About Our Lady of the Shoals · Tuscumbia, Alabama
Our Lady of the Shoals is a Roman Catholic parish in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in the Diocese of Birmingham, serving the faithful of the Muscle Shoals area — including Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals City, Cherokee, and Margerum. The present parish is the product of a 1960s–70s consolidation of three older congregations (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Tuscumbia, St. Joseph in Sheffield, and Our Lady of Grace in Sheffield), and the current church building was dedicated on November 13, 1974. Today the parish numbers roughly 270 families and worships bilingually, with a Sunday Mass in Spanish and a Sunday Mass in English, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a network of outreach ministries that include a parish food pantry, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, Women's Society, and a Homebound Ministry.
- Established
- 1974
- Patron
- Our Lady (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Gray Bean (effective July 1, 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Shoals is a warm, bilingual Catholic community in the heart of the Muscle Shoals — a parish small enough that newcomers are quickly known by name, yet rich in the traditional devotional life of the Church: a weekly Spanish Mass, Sunday and weekday Eucharistic Adoration, regular confession times, and active CCD religious education for both children and adults. Members put their faith into action through the parish Helpline food pantry, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (which serves about 90 Colbert County families a year), the Knights of Columbus, the Women's Society, and a Homebound Ministry that visits the sick and elderly. For anyone seeking a parish that honors both the heritage of three older congregations and the daily life of a regional Catholic community, Our Lady of the Shoals offers a clear, faithful home.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Shoals
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM
- Friday: 11:00 AM
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 PM
- Other times by appointment — call the parish office
Adoration times
- Sunday: 9:00–10:00 AM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Noon)
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – Noon
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – Noon
- Friday: 11:00 AM – Noon
Welcome and Parish Identity
Our Lady of the Shoals is the Catholic parish serving the Muscle Shoals area of north Alabama from its location in Tuscumbia. The parish's own self-description centers on 'the faith, work and generosity of good people bringing God's presence into the world, inspiring a conversation among the generations.' It is here that the faithful gather to worship God, give honor to Mary, and are sent to spread God's word. The parish serves Catholics from Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals City, Cherokee, and Margerum.
- Mailing address: 200 E. Commons St. North, Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674
- Phone: (256) 383-7207 — Email: [email protected]
- Food Helpline: (256) 383-6456 — dial 211 for other assistance
- Parish Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Parish History
The parish's documented roots go back to the 1870s, when Catholic missionary activity began in what is now Colbert County. An early church in Tuscumbia was destroyed by tornado in 1874; a second church was built in 1880, and in 1932 it was rededicated as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. In neighboring Sheffield, two parishes — St. Joseph (founded by Benedictine missionaries from St. Bernard Abbey) and Our Lady of Grace — served Catholics through the early 20th century. As the Tuscumbia parish aged, the old Our Lady of the Sacred Heart closed in December 1959 and Mass was first celebrated the next day in the chapel of the new Our Lady of the Shoals School.
- 1874: Early Tuscumbia Catholic church destroyed by tornado
- 1880: Second Catholic church built in Tuscumbia
- 1932: Tuscumbia church rededicated as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
- December 27, 1959: First Mass celebrated in Our Lady of the Shoals School chapel
- 1965: St. Joseph Church (Sheffield) closes
- 1967: Our Lady of Grace Mission merged into Our Lady of the Shoals
- May 1971: Our Lady of the Shoals School closes
- November 1973: Old rectory demolished
- November 13, 1974: Present church dedicated
- August 11, 2024: 50th anniversary of the church celebrated
Pastor and Staff
The parish is led by Father E. Gray Bean, a convert to the Catholic Faith, Jacksonville State University graduate, and Saint Meinrad Seminary alumnus who was ordained a priest by Bishop David Foley for the Diocese of Birmingham. He assumed the pastorate of Our Lady of the Shoals effective July 1, 2026, after twelve years at St. Theresa Parish in Leeds. Supporting him is a small staff including the parish secretary, a maintenance and grounds lead, and directors of Adult and Youth Religious Education and Music Ministry.
- Rev. Gray Bean — Pastor (effective July 1, 2026)
- Jazmin Elizarraras — Parish Secretary (256-436-0259)
- Mike Elizarraras — Maintenance and Grounds
- Michael Schneider — Director of Adult Religious Education
- Tena Flanagan — Director of Youth Religious Education
- Maria Juarez — Director of Youth Religious Education
- Robbie Bennett — Director of Music Ministry (256-381-3371)
Mass and Worship Schedule
Sunday Mass is offered twice — a Spanish Mass at 7:45 AM, followed by Eucharistic Adoration from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, and an English Mass at 10:00 AM. Weekday Masses are held in the day chapel inside the office building (Monday 5:30 PM, Tuesday 9:00 AM, Wednesday 5:30 PM, Thursday 9:00 AM, Friday 5:30 PM), and the Saturday Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5:00 PM.
