About St. Joseph · Bryson City, North Carolina
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is a small parish in Bryson City, North Carolina, in the Diocese of Charlotte, serving the westernmost Catholic community in the state. With humble origins in 1941 as a mission of St. John's in Waynesville, the parish today also ministers to its own mission, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cherokee. The parish welcomes visitors and newcomers, offers Mass in English and Spanish, and focuses on faith formation, Eucharistic adoration, and works of mercy.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Victor Ugbede-Ojo Ameh (Fr. Victor Ameh, MSP)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Charlotte
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers a small, welcoming Catholic community in the Smoky Mountains with daily Mass (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at noon), weekend Masses in English, and Spanish-language Mass and adoration at its mission in Cherokee. The parish nourishes its members through faith formation for children and adults, RCIA, Eucharistic adoration twice weekly, regular confession, and active ministries including Respect Life, St. Vincent de Paul, choir, lectors, altar servers, and groundskeeping — giving every parishioner a real way to live the Works of Mercy.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:10 PM – 8:00 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Friday 11:15 AM – 11:50 AM at St. Joseph's
- By request or appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe (Spanish, with Benediction)
- Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at St. Joseph's (Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament)
Our Story — A Mission Becomes a Parish
St. Joseph's has humble origins in 1941 as a Mission of St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville, NC. For 80+ years the Sacraments, devotions, and study have aided the community in conforming hearts and minds to Christ and His Holy Church. Today, strengthened by the Eucharist, parishioners live out their Faith through Works of Mercy throughout the parish and the wider Smoky Mountains region.
Founding and Early Years
In the 1930s, a priest from Waynesville (34 miles away) would travel to Bryson City to celebrate Mass in homes and at the Fryemont Inn. As the Catholic community grew, land was purchased at the east end of Main Street and construction began. Bishop Eugene McGuiness of Raleigh formally dedicated the new church on September 10, 1941, at a cost of $11,568, with just 20 charter members. Stone from Swain County and native wood were used throughout, and the ceremony was broadcast over WWNC Asheville.
Growth, the Diocese of Charlotte, and Glenmary Years
Glenmary priests took responsibility for the parish in 1955, with a nearby training center providing both seminarians hands-on experience and the parish a steady supply of priests. In the late 1960s the mission was reassigned from St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville to St. Francis of Assisi in Franklin. When Bishop Michael J. Begley established the Diocese of Charlotte, St. Joseph became an independent parish on September 8, 1972. Three Glenmary priests — Fathers Donald Levernier, Frank Gardner, and Tom Field — served as pastors for 25 years, until Father Field's retirement in 2002 ended the Glenmary presence.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission (Cherokee)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Cherokee is a mission of St. Joseph Parish and the first Catholic church built on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Bishop Vincent S. Waters dedicated the newly built structure in August 1966. According to local tradition, Bishop Waters directed that the church's design reflect Cherokee culture: built in the pattern of the ancient and sacred Cherokee council house, the church has seven sides representing the seven tribal clans, with mosaic symbols laid in the floor for each clan — Paint, Deer, Panther, Wolf, Bird, Potato, and Blue Holly. In 1997 Bishop William G. Curlin transferred ministerial care to St. Margaret of Scotland in Maggie Valley; care was restored to St. Joseph in July 2000.
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation is a vital element of the Catholic life at St. Joseph's. The Religious Education program is built on the four pillars of the Catholic Faith (Creed, Liturgy & Sacraments, Commandments, and Prayer) and uses the six tasks of catechesis — knowledge of the faith, Liturgy and Sacraments, morality, prayer, community/mission of the Church, and how to be active Christian members of society. Classes are offered for every grade 1–12, teens, and adults, helping foster a growing faith for all ages.
