About St. Ann · Nashville, Tennessee
St. Ann Catholic Church & School is a parish in the Diocese of Nashville serving the West Nashville neighborhood at 5101 Charlotte Avenue. Founded in 1921 (and tracing its roots to a 1917 mission), it is home to the oldest diocesan school in the Diocese of Nashville, a PreK3–8 program currently enrolling about 193 students. The parish celebrates Mass in English and Spanish, runs an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process, and is pastored by Father Michael C. Fye, V.G., V.F., S.T.L., who also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of Nashville and Dean of the City Deanery. Its centennial in 2021 was marked by the blessing of a historical marker on the front lawn and a new grotto honoring St. Ann and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- St. Ann (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael C. Fye, V.G., V.F., S.T.L.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Nashville (Bishop J. Mark Spalding)
Why belong here
St. Ann offers a stable, multigenerational Catholic community in the heart of West Nashville — a parish where grandparents, parents, and now fourth-generation students worship and attend school on the same grounds. It combines a PreK3–8 Catholic school with a full sacramental life (daily and Sunday Mass in English, a 2:00 PM Sunday Mass in Spanish, regular Confession, OCIA, and preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Marriage), along with ministries and Bible studies for men, women, seniors, and young adults. As pastor Father Michael Fye has said, 'We have open doors to anyone who wants what we have to offer, which is the Catholic faith and the teachings of Jesus.'
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:40 AM
- Tuesday and Friday: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM
About St. Ann Catholic Church & School
St. Ann Catholic Church & School is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Nashville serving the West Nashville neighborhood from its campus at 51st Avenue North and Charlotte Avenue. The parish and school share the same grounds, a tradition that goes back to 1921 when the church was on the first floor and the school on the second floor of the converted Thomasson House. The parish describes itself as 'Radiating Christ and providing a home for generations,' and invites newcomers to register, attend Mass, and join one of its many ministries and Bible studies.
- Parish motto: 'Radiating Christ for 100 Years' (centennial theme, 2021)
- Diocese of Nashville
- Pastor: Rev. Michael C. Fye, V.G., V.F., S.T.L.
- Mass in English and Spanish
- PreK3–8 school on the same campus
Parish History
St. Ann began in October 1917 as St. Peter's Mission, when Franciscan Father Peter Pfeiffer began riding out from the Church of the Assumption to celebrate Mass in a room above a hardware store at 49th Avenue North and Charlotte. As Catholics working for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Rail Line moved into the area, Bishop Thomas Byrne established the parish of St. Ann in 1921. A bequest from Father Henry Japes and community fundraising made possible the purchase of the former Byrd Douglas / Thomasson plantation house at 51st and Charlotte, which was remodeled into church and school.
- 1917: First Mass as St. Peter's Mission — 115 Catholics present
- 1921: Parish of St. Ann established by Bishop Thomas Byrne; school opens with 48 students
- 1939: New church built on the front lawn
- 1947: Current rectory and new school built under Msgr. Edward Dolan
- 1960: Present church built during Father Edgar Kelly's pastorate
- 1965: Neidert Hall gymnasium built
- 1993: Major church renovation
- 1998: Parish Life Center built under Father Philip Breen (longest-serving pastor, 25 years)
- Centennial year (2021): Historical marker blessed and grotto of St. Ann and the Blessed Virgin Mary dedicated by Bishop J. Mark Spalding
Saint Ann School
Saint Ann School is a PreK3 through 8th-grade Catholic school and the oldest diocesan school in the Diocese of Nashville, with about 193 students currently enrolled. The school shares a long history with the Sisters of Mercy, who staffed it from its founding in 1921 until 1992, and it remains a place where multigenerational families return — the 2001–2002 school year saw the first fourth-generation student. A high percentage of graduates continue on to Father Ryan High School, Pope John Paul II High School, and Saint Cecilia Academy. Principal Anna Rumfola leads the school.
