About Our Lady of Fatima · Alcoa, Tennessee
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church (OLOF) is a thriving Catholic parish of the Diocese of Knoxville located at 858 Louisville Road in Alcoa, Tennessee, serving the Blount and Sevier County area. In 2025 the parish marked its 75th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of its current church building, celebrating a Jubilee Year alongside more than 1,500 registered families. OLOF is bilingual (English and Spanish), offers daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, robust faith formation for children and youth, and a wide range of parish ministries organized around four guiding words: Learn, Pray, Serve, Belong.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady of Fatima
- Rector
- Fr. Peter (Pete) Iorio
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
OLOF is a bilingual Catholic community of more than 1,500 families where the Mass schedule, confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and most ministries are offered in both English and Spanish. The parish grounds every part of its life in four invitations — Learn, Pray, Serve, Belong — with active faith formation for PreK through high school, OCIA for adults, two daily Masses, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide array of service and family ministries. Worship is supported by accessible entrances, a Listen Anywhere hearing-assist system, livestreamed weekend Masses, and a welcoming staff that includes a Family Life Coordinator and a Director of Music & Liturgy who directs the bilingual Coro Bilingüe choir.
Mass times at Our Lady of Fatima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM
- Saturday 6:30 PM
- Sunday 9:45 AM
- By appointment any time — call the parish office
Adoration times
- Tuesday 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Friday 8:30 AM – 6:45 PM
- First Friday after 7:00 PM Spanish Mass
- Sunday (after the 11:00 AM English Mass)
- Saturday (after the 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
Parish Identity, Mission, and Jubilee Year
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Alcoa, Tennessee is a parish of the Diocese of Knoxville guided by a clear mission: to serve the spiritual needs of the community through the sacraments and teachings of the Catholic faith, reaching out through prayer, faith, and charitable works to improve life and bring Christ's love to all. Its vision is to be an active, engaged community of Christ's disciples welcoming everyone through evangelization. Parish life is organized around four invitations — Learn, Pray, Serve, Belong. In 2025 the parish celebrated three milestones together: the Year of Jubilee, the 25th anniversary of the church building, and the 75th anniversary of the parish itself.
- 1,500+ registered families
- 3,703 members
- 57 ministries & committees
- Year of Jubilee 2025
- 75th anniversary of the parish (1950)
- 25th anniversary of the church building (2000)
Founding and Early Years (1950–1952)
Before September 1950 Catholics in Blount and Sevier counties had to travel to Knoxville for Sunday Mass. Bishop William L. Adrian of Nashville commissioned a survey by Father John Tierney that summer, leading to the establishment of the Mission Parish of Maryville with Father Paul Clunan as its first pastor. The first Mass was celebrated in a Maryville funeral home, then in the Eagleton Village community room, before the parish leased a two-story house at 211 Ellis Avenue, which it remodeled into a chapel and named Our Lady of Fatima. The first Mass at the Ellis Avenue location was celebrated at 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 5, 1950.
- First Mass: September 3, 1950 in a Maryville funeral home
- Named Our Lady of Fatima at 211 Ellis Ave., Maryville
- First Guild organized by 38 women of the parish
- First High Mass on Christmas Day 1950 with 10-voice choir and donated pump organ
- Little chapel dedicated by Bishop Adrian on January 21, 1951
Growth in Alcoa and the Diocese of Knoxville
After the first anniversary, the parish purchased 4½ acres from the Aluminum Company of America at Hunt and Wright roads in Alcoa — a site where about 80 percent of parishioners lived. The new Alcoa church was dedicated by Bishop Adrian on December 6, 1952, with an ill-fated secondhand pipe organ that went silent after the Gloria, forcing the choir to sing the rest of the Dedication Mass a cappella. The years 1986–94 saw slow but steady growth and the accumulation of reserves that enabled planning for a new facility. On September 8, 1988 many OLOF parishioners joined 5,000 other Catholics in Knoxville for the creation of the Diocese of Knoxville and the ordination of Bishop Anthony O'Connell as its first bishop.
