About Holy Spirit · Memphis, Tennessee
The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic parish of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, located at 2300 Hickory Crest Drive in the Hickory Crest/ Messick Road area of east Memphis (ZIP 38119). Founded in February 1975, it grew from a small founding community of 11 people into a parish of roughly 900 families serving the greater Memphis area. The parish is known for its wooded 'natural stained glass' setting, a dedicated pipe organ (2010), a Mother's Day Out preschool program, youth ministry, and a wide range of outreach ministries including Birthright of Memphis.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis
Why belong here
Holy Spirit offers east-Memphis Catholics a large, active parish with deep roots (founded 1975) and a distinctive wooded setting that the parish itself calls its 'natural stained glass.' Members enjoy a full sacramental life (daily Mass, four Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel Monday through Friday, weekly Reconciliation), a robust faith formation program for children and adults including RCIA, a Mother's Day Out preschool, and active youth ministry for grades 6–12 with retreats, mission trips, and high-school gatherings. Its outreach ministries — Birthright of Memphis, Stephen Ministry, Bereavement Ministry, and more — give parishioners tangible ways to serve the wider Memphis community.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Contact the Pastoral Office at 901-754-7146 for the current Reconciliation schedule
Adoration times
- Monday through Friday: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm in the Chapel
History of Holy Spirit
Established in February 1975, the Church of the Holy Spirit began as a small community of 11 faithful under founding pastor Fr. William J. Kleiser. Within six months, Fr. John R. Batson succeeded him and shepherded the parish for two decades, including the 1978 dedication of the church on Hickory Crest Drive and the 1985 dedication of the Family Life Center (now the Batson Center). The parish continued to expand with land purchases in 1992, a new Pastoral Office, athletic fields, expanded parking, and a Messick Road entrance in 1994, and a pipe organ dedicated in 2010. Today the parish of roughly 900 families is led by Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S., named pastor in 2020 by Bishop David Talley.
- Founded February 1975; first pastor Fr. William J. Kleiser
- Fr. John R. Batson succeeded Fr. Kleiser six months later
- Church on Hickory Crest Drive dedicated September 1978
- Family Life Center (Batson Center) dedicated September 1985
- 1992: 20 wooded acres purchased south of church ('natural stained glass' windows)
- 1994: Pastoral Office, athletic fields, expanded parking, Messick Road entrance completed
- Pipe organ dedicated October 10, 2010
Pastor's Welcome
In his welcome letter on the parish website, Pastor Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S., writes that the parish draws its strength from the Word and the Sacraments, seeking to imitate the Eucharistic Lord through joyful celebration of the Mass and a strong commitment to community service. He describes Holy Spirit as 'a welcoming and joyful community of believers who love Jesus Christ and want to share His love with the world.' Visitors are invited to come and find a warm community, small groups for faith growth, ministries that serve the wider community, and a commitment to teaching and preaching the Bible.
- Pastor: Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S.
- Member parish of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis
- Aims: experience God's love, learn His Word, grow in faith, build meaningful relationships
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full catechetical program for children and adults. Adult Faith Formation offers ongoing classes throughout the year during fall, spring, and summer semesters, with details published in the parish bulletin and the diocesan Adult Faith Formation flyer. Becoming Catholic – RCIA meets Thursdays at 7:00 PM from September through Easter, walking unbaptized adults and Christians from other traditions through inquiry, preparation, and the Easter Vigil initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion.
- Adult Faith Formation — ongoing fall, spring, summer classes
- RCIA (Becoming Catholic) — Thursdays 7:00 PM, September–Easter
- Catechetical Ministries — Adults serving adults; Adults serving children
- Sunday Morning Scripture Study
- Cursillo
- Fishers of Men
Youth Ministry (Grades 6–12)
All high-school youth are invited to meet Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM during the school year. Programming intentionally blends community-building (games, camping trips, ski trips, kickball, swimming, nights out at Sky Zone, laser tag, and dinners) with faith formation through youth-led discussions, guest speakers, praise and worship, Eucharistic Adoration, serving as Liturgical Ministers, and parish prayer services. Youth can also take part in diocesan retreat opportunities including SEARCH (grades 11–12).
- Sunday evenings 6:00–8:00 PM during the school year
- Annual one-week summer Youth MISSION Trip
- Diocesan retreats including SEARCH (grades 11–12)
- Service opportunities in the parish and wider community
Mother's Day Out Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten
Holy Spirit Mother's Day Out provides a Christian environment for children from 6 months through 5 years old, incorporating daily prayer, weekly Bible class, music, art, and computer. The program emphasizes emotional, social, physical, and spiritual growth and aims to send well-prepared, happy children on to Kindergarten. Director Kim Mantel and Assistant Director Angela Scamardo lead a low pupil-to-teacher-ratio staff.
