West Tennessee with parish elementary schools, one diocesan high school (Sacred Heart of Jesus), one parish K-12 school (St. Benedict at Auburndale), and longstanding institutions such as Christian Brothers High School, Christian Brothers University, and St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School.
- 13 diocesan, parochial, and private schools in the diocese
- 9 parish elementary schools; 1 diocesan high school (Sacred Heart of Jesus); 1 K-12 (St. Benedict at Auburndale)
- Schools Office: 8250 Varnavas Drive, Cordova, TN 38016; phone 901-260-2840
- Superintendent of Catholic Schools: Pierre Nic Antoine
- Christian Brothers University and Christian Brothers High School continue the legacy of the 1871 Christian Brothers College
Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation
The Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation, directed by Sam Mauck, coordinates parish religious education, RCIA, youth and young-adult ministry, pastoral care, and prison ministry across the diocese. The office also supports the diocesan Hispanic Faith Coordinator (Javiera Navarrete), Coordinator for Pastoral Juvenil (Evelyn Barrera), and Associate Director of Pastoral Care (Deacon Rick Martin), reflecting the multicultural face of the diocese.
- Director: Sam Mauck
- Hispanic Faith Coordinator: Javiera Navarrete
- Coordinator for Pastoral Juvenil: Evelyn Barrera
- Associate Director of Pastoral Care: Deacon Rick Martin
- Includes parish-based RCIA, PRE, youth ministry, and prison ministry
Office of Vocations
The Office of Vocations promotes and discerns vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in the Diocese of Memphis. The 'Called By Name' program invites parishioners to identify men who may have a calling to ordained ministry.
- Director of Vocations: Rev. Jacek Kowal
- Administrative Assistant: Lyssette (Lyz) Candia — 901-373-1244
- 'Called By Name' parish discernment initiative
Diaconal Formation and Clergy
The Chancellor's Office, led by Very Rev. James M. Clark, J.C.D., Ph.D., oversees diaconal formation through Director Deacon Greg Thomas and Associate Director Deacon David Woolley. The diocese publishes an annual priest, deacon, seminarian, religious brother, and religious sister directory — including a Consecrated Virgins section — reflecting its rich religious-life community.
- Chancellor: Very Rev. James M. Clark, J.C.D., Ph.D., J.V.
- Vice-Chancellor: Anna M. Lynn, J.C.L.
- Director of Diaconal Formation: Deacon Greg Thomas
- Interim Archivist: Rev. Richard Mickey
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee (CCWTN) is the social-services arm of the diocese and one of the largest non-profit multi-service agencies in the Mid-South. Following the teachings of Jesus Christ, it serves people in need regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion, helping clients move from poverty to self-sufficiency through emergency services, homeless services, immigration legal services, veterans' services, and children's programming. The Annual Catholic Appeal is a key funding source for these ministries.
- Executive Director: George Nixon
- Address: 1325 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
- Phone: (901) 722-4700
- Services: emergency assistance, homeless services, immigration, veterans, children's programming
Retreat, Cemetery, and Senior Care Ministries
Beyond parishes and schools, the diocese operates several institutions that extend pastoral care to the broader community.
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center — 3630 Dancyville Road, Stanton, TN 38069; 731-548-2500; Director Steve Fracchia
- Catholic Cemeteries — Director Pat Posey; 901-948-1529
- Ave Maria Assisted Living — 2805 Charles Bryan Road, Memphis, TN 38134; Executive Director Patrick Taylor; 901-386-3211
Worship, Music, and Liturgy
The diocesan Worship Office, under Rev. Bruce Cinquegrani, supports the liturgical life of parishes including English, Spanish, Korean, Filipino, Polish, and Latin communities. Individual parishes maintain their own choirs, music directors, and ensembles; the cathedral and larger parishes offer bilingual and multicultural celebrations, particularly for Christmas, Holy Week, and the patronal feasts of the diocese's patroness.
- Worship Director: Rev. Bruce Cinquegrani
- Diocesan Sacristan: Steve Peterson
- Parish-level music directors and bilingual choirs across the four deaneries
Annual Catholic Appeal and Development
The Annual Catholic Appeal — themed 'God's Work, Our Hands: Showing God's Mercy and Ministry' — funds key diocesan ministries, including Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, faith formation, vocations, and outreach to the poor. The Office of Development, directed by George Shadroui, oversees the appeal and other fundraising efforts.
- Development Director: George Shadroui
- Assistant Director: Allison Thron
- Annual Catholic Appeal supports Catholic Charities, vocations, and faith formation
Communications and News
The Communications Office keeps parishioners and the public informed through the diocesan website, social media, news releases, and a regular directory and bulletin system. Multimedia and graphic design support parish and school communications across the diocese.
- Communications Director: Rick Ouellette
- Manager of Multimedia & Graphic Design: Megan Rogers
- Receptionist: Ezequiel Lopez
Diocesan Coat of Arms
Adopted in 2016 on the occasion of Bishop Martin Holley's installation, the diocesan coat of arms is rich in symbolism. A red field bears six small white (silver) hills at the base — taken from the arms of Pope Paul VI, who erected the diocese — and a Coptic-style cross at the center, a deliberate reference to the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis after which Memphis, Tennessee is named. Two wavy blue bands at the top represent the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers that bound the diocese, and the red-white-blue palette echoes the Tennessee state flag.
- Adopted 2016 for Bishop Holley's installation
- Coptic cross referencing the original Egyptian Memphis
- Six white hills from Pope Paul VI's arms
- Two wavy blue bands = Mississippi and Tennessee rivers
Contact and Visiting the Catholic Center
The diocesan curia — known as the Catholic Center — houses the offices of the bishop, vicar general, chancellor, schools, vocations, evangelization, communications, development, and finance. Visitors and those seeking sacraments, sacramental records, or pastoral assistance are encouraged to call ahead or email the appropriate office.
- The Catholic Center, 5825 Shelby Oaks Drive, Memphis, TN 38134
- Main phone: (901) 373-1200
- Center fax: (901) 373-1269
- Diocesan website: https://cdom.org