- Land purchased at Hunt and Wright roads in Alcoa
- Dedication of Alcoa church: December 6, 1952
- Diocese of Knoxville created September 8, 1988
- Bishop Anthony O'Connell ordained as first Bishop of Knoxville
The Current Church Building (1995–2000)
In 1995 the parish purchased the first 7.5 acres of an 11.2-acre tract on Louisville Road in Alcoa from AT&T, and a parishioner's bequest funded the additional 3.7 acres along with construction of a 12,000-square-foot church connected to a 5,000-square-foot parish hall. Ground was broken in May 1998 and construction was completed in 2000. In 2025 the parish marked the 25th anniversary of this worship space as part of its broader Jubilee Year of celebration.
- 1995: Initial 7.5 acres purchased from AT&T
- Bequest funded additional 3.7 acres and construction
- 12,000 sq. ft. church + 5,000 sq. ft. parish hall
- Ground broken May 1998; completed in 2000
- Located on Louisville Road near Highway 129
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
OLOF is led by Father Peter (Pete) Iorio as Pastor, with Father Joseph (Joe) Austin and Father Renzo Alvarado Suarez serving as Parochial Vicars and Deacons Bill Jacobs and Leon Dodd assisting. Father Iorio was ordained on August 6, 1993 (Feast of the Transfiguration) at his home parish of St. Augustine, Signal Mountain, and brings wide diocesan experience from parishes and high schools in Kingsport, Chattanooga, Madisonville, Cleveland, and Johnson City, as well as service at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago and as vocation director and director of ongoing formation for priests of the Diocese of Knoxville. Father Joe was ordained in 2023 with OLOF as his first parish assignment.
- Fr. Peter (Pete) Iorio — Pastor
- Fr. Joseph Austin — Parochial Vicar (ordained 2023, first assignment)
- Fr. Renzo Alvarado Suarez — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Bill Jacobs — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Leon Dodd — Deacon
Parish Staff (Team Fatima)
Under the guidance of the pastor, the parish staff strives to serve with joy, prayer, and a welcoming spirit — helping the community grow in faith, share Christ's love, and feel at home at OLOF.
- Business Manager & Bookkeeper
- Luis Ramos — Pastoral Associate & Coordinator of High School & Young Adult Ministry (joined staff in 2012)
- Kim Adamson
- Sarah Parsons — Family Life Coordinator
- Jessica O'Boyle — Director of Religious Education
- Christy Lee — Director of Music & Liturgy (joined 2022; directs 'Coro Bilingüe')
- Israel Miller — Facilities Manager
- Elizabeth Borovy — Office Assistant
- Ana Carballo — Secretary
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at OLOF is offered for children ages 3 through 5th grade and meets on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 AM. Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Year 1 Confirmation is included within the program. The DRE uses curricula including Gospel Weeklies by Pflaum, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Faith & Life Series by Ignatius Press, and Dynamic Catholic's Blessed and Decision Point. There is also a Faith Formation Parent Study gathering in the Social Hall from 10:00–10:45 AM with coffee, donuts, fellowship, and childcare.
- Director of Religious Education: Jessica O'Boyle ([email protected])
- Ages 3 through 5th grade; Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
- Year 1 Confirmation preparation
- Faith Formation Parent Study (Sundays, Social Hall)
- Summer Faith Adventure (rising PreK 4 – rising 5th grade)
Youth Ministry (Middle School and High School)
OLOF's Middle School Ministry uses LifeTeen's EDGE program along with FORMED, Ascension Press, and the guidance of the priests and clergy to present Church teaching in an engaging, age-appropriate way. It meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00–8:00 PM with dinner provided, and Confirmation Year 2 preparation takes place within Middle School Ministry. High School Ministry, coordinated by Luis Ramos, continues faith formation for grades 9–12 and is also the home of Confirmation preparation. The parish also supports Young Adult Ministry.
- Middle School Ministry (Grades 6–8): Wed 6:00–8:00 PM with dinner
- LifeTeen EDGE curriculum
- Confirmation Year 2 inside Middle School Ministry
- High School Ministry (Grades 9–12): [email protected]
- Young Adult Ministry (Luis Ramos)
- Confirmation contact: [email protected]
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
For adults who are unbaptized, baptized Christians interested in becoming Catholic, or simply curious about the faith, OLOF offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Sessions are held on Tuesday nights from September through Easter.
