About Holy Ghost · Knoxville, Tennessee
Holy Ghost Catholic Church is a historic, multicultural parish in North Knoxville, Tennessee, founded in 1907 as Knoxville's second Catholic parish (after Immaculate Conception downtown). Worship is celebrated in English, Spanish, and the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form), and the parish is known locally for its love of the Church's traditional liturgical and devotional life. The current Indiana Bedford stone Norman-Gothic church on Central Street was dedicated on April 25, 1926, and the parish marked its centennial in 2025–2026. Holy Ghost is part of the Diocese of Knoxville and, together with the adjacent St. Joseph School, continues a 117-year tradition of Catholic life in the North Knoxville neighborhood.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- The Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost)
- Rector
- Rev. Dr. Father John Arthur Orr
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
Holy Ghost welcomes all who love Jesus Christ and His Church and is known for its love of the Church's traditional liturgical and devotional life — including a weekly Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form), daily Eucharistic Adoration, the Legion of Mary, the Ladies of Charity, and a strong music ministry for English and Latin choirs. A vibrant Spanish-language ministry offers Mass and formation, and the parish shares its grounds with St. Joseph School, giving families an integrated parish-and-school community in North Knoxville. With over 1,000 registered families, multiple choirs, RCIA, the Knights-affiliated Fraternus, the Fidelis women's group, and a Hispanic Legion of Mary praesidium, Holy Ghost offers a deeply Catholic home for English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and Latin Mass faithful alike.
Mass times at Holy Ghost
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday evening during silent Adoration (5:00–7:30 pm)
- Saturday following the 8:00 am Mass
- Sunday 9:30–9:50 am and 11:15 am–12:15 pm
- Or by appointment — call the parish office at (865) 522-2205
Adoration times
- Thursday evening — silent Adoration (5:00–7:30 pm, with confessions during that time)
- Fourth Tuesday of each month — Hispanic Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (led by Deacon Gordy Lowery)
Parish History
Holy Ghost was erected by Bishop Thomas S. Byrne of Nashville on Pentecost Sunday 1907 as Knoxville's second Catholic parish, with Father James Lorigan as founding pastor. The original Tennessee-marble church was dedicated August 15, 1908, and the much larger Indiana Bedford stone Norman-Gothic church on Central Street was dedicated April 25, 1926, by Bishop Alphonse J. Smith. The parish grew around its school, convent on Hinton Avenue, and the surrounding North Knoxville neighborhood, with St. Joseph School replacing the original Holy Ghost School in 1963. In 2025–2026 the parish is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its 1926 church building with anniversary Masses, a May Crowning, parish picnic, eucharistic procession on Pentecost Sunday, and a parish directory project.
- Parish founded: Pentecost Sunday 1907 (announced by Bishop Thomas S. Byrne)
- First church dedicated: August 15, 1908 (Tennessee-marble altar)
- Current church dedicated: April 25, 1926
- Architects: Crowe and Schulte of Cincinnati
- Builder: J.M. Dunn and Son of Knoxville (cost ~$300,000)
- Stylistic material: Indiana Bedford limestone, Norman-Gothic design
Architecture & Notable Features
The current Holy Ghost Church is an Indiana Bedford limestone Norman-Gothic structure designed by the Cincinnati firm of Crowe and Schulte and built by J.M. Dunn and Son of Knoxville at a cost of about $300,000. Its three entrance doors from the narthex to the nave symbolize the Triune God, and the twelve light fixtures in the nave represent the Twelve Apostles. The Schantz pipe organ was installed in 1952. The original 1908 church, which served the parish for only 18 years, still stands next door to the 1926 church.
- Indiana Bedford limestone, Norman-Gothic style
- Three entrance doors = Triune God
- 12 nave light fixtures = Twelve Apostles
- Schantz pipe organ (1952)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, associate pastor, and three permanent deacons, plus a small office and music staff. Father John Arthur Orr was assigned as pastor in February 2024 after serving at parishes in Chattanooga, Clinton, Madisonville, and Athens; he holds a Ph.D. from the Maryvale Institute/Liverpool Hope University and an MBA from Western Governors University. Father Valentin Iurochkin serves as associate pastor. Deacons Gordy Lowery (ordained 2007), David Venesky, and Bob Hunt (both ordained June 2022) assist at Masses and in ministry. Office staff include Parish Secretary Gisela Devan and Office Manager Phil Birge; Music Director Mary Weaver and Organist Hyunju Lee lead the music program.
- Pastor: Rev. Dr. Father John Arthur Orr
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Valentin Iurochkin
- Deacon Gordy Lowery (and Fran) — ordained 2007; Legion of Mary spiritual director
- Deacon David Venesky (and Mary) — ordained June 2022
- Deacon Bob Hunt — ordained June 2022; writes for East Tennessee Catholic
- Parish Secretary: Gisela Devan
- Office Manager: Phil Birge
- Music Director: Mary Weaver
- Organist: Hyunju Lee
Music & Liturgy
Holy Ghost has an active music ministry supporting both the English and Traditional Latin Masses, plus a children's choir and a Swahili choir. The English Mass Choir rehearses Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 pm and Sunday mornings at 9:30 am and is in particular need of sopranos and basses. The Latin Mass Choir rehearses Thursdays 6:30–8:00 pm and Sunday mornings at 11:30 am and welcomes sopranos, altos, and men (chant skills are taught). The Holy Ghost Children's Choir (ages 5–12) meets Thursdays 5:00–6:00 pm in the St. Cecilia Choir Room. Sunday 10:00 am (English) and 2:30 pm (Spanish) Masses are livestreamed on YouTube.