- Ages 6 months to 5 years
- Monday & Wednesday 8:45 AM–2:45 PM (school year)
- Summer session: June 8 – July 1, 2026, 9:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Director: Kim Mantel — 759-3750 — [email protected]
- Assistant Director: Angela Scamardo — [email protected]
- Tuition for 2026–2027: $2,750–$2,850 per year; $150 registration fee
Outreach & Charity
The parish takes seriously its call to serve the wider Memphis community. Birthright of Memphis, Inc., a pro-life pregnancy counseling center that offers free pregnancy testing, counseling, baby and maternity clothing, and parenting classes, is hosted through the parish, with two locations (115 Alexander St. and Hickory Ridge Mall). The parish also runs Stephen Ministry-style pastoral care, a Bereavement Ministry that assists families at the time of death, and a Flower Memorials program.
- Birthright of Memphis, Inc. — free pregnancy testing, counseling, baby clothing, parenting classes
- Bereavement Ministry — funeral planning and grief support
- Flower Memorials
- Library Ministry
- Saturday Family Breakfast Ministry
Music Ministry & Pipe Organ
Music Ministry at Holy Spirit is directed by Marcus Browning and supports the parish's liturgies with a robust choral and instrumental program anchored by the parish pipe organ, which was dedicated on October 10, 2010. The organ enriches the celebration of the Mass and other liturgies and is part of the parish's broader investment in beautiful worship.
- Music Ministry Director: Marcus Browning — [email protected] — 754-7146 ext. 25
- Pipe organ dedicated October 10, 2010
Sacraments & Liturgies
The Pastoral Office coordinates all sacramental preparation. Baptisms require preparation through Pastoral Secretary Ellie Vinson; Reconciliation is arranged through the office; Marriage Preparation begins with a meeting with the Pastor followed by contact with the Wedding Coordinator; and Anointing of the Sick is available on request for parishioners at home or in the hospital, with a particular Healing Mass each February. The Bereavement Ministry assists families with funeral planning and grief support, and Flower Memorials are offered as a way to honor loved ones.
- Baptism — Ellie Vinson — [email protected] — ext. 24
- Reconciliation — Pastoral Office 901-754-7146
- Marriage Preparation — meeting with Pastor, then Wedding Coordinator
- Anointing of the Sick — on request; annual Healing Mass in February
- Bereavement and Funeral Planning — Pastoral Staff + Bereavement Ministry
- Flower Memorials
Parish Staff
The parish staff combines clergy, faith formation leaders, and administrative support. In addition to Pastor Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S., and Parochial Vicar Fr. Mathews Payyappilly, M.C.B.S., the parish is served by three deacons, a Director of Youth Ministries, a Music Ministry Director, a Pastoral Secretary, a Bookkeeper, a Plant Manager, and the Mother's Day Out Director and Assistant Director/Bookkeeper.
- Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S. — Pastor
- Fr. Mathews Payyappilly, M.C.B.S. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacons (3)
- Brittany Lyles — Director of Youth Ministries — [email protected] — 406-396-7171
- Marcus Browning — Music Ministry Director — ext. 25
- Ellie Vinson — Pastoral Secretary — [email protected] — ext. 24
- Linda Aljundi — Bookkeeper — ext. 33
- Carmine Ruggiero — Plant Manager — ext. 31
- Kim Mantel — Mother's Day Out Director — 759-3750 ext. 21
- Angela Scamardo — Mother's Day Out Assistant Director/Bookkeeper — 759-3750 ext. 22
Visit, Contact & Campus
The parish is located at 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, Memphis, TN 38119, on a 4.5-acre campus with a second entrance off Messick Road added in 1994. The main phone line is 901-754-7146, and the parish office is open during regular business hours. Visitors are warmly invited to attend Mass or Adoration, explore faith formation, or contact the Pastoral Office for more information about joining the parish.
- Address: 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, Memphis, TN 38119
- Phone: 901-754-7146
- Website: http://www.hspirit.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/hsmemphis
- Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Memphis (cdom.org)
- Campus: 4.5-acre church site plus 20 wooded acres, Batson Center, athletic fields, expanded parking, Messick Road entrance
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William J. Kleiser1975
First pastor; began with 11 faithful at the parish's founding in February 1975. Served approximately six months before handing off to Fr. Batson.
- Fr. John R. Batson1975–1996
Took over six months after founding; led parish through its formative decades including the 1978 church dedication on Hickory Crest Drive and the 1985 dedication of the Family Life Center (later renamed the Batson Center in his honor). Elevated to Monsignor. Retired from full-time ministry in 1996.
- Fr. Albert E. Kirk1996–2012
Named pastor in 1996 by Bishop J. Terry Steib following Msgr. Batson's retirement. Later elevated to Monsignor. Retired from full-time ministry in 2012.
- Fr. Michael Werkhoven2012–2017
Named pastor in 2012 by Bishop J. Terry Steib following Msgr. Kirk's retirement.
- Fr. John Hourican2017–2020
Named pastor in 2017 by Bishop Martin Holley.
- Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S.2020–present
Named pastor in 2020 by Bishop David Talley. Current pastor.
- Fr. Mathews Payyappilly, M.C.B.S.current
Present Parochial Vicar.