About St. John · Brownsville, Tennessee
St. John (formally St. John the Apostle Catholic Church) is a small Catholic mission church at 910 North Washington Avenue in Brownsville, Tennessee. It was established in 1949 and serves roughly 236 parishioners from about 80 households in the Brownsville area. Administratively it sits within the Catholic Diocese of Memphis (Southeastern Deanery) and is currently served by the clergy and staff of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Covington, under Pastor Rev. Carlos Donato da Silva, J.C.L.; earlier it was served from St. Mary Catholic Church in Jackson under Fr. David Graham. The parish marked its 75th anniversary in 2024–2025 with a Jubilee Mass at which Bishop David P. Talley imparted a special plenary indulgence granted by Pope Leo XIV, valid through June 25, 2026.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. John the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Carlos Donato da Silva, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis
Why belong here
St. John offers Brownsville Catholics a small, intimate mission community within the Diocese of Memphis, with weekly Sunday Mass, periodic Holy Hours and Confession, and ongoing faith formation through a dedicated Director of Religious Education (Hermelinda Acuna). Pilgrims and visitors are warmly welcomed, especially during the 75th-anniversary plenary indulgence window through June 25, 2026, when a visit to the church — combined with Confession, Holy Communion, prayers for the Pope's intentions, and detachment from sin — can earn a special plenary indulgence.
Mass times at St. John
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 7:00 – 8:00 PM (with Holy Hour) — per Diocese of Memphis 2024 parish directory
Adoration times
- Friday: 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Holy Hour) — per Diocese of Memphis 2024 parish directory
- Wednesday: Holy Hour and Adoration following 7:00 PM Mass — per 2025 diocese directory
About St. John – Brownsville
St. John (formally St. John the Apostle Catholic Church) is a small Catholic mission church in Brownsville, Tennessee, established in 1949 and served within the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. It is located on North Washington Avenue and functions as an intimate mission community for Catholics in and around Brownsville.
- Patron: St. John the Apostle (feast day December 27)
- Established 1949
- Roughly 236 parishioners / 80 households (2024)
- Southeastern Deanery, Catholic Diocese of Memphis
75th Anniversary & Plenary Indulgence (2024–2026)
In honor of St. John's 75th anniversary, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV granted a special plenary indulgence for the church. The indulgence window runs from June 25, 2024 through June 25, 2026. All faithful may obtain the indulgence under the usual conditions — Sacramental Confession, Holy Communion, prayers for the Holy Father's intentions, and complete detachment from all sin — by making a pilgrimage to the church or spending time in prayer there. Homebound faithful may unite their sufferings to Christ's and join spiritually with the Jubilee celebrations.
- Jubilee Mass: June 25, 2024, celebrated by Bishop David P. Talley
- Plenary indulgence window: June 25, 2024 – June 25, 2026
- Indulgence applicable to oneself or the souls in purgatory
- Groups welcome; visiting priests may celebrate Mass by arrangement (call St. Alphonsus office: 901-476-8140)
Clergy & Staff
St. John is served by the clergy and staff of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Covington, Tennessee. The current Pastor / Parochial Administrator is Rev. Carlos Donato da Silva, J.C.L. Earlier (in the 2020 diocese directory), the mission was served by the staff of St. Mary Catholic Church in Jackson under Very Rev. David Graham, V.F., with parochial vicars Rev. Tojan Abraham, M.C.B.S. and Rev. Richard Cortese, and deacons Rev. Mr. Dale Brown, Rev. Dr. Eddy Koonce, Rev. Mr. Jim Moss, Rev. Mr. Bob Russell, and Rev. Mr. Bill Winston.
- Rev. Carlos Donato da Silva, J.C.L. — current Pastor / Parochial Administrator
- Director of Religious Education: Hermelinda Acuna
- Parish office served by St. Alphonsus staff
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. John is coordinated by Hermelinda Acuna, Director of Religious Education, who supports parishioners of all ages in learning the Catholic faith and preparing for the sacraments.
- Director of Religious Education: Hermelinda Acuna
- Coordinated through the serving parish office
Visiting & Pilgrimage
The church is open daily for personal prayer and pilgrimage visits, particularly during the 75th-anniversary indulgence window. Individual faithful, families, and groups are all welcome. Groups bringing a priest may arrange to celebrate Holy Mass in the church by contacting the St. Alphonsus parish office at 901-476-8140.
- Open daily for pilgrimage and prayer
- Group visits welcome (arrange Mass with a visiting priest via 901-476-8140)
- Homebound may unite spiritually with Jubilee celebrations
Contact & Location
St. John is located at 910 N. Washington Avenue in Brownsville, Tennessee. Parish administration is handled through St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Covington, whose office number and email are the current contact points listed in the Diocese of Memphis parish directory.
- Address: 910 N. Washington Avenue, Brownsville, TN 38012
- Phone: (731) 668-2596
- Email: [email protected]
- Located north of Main Street on Washington Avenue
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. David Graham, V.F.through at least 2020
Listed as Pastor of St. John when it was served by St. Mary, Jackson.
- Rev. Carlos Donato da Silva, J.C.L.2024–present
Parochial Administrator / Pastor serving from St. Alphonsus, Covington.