About St. Joachim · Piedmont, Alabama
St. Joachim Catholic Church is a mission church of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Jacksonville, Alabama, located at 555 Babbling Brook Road in Piedmont, Alabama, in the Diocese of Birmingham. Erected in 1961 by Rev. Frank Giri and dedicated on April 1, 1962, the modern brick church was praised by Archbishop Toolen as 'one of the most beautiful mission churches ever built in the diocese.' It serves the small Catholic community of Piedmont, a city in Calhoun County in northeastern Alabama, and operates under the pastoral care of the same priest who serves St. Charles Borromeo in nearby Jacksonville.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- St. Joachim (father of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Franklin Fomukong (currently listed as parish priest of St. Charles Borromeo / St. Joachim on the parish contact page)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama
Why belong here
St. Joachim offers Piedmont Catholics the beauty of a small, mission-style church in a wooded setting, with weekly Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Masses and Sunday confessions. As part of the St. Charles Borromeo cluster in Jacksonville — the Catholic presence nearest Jacksonville State University — the parish welcomes students, faculty, and longtime local families alike into a true, accessible faith community.
Mass times at St. Joachim
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 9:30 am – 10:00 am
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 8:20 am
About St. Joachim Mission Church
St. Joachim is a mission church of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish, located in Piedmont, Alabama, in the Diocese of Birmingham. Tucked into a wooded setting at 555 Babbling Brook Road, it has served Catholics in and around Piedmont since it was built in 1961. The church is administered from the St. Charles Borromeo Parish Office in Jacksonville (308 7th St NE), and the same priest serves both communities.
- Mission church of St. Charles Borromeo Parish (Jacksonville, AL)
- Located in Piedmont, Calhoun County, Alabama
- Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama
- Mass celebrated Saturday evening and Sunday morning
History & Founding (1961–1962)
Saint Joachim Church was erected in 1961 by Rev. Frank Giri, then pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Anniston, and the first Mass was celebrated by Father Giri on June 1, 1961. Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen formally dedicated the church on April 1, 1962, calling the modern brick building set among trees 'one of the most beautiful mission churches ever built in the diocese.' It was the eighth church Father Giri built in the diocese. The project was made possible by a $10,000 gift from the Extension Society, with the late Archbishop William O'Brien — then president of the Society — requesting that the church be named for the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A $25,000 bequest from the late Rev. Msgr. Walter H. Royer (a former pastor of Sacred Heart) and offerings from local Catholics completed the funding.
- Erected 1961 by Rev. Frank Giri
- First Mass: June 1, 1961
- Dedicated April 1, 1962 by Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen
- Named for St. Joachim at Archbishop William O'Brien's request
- Extension Society gift: $10,000
- Msgr. Walter H. Royer bequest: $25,000
- Remainder raised by local parishioners
Parish Clergy & Staff
St. Joachim is served by the priest of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. The parish contact page lists the priest along with parish office staff who coordinate faith formation and administration for both the Jacksonville parish and the Piedmont mission.
- Rev. Franklin Fomukong — Priest
- Brandi Bright — Director of Religious Education & Finance
- Tricia Thornton — Secretary
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education for the parish cluster is coordinated by the Director of Religious Education & Finance, listed on the parish contact page. Because St. Joachim is a mission church, faith-formation programming is typically organized together with St. Charles Borromeo in Jacksonville; interested families are encouraged to contact the parish office for current schedules and sacramental-preparation information.
- Director of Religious Education & Finance: Brandi Bright
- Contact the parish office for catechetical schedule and sacramental prep
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Frank Giri1961–1962 founding
Then-pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Anniston; erected St. Joachim and celebrated its first Mass on June 1, 1961.
- Rev. James R. Macey
Listed as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo / St. Joachim cluster in parish finder records.
- Rev. Franklin Fomukong
Current pastor per the parish contact page.