About St. Augustine · Memphis, Tennessee
St. Augustine Catholic Church is a historic African-American parish in the heart of South Memphis, Tennessee, founded in 1937 by Bishop Adrian of Nashville to serve the city's 'colored' Catholic community. Now past 85 years of continuous life, it is the oldest Black Catholic church in Tennessee and sits within the Western Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, currently caring for roughly 710 parishioners from 451 households. The parish lives under the missionary charism of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), which has staffed it since 2013, and worships in a Spirit-filled tradition marked by vibrant gospel music, a robust Health Ministry, religious education for all ages, and a deep commitment to social justice inherited from the Civil Rights era.
- Established
- 1937
- Patron
- Saint Augustine of Hippo
- Rector
- Rev. Stephan Brown, S.V.D.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis (Western Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Augustine is one of the oldest Black Catholic parishes in Tennessee, with a worship tradition marked by warm, Spirit-filled liturgy and a celebrated Gospel Choir. Members are supported across every stage of life — through a Director of Religious Education program, an active Youth Ministry, a parish Health Ministry led by a registered nurse, and two working councils (Pastoral and Finance) that give laity a real voice in parish governance. The community also carries a living commitment to social justice inherited from the Civil Rights era, asking every parishioner to find 'that special something you are passionate about and do it.'
Mass times at St. Augustine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Contact the parish for the current Reconciliation schedule
Our Story — A Black Catholic Parish Since 1937
St. Augustine was created in 1937 by Bishop Adrian of Nashville at 903 Walker Avenue to serve the city's 'colored' Catholics and placed under the Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province. The parish was renamed St. Thomas in the mid-1960s as it relocated to Trigg and Lauderdale, a period when its members were deeply engaged in the Civil Rights Movement alongside Archbishop James P. Lyke, O.F.M. In 1988 the community moved to its present home at 1169 Kerr Avenue under Fr. Carroll Mizicko and the name St. Augustine was restored. A memorial marker honoring Archbishop Lyke was dedicated at the former site on June 24, 1998, and the parish — now the oldest Black Catholic church in Tennessee — continues its mission under the Society of the Divine Word.
- Founded 1937 by Bishop Adrian of Nashville at 903 Walker
- Pastoral founders: Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province (Fr. Bertrand Koch, O.F.M.)
- Mid-1960s: renamed St. Thomas Parish; relocated to Trigg and Lauderdale
- Civil Rights era leadership of Archbishop James P. Lyke, O.F.M.
- 1988: moved to 1169 Kerr Ave. and name restored to St. Augustine under Fr. Carroll Mizicko
- June 24, 1998: memorial marker placed at Trigg and Lauderdale site for Archbishop Lyke
Leadership Succession
Three missionary communities have shepherded St. Augustine over its 85+ years: the Franciscans from 1937 to 2002, the Paulist Fathers from 2002 to 2013, and the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) from 2013 to the present. The current pastor, Fr. Stephan Brown, SVD, was installed by Bishop David P. Talley on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at a Vigil Mass concelebrated with Monsignor Edwin Creary and Fr. Brandon Nguyen, SVD.
- Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.): 1937 – 2002
- Paulist Fathers (C.S.P.): 2002 – 2013 — Fr. John J. Geaney, CSP, then Fr. Robert Carey, CSP
- Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.): 2013 – present — Fr. Tony Clark (d. 2016), Fr. Francis Chiawa (2017–2023), Fr. Stephan Brown (2023–)
Meet Father Stephan Brown, S.V.D.
Rev. Stephan Brown, S.V.D., M.Div., was born in Cleveland, Ohio. A priest of the Society of the Divine Word, he attended Divine Word College — the only undergraduate Roman Catholic seminary in the United States dedicated to missionary formation. Fr. Stephan speaks French, Spanish, and Portuguese and has spent several years in the mission field before his appointment to St. Augustine in July 2023. He was officially installed by Bishop David P. Talley on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
- Born in Cleveland, Ohio
- Educated at Divine Word College
- Speaks English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese
- Member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD)
- Installed by Bishop David P. Talley on November 18, 2023
Pastoral Team & Staff
A working team of clergy, deacons, and lay staff manages the daily administrative and liturgical life of St. Augustine. Two councils — Pastoral and Finance — work closely with the pastor, deacons, and staff to fulfill the parish's mission and support its governance. Lenora Morris serves as Assistant to the Pastor.
- Pastor: Rev. Stephan Brown, S.V.D.
