About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Atlanta, Georgia
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (IHM) is a multicultural parish in the Central Deanery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, located at 2855 Briarcliff Road NE in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded on May 8, 1958 by Bishop Francis Hyland — the first Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta — IHM is home to nearly 2,000 families who worship together in English and Spanish, and it operates an associated parish school (IHM School) that has earned two U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon awards. The parish is well known across the archdiocese as a pioneer: it was among the first Atlanta parishes to offer Mass in Spanish (welcoming Cuban exiles after the Castro revolution), and its grounds gave birth to the Atlanta Cursillo Movement in 1966. Today IHM continues its mission of worship, education, and service through more than a dozen ministries, daily and weekly Mass in two languages, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, and a vibrant faith-formation program serving children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Father Carlos Ortega
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta (originally the Diocese of Atlanta)
Why belong here
IHM is a home for nearly 2,000 multicultural families who worship together in both English and Spanish, with one of Atlanta's earliest and now deeply rooted Spanish-language ministries. Daily Mass, weekend Masses in two languages, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Wednesday and Saturday confessions give parishioners steady access to the sacraments. A thriving school, an active men's club, a women's group, a SoulCore prayer-and-fitness ministry, the parish picnic, and the Athletic Association round out a full parish life where new arrivals are personally welcomed and longtime families stay connected.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM (except Ash Wednesday and Holy Week)
- Saturday 9:00 AM (except Holy Saturday)
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (except Holy Thursday)
History of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
Immaculate Heart of Mary was established on May 8, 1958 by Bishop Francis Hyland, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta. The new parish was carved out of the territories of Our Lady of the Assumption in Atlanta and St. Thomas More in Decatur, and Msgr. Cornelius Maloney was named founding pastor. Msgr. Maloney quickly built the original church, rectory, and school, and invited the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart from Pennsylvania to staff the school. The parish grew with Atlanta over the decades, expanded its facilities, and in 2008 completed a new church building in time for the 50th anniversary. It marked its 60th in October 2018 with Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory presiding. Among its most enduring legacies: pioneering Spanish-language Mass in Atlanta and giving birth to the Atlanta Cursillo Movement in 1966.
- Established May 8, 1958 — carved from Our Lady of the Assumption (Atlanta) and St. Thomas More (Decatur).
- Founding pastor Msgr. Cornelius Maloney built the original church, rectory, and school.
- Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart (GNSH) arrived from Philadelphia to staff the school; Sister Gerald Ann Higgins, GNSH, was first principal.
- Birthplace of the Atlanta Cursillo Movement in 1966 under second pastor Msgr. Michael Regan.
- Maloney Center built in 1985 as a parish hall (later converted to offices).
- New church completed in 2008 in time for the 50th anniversary.
- 60th Anniversary Mass celebrated Oct. 27, 2018 by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
IHM's Faith Formation Team serves the parish from cradle through adulthood, preparing parishioners for the sacraments and walking with them through lifelong catechesis. Children at IHM School receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade; older students participate in vocations days, Days of Reflection, Encounter Retreats for 6th–7th grade, and a Unity Retreat for 8th grade. Adult faith formation, RCIA preparation, and family sacramental prep are coordinated through the parish office.
- Faith Formation Team — children, youth, and adult catechesis.
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade.
- 5th grade Archdiocesan Vocations Day.
- Lenten Day of Reflection for all students.
- 6th and 7th grade overnight Encounter Retreat.
- 8th grade Unity Retreat.
- RCIA and adult faith formation available through the parish.
IHM Catholic School
Immaculate Heart of Mary School opened its doors in August 1958 under the leadership of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, welcoming 238 students in grades 1–7. Today it is a parish PK–8 school serving students on the same Briarcliff Road campus. The school has earned two U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards (the most recent in 2019), is accredited through Cognia, and features a STEM lab with a 3-D printer, VR goggles, and a broadcast studio, an updated cafeteria and kitchen, a Pre-K program added in 2021, and outdoor amenities including a soccer field, gaga-pit, basketball court, and playground.
- Founded 1958 alongside the parish by Msgr. Cornelius Maloney.
- First principal: Sister Gerald Ann Higgins, GNSH (Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart).
- National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence — awarded twice, most recently in 2019.
- Accredited through Cognia (formerly SACS).
- Pre-K through 8th grade; Pre-K added in 2021.
- STEM lab with 3-D printer, VR goggles, broadcast studio.
