About Holy Trinity · Jefferson City, Tennessee
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a Roman Latin rite parish in Jefferson City, Tennessee, serving Catholics in Jefferson and Grainger counties. It belongs to the Diocese of Knoxville and offers Mass in both English and Spanish. Per its own parish materials, its mission is 'offering a place where people discover Jesus,' and the parish is known for an active Hispanic ministry, religious education (CCD), Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, and outreach partnerships with Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies and the Dandridge Ministerial Association food pantry.
- Established
- 1991
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Father Jim Harvey
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
Holy Trinity is a small but vibrant rural parish that welcomes anyone interested in Christianity and the Catholic faith, with its doors always open. It offers Mass in both English and Spanish, an active religious education program (CCD) preparing children for First Communion and Confirmation, regular Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, and an unusually rich set of community outreach ministries — from Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women to Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies, the Life Outreach Pregnancy Crisis Center, the Joining Hands Health and Dental Clinic, and monthly food collections for local food banks. For students, the parish also serves as the Catholic home for nearby Carson–Newman University.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday evenings 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Adoration, Exposition & Benediction with Litany of the Sacred Heart, followed by Mass at 6:30 PM)
- First Fridays 9:00 AM Adoration
Parish History
Holy Trinity was organized in the late 1980s and early 1990s to serve Catholics in Jefferson and Grainger counties, with the first Mass celebrated in February 1991 at George Street Methodist Church in Jefferson City. About 100 families attended Mass there for roughly five years while the parish raised funds and built. Land on Highway 92 was purchased March 2, 1990; ground was broken October 29, 1994; the church was dedicated June 15, 1996; and the first Mass in the new building was celebrated December 7, 1996. Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell, Knoxville's first bishop, chose the parish's name.
- First Mass: February 1991 (George Street Methodist Church)
- Land purchased: March 2, 1990
- Groundbreaking: October 29, 1994
- Church dedicated: June 15, 1996
- First Mass in new church: December 7, 1996
- 25th anniversary celebrated Dec. 5, 2021 with Bishop Richard F. Stika
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
Holy Trinity offers Mass in English and Spanish each week, with a Saturday Vigil in English and a Saturday Vigil in Spanish for the Hispanic community. Daily Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Friday, with First Friday devotions and Holy Day vigils also on the calendar.
- Saturday Vigil (English): 5:00 PM
- Saturday Vigil (Spanish / Misa en Español): 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM (English)
- Tuesday–Friday Daily Mass: 9:00 AM
- Holy Day Vigil: 7:00 PM
- Holy Day: 9:00 AM
Religious Education (CCD) & Faith Formation
The parish's religious education program (CCD) serves children ages 5 through 19 and prepares them for First Communion (First Eucharist) and Confirmation each spring. Classes meet in Trinity Hall, beneath the church, with the Director of Religious Education, Cindy Giardello, coordinating the program.
- Kindergarten–4th grade: Sundays at 9:00 AM
- 5th grade–High School: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
- DRE: Cindy Giardello — (201) 696-1769
- Enrollment forms available in the Narthex or by calling the parish office
Adult Faith Formation & Devotions
Adults have opportunities for ongoing formation through a weekly Bible Study, devotions around the Liturgical year, and a Spiritual Life Committee that helps guide the prayer life of the parish.
- Adult Bible Study: Wednesdays 10:00 AM
- Spiritual Life Committee
- Pro-life witness / Prayer for Life at Planned Parenthood (with Father Resen)
- Spiritual Adoption Baby Shower (parish-wide baby-supplies drive)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Holy Trinity's lay organizations and ministry groups are central to parish life, providing both fellowship and service to the wider Jefferson County community.
- Knights of Columbus (men's service organization)
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW)
- Parish Family Life Ministry
- Hispanic Ministry
Outreach & Community Service
Outreach is a hallmark of Holy Trinity, with the parish supporting local food banks, a crisis pregnancy center, a free health and dental clinic, and the regional Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies. Monthly food collections rotate among three local agencies.
- Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies — house repairs, school-supplies drive, Coats for the Cold Drive
- Life Outreach Pregnancy Crisis Center
- Dandridge Ministerial Association Food Pantry & Thrift Store
- Joining Hands Health and Dental Clinic (Jefferson City)
- Kingswood School of Grainger County (monthly collection)
- AA meetings held on parish grounds (Sundays)
Carson–Newman University Catholic Ministry
Holy Trinity welcomes students, faculty, and staff of nearby Carson–Newman University, serving as their Catholic faith community in Jefferson City. Students can grow in faith through studies, community, and the Sacramental life of the parish.
- Contact: Scott Mulligan — [email protected]
- Parish phone: (865) 471-0347
- Through Newman Connection
Facilities & Parish Campus
The parish sits on a 40-acre site along Highway 92 on a gently sloping hill. In addition to the church itself, a Parish Family Life Center and pavilion were added in 2008 to host church functions, fellowship meals, and outreach programs.
- 40-acre campus along N. Highway 92
- Parish Family Life Center & pavilion (added 2008)
- Trinity Hall (lower level — used for CCD classes)
- Narthex (bulletin board, CCD enrollment forms)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Philip ThoniFirst pastor (early 1990s)
Recognized need for a new parish in Jefferson and Grainger counties; led founding while still pastor of St. Patrick in Morristown.
- Father Michael Sweeney
Second pastor; simultaneously served St. Patrick Parish in Morristown.
- Father Daniel (Dan) Whitman2001–2014
Served 13 years; oversaw dedication of the Parish Family Life Center.
- Father Patrick Resen2014–2021
Former lawyer and judge; active in pro-life ministry in East Tennessee; retired from active ministry in 2021 but continued assisting at Holy Trinity.
- Father Jim Harvey2021–present
Ordained 1996 by Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell; installed as pastor by Bishop Richard F. Stika on Dec. 5, 2021; previously pastor of St. Alphonsus in Crossville.