- Sunday: 7:45 AM (Español), 10:00 AM English
- Monday–Friday: day chapel (inside office building)
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration: Sunday 9:00–10:00 AM; Tuesday–Friday 11:00 AM – Noon
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are performed on Saturdays (contact the parish office before making plans). Confirmation is prepared through the parish CCD program. Reconciliation is offered Tuesday through Friday at 11:00 AM and Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in the confessional at the back left of the church sanctuary; other times are available by appointment. Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment or in emergencies, and couples are asked to give 12 months' notice before marriage.
- Baptism — by appointment on Saturdays
- Confirmation — via CCD preparation
- Reconciliation — Tue–Fri 11:00 AM; Sat 3:30–4:30 PM; by appointment
- Holy Eucharist — see Mass schedule above
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment or emergency call
- Marriage — 12 months' notice required
Religious Education
Faith formation at Our Lady of the Shoals is offered separately for adults and youth, both directed through the parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) programs. Families with children preparing for First Communion, Confirmation, or ongoing formation should contact the parish office for the current year's schedule.
- Director of Adult Religious Education: Michael Schneider
- Director of Youth Religious Education: Tena Flanagan and Maria Juarez
- Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation preparation through CCD
Ministries and Organizations
Parishioners are invited to share their gifts through a wide range of liturgical and service ministries. The Music Ministry in particular seeks additional cantors and pianists. Outreach ministries include the parish Helpline food pantry, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Florence Conference), the Homebound/Elderly Ministry, and Catholic Family Services for confidential Christian counseling. Fraternal and fellowship organizations include the Women's Society and the local Knights of Columbus council.
- Altar Servers
- Music Ministry — contact Robbie Bennett, 256-381-3371
- Women's Society — contact Felice Green, 256-383-1394 or [email protected]
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Henry Long; meets Wednesday evenings
- Shoals Helpline Food Pantry — 256-383-6456
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Florence Conference) — home visits to families in need
- Homebound / Elderly Outreach
- Catholic Family Services counseling — 256-768-1550, [email protected]
Outreach to the Community
Service to neighbors is a defining mark of Our Lady of the Shoals. The parish-run Shoals Helpline operates a food pantry with food pickup on Fridays; the Society of St. Vincent de Paul visits one to three families each week in Colbert County and has paid out nearly $20,000 in two years to prevent utility cut-offs and evictions, plus more than $3,000 in thrift-store vouchers. The Homebound Ministry visits residences, nursing facilities, and shut-ins to provide spiritual support and deliver the sacraments.
- Shoals Helpline — 256-383-6456; food pickup Fridays
- St. Vincent de Paul — utility, rent, and clothing assistance
- Homebound visits, calls, and cards for elderly parishioners
Architecture and Sacred Heritage
The present church was designed by architect Howard A. Griffith and completed in 1974. At about 5,200 square feet with seating for 308, its interior is finished in wood paneling with laminated wood beams and exposed decking, and it includes a basement social room. Though unmistakably modern in design, it incorporates sacred elements from all three predecessor parishes: stained-glass memorial windows from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (Tuscumbia), bells from both Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph (Sheffield), and a statue of the Blessed Mother from Our Lady of Grace standing in the bell tower.
- Architect: Howard A. Griffith
- 5,200 sq ft church with 308 seats
- Basement social room for after-service coffees and gatherings
- Stained-glass windows from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
- Bells from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph
- Statue of the Blessed Mother from Our Lady of Grace in the bell tower
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Claude St. Germaine, O.S.B.1960–1964
First pastor of Our Lady of the Shoals after the school chapel became the new worship site in 1959.
- Rev. Eugene Flynn, O.S.B.1964–1967
Oversaw the 1967 merger with Our Lady of Grace Mission of Sheffield.
- Rev. Raphael Salasek, O.S.B.1967–1969
- Rev. William Moylan, O.S.B.1969–1971
- Rev. Luke Fazi, O.S.B.1971
- Rev. Richard L. Jax, O.S.B.1972–?
Demolished the old rectory in November 1973; oversaw construction of the present church, dedicated in 1974.
- Rev. Lawrence D. Phillips, O.S.B.?–c.1981
- Rev. Bernard, O.S.B.?–1992
- Rev. Patrick Tierney1992–2009
- Rev. Don Bosco Forsythe2009–2013
- Rev. Michael AdamsNovember 1, 2013 – February 19, 2022
- Rev. Benny KarimalikkalFebruary 19, 2022 – June 30, 2026
- Rev. E. Gray BeanEffective July 1, 2026
Convert, graduate of Jacksonville State University and St. Meinrad Seminary; previously served St. Theresa Parish in Leeds for twelve years.