Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

History of the Cathedral

Immaculate Conception was founded in 1921 as the ninth Catholic parish in Memphis, then under the Diocese of Nashville, by Bishop Thomas Sebastian Byrne. Monsignor Dennis J. Murphy, the founding pastor, built the original three-story combination church-and-school building at Rozelle and Central that still anchors the parish campus; the Sisters of Mercy staffed the school on the top floor. Over the next fifteen years the parish expanded eastward to York Avenue, and in 1927 construction began on the present church. Architect Richard J. Regan of Regan and Weller studied churches in Chicago alongside Msgr. Murphy before designing the cruciform Spanish Colonial Revival sanctuary. The crypt served as the worship space for an entire decade before the upper church was completed during the Great Depression and dedicated July 31, 1938 — then described as the largest sanctuary in Memphis, with membership around 6,000. Successor pastors Monsignor Francis D. Grady (interior decoration, late 1940s) and Monsignor Merlin F. Kearney (high school buildings and Immaculate Conception High School for girls in the 1950s–60s) shaped the parish into a full K–12 campus. On January 6, 1971, Pope Paul VI erected the Diocese of Memphis and named Immaculate Conception as its cathedral, with Bishop Carroll T. Dozier as the first bishop. The complex was listed as a contributing property in the Central Gardens Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The parish buildings were comprehensively restored in 2001 and the cathedral was rededicated by Bishop J. Terry Steib on December 8, 2001 — the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Architecture & Sacred Art

The cruciform church measures 173 by 106 feet in Spanish Colonial Revival style, with steel structure clad in buff brick and Indiana limestone. The 2001 restoration — designed and managed by Hord Architects — replaced the failing roof, repointed masonry, restored interior plaster, abrasively removed decades of lead paint from the copper bell-tower domes, and sourced replacement limestone from the original quarry used in 1938. The sanctuary's pentaptych composition was refreshed and Mary and Joseph were returned to the side niches. The Coptic cross of the Diocesan Coat of Arms — paying homage to Memphis' namesake on the Nile — appears as a recurring motif throughout the decorative scheme.

• Architect: Richard J. Regan, Regan and Weller Architects
• Exterior materials: buff brick with Indiana limestone trim; copper-clad domes
• Three round-arch entrance portals, central rose window, two transept rose windows
• Twin bell towers capped with copper domes; total height 115 feet
• Listed seating capacity: approximately 1,200

Music & Liturgy

Under Music Director Dr. Kelly Kramer, the Cathedral Music Office coordinates the parish's wide variety of liturgical music. The Cathedral Adult Choir sings primarily at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass and at Holy Day liturgies, with optional Friday 11:15 AM rehearsals (followed by a weekly lunch at a midtown Memphis restaurant), Wednesday 6:00 PM rehearsals during the school year, or by arrangement. Cantors lead sung worship at all liturgies; guest musicians — brass, string quartets, oboe, trumpet and violin — are invited for solemn feasts. Outside professional and semi-professional ensembles occasionally present public concerts in the Cathedral; booking inquiries go through the Music Office at (901) 725-2707. The Music Office is located on the lower level of the Cathedral behind Marian Hall.

• Cathedral Adult Choir — primary ensemble for 10 AM Sunday Mass and Holy Days
• Cantors — lead congregational singing at all liturgies
• Guest musicians — brass, strings, woodwinds for solemn feasts
• Concert series — hosts visiting choirs, orchestras and ensembles by appointment

Faith Formation & Youth

Faith Formation is led by Director of Faith Formation Kelley Stuppy and includes the Parish Religious Education (PRE) program for school-age children in kindergarten through 8th grade, meeting on Sunday mornings September through May. First Communion and First Reconciliation are prepared in second grade; Confirmation is conferred in 8th grade or older. The Cathedral also operates a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Atrium, a Montessori-style religious formation experience centered on the religious values of childhood — contemplation and enjoyment of God. The Cathedral High School Youth Group welcomes teens in grades 9–12 and meets Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, rotating through Teaching, Social, Prayer and Service nights; adult members serve as mentors and parish representatives. The Youth Group partners with neighboring parish youth groups for special events and participates in diocesan-wide activities.