- Pastoral Team Assistant: Lenora Morris
- Bookkeepers: Diana Crawford & Brandi Oltremari
- Building Engineer: Luke Mukende
- Facilities Director: Karen Owens
- Director of Religious Education (DRE): Henry and Ruby Snowden
- Health Ministry Director: Helen Oliver, RN
- Youth Ministry Director: Dr. Marissa Gooden
- Webmaster: Friday Onoja
- Choir Directors: Gwen Atkins, Robert Clayborne, Dr. Leo Davis
- Deacons: Rev. Andrew Terry; Rev. Curtis Talley (Retired)
- Finance Council Chair: Brandi Jackson
- Pastoral Council Chair: Celestine Evans
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Augustine celebrates the Eucharist on Saturdays at 4:00 PM (Vigil) and Sundays at 10:00 AM, with weekday Masses on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:00 PM in the Chapel. The schedule also includes the full Triduum liturgy for Holy Week.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM
- Weekday Masses (Mon, Wed, Thu): 12:00 PM in the Chapel
- Palm Sunday Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM, beginning in the Narthex
- Palm Sunday: 10:00 AM Mass at the Flag Pole
- Holy Thursday: 5:30 PM in the Church
- Good Friday Stations of the Cross: 12:00 PM
- Good Friday Passion: 5:30 PM
- Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil): 8:00 PM
Music & Liturgy
Music is a signature element of worship at St. Augustine. The Gospel Choir is led by three directors — Gwen Atkins, Robert Clayborne, and Dr. Leo Davis — and was singled out as 'absolutely perfect' by the Diocese of Memphis coverage of Fr. Stephan Brown's installation Mass in November 2023. The choir's joyful sound is a hallmark of the parish's liturgical life.
- Choir Directors: Gwen Atkins, Robert Clayborne, Dr. Leo Davis
- Featured at the November 18, 2023 installation Mass for Fr. Stephan Brown, SVD
Ministries & Organizations
St. Augustine's ministries assist parishioners and the wider community with basic needs while supporting them spiritually along the faith journey. Parishioners are encouraged to talk to organization leaders and find a ministry that matches their gifts and passions.
- Pastoral Council (Chair: Celestine Evans)
- Finance Council (Chair: Brandi Jackson)
- Religious Education / DRE program (Henry and Ruby Snowden)
- Youth Ministry (Dr. Marissa Gooden)
- Health Ministry (Helen Oliver, RN)
- Music Ministry / Gospel Choir
- Facilities and Building team (Karen Owens; Luke Mukende)
- Communications / Web ministry (Friday Onoja)
Religious Education & Youth
Faith formation is led by a Director of Religious Education along with a separate Youth Ministry. The parish supports sacramental preparation including First Communion and welcomes inquiries through the parish office.
- DRE: Henry and Ruby Snowden
- Youth Ministry Director: Dr. Marissa Gooden
- Sacramental preparation available through the parish office
Health Ministry
A dedicated Health Ministry, led by a registered nurse, attends to the physical and pastoral well-being of parishioners — a distinctive feature of parish life.
- Health Ministry Director: Helen Oliver, RN
Black Catholic Heritage
St. Augustine maintains a webpage devoted to Black Catholic History Month, highlighting African Popes, Black Bishops, the first Black priest, eminent Black saints, and Catholic organizations including the Knights of Peter Claver. The parish also remembers the late Archbishop James P. Lyke, O.F.M., whose leadership during the Civil Rights Movement is honored at a memorial marker placed at the former Trigg and Lauderdale site.
- Oldest Black Catholic church in Tennessee
- Civil Rights Movement legacy under Archbishop James P. Lyke, O.F.M.
- Memorial marker dedicated June 24, 1998
- Black Catholic History Month observance with educational resources
Visit, Connect & Give
Parishioners and visitors are invited to keep up through weekly bulletins, the parish YouTube channel, the free parish mobile app, and the diocesan Annual Diocesan Appeal. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Parish app: www.parishsolutions.com/augustine
- Weekly bulletins posted online
- St. Augustine YouTube channel
- Annual Diocesan Appeal pledge support
Contact & Directory
The parish is listed in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis official parish directory with the details below. Phone, fax, and email are confirmed by both the parish website and the diocesan directory.
- Address: 1169 Kerr Avenue, Memphis, TN 38106-5915
- Phone: (901) 774-2297
- Fax: (901) 774-1067
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.staugustinememphis.net
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bertrand Koch, O.F.M.1937 –
Founding pastor under the Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province; parish began at 903 Walker.
- Fr. Carroll Mizicko, O.F.M.1988 –
Led the parish move to its current 1169 Kerr Avenue location and restored the St. Augustine name.
- Fr. John J. Geaney, C.S.P.2002 – 2010
First Paulist pastor; residence for Paulists missioned in Memphis opened in 2003.
- Fr. Robert Carey, C.S.P.2010 – 2013
Second Paulist pastor.
- Fr. Tony Clark, S.V.D.2013 – 2016
First SVD pastor; passed away May 18, 2016.
- Fr. Francis ChiawaDecember 2017 – June 2023
Served until June 2023.
- Fr. Stephan Brown, S.V.D.July 2023 – present
Current pastor; installed by Bishop David P. Talley on November 18, 2023.