About St. Joseph · Madison, Tennessee
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located in Madison, a suburban neighborhood just northeast of Nashville, Tennessee, within the Diocese of Nashville. Founded in 1953 as a mission of Holy Name Church in East Nashville, St. Joseph grew from an eight-room temporary facility serving 178 families into a thriving parish and PreK-8 Catholic school serving more than 530 registered families today, under the leadership of its eighth pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Jean Baptiste Kyabuta (appointed 2017). The parish offers daily and Sunday Masses in English, a robust sacramental and faith-formation program, Eucharistic Adoration, the Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus Council 3763 (founded 1954), and is currently engaged in a multi-million-dollar Greater Heights Capital Campaign to expand its school and build a new parish/school multipurpose center.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Joseph (the Worker); parish name reflects the community's devotion to 'St. Joseph the Worker' as a model of strong leadership, fellowship and liturgy.
- Rector
- Very Rev. Fr. Jean Baptiste Kyabuta
- Diocese
- Diocese of Nashville (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a large, multi-generational Catholic parish in Madison with daily Mass (Mon–Sat), three Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration twice a week, and frequent confession — making it easy to build a consistent sacramental life. The parish runs a PreK-8 Catholic school staffed by Dominican heritage religious and laity, so growing families can educate their children on the same campus where they worship. Strong lay-led organizations — Knights of Columbus Council 3763 (since 1954), the Legion of Mary, Sunday Scripture Study, youth ministry, OCIA (RCIA), and an active Room In the Inn outreach — give parishioners multiple ways to serve. The parish is currently investing in its future through a major capital campaign that will add a multipurpose center, expanded parking, and a new gym.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (no confessions on Holy Saturday)
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
- Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM (no confessions on Easter Sunday)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (before/around 6 PM Mass)
- Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (no Adoration on Good Friday)
History of St. Joseph Parish and School
St. Joseph Parish and School are products of mid-twentieth-century Catholic growth north of Nashville. Land on Gallatin Pike South was bought in 1950 by Father George W. Rohling; the parish was canonically established in 1952 as a mission carved from Holy Name Church in East Nashville; and the first Mass was celebrated on June 12, 1953, with the school opening that September under the Dominican Sisters of the St. Cecilia Congregation. Over the next seven decades the parish grew from 178 founding families to more than 530 registered families, and the school expanded through the 1957 brick building, the 1961 Mid-Century Modern sanctuary and classrooms designed by Belli & Belli of Chicago, the 1965 gym and cafeteria, the 1981 west wing (under Father John Cain), and the 1998 renovations.
- 1950 — Father Rohling buys the Madison campus land for $30,000.
- June 12, 1953 — First Mass celebrated by Father Rohling in a modest eight-room temporary building.
- September 1953 — School opens with 160 pupils and 178 parish families, staffed by Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia; Sister Josephine, O.P., first principal.
- 1957 — Colonial Revival red-brick school added.
- Dec 4, 1960 — Cornerstone laid for new church and school.
- May 1, 1961 — Bishop William L. Adrian dedicates the new campus; 535 families, 12 teachers, Sister Augusta, O.P., principal.
- 1965 — Gymnasium and cafeteria built.
- 1981 — West wing added under Father Cain (library, kindergarten, religious education center).
- 1984 — Playground renovation.
- 1991 — Father Cain retires; succeeded by Rev. Edward F. Steiner.
- 1997 — 'Building Our Vision' capital campaign expands the school.
- 1998 — Major school renovation.
- 2017 — Father Jean Baptiste Kyabuta installed as eighth pastor.
- 2019 — 3-year-old PreK added.
- 2021 — 2-year-old PreK added; Bauer Askew feasibility study completed.
- 2023 — Parish celebrates 70th anniversary, June 24–25.
- 2024 — Knights of Columbus Council 3763 celebrates 70th anniversary; Bishop Spalding celebrates Mass, June 23.
- 2025 — First International May Crowning and Rosary, May 10.
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
St. Joseph is led by its eighth pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Jean Baptiste Kyabuta, who has shepherded the parish since 2017. The founding pastor, Monsignor George William Rohling, was a nationally recognized figure in Tennessee Catholic life — teacher at Father Ryan High School, founder of Camp Marymount, and recipient of a papal monsignor title from Pope Paul VI in 1967. Father John Nolan Cain (pastor c. 1978–1991) led the 1981 west-wing expansion; he retired due to a stroke and was succeeded by Rev. Edward F. Steiner in 1991. The parish's website and bulletins identify Father Kyabuta as 'Very Rev.' (Very Reverend), indicating a senior priestly rank.