• Parish Religious Education (PRE), K–8, Sunday mornings
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Atrium
• Cathedral Youth Group (grades 9–12), Sunday 5:30–7:30 PM
• Diocesan Retreat participation for adults
• Director of Faith Formation (incl. PRE): Kelley Stuppy

OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)

The Cathedral's OCIA process — formerly known as RCIA — prepares adults for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, and welcomes Christians coming into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The process is coordinated by Deacon William (Bill) Pettit and inquiries can be made through the Parish Office at (901) 725-2700 or [email protected].

• Coordinator: Deacon Bill Pettit
• Inquiry contact: (901) 725-2700 / [email protected]

Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (1921–2024)

Founded in 1921 by the Sisters of Mercy on the same campus as the parish, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (ICCS) became one of the longest continuously operated Catholic schools in the Diocese of Memphis. It eventually grew into a PreK through 12 co-educational unit school serving students of all faiths, with a high school that closed in 2020 and a PreK–8 that remained. After 'much prayer' and collaboration among the school board, parents and parish leaders, the parish announced the closure of ICCS on April 2, 2024, citing ongoing financial instability and chronic enrollment challenges. Classes concluded May 24, 2024. The campus — including the original 1922 Murphy building — remains part of the parish complex.

• Founded 1921 by the Sisters of Mercy
• PreK–8 coeducational, with Wildcats athletics ('IC'), colors blue and white
• Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Cognia)
• Notable alumni: Priscilla Presley, Ambassador Margaret Scobey
• Motto: 'Serving, Educating, Uniting'
• Closed: High school 2020; PreK–8 May 24, 2024

Cathedral Museum

The Cathedral Museum, dedicated in memory of beloved Cathedral Pastor Monsignor Tom Kirk, opened in September 2023. It houses fascinating artifacts and documents chronicling the history of the Cathedral, the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, and the City of Memphis itself. Tours are available by appointment and can be arranged through the Parish Office at (901) 725-2700.

Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Team

The Cathedral is served by Very Rev. Michael E. Werkhoven as Pastor (who also serves as Pastor of the Church of the Incarnation in Collierville) and Rev. Andrew Raffanti as Parochial Vicar, with Rev. Kacper Wojcieszko as Associate Pastor and three permanent deacons: Alan Crone, Richard (Rick) Martin, and William (Bill) Pettit. The lay pastoral team includes Dr. Kelly Kramer (Director of Music), Kelley Stuppy (Director of Faith Formation, including PRE), Karen Gephart (Wedding Coordinator), Maggie Conway (Parish Funeral Ministry), Tony Benson (Director of Maintenance/Facilities), Cathy Armstrong (Parish Administrative Assistant / Office Manager), and Letty Svetz.

• Pastor: Very Rev. Michael E. Werkhoven
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Andrew Raffanti
• Associate Pastor: Rev. Kacper Wojcieszko
• Deacons: Alan Crone, Richard (Rick) Martin, William (Bill) Pettit (OCIA liaison)
• Director of Music: Dr. Kelly Kramer
• Director of Faith Formation (incl. PRE): Kelley Stuppy
• Wedding Coordinator: Karen Gephart
• Parish Funeral Ministry: Maggie Conway
• Director of Maintenance: Tony Benson
• Parish Office Manager: Cathy Armstrong

Within the Diocese of Memphis

The Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Memphis, established by Pope Paul VI on January 6, 1971 and led today by Bishop David P. Talley, M.S.W., J.C.D., the sixth bishop. The diocese encompasses 47 parishes and missions with 15 Catholic schools in four deaneries across 21 counties of West Tennessee and serves more than 70,000 Catholics. The Cathedral sits in the Western Deanery (Dean: Fr. Juan Antonio Romo-Romo, S.V.D., V.F.) and is one of eleven Western Deanery parishes alongside Our Lady of Sorrows, Sacred Heart, St. Anne, St. Augustine, St. John, St. Joseph, St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. Paul and St. Peter.

• Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis (cdom.org)
• Diocesan bishop: Most Rev. David P. Talley, M.S.W., J.C.D.
• Deanery: Western (Dean: Fr. Juan Antonio Romo-Romo, S.V.D., V.F.)