- Tuesday evenings, September through Easter
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and inquirers
- Preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil
Adult Faith Formation, Bible Studies, and Small Groups
OLOF believes formation is lifelong. The parish offers adult faith formation through rotating studies, seasonal offerings, special speakers, diocesan retreats, and parish missions. A robust schedule of small groups and studies is promoted throughout the year.
- Adult Faith Formation
- Bible & Breakfast
- Called & Gifted
- That Man Is You!
- Parent Faith Study
- Tuesday Morning Young Women's Group
- Women's Faith Ministry
Music and Liturgy
Music and Liturgy at OLOF is led by Christy Lee, Director of Music & Liturgy, who joined the staff in summer 2022. Originally from Starkville, Mississippi, she directs a variety of choirs and ensembles including the bilingual 'Coro Bilingüe,' which provides music at bilingual Masses throughout the liturgical year.
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Christy Lee
- Coro Bilingüe (Spanish/English bilingual choir)
- Music for bilingual Masses throughout the liturgical year
Family Life, Fellowship, and Outreach
OLOF organizes parish life around the invitation to Belong through Fatima Families, which fosters a vibrant and supportive community for families of all ages and stages. Fatima Families hosts events such as the Epiphany Pageant, St. Joseph Celebration, Easter Egg Hunt, Mary in May, and Trunk or Treat, and provides meal trains for new families, formation for parents, and support for other parish family offerings. Sarah Parsons serves as the parish's Family Life Coordinator.
- Fatima Families — [email protected]
- Epiphany Pageant
- St. Joseph Celebration
- Easter Egg Hunt
- Mary in May
- Trunk or Treat
- Meal trains for new families
- Family Life Coordinator: Sarah Parsons
Service and Charity
The parish's 'Serve' invitation is lived out through ministries that accompany parishioners through illness and reach into the wider community. The Healing Ministry supports those in need of prayer and pastoral care, while Martha's Hands provides free meals to those in need in the community. English Classes support newcomers to the area in building language skills and community ties.
- Healing Ministry
- Martha's Hands (free meals for those in need)
- English Classes
Sacraments at OLOF
OLOF accompanies parishioners through every sacramental moment of Catholic life. Baptisms are scheduled after a baptismal preparation class is completed; First Communion is ordinarily received in the second grade as part of a two-year Faith Formation program; Confirmation is prepared through Youth Ministry; and the parish provides support for Marriage preparation, Anointing of the Sick, funerals, and annulments. Becoming Catholic is supported through the OCIA process.
- Baptism — [email protected]
- First Communion (2nd grade, 2-year program) — [email protected]
- Confirmation (through Youth Ministry) — [email protected]
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals
- Annulments
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Visiting, Accessibility, and Parish Registration
Whether you are a new resident, a visitor, exploring the Catholic faith, or looking for a parish home, OLOF welcomes you. The church provides accessible entrances and seating, and a 'Listen Anywhere' hearing-assist system is installed in the audio system for visitors with hearing difficulties. The parish office can help with registration after Mass, by phone, or by appointment, and connects newcomers to ministries, sacramental life, and parish communications.
- Accessible entrances and seating
- Listen Anywhere hearing-assist system
- Parish registration after Mass or through the parish office
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Phone (865) 982-3672 / Fax (865) 977-4183
Communications and The Fatima Faithful
OLOF keeps parishioners informed through its monthly newsletter, The Fatima Faithful, distributed in print and online. Office Assistant Elizabeth Borovy is among the contributors to the newsletter, and the parish also communicates through its website, social media (referenced as @FatimaFaithful), and livestreamed weekend Masses.
- Monthly parish newsletter: The Fatima Faithful
- Social handle: @FatimaFaithful
- Livestreamed weekend Masses
- Website: ourladyoffatima.org
Contact, Location, and Hours
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church is located at 858 Louisville Road, Alcoa, TN 37701, near the busy intersection with Highway 129. The parish office can be reached at (865) 982-3672 or [email protected], with fax (865) 977-4183. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–2:30 PM. For reaching specific staff or clergy members, the parish directs visitors to its staff and clergy pages for direct emails and extensions.
- Address: 858 Louisville Road, Alcoa, TN 37701
- Phone: (865) 982-3672
- Fax: (865) 977-4183
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Near Highway 129 and Louisville Road
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Paul Clunan1950–
First pastor; established the Mission Parish of Maryville and named it Our Lady of Fatima.