About St. Francis of Assisi · Cordova, Tennessee
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish in Cordova, Tennessee, in the Diocese of Memphis. Established in 1985 on an 11-acre site purchased by the diocese in 1979, it is the largest parish in the diocese with approximately 2,400 registered families. The parish is served by a pastor, parochial vicars, deacons, and a school, and offers Mass in both English and Spanish, along with a robust Parish Religious Education program and adult faith formation.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Carl Jude Hood
- Diocese
- Diocese of Memphis
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers the full Catholic sacramental and formation life of a large, active parish: weekend and daily Mass in both English and Spanish, an active Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program, a Parish Religious Education program enrolling over 400 students, and a variety of Adult Faith Formation offerings. The parish is home to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School (K–8, 500+ students, recognized in 2010 as a National Blue Ribbon School), along with choirs, ministries, devotional practices such as First Friday Holy Hour of Mercy, and outreach to the Cordova community.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (First Fridays only, during Holy Hour)
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM (in Spanish / Otros horarios con cita previa)
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 8:45 AM – 4:15 PM (First Fridays only, with Holy Hour of Mercy, Confessions at 3 PM and Benediction at 4:15 PM)
About St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
St. Francis of Assisi is a Roman Catholic parish in Cordova, Tennessee, part of the Diocese of Memphis. With approximately 2,400 registered families, it is the largest parish in the diocese. The parish community gathers for Mass in English and Spanish, supports a K–8 Catholic elementary school of over 500 students, and offers a Parish Religious Education program enrolling more than 400 students along with adult faith formation. The parish is led by its pastor together with parochial vicars, deacons, and lay staff, and serves the Countrywood area and surrounding east-Memphis suburbs.
- Diocese of Memphis
- Approximately 2,400 registered families
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School (K–8, 500+ students)
- Parish Religious Education program (400+ students)
- Active OCIA / Becoming Catholic program
- Adult Faith Formation offerings
History of the Parish
The Diocese of Memphis purchased the 11-acre site for St. Francis of Assisi in December 1979, when the area was still considered rural. The parish was officially established in 1985 with Rev. William Kantner as its first pastor, who began celebrating Mass in the gymnasium of Auburndale School across the street. Under Rev. James Pugh (from 1988) the present church was planned and built, and was formally dedicated in December 1990. Growth accelerated under Msgr. Peter P. Buchignani from 1995 onward, with the parish expanding from 900 to over 2,000 families and absorbing K–8 operations of the local Catholic school in 2004.
- Site purchased: December 1979
- Parish established: 1985
- First pastor: Rev. William Kantner
- Church ground broken: 1989
- Church dedicated: December 1990
- School operations assumed by parish: 2004
Church Building and Architecture
The current church building is approximately 20,000 square feet with a 60-foot bell tower, dedicated in December 1990. Its Mediterranean style blends traditional and modern elements: a single-level structure of salmon pink brick with horizontal stripes of wine and pale gray. The east entrance opens onto a courtyard with a circular fountain, giving the parish a distinct, welcoming presence on Chimneyrock Boulevard.
- 20,000 sq ft church with 60-foot bell tower
- Mediterranean style, single level
- Salmon pink brick with wine and pale gray horizontal stripes
- East entrance courtyard with circular fountain
- Dedicated December 1990
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by its pastor, supported by parochial vicars, a priest in residence, and a deacon who coordinates the OCIA program. Office staff can be reached by phone during weekday office hours.
- Rev. Carl Jude Hood — Pastor (installed December 3, 2017)
- Rev. Horst Lorenz — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Chris Rusin — Parochial Vicar
- Very Rev. James — In Residence
- Deacon Mick Hovanec
- Parish office phone: (901) 756-1213
Devotions and Other Services
Beyond Mass and confession, the parish offers regular devotional opportunities, especially centered on the Divine Mercy devotion and First Fridays. These gatherings are open to all parishioners and visitors.
- Divine Mercy Chaplet & Novena with Litany of Reparation — Weekdays 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM in the Church Gym
- First Friday Holy Hour of Mercy with Confessions and Benediction
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
St. Francis of Assisi welcomes inquirers into the Catholic faith through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly the RCIA. The formal sessions generally run from early September through Easter each year. Children under 7 whose parents are entering the Church can be prepared through parental Baptism preparation classes, while school-aged children receive age-appropriate religious education through the parish school or Parish Religious Education program.
- OCIA sessions: Wednesday evenings 7:00 PM, Room 108, Parish Life Center
- Contact: Deacon Mick Hovanec or the parish office at (901) 756-1213
- Baptismal preparation classes for children under 7
- School-aged children served through Catholic school or P.R.E.
Faith Formation and School
The parish is committed to lifelong Catholic education through its parish school and ongoing formation programs for all ages. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School serves over 500 students and was recognized in 2010 as a National Blue Ribbon School.
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School — coeducational, ages 2K through 8th grade
- National Blue Ribbon School (2010)
- Project Lead the Way curriculum with STEM labs
- Parish Religious Education (P.R.E.) — 400+ students
- Lifelong Faith Formation for children, youth, and adults
Music and Liturgy
Music ministry at St. Francis of Assisi includes a Traditional Choir that serves the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass, supporting the parish's rich liturgical life across English and Spanish celebrations.
- Traditional Choir at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Spanish Mass at 12:15 PM Sunday
- Multiple Sunday and daily Mass opportunities
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or visit in person. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with a lunch closure from 1:00 to 1:30 PM. The parish is located in the Countrywood subdivision in Cordova, easily reached from I-40 Exit 16 via Germantown Parkway.
- Address: 8151 Chimneyrock Blvd, Cordova, TN 38016
- Phone: (901) 756-1213
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 1:00 – 1:30 PM)
- From I-40 Exit 16: south on Germantown Pkwy, left on Chimneyrock Blvd
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Kantner1985–1988
First pastor; celebrated initial Masses in the gymnasium of Auburndale School across the street.
- Rev. James Pugh1988–1995
Planned and oversaw construction of the present church; broke ground in 1989, dedicated December 1990.
- Msgr. Peter P. Buchignani1995–2012
Oversaw major growth from 900 to over 2,000 families; brought parish school (Grades K–8) under parish operation in 2004.
- Rev. Robert Marshall2012–2017
Fourth pastor; expanded Lifelong Faith Formation programs for children, youth, and adults.
- Rev. Carl Jude Hood2017–present
Memphis native; attended St. Joseph School and Bishop Byrne High School; assumed duties July 2017; installed December 3, 2017.