About Immaculate Conception · Moultrie, Georgia
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish located at 1135 Second Street Southeast in Moultrie, Georgia, in the Diocese of Savannah. Founded in 1917 through the efforts of Father Emmet M. Walsh (then pastor of St. Theresa's Church in Albany) and Mrs. Horace McDowell, it has served the Catholic faithful of Colquitt County and southwest Georgia for over a century. The parish is part of the Albany Deanery and oversees St. John Vianney Mission in Camilla. The current church building on 2nd Street SE was dedicated on November 28, 1982, during the pastorate of Father Francis Barry.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Paul O'Connell
- Diocese
- Diocese of Savannah (Albany Deanery)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a warm, bilingual Catholic community serving southwest Georgia for over a century. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish every Sunday, offers First Communion and Confirmation classes for children, hosts a weekly Prayer Group, and provides Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays — making it a fitting spiritual home for families seeking an active, multicultural parish rooted in traditional Catholic devotion and outreach across rural South Georgia.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:15 AM – 9:55 AM
- After each Mass (per parish website)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 11:00 AM (Adoration before noon Mass)
- Wednesday 6:00 PM (Adoración Eucarística, Spanish)
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 1:00 AM (per DiscoverMass listing)
About Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in Moultrie, Georgia, in the Diocese of Savannah. Located at 1135 Second Street Southeast in Colquitt County, the parish has served the Catholics of southwest Georgia since 1917. The parish is part of the Albany Deanery and also ministers to St. John Vianney Mission in nearby Camilla.
History of the Parish
The parish traces its roots to 1917, when Father Emmet M. Walsh — then pastor of St. Theresa's Church in Albany — together with Mrs. Horace McDowell, organized the Catholic community of Moultrie. Construction of the first church began under Father Walsh and was completed under Father Leo Kennan (1921–1930).
Founding and Early Years (1917–1930)
Father Emmet M. Walsh served the Southwest Georgia missions, including Moultrie, from 1917 to 1921, laying the foundation for the new parish. The founding of the church is closely tied to the zealous work of Mrs. Horace McDowell, whom the parish still honors. Father Leo Kennan completed construction and pastored the parish from 1921 to 1930.
Franciscan Era (1952–1978)
At the invitation of the Most Reverend Francis F. Hyland, Auxiliary Bishop of Savannah-Atlanta, the Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.) took charge of southwest Georgia in 1952. Franciscan Fathers Peter C. Sheridan, Raynor A. Dray (1952–1954), and Father Mario (1954–1958) served Moultrie during this period, followed by additional priests through 1978.
Return to the Diocese and New Church (1978–Present)
In 1978, Immaculate Conception was transferred from the Franciscan Fathers back to the Diocese of Savannah. Father Richard Minch served that year, and Father Francis Barry followed in 1979. During Father Barry's pastorate, the present Immaculate Conception Church on 2nd Street SE was built and dedicated on November 28, 1982. Rev. Paul O'Connell currently serves as pastor.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation is offered on Sundays between Masses. First Communion classes for 1st and 2nd year students meet from 8:00 to 9:30 AM in both English and Spanish. Confirmation classes for 1st and 2nd year students meet from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Spanish.
- First Communion Class (1st & 2nd year) — Sunday 8:00–9:30 AM, English & Spanish
- Confirmation Class (1st & 2nd year) — Sunday 10:00–11:30 AM, Spanish
St. John Vianney Mission — Camilla, GA
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church oversees St. John Vianney Mission at 425 South MacArthur Drive, Camilla, Georgia 31730 (Mitchell County). The mission was dedicated June 14, 1959, and shares the parish phone (229) 985-6550 along with its own line (229) 336-8685. Confessions are heard after each Mass.
- Address: 425 South MacArthur Drive, Camilla, GA 31730
- Phone: (229) 336-8685
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stjohnvianneycamilla.diosav.net/
- Dedicated June 14, 1959
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English) and 7:00 PM (Spanish)
- Tuesday 6:00 PM (Bilingual)
Visit and Contact
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is located at 1135 Second Street Southeast, Moultrie, GA 31768, in Colquitt County. The parish office can be reached by phone at (229) 985-6550 or by email at [email protected].
- Address: 1135 Second Street SE, Moultrie, GA 31768
- Phone: (229) 985-6550
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.iccmoultrie.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Emmet M. Walsh1917–1921
Founded the parish while pastor of St. Theresa's, Albany; later Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio
- Father Leo Kennan1921–1930
Completed construction of the original church
- Father Thomas A. Brennan1937–1940
- Father Thomas Sheehanbefore 1940
Pastored Thomasville and Moultrie
- Father Michael Manning1940–1945
- Father John O'Shea1945–1952
- Father Peter C. Sheridan, O.F.M.1952 (brief)
First Franciscan pastor at request of Bishop Hyland
- Father Raynor A. Dray, O.F.M.1952–1954
Franciscan
- Father Mario1954–1958
Franciscan
- Father Linus Tigue1959
- Father Thomas Albert1959–1962
- Father Frederick Kirchnerearly 1960s
- Father Thomas Gilbinfrom 1963
- Father Francis Gormanafter 1963
- Father Alan Foran1978 (brief)
- Father Richard Minch1978
First diocesan pastor after transfer from Franciscans
- Father Francis Barryfrom 1979
Built and dedicated the present church on 2nd St SE on Nov. 28, 1982