About ETSU Catholic Center · Johnson City, Tennessee
The ETSU Catholic Center is the Roman Catholic campus ministry serving students at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, in the Diocese of Knoxville. Located in a house-chapel at 734 West Locust Street, the Center offers daily and Sunday Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, weekly Bible studies, and a full slate of social and service events run jointly by a priest-chaplain and a team of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries. It is a rapidly growing ministry that welcomes both Catholics and non-Catholics, inviting students to grow in faith, build community, celebrate the sacraments, and serve those in need — all grounded in the four pillars of Acts 2:42: the teaching of the apostles, communal life, the breaking of the bread, and prayer.
- Rector
- Father Zach Griffith (chaplain, appointed July 1, 2024; reassignment announced 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
The Catholic Center at ETSU is a student-focused Catholic community in the heart of Johnson City where college students can grow in faith, find friends, and serve others. Mass is offered almost daily in the chapel at 734 West Locust Street, Reconciliation is available several times a week, and a team of FOCUS missionaries leads weekly Bible studies, hangouts, and social events that are open to everyone — Catholic or not. Whether you want to dive into Scripture, grab a snack between classes, celebrate the sacraments, or just see what the Catholic faith is about, the Center welcomes you to simply show up.
Mass times at ETSU Catholic Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Monday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Friday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
About the Catholic Center at ETSU
The Catholic Center at ETSU is the official Roman Catholic campus ministry of East Tennessee State University, located at 734 West Locust Street in Johnson City, Tennessee. It belongs to the Diocese of Knoxville and exists to give college students a place to grow as Catholics and as adults of their faith. Its mission is grounded in Acts 2:42, with four pillars: the teaching of the apostles, communal life, the breaking of the bread, and prayer. The Center is described as 'growing rapidly' and intentionally welcoming to both Catholics and non-Catholics.
History and Chaplaincy Succession
Catholic campus ministry at ETSU has been served by a rotating team of priest-chaplains appointed by the Bishop of Knoxville. Around 2007 Father Christian Mathis arrived after five years as pastor of St. Mary in Athens, TN, and served six years before being succeeded by Father Bede Aboh. Father Aboh, ordained in 1988 and previously pastor of St. Mary in Oak Ridge, was chaplain from July 1, 2015 until May 31, 2024. Father Zach Griffith, ordained August 29, 2020 by Bishop Richard F. Stika, was assigned as chaplain effective July 1, 2024; in 2026 the diocese announced his reassignment to Notre Dame as parochial administrator.
- Father Christian Mathis — chaplain c. 2007–2013
- Father Bede Aboh — chaplain July 1, 2015 – May 31, 2024
- Father Zach Griffith — chaplain July 1, 2024 – 2026 reassignment
Chaplain and Staff
The current chaplain is Father Zach Griffith, who also serves part-time as associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Johnson City. He was ordained in 2020 alongside Father Alex Hernandez and was the 55th priest ordained in the Diocese of Knoxville. A team of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries staffs the Center alongside him; the team leader publicly listed is Ryan Vaughan.
- Father Zach Griffith — Chaplain
- Ryan Vaughan — FOCUS missionary team leader
- Caroline — FOCUS missionary
- Four FOCUS missionaries on campus beginning Fall 2024
FOCUS Missionaries and Bible Studies
Since Fall 2024 the Center has been staffed by a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) team, including team leader Ryan Vaughan. The missionaries host weekly Bible studies and are a primary point of contact for students wanting to get involved. Updates are shared on the FOCUS team's Instagram and via GroupMe.
- FOCUS Bible studies — weekly
- Social events and hangouts — recurring
- GroupMe chat for student coordination
Community Life and Service
Beyond the sacraments, the Center emphasizes communal life and service to the poor — the second and third pillars of its Acts 2:42 vision. Students regularly gather for fellowship, conversation, and outreach, and the Center's ministry has historically been marked, in the words of a former chaplain, by a desire to 'respect the image of God found in the person' on a college campus.
- Open to Catholics and non-Catholics alike
- Snacks, homework space, and friends always available
- Service to the poor as a stated core commitment
Visit, Contact, and Stay Connected
The Center is housed in a converted house-chapel at 734 West Locust Street, Johnson City, TN 37604, a short distance from the ETSU campus. Visitors can reach the office by phone at (423) 926-7061 or by email at [email protected]. The Center also maintains a presence through the ETSU Buc-Hub portal, an official Facebook page, and the FOCUS team's Instagram. The Center's own web address is etsucatholic.com.
- Address: 734 West Locust Street, Johnson City, TN 37604
- Phone: (423) 926-7061
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: etsucatholic.com
- Buc-Hub: etsu.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/catholic-campus-ministry
- Facebook: facebook.com/etsucatholic
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Zach Griffith2024–present (reassignment announced 2026)
Ordained August 29, 2020 by Bishop Richard F. Stika; first served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga; appointed chaplain of ETSU Catholic Center and part-time associate pastor of St. Mary, Johnson City effective July 1, 2024; reassigned as parochial administrator of Notre Dame in 2026.
- Father Bede Aboh2015–2024
Ordained August 13, 1988; previously pastor of St. Mary in Oak Ridge (2011–2015); served as chaplain of the Catholic Center at ETSU from July 1, 2015 until May 31, 2024.
- Father Christian Mathisc. 2007–2013
Identified in a 2013 farewell reflection as the priest taking over the chaplaincy; had served six years at the Center after five years as pastor of St. Mary in Athens, TN.