About Saint Teresa of Avila · Albany, Georgia
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in Albany, Georgia, belonging to the Diocese of Savannah and serving the greater Dougherty County area and five surrounding counties. The parish maintains two worship sites: the main church at 421 Edgewood Lane and the historic Old St. Teresa's at 315 W. Residence Avenue, which is the oldest Catholic church building in Georgia still in use (built 1859–1860) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The current pastor is Very Rev. Raymond G. Levreault, V.F.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- St. Teresa of Avila
- Rector
- Very Rev. Raymond G. Levreault, V.F.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah (Deanery: Albany)
Why belong here
St. Teresa's welcomes everyone across five southwest-Georgia counties with bilingual (English and Spanish) weekend Masses, daily Mass including a historic noon Mass on Wednesdays at the 1859 Old St. Teresa's on Residence Avenue, and regular Eucharistic Adoration (Monday evenings and before Thursday noon Mass). The parish feeds roughly 175 food bags a month through its Catholic Outreach Center on S. Slappey Blvd., runs a vibrant parish life including weekly Bingo, and has a completed columbarium for parishioners who want their final resting place on parish grounds. It is also a place with deep historical roots — the oldest Catholic church in Georgia still in use — where longtime tradition and active community ministry meet.
Mass times at Saint Teresa of Avila
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM (or by appointment — contact parish office)
Adoration times
- Monday 5:00 PM (before 6 PM Mass)
- Thursday 11:00 AM (before 12 Noon Mass)
Welcome from the Pastor
On the parish website, Very Rev. Raymond G. Levreault, V.F., Pastor, extends a personal welcome: 'I'm glad you have made it to our webpage — browse around and see what we have to offer you. The best and most up-to-date information on Mass times and Confessions will be found by looking at the latest bulletin. May you be blessed in all you do!' Visitors are warmly invited to contact the parish office with any questions.
Parish History
The parish traces its roots to 1859, when Col. Nelson Tift — founder of Albany — deeded land on Residence Avenue for a Catholic church. The building was begun under Father Thomas O'Reilly, halted by the Civil War, used as a Confederate hospital, and finally dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila in 1882. Through the 20th century it served as the hub of the largest Catholic mission territory in the United States before the parish built the current Edgewood Lane church in 1958. The historic church was restored in 1980 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1859 — Col. Nelson Tift donates the lot
- 1860 — Construction begins under Father Thomas O'Reilly
- 1861–1865 — Work halted by Civil War; building used as Confederate hospital
- 1875 — Father Stephen Beytagh begins serving Albany (dies of yellow fever at 24)
- 1882 — Dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila by Bishop William H. Gross, November 19
- 1902 — Interior remodeled; altar, pews, stained glass installed
- 1930s — Father Daniel J. Burke opens Albany's first Catholic parochial school
- 1958 — New larger church dedicated at 421 Edgewood Lane
- 1975 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 1980 — Restoration completed; Georgia Trust Outstanding Restoration award
Old St. Teresa's — The Historic Downtown Church
The 1859–1860 church at 315 W. Residence Avenue is the oldest church building in Albany and the oldest Catholic church in Georgia still in use. Its handmade-brick walls, 1902 altar, pews, and stained-glass windows, and 1902 plasterwork by Tom (a plaster artist of the era) make it a small architectural treasure. A noon Mass is celebrated there every Wednesday, and it continues to host weddings, baptisms, and special occasions.
- Oldest Catholic church in Georgia still in use
- National Register of Historic Places (1975)
- Georgia Trust Outstanding Restoration (1980)
- Noon Mass every Wednesday
Parish Priests Through the Years
St. Teresa's has been served by priests from Ireland and the U.S. since 1860, beginning with Father Thomas O'Reilly — the builder of the original church and the man credited with persuading General Sherman not to burn Atlanta's churches. He was followed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Fathers Beytagh and Prendergast, then by Father Daniel J. Burke, who founded the parish school in the 1930s. The current pastor, Very Rev. Raymond G. Levreault, V.F., continues this 165-year pastoral succession.
- Fr. Thomas O'Reilly (1860–)
- Fr. Stephen Beytagh (1875–)
- Fr. Charles C. Prendergast (1882)
- Fr. Daniel J. Burke (1930s)
- Very Rev. Raymond G. Levreault, V.F. (present)
Parish Life & Ministries
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, St. Teresa's runs an active parish life including weekly Bingo, faith-formation programs, and the Catholic Outreach Center. The parish office reminds visitors that the latest event details are in the current bulletin.
- Parish Bingo
- Religious Education / Faith Formation
- Catholic Outreach Center
Catholic Outreach Center
The Catholic Outreach Center, a ministry of St. Teresa's, distributes an average of 175 food bags per month containing non-perishable items and, when available, frozen meat, breads, and fresh vegetables. A limited number of household items and personal hygiene products are also provided. The Center is at 902 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, and is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM by appointment only.
- Address: 902 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA
- Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM (by appointment only)
- Phone: 229-883-2872
- Email: [email protected]
Religious Education / Faith Formation
St. Teresa's maintains a Religious Education program for parish children who do not attend Catholic school. The parish Facebook page 'St. Teresa's Catholic Church Religious Education' shares ongoing updates. Sacramental preparation, CCD-style instruction, and youth formation are all coordinated through the parish office; details and registration are available by contacting the parish.
- Religious Education for parish children
- Sacramental preparation
- CCD-style instruction
Columbarium at St. Teresa's
The parish has completed a columbarium on its grounds, with niches available for purchase by parishioners and their families. Information brochures and a Q&A are available through the parish office (229-439-2302) for those wishing to learn more about reserving a niche.
- Columbarium completed; niches available for purchase
- Contact parish office for brochure & Q&A
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is reachable by phone, email, and in person at the main church. Visitors are encouraged to consult the latest bulletin for the most up-to-date Mass and confession schedule.
- Address: 421 Edgewood Lane, Albany, GA 31707
- Phone: 229-439-2302
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stteresaschurch.org
- Catholic Outreach Center: 902 S. Slappey Blvd. — 229-883-2872
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Thomas O'Reilly1860–
Irish priest who directed construction of the original church under a mission from the Macon parish; later persuaded Gen. Sherman not to burn Atlanta's churches.
- Father Stephen Beytagh1875–
Added Albany to his circuit of churches; died of yellow fever at age 24 after about a year.
- Father Charles C. Prendergast1882
Led the church at its formal dedication under the patronage of St. Teresa of Avila on November 19, 1882.
- Father Daniel J. Burke1930s
Opened Albany's first Catholic parochial school with 31 K–6 students; converted the original rectory into a convent.
- Very Rev. Raymond G. Levreault, V.F.present
Current pastor.