- Service program: 26 service projects annually (Box of Joy, Ronald McDonald House, Catholic Charities drives, and more).
Hispanic Ministries
Immaculate Heart of Mary was among the very first parishes in Atlanta to celebrate Mass in Spanish, hosting Cuban refugee families in the years following the Cuban Revolution. Decades later, IHM continues to be a major hub of Hispanic Catholic life in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. IHM Hispanic Ministries runs regular food sales after Sunday Mass and supports sacramental and catechetical formation in Spanish. Past leaders such as Eva and Jacobo Vega have served as ministerial leaders across the archdiocese.
- Pioneered Spanish-language Mass in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
- Hosted Cuban refugee families in the years after the Cuban Revolution.
- IHM Hispanic Ministries runs food sales after Sunday Mass.
- Spanish-language Mass schedule: Saturday 6:00 PM (Vigil), Sunday 1:30 PM, Thursday 7:00 PM, and the Assumption vigil/daytime when scheduled.
Community Life and Parish Groups
Parish life at IHM is shaped by more than a dozen ministries designed to help newcomers and longtime members alike connect, grow, and serve. The parish describes itself as a community dedicated to "creating a place for everyone to connect and grow in faith through prayer, lifelong learning, service, discipleship, and pastoral support."
- Vocation Ministry — prayer and support for vocations to priesthood, religious life, and sacramental marriage.
- IHM Women's Group — monthly social, devotional, and service meetings.
- IHM Men's Club — parish breakfasts, Lenten Fish Fry, and the annual parish picnic.
- Newcomers Welcome Committee — greeters, registration packets, quarterly newcomer receptions.
- Coffee and Donuts Ministry — first Sunday after the 9:00 AM Mass in the Parish Hall.
- Annual Parish Picnic Committee — fall multicultural celebration.
- SoulCore Ministry — Christ-centered Rosary combined with functional movement.
Athletic Association and Youth Sports
The IHM Athletic Association, run by volunteers, organizes youth sports for the children of the parish community with a focus on Christian values, teamwork, and individual development. Children build confidence, character, and self-esteem alongside their parish peers in a faith-centered environment.
- Basketball / Cheer — register in September; season October–February.
- Fall Soccer — register July/August; season September–October.
- Spring Soccer — register January/February; season March–May.
- Volleyball — register in April; season August–early October.
Sacraments
IHM prepares parishioners for each of the seven Catholic sacraments through the parish office and the Faith Formation Team. Sacramental preparation at the parish school includes First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade. Couples contact the parish for marriage preparation, and the parish supports discernment for Holy Orders through the Vocation Ministry.
- Baptism — preparation through the parish.
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — 2nd grade preparation.
- Confirmation — Archdiocesan preparation coordinated through the parish.
- Matrimony — contact the parish for preparation requirements.
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office.
- Holy Orders / Vocations — supported through the Vocation Ministry.
- RCIA — adults seeking initiation into the Church; contact the Faith Formation Team.
Worship, Music, and Sacred Space
IHM's current church was completed in 2008 to seat the parish's growing multicultural congregation. The worship space features a 2009 A. E. Schlueter pipe organ that anchors the parish's rich musical life, which the parish has showcased in anniversary concert series such as the 60th Anniversary Concert Series performed by Atlanta organist Herbert Buffington.
- Current church building dedicated in 2008 (50th anniversary).
- 2009 A. E. Schlueter pipe organ.
- 60th Anniversary Concert Series featuring Atlanta organist Herbert Buffington.
- Multicultural liturgical celebrations offered in Spanish, French, Swahili, Finnish, and English at major anniversaries.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Cornelius Maloney1958–
Founding pastor; built the original church, rectory, and school; brought the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart south to staff the school.
- Msgr. Michael Regan
Second pastor of IHM; in 1966 sent Father Richard Kieran and parishioners to a Cursillo retreat in Chicago, launching the Atlanta Cursillo Movement from IHM.
- Father Fred Wendel (Father Alfred Wendel)
Former pastor who concelebrated the 60th Anniversary Mass in 2018; resigned as pastor in 2024 to serve as a senior priest in Nevada.
- Msgr. Albert Jowdy (Father Al)2015–2024
Ordained 1984; pastor of IHM 2015–2024; named a Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.
- Father Carlos Ortega2024–present
Born in Venezuela; previously parochial vicar at IHM and pastor of St. Clement's before returning to IHM as pastor in July 2024.