About St. Bridget · Dayton, Tennessee
St. Bridget Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Dayton, Tennessee, belonging to the Diocese of Knoxville. Located at 320 Walnut Grove Church Road, it is a bilingual community celebrating Mass in both English and Spanish, and serves approximately 200 families in the rural Southeast Tennessee area. The parish is led by Father Jim Vick, a former dentist who was officially installed as pastor in January 2022 after being appointed to the parish in October 2020.
- Established
- 2001
- Patron
- St. Bridget of Ireland
- Rector
- Father Jim Vick
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
St. Bridget offers a genuinely welcoming bilingual Catholic community in the heart of rural Southeast Tennessee. With daily and Sunday Mass offered in both English and Spanish, a 200-family congregation of mixed backgrounds, and active ministries including altar serving, youth group for grades 6-12, RCIA, and the Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano), it is a place where newcomers can find a home regardless of their background, marital status, or present standing in the Church. The parish's openness is stated plainly on its front page: 'No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church... you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved, and respected at St. Bridget Catholic Church.'
Mass times at St. Bridget
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish Identity & Welcome
St. Bridget Parish in Dayton, Tennessee, is a 200-family bilingual Roman Catholic community of the Diocese of Knoxville. The parish's front-page statement of welcome is unusually direct and inclusive, inviting anyone regardless of age, background, marital situation, or current standing in the Church to feel at home at Mass. The parish falls within the Diocese of Knoxville, which was erected in 1988 to serve the Catholic faithful of East Tennessee under the Archdiocese of Louisville.
- 200-family parish community
- Part of the Diocese of Knoxville
- Bilingual: English and Spanish ministry
- Welcoming statement prominent on homepage
Parish History
St. Bridget Parish was formally established in July 2001 with the appointment of its first pastor, Father Gilbert Diaz. The Dayton church had previously been served as an outstation of other parishes within the East Tennessee Catholic landscape, which became its own diocese in 1988. Father Diaz led the parish for five years before being reassigned to St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga in July 2006. In October 2020, Father Jim Vick was appointed to lead St. Bridget, and on January 29, 2022, Bishop Richard F. Stika traveled to Dayton to formally install him as pastor in a ceremony witnessed by parishioners Dianne Pfeiffer and cantor Bill Ward.
- Parish established July 2001
- Father Gilbert Diaz named first pastor (2001-2006)
- Father Jim Vick appointed October 2020
- Father Vick formally installed January 29, 2022 by Bishop Stika
Pastor & Staff
St. Bridget is currently served by Father Jim Vick, who was officially installed as pastor in January 2022. Bishop Stika noted at the installation that Father Vick 'is always a happy man' and 'loves the priesthood.' In addition to his priestly ministry, Father Vick holds a doctorate in dentistry. Parish staff members named on the site include Mrs. Rachel and Mrs. Rosy, who coordinate the Altar Server program for both English and Spanish Masses. Mass coordination is supported by a parish staff reachable at the parish office number.
- Father Jim Vick — Pastor
- Mrs. Rachel — Altar Server coordinator
- Mrs. Rosy — Altar Server / Hispanic Ministry coordinator
- Bill Ward — parish cantor (referenced at installation ceremony)
Holy Week & Special Liturgies
In addition to the regular weekly schedule, St. Bridget observes the major liturgical seasons with special services. Christmas Eve features a 5:30 PM Vigil Mass in English followed by a 7:30 PM Mass in Spanish. Ash Wednesday is observed with a 6:30 PM service. Holy Week includes Holy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies at 7:30 PM, with the Easter Vigil celebrated at 8:00 PM on Holy Saturday.
- Christmas Eve: 5:30 PM (English), 7:30 PM (Spanish)
- Ash Wednesday: 6:30 PM
- Stations of the Cross: Fridays 6:45 PM (Lent)
- Holy Thursday: 7:30 PM
- Good Friday Service: 7:30 PM
- Easter Vigil (Saturday): 8:00 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers faith formation opportunities for parishioners of all ages. The website highlights the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those exploring becoming Catholic, and the parish provides ongoing Faith Formation for youth and adults. St. Bridget also has an active Youth Group welcoming students in grades 6 through 12, and the parish's Religious Education program supports preparation for the sacraments including Confirmation.
- RCIA for adults inquiring into the Catholic faith
- Youth Group (6th-12th grades)
- Confirmation preparation
- Ongoing faith formation classes
Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano)
St. Bridget has a dedicated Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano) that serves the Spanish-speaking Catholic community in the Dayton area. The parish celebrates a weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish at 12:30 PM, and bilingual staff (including Mrs. Rosy) support Spanish-language faith formation, altar server training for Monaguillos, and sacramental preparation. The Hispanic Ministry is featured prominently on the parish website, with materials and announcements offered in both English and Spanish.
- Spanish Sunday Mass at 12:30 PM
- Bilingual parish communications
- Monaguillo (altar server) training in Spanish
- Mrs. Rosy coordinates Hispanic Ministry outreach
Parish Ministries & Service Opportunities
Beyond the Mass, St. Bridget encourages parishioners to become involved in parish life. The parish website invites visitors to 'Get Involved! Parish Ministry Opportunities,' and lists active groups including the Altar Server program (English and Spanish), the parish choir, the Youth Group, and outreach through the Diocese of Knoxville. New parishioners are encouraged to complete the Parish Registration Form to formally join the community.
- Altar Servers / Monaguillos
- Parish Choir / Music Ministry
- Youth Group
- Parish Registration / Welcome
- Diocese of Knoxville outreach collections
Devotions & Spiritual Resources
The parish website features a 'Grow in Faith' section that curates Catholic devotional content, including features on the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the St. Anthony Novena (St. Anthony of Padua), and other prayer aids. These resources are shared as embedded video and article content to help parishioners deepen their daily prayer life.
- St. Anthony Novena prayers and reflections
- Immaculate Heart of Mary devotional resources
- Embedded Catholic video catechesis on the parish website
- Daily Mass Readings (English and Spanish) posted on the homepage
Contact, Location & Visit
St. Bridget Parish is located at 320 Walnut Grove Church Road, Dayton, TN 37321, in Rhea County. The parish office can be reached at (423) 775-2664 or by email at [email protected]. The parish website at saintbridget.net offers Mass times, daily readings in English and Spanish, online registration, and links to the Diocese of Knoxville.
- Address: 320 Walnut Grove Church Road, Dayton, TN 37321
- Phone: (423) 775-2664
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintbridget.net
- Diocese: Diocese of Knoxville (dioknox.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Gilbert Diaz2001-2006
First pastor of St. Bridget Parish; appointed July 2001; previously associate pastor at St. Jude (Chattanooga); ordained to the priesthood January 1994; reassigned to St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga in July 2006.
- Father Jim Vick2020-present
Appointed to lead St. Bridget in October 2020; formally installed as pastor by Bishop Richard F. Stika on January 29, 2022. Holds a doctorate in dentistry in addition to priestly ministry.