About Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church · Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church is a large, vibrant Catholic parish serving the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with over 3,300 registered families. Located on North Tennessee Boulevard, the parish runs a preschool and a K-8 school, offers Mass in both English and Spanish, and operates one of the most extensive faith formation and outreach programs in Middle Tennessee. Its mission is 'to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and to proclaim his love to the world,' and it serves as the home parish for the University Catholic chaplaincy to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
- Established
- 1919
- Patron
- Saint Rose of Lima
- Rector
- Fr. Cristiano Nunes da Silva
- Diocese
- Diocese of Nashville
Why belong here
Saint Rose of Lima is one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Nashville, with over 3,300 registered families, so newcomers find a full schedule of Masses in English and Spanish, weekly confession, and 24-hour Thursday Eucharistic Adoration. The parish pairs a robust Catholic school (preschool through 8th grade) with a wide-ranging Faith Formation office that runs OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Sunday Religious Education, Life Teen, Fidelis, Fraternus, Bible studies, and the University Catholic chaplaincy at MTSU. Its outreach arm — the Bridge Ministry, founded in 2010, helps more than 350 local families a year with rent, utilities, and job-search support, and Saint Rose Radio broadcasts EWTN programming 24/7 across Murfreesboro as an evangelization outreach.
Mass times at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM (also listed as 6:00–6:45 PM)
- Wednesday: 5:00–5:45 PM
- Thursday: 6:30–8:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00–6:45 AM
- Saturday: 8:45 AM
- Saturday: 5:30 PM (also listed as 4:00–5:15 PM)
- Sunday: 9:45 AM (and 30 minutes before each Mass)
- Español / Spanish: Saturday 6:30–7:15 PM
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at 615-893-1843
Adoration times
- 24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration begins Thursdays at 7:30 AM and continues until Friday at 6:45 AM
- Friday morning: 6:00–6:45 AM (Confessions also available during Adoration)
Parish History
Catholic life in Murfreesboro began in 1919, when Mass was first celebrated in borrowed rooms in the Butler and Cannon buildings while Paulist Fathers traveled from Winchester to serve the small flock. After a decade of patient waiting, the mission received a beautiful mission-style brick chapel from Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman of New York, dedicated on 15 September 1929. Successive pastors guided the parish through the Depression, World War II, and rapid post-war growth; Father Edgar S. Ballentine acquired the present 12-acre North Tennessee Boulevard site in the early 1950s. The current church, designed by architect James M. Wilson with stained glass by Laukhuss of Memphis, was completed in December 1977 and seats 500. Saint Rose School — the first Catholic school in Murfreesboro — opened in 1953, closed in 1970, and was triumphantly reopened in 1999 under Sister Ann Marie. Today, with more than 3,300 registered families, the parish is launching a 'Building our Future in Christ' campaign to expand its youth, infrastructure, and outreach ministries.
- 1919 — Catholic mission established in Murfreesboro; Paulist Fathers serve from Winchester.
- 15 September 1929 — Hoffman-donated chapel dedicated on Lytle and University streets.
- 1951–1953 — Fr. Ballentine acquires present 12-acre site and builds new church and school.
- 15 September 1953 — First Catholic school in Murfreesboro opens with 81 students.
- 1968 — Newman Center founded on N. Tennessee Blvd. for MTSU students.
- 1970 — School closes (Sewart Air Base closing; economic pressures).
- 1977 — Current 500-seat church completed; Christmas Eve Mass celebrated in new building.
- 1999 — 'Church in Full Bloom' campaign ($1.5 million pledged); school reopens with 80 students.
- 2001 — Bishop Kmiec blesses new baptistry and chapel.
- Today — 3,300+ registered families; 'Building our Future in Christ' capital campaign underway.
Clergy and Staff
Saint Rose is led by Pastor Fr. Cristiano Nunes da Silva, assisted by two Parochial Vicars — Fr. Alejandro Avelino and Fr. Seth Reed, who also serves as chaplain for University Catholic at MTSU. Four deacons (Mike Plese, Pete Semich, John D'Amico, and Mario Guzman) assist with liturgy, marriage prep, and parish ministry. Sister Veronica Marie serves as Principal of Saint Rose School. The parish also employs a full lay staff including a Director of Faith Formation, Director of Religious Education, Director of Stewardship, Business Manager, Youth Ministers, and a Spanish Religious Education Coordinator.