- PreK3 through 8th grade
- Approximately 193 students
- Principal: Anna Rumfola
- Oldest diocesan school in the Diocese of Nashville (founded 1921)
- Sisters of Mercy staffed the school 1921–1992
- School hours: Pre-K 8:00 AM–2:45 PM; K–8 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Many third- and fourth-generation families; alumni commonly feed Father Ryan, Pope John Paul II, and Saint Cecilia Academy
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Church, including Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Children aged seven and older who have not been baptized are typically prepared through a process that culminates with the Sacraments of Initiation received at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism preparation (infants and children)
- Confirmation preparation
- First Eucharist / First Communion preparation
- Reconciliation (regular scheduled times; anonymous confessions behind the screen)
- Marriage preparation and weddings
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (adults seeking Baptism, profession of faith, Eucharist, and/or Confirmation)
Christian Initiation (OCIA)
Adults enter the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The parish welcomes seekers year-round, with cohorts beginning in late spring and early fall. Unbaptized adults and adults baptized in another denomination participate in a series of public rites leading to reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, ordinarily at the Easter Vigil. Already-baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and/or Eucharist are also welcomed, and fully-initiated Catholics in good standing are invited to serve as sponsors or team members. Meetings are typically held on Tuesday evenings, 6:30–8:30 PM.
- Cohorts begin in late Spring and early Fall
- Tuesday evening meetings, 6:30–8:30 PM
- Easter Vigil reception for catechumens and candidates
Parish Life & Ministries
St. Ann offers a wide range of ongoing formation and fellowship opportunities for parishioners of all ages. Bible studies rotate seasonally, and regular fellowship events — like Coffee & Donuts on Sundays and the Senior Silver Social — help build community across generations.
- Men's Bible Study (seasonal topics)
- Thursday Morning Bible Study (seasonal topics)
- Young Adults Evening Prayer and social
- Senior Silver Social after the 8:30 Mass
- Sunday Coffee & Donuts fellowship
- Marriage preparation program
- OCIA team and sponsors
- Parish Religious Education Program for children
- Parish Life Center (built 1998) hosts music, art, and school activities
Staff & Clergy
St. Ann is led by Father Michael C. Fye, V.G., V.F., S.T.L., who has been pastor since 2019. He holds a B.A. in philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum, an S.T.B. in theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome), and an S.T.L. in Moral Theology from the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Ordained in 2014, he previously served in diocesan college ministry (University Catholic in Nashville) until 2019. In 2025 he was named the second Vicar General of the Diocese of Nashville while continuing as pastor of St. Ann and Dean of the City Deanery. The school is led by Principal Anna Rumfola.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael C. Fye, V.G., V.F., S.T.L. (since 2019)
- Father Fye was ordained in 2014
- Father Fye also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of Nashville (effective June 30, 2025) and Dean of the City Deanery
- Father Fye was reappointed to a six-year term as pastor in 2025
- School Principal: Anna Rumfola
- Office email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Pfeiffer1917–1921
Franciscan priest from the Church of the Assumption; celebrated the first mission Mass in October 1917.
- Father Joseph E. Leppert
Early pastor of St. Ann.
- Father George L. Donovan
Early pastor of St. Ann.
- Father William Freihammer
Pastor of St. Ann.
- Father William Neidert
Pastor of St. Ann; the gymnasium built in 1965 is named Neidert Hall.
- Father Charles N. Quest
Pastor of St. Ann.
- Father William K. Graw
Pastor of St. Ann.
- Msgr. Edward Dolan
Pastored during the building of the current rectory and the new school in 1947.
- Father Edgar M. Kelly
Pastor during the construction of the present church (1960) and Neidert Hall gymnasium (1965).
- Father Coleman M. Ballinger
Pastor of St. Ann.
- Father Joseph E. Wesley
Pastor of St. Ann.
- Father Allan J. Cunningham
Pastor of St. Ann.
- Father John L. Kirk
Pastor of St. Ann.
- Father Philip M. Breen
Longest-serving pastor in parish history (25 years); oversaw the 1993 church renovation and 1998 Parish Life Center.
- Rev. Michael C. Fye, V.G., V.F., S.T.L.2019–present
Current pastor; named Vicar General of the Diocese of Nashville in 2025 and reappointed to a six-year term as pastor that same year.