- Faith Formation for children ages 5–17, Sundays 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM at St. Joseph's
- Adult Catechesis Classes, Thursdays 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM at St. Joseph's
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those becoming Catholic
- Sacramental Preparation (requires 2 years of Religious Education instruction)
- Religious Education Handbook with detailed curriculum
Sacramental Preparation
All families must be registered parishioners of St. Joseph's or Our Lady of Guadalupe to use Religious Education services. Baptismal certificates must be on file; Confirmation students must also provide Baptism and First Holy Communion certificates. Entering a Sacramental year is described as a time of great reflection and meaning in the life of a family.
- Baptism certificate on file required for all students
- Baptism and First Communion certificates required for Confirmation candidates
- 2-year Religious Education requirement for Sacramental prep classes
Parish Life & Ministries
The parish family is the body that makes St. Joseph's a unique and vibrant community. In addition to the celebration of the sacraments, parishioners serve in liturgical ministries (choir, lector, altar server, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist), social-justice ministries (visiting the homebound, serving the poor, volunteering at food pantries, the St. Vincent de Paul Society), and community groups (youth ministry, men's and women's groups, annual parish bazaar). New ideas for ministry are welcomed.
- Choir
- Lectors (Extraordinary Readers)
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Homebound visitation
- Food pantry volunteers
- Respect Life (contact: Nancy Thomason)
- Youth Ministry
- Men's Group
- Women's Group
- Annual Parish Bazaar
- Collection Counters
- Church Cleaning Volunteers
- Grounds and Landscape Volunteers
The Sacraments
The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments (CCC 1113). The Catholic Church has defined seven sacraments — instituted by and through the life of Jesus Christ — through which we are infused with God's grace. The Sacraments nourish and strengthen us as they express and build up our faith.
- Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation
- Sacraments of Healing: Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick
- Sacraments of Vocation: Marriage, Holy Orders
Newcomers & Visitors
Whether just visiting, looking for a new parish home, returning to the Catholic faith, or seeking to learn more about the Church, newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish describes itself as a community of believers and a spiritual family that is supportive and loving — a place to grow spiritually, put faith in action, and use gifts of time and talent as disciples of Christ.
- FAQs on the website cover Mass times, directions, and how to become Catholic
- Contact the church office to meet with the pastor
- Returning Catholics welcome
- Inquirer class available for those interested in becoming Catholic
Our Shepherds — Clergy & Diocese
St. Joseph's is part of the Diocese of Charlotte, led by Most Rev. Michael Martin as Bishop of Charlotte. The parish is currently served by Fr. Victor Ameh, MSP, as pastor. The parish also points visitors to the Holy See and to online giving resources.
- Pastor: Fr. Victor Ameh, MSP (Reverend Victor Ugbede-Ojo Ameh)
- Diocese of Charlotte
- Bishop of Charlotte: Most Rev. Michael Martin
Contact, Location & Directions
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church sits on Main Street in Bryson City. The parish mailing address and physical address are listed on the contact page, and detailed driving directions from US Hwy 74 and from Cherokee are provided.
- Address: 316 Main Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
- Mailing Address: 234 Arlington Ave, Bryson City, NC 28713
- Phone: (828) 488-6766
- Email: [email protected]
- From US Hwy 74: take Exit 67, west on Veterans Blvd (0.7 mi), right onto US 19/Main St, 0.3 mi on right
- From Cherokee: US 19 west 10 miles, on the left across from IGA Market
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ambrose Rohrbacheraround 1941
Pastor of St. John's in Waynesville at the time of St. Joseph's dedication in 1941
- Fr. Donald Levernier1972–
Glenmary priest, first pastor after St. Joseph became an independent parish in 1972
- Fr. Frank Gardner
Glenmary priest, served as pastor
- Fr. Tom Fielduntil 2002
Glenmary priest; retired in 2002, ending the Glenmary presence at St. Joseph
- Fr. Ray Williams2000–2002
Administrator; arrival in July 2000 restored care of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission to St. Joseph
- Fr. Frank Seabo2002–2003
Diocesan priest, administrator
- Fr. Shawn O'Neal2003–
Administrator
- Fr. Victor Ameh, MSPcurrent
Current pastor