- Fr. Cristiano Nunes da Silva — Pastor
- Fr. Alejandro Avelino — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Seth Reed — Parochial Vicar / MTSU UCAT Chaplain
- Dcn. Mike Plese, Dcn. Pete Semich, Dcn. John D'Amico, Dcn. Mario Guzman
- Sr. Veronica Marie — Principal, Saint Rose School
- Dr. Benjamin L. Smith — Director of Faith Formation
- Laura Long — Director of Religious Education
- Laura Morales — Coordinator of Hispanic Ministries
- Karin Gleason — Director of Stewardship
- Ross Strasser — Business Manager
- Priest emergency after-hours line: 615-809-8736
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Office of Faith Formation cultivates 'intimate communion with Christ through systematic and organic instruction in Christian doctrine and Christ-centered community.' It supports a wide array of discipleship opportunities including OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Sunday Religious Education for children, a two-year Confirmation program, Senior Bible Study, Community Bible Study, Catholic Men's Group, Communion in Christ, Faith Food and Fellowship, and Divorce Ministry. The Office is led by Director Dr. Benjamin L. Smith.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — catechist, sponsor, hospitality, and music teams
- Sunday Religious Education — English classes Sun 9:45–10:45 AM (K–6) and 9:30–10:45 AM (Confirmation)
- Spanish Religious Education — Sundays 12:00–1:30 PM
- Two-year Confirmation preparation program
- Adult Faith Formation: Catholic Men's Group, Community Bible Study, Senior Bible Study, Communion in Christ, Faith Food and Fellowship, Divorce Ministry
Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Saint Rose runs parallel programs for middle school and high school youth that combine Mass, Adoration, small-group faith sharing, retreats, and service. Middle schoolers participate in Fraternus (boys) and Fidelis (girls) on Wednesday nights, while high schoolers gather for Life Teen on Monday evenings. The parish also staffs the University Catholic chaplaincy at MTSU, continuing a partnership with the university that began in 1968.
- Fraternus — Catholic brotherhood for boys grades 6–12; Wed 6:00–8:30 PM (begins with 6:00 PM Mass)
- Fidelis — sisterhood for girls grades 6–12; Wed 5:45–8:30 PM in the JoCall Room
- Life Teen — high school ministry, Mon 6:30–8:30 PM at the McGivney Center, 1522 Stonewall Blvd.
- Diocesan retreats: Holy Fire, Youth 2000, Ranch (Fraternus summer camp), Inspire (Fidelis annual gathering)
- University Catholic at MTSU (chaplain: Fr. Seth Reed)
- Young Catholic Professionals chapter
Saint Rose School
Saint Rose School is the first Catholic school in Murfreesboro, originally opened on 15 September 1953 with 81 students and staffed by the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from O'Fallon, Missouri. The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville) took over in 1969, but economic pressures and the closure of Sewart Air Base led to the school's first closure in 1970. After a feasibility study led by Bishop Kmiec in 1997, the school triumphantly reopened in 1999 with 80 students in grades K–6 under former principal Sister Ann Marie. Today the school serves preschool through 8th grade on the parish campus, led by Principal Sister Veronica Marie.
- Founded 15 September 1953 — first Catholic school in Murfreesboro
- Closed 1970; reopened 1999 under Sister Ann Marie
- Grades served: Preschool through 8th grade
- Principal: Sister Veronica Marie
- 10,100 sq. ft. classroom addition (1999) with music room, computer labs, art room, and library
Outreach and Charity
Saint Rose is well known in Rutherford County for its Bridge Ministry, which has opened its doors every Tuesday morning since March 2010 to assist parishioners and members of the surrounding community with rent, utilities, eviction prevention, food, and referrals to other services. In conjunction with EWTN, the parish also operates Saint Rose Radio, bringing 24/7 solid Catholic programming to Murfreesboro as an evangelization outreach to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Parishioners are further encouraged to serve through ministries to the homeless (The Journey Home), Together in Holiness marriage enrichment, and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion training.
