About Ave Maria Mission · Ripley, Tennessee
Ave Maria Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic mission in Ripley, Tennessee, serving the Catholics of Lauderdale County in the Northern Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. First celebrated as a Mass at the Ripley courthouse in September 1952, it was formally dedicated on September 28, 1954 as a mission of St. Alphonsus Church in Covington, and as of April 1, 2025 it was transferred by Bishop David P. Talley to be a mission of Holy Angels Church in Dyersburg, where it now shares sacramental ministry and parish staff. Sunday Mass is offered at 5:00 PM with confessions beforehand, a Wednesday noon daily Mass, a monthly rosary, and a Helping Hands Clothes Closet that distributes clothing on the first Monday of each month.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Ave Maria — 'Hail Mary')
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick G. Hirtz
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis (Northern Deanery)
Why belong here
Ave Maria is a small but active mission where Sunday Mass at 5:00 PM is preceded by confessions and followed each month by the rosary, and where parishioners can worship in a contemporary English-Country-style church dedicated to Our Lady. It is a perfect fit for Catholics living in or passing through Lauderdale County — including travelers — who want a faithful, Marian-named community with an immediate outreach through the Helping Hands Clothes Closet. As a mission of Holy Angels in Dyersburg since April 2025, it shares that parish's pastor and staff, so visitors can expect continuity of care and easy access to diocesan programs through the parent parish.
Mass times at Ave Maria Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
About Ave Maria Catholic Church
Ave Maria is a small Roman Catholic mission located at 664 S. Washington Street in Ripley, Tennessee. It serves the Catholics of Lauderdale County and travelers passing through, and sits in the Northern Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. Its motto — 'Providing the light of Christ to Lauderdale County since 1954' — captures both its missionary character and its seven decades of continuous worship.
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Ripley began modestly. In 1952, Fr. Edward O. Heymer was assigned to Tipton, Lauderdale and Dyer counties and began driving each Sunday from Dyersburg to Covington for Mass at the courthouse. At the request of Ripley's Catholics, he offered the first Mass in the Ripley courthouse in September 1952, and continued there every Sunday for two years.
- 1952 — First Mass celebrated at the Ripley courthouse in September
- January 1954 — Bishop William L. Adrian grants permission to build a church
- September 28, 1954 — Cardinal Samuel Stritch (Archbishop of Chicago) dedicates Ave Maria Mission and St. Alphonsus (Covington) the same day
- 1984 — Visit by James Francis Cardinal Stafford, then Bishop of Memphis
- September 1, 2024 — Fr. Patrick Hirtz becomes sacramental minister
- April 1, 2025 — Bishop Talley transfers Ave Maria from a mission of St. Alphonsus (Covington) to a mission of Holy Angels (Dyersburg)
The Church Building
Ave Maria was built in a contemporary English Church style and can seat over 200 people. It was dedicated to Our Lady under her title 'Ave Maria' — the Hail Mary — and has been a quiet but constant Catholic presence in Ripley for more than 70 years.
- Architectural style: contemporary English Church
- Seating capacity: 200+
- Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Helping Hands Clothes Closet
Ave Maria's flagship outreach is the Helping Hands Clothes Closet, which distributes new and gently used clothing to anyone in need — not just parishioners. It opens on the first Monday of each month from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Volunteers are always needed, and parishioners who lack transportation are encouraged to contact the parish office; rides can usually be arranged.
- When: first Monday of the month, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Who can come: anyone in need
- Volunteer needs: ongoing
- Transportation help: available through the parish office
Music and Choir
Music at Ave Maria is led by Choir Director Angela Shin Price, who supports the parish's sung liturgy at Sunday and weekday Masses.
- Choir Director: Angela Shin Price
Pastoral Leadership
Since September 1, 2024, Ave Maria has been served by Rev. Patrick G. Hirtz, who is also pastor of Holy Angels Church in Dyersburg. By decree of Bishop David P. Talley effective April 1, 2025, Ave Maria became an official mission of Holy Angels rather than of St. Alphonsus in Covington. All sacramental ministry, inquiries and records are therefore handled through the Holy Angels parish office.
- Sacramental Minister / Pastor: Rev. Patrick G. Hirtz
- Parent parish: Holy Angels Church, Dyersburg
- Transfer effective: April 1, 2025 (by decree of Bishop Talley)
Contact and Visiting
Because Ave Maria is administered as a mission of Holy Angels, day-to-day inquiries go through the Holy Angels parish office in Dyersburg. The church itself is open for worship at its address in Ripley.
- Parish office: 535 Tucker Street, Dyersburg, TN 38024
- Phone: (731) 287-8000
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Church address: 664 S. Washington St., Ripley, TN 38063
- Parent parish website: https://holyangelscc.org
Getting Involved
The parish most actively recruits volunteers for the Helping Hands Clothes Closet, which is the main visible outreach of Ave Maria in Ripley. Singers and choir members are also welcome to join the music ministry led by Angela Shin Price. Anyone interested in helping should contact the parish office at Holy Angels in Dyersburg.
- Volunteer at the Clothes Closet (first Monday)
- Join the parish choir
- Contact the parish office to assist with transportation or other needs
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edward O. Heymer1952–1954 (founding)
Assigned to Tipton, Lauderdale and Dyer counties in 1952; celebrated the first Ripley Mass at the courthouse in September 1952 and secured permission from Bishop William L. Adrian in January 1954 to build the church.