- English Mass Choir — Wed 7:00–8:30 pm, Sun 9:30 am
- Latin Mass Choir — Thu 6:30–8:00 pm, Sun 11:30 am
- Holy Ghost Children's Choir — Thu 5:00–6:00 pm (ages 5–12)
- Swahili Choir
- Director: Mary Weaver (865-437-8620, [email protected])
- Organist: Hyunju Lee
Parish Ministries & Apostolates
Holy Ghost offers a wide range of lay apostolates and groups. The Legion of Mary 'Our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Ghost' Praesidium (and its Spanish-language counterpart) meets Wednesdays at 5:30 pm and leads rosary, pilgrim Virgin statue visits, and works of mercy. The Ladies of Charity Knoxville, founded at the parish in 1943, continues its service to the poor. Other groups include the Council of Catholic Women (CCW), Fidelis (women), Fraternus (men), RCIA, Hispanic Marriage Preparation, the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, the Ministry of Reading (Lectors), and the Parish Pastoral Council. A St. Benedict Homeschool community meets in Henkel Hall.
- Legion of Mary — Our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Ghost Praesidium (Wed 5:30 pm)
- Legión de María — Spanish-language praesidium
- Ladies of Charity Knoxville (founded 1943)
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
- Fidelis
- Fraternus
- RCIA / Adult Confirmation
- Hispanic Marriage Preparation
- Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- St. Benedict Homeschool
- Pilgrim Virgin Statue Program
Sacraments
Information about all seven sacraments is available from the parish office. Parents are encouraged to call the parish office during early pregnancy to schedule infant Baptism (Bautismos). Couples should call the office at least six months in advance of a wedding for Marriage preparation (Matrimonio — llame con al menos seis meses de anticipación). Anointing of the Sick (Unción de los enfermos) is available by appointment before surgery, illness, or in advanced age; priests also visit the homebound for Holy Communion. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) welcomes those becoming Catholic, returning to the faith, or completing the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Baptism of Children — call during pregnancy for details
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation — celebrated annually by the Bishop
- Marriage — 6 months advance notice
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Homebound Holy Communion visits
- RCIA and Adult Confirmation
Parish Office & Contact
The Parish Office is located at 111 Hinton Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917, on the parish grounds adjacent to the church at 1041 N Central Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The parish can be reached by phone at (865) 522-2205 and by email at [email protected]. Staff include Parish Secretary Gisela Devan and Office Manager Phil Birge.
- Church: 1041 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917
- Parish Office: 111 Hinton Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
- Phone: (865) 522-2205
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–4:00 pm
100th Anniversary (2025–2026)
The parish is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its 1926 church building throughout 2025–2026, anchored on Pentecost Sunday — its patronal feast day. Anniversary events have included a new parish directory (built with Universal Church Directories; church code tn208, password 'photos'), a May Crowning, a parish picnic, a eucharistic procession during the 10:00 am Pentecost Sunday Mass, a confirmation Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Beckman, and a 25th-anniversary celebration of Father John Orr's priestly ordination (ordained June 16, 2001). The parish has commissioned committees for the directory, anniversary planning, Pentecost planning, and a parishioner emergency fund.
- New parish directory via Universal Church Directories (church code tn208, password 'photos')
- May Crowning
- Parish picnic
- Eucharistic Procession on Pentecost Sunday
- Confirmation Mass with Bishop Mark Beckman
- Father John Orr's 25th anniversary of priestly ordination
- Parish grew from 515 families post-COVID to 1,000+ families
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Lorigan1908–c.1921
First pastor; built original 1908 Tennessee-marble church; opened Holy Ghost School in September 1908 with the Sisters of Mercy; baptized the parish's first infant, James Edward Harris.
- Father L. J. Kemphuesc.1921–c.1929
Fourth pastor; commissioned the current Indiana Bedford stone Norman-Gothic church; cornerstone laid August 2, 1925; church dedicated April 25, 1926, the silver jubilee of his priestly ordination.
- Father Joseph P. Follmanserved 16 years, until his death in 1954
Eliminated pew rent; installed automatic kneelers, two side altars, and a new pipe organ; began the use of missals; formed a Catholic youth organization and an all-male choir; founded the Knoxville Ladies of Charity in 1943; purchased the Sisters of Mercy convent at 114 Hinton Avenue.
- Father Leo Baldinger1954–1958
Remodeled the convent; began planning for a new elementary school.
- Father Albert J. Henkel1958–1996
Longest-serving pastor (38 years); built St. Joseph School in Fountain City; burned the church mortgage on Pentecost Sunday 1976; hosted the parish's first ordination (Father James Vann Johnston Jr., June 1990); the Coster Shops Bridge on I-275 was renamed in his honor in 1990.
- Father John DowlingAdministrator 1997; Pastor 2014–2019
Served briefly as administrator after Father Henkel's death; returned as pastor 2014–2019.
- Monsignor Xavier Mankel1997–2014
10th pastor (succeeding the Henkel–Dowling era); renovated the rectory and church basement; reinstituted the parish pastoral council; expanded St. Joseph School; commissioned The First Century of Holy Ghost Parish (2008); made a monsignor in 2006.
- Rev. Dr. Father John Arthur Orr2024–present
Assigned to Holy Ghost in February 2024; previously served at Sts. Peter and Paul (Chattanooga), All Saints/Holy Ghost (Knoxville, 2009–2016), and as pastor of St. Therese (Clinton), St. Joseph the Worker (Madisonville), and St. Mary (Athens). Ordained a priest June 16, 2001.