- Bridge Ministry — Tuesdays 9:30–11:30 AM; serves 350+ people each year
- Saint Rose Radio — 24/7 EWTN Catholic programming across Murfreesboro
- The Journey Home — partnership with local Christian ministry helping homeless seniors, families, and individuals find permanent housing
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion training
- Together in Holiness marriage conference
- Praying for Prodigals
Sacraments
Saint Rose prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations (two-year program), Marriages, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders discernment are coordinated through the parish office. OCIA welcomes adults seeking to enter full communion with the Catholic Church. Individual confession appointments can be made by calling the Parish Office at 615-893-1843.
- Reconciliation — daily and weekend schedule, English and Spanish
- Baptism — preparation through parish office
- First Communion — family-centered preparation
- Confirmation — two-year program
- Matrimony — please contact the parish to begin preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Getting Involved
Newcomers to Saint Rose are warmly invited to register with the parish and find a ministry that matches their gifts. Opportunities range from catechesis (OCIA team, Religious Education classroom aides) and youth ministry (Life Teen, Fraternus, Fidelis) to music and liturgy, the Bridge Ministry, the Stewardship office, and the parish's 24/7 Adoration commitment. Spanish-speaking parishioners are encouraged to join the weekly Bible study (Conocer Las Sagradas Escrituras, Wednesdays 7:00 PM in Room 117) and the Hispanic Ministry program. The parish also welcomes families interested in preschool through 8th-grade enrollment at Saint Rose School and college students seeking community through University Catholic at MTSU.
- Register as a parishioner through the parish office
- Serve at the Bridge Ministry (Tuesdays 9:30–11:30 AM)
- Join the OCIA team as catechist, sponsor, hospitality, or intercessor
- Become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Volunteer for Fidelis, Fraternus, or Life Teen youth ministry
- Enroll children in Religious Education or Saint Rose School
- Participate in weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays
Visit and Contact
Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church is located at 1601 North Tennessee Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. The parish office, housed in a small house to the right of the main church entrance, is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM; an after-hours lockbox is available outside. The main phone number is 615-893-1843 (fax 615-890-1150). For priest emergencies after office hours, call 615-809-8736.
- Address: 1601 North Tennessee Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
- Phone: 615-893-1843
- Fax: 615-890-1150
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Priest Emergency (after hours): 615-809-8736
- Website: http://www.saintrose.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaintRoseLimaParish/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Swift (Paulist Father from Winchester)through 1918
Died in the 1918 influenza epidemic; described as 'perhaps the best known and loved' of the early mission priests.
- Other Paulist Fathers (Miller, McMahon, Morris, Malone, Devery)1919–late 1930s
Served the Murfreesboro mission from Winchester, including Father Devery who had charge of Saint Rose until the mission was taken over by Nashville priests.
- Rev. John A. Elliott1939–1945
Also professor and principal at Father Ryan High School, Nashville.
- Father Francis Sheamid-1940s
Principal of Father Ryan High School; served briefly as pastor.
- Father Francis ReillyJan 1946 –
Appointed pastor 31 January 1946; later re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as chaplain.
- Father Edgar S. Ballentinethrough 1953
Acquired the present 12-acre North Tennessee Boulevard site; oversaw construction of the 1953 church and the opening of the first Catholic school in Murfreesboro (Sept 1953). Relieved of duties due to illness on 15 December 1953.
- Father James Kemper15 Dec 1953 –
Also pastor of Saint Williams Church in Shelbyville and Catholic chaplain for the VA Hospital in Murfreesboro.
- Rev. J. A. Rudisillby 1968
Worked with the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Nashville to establish the Newman Center on North Tennessee Boulevard for MTSU students.
- Father Joseph Breenby mid-1970s
Led the parish through the decision to demolish the 1953 church and oversaw planning for the new (current) church dedicated in 1977.