- Very Rev. Fr. Jean Baptiste Kyabuta — Pastor (2017–present, 8th pastor)
- Msgr. George W. Rohling — Founding pastor (1953–c. late 1960s)
- Rev. John Nolan Cain — Pastor (c. 1978–1991)
- Rev. Edward F. Steiner — Pastor (1991–c. 2010s)
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
St. Joseph celebrates the seven sacraments routinely. Infant Baptism is offered to registered parishioners of at least six months who are attending Mass; a baptism preparation class within the last three years is required for parents and godparents. For older children and adults, the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process guides seekers through Christian instruction, discernment and preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). Weddings are coordinated with the Church Office. Reconciliation is offered four times a week, and Anointing of the Sick and Christian burial are available on request.
- Baptism (infant and adult via OCIA)
- First Communion / Confirmation
- Reconciliation / Confession
- Holy Matrimony / Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals and Christian burial
St. Joseph Catholic School (PreK–8)
St. Joseph Catholic School has operated continuously on the Madison campus since 1953. It was founded by the parish under the direction of the Dominican Sisters of the St. Cecilia Congregation of Nashville — a tradition that continues. The school is accredited and has twice been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence under the No Child Left Behind program. In 2019 and 2021 the school added 3- and 2-year-old PreK, driving strong enrollment growth. Principal Amy Lavender leads the school with the pastor; the current enrollment is roughly 390–400 students in PK through 8 with a student-teacher ratio around 1:16. The school website is saintjosephschoolnashville.org.
- Founded 1953; first principal Sister Josephine, O.P.
- Staffed by Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation
- PreK–8 (3- and 2-year-old PreK added 2019/2021)
- Principal: Amy Lavender
- Twice recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- Members of NCEA
Knights of Columbus Council 3763
Founded at St. Joseph in 1954, Knights of Columbus Council 3763 is one of the older councils in the Diocese of Nashville. It celebrated its 70th anniversary on June 23, 2024 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop J. Mark Spalding. The council's work is rooted in the principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity and centers on faith formation, financial protection for Catholic families, charitable service (food, fish fries, fundraising), and pastoral support.
- Founded 1954
- 70th anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Spalding, June 23, 2024
- Grand Knight: Brian Kennedy
- 121 members (as of 2024)
- Awarded State of Tennessee 'Star Council' recognition
- Council website: https://www.kofc3763.org/
Legion of Mary, Scripture Study and Other Devotions
St. Joseph hosts an active Legion of Mary praesidium (a lay apostolate of Catholics devoted to Mary and works of mercy), a Sunday Morning Scripture Study small group that reads books of Scripture and Catholic spiritual writing (currently working through Matthew Kelly's 'Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality'), and a recurring Youth Mass and Worship for young Catholics and families. In 2025 the parish held its first International May Crowning and Rosary on May 10 — an event featuring the rosary prayed in multiple native languages and the May Crowning of the Blessed Mother.
- Legion of Mary (weekly meeting)
- Sunday Morning Scripture Study (open to all)
- Youth Mass and Worship
- Annual International May Crowning and Rosary (first held 2025)
Outreach and Charity (Room In the Inn and Greater Heights Capital Campaign)
The parish is an active host site for the Room In the Inn program, providing overnight shelter and hospitality to people experiencing homelessness in the Madison/Nashville community. The current Greater Heights Capital Campaign, 'Together We Build Our Future to Greater Heights,' was launched at the second annual Songwriters Night and has completed Phase 1A (early site work). Phase 1B received Diocesan approval and includes a courtyard entrance between the church and school, a regulation athletic field and parking lot additions, with construction expected to begin in 2026.
- Room In the Inn overnight hospitality program
- Greater Heights Capital Campaign — Phase 1B (courtyard, athletic field, parking)
- Phase 2 — Multi-purpose center and gym ($6.75M goal)
- Phase 3 — Convert existing gym into classrooms ($4.1M goal)
- Annual Songwriters Night fundraiser
- Annual Golf Tournament
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. George William Rohling (also spelled Ruhling)1953–c. late 1960s
Founding pastor. Native of Lawrenceburg, TN; ordained 1939 at Sacred Heart, Lawrenceburg. Bought the Madison land in 1950, celebrated the first Mass on June 12, 1953, opened the school in Sept 1953 staffed by Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, and hired Belli & Belli of Chicago to design the Mid-Century Modern sanctuary dedicated May 1, 1961. Previously taught at Father Ryan HS and pastored St. John Vianney (Gallatin), St. Frances Cabrini (Lebanon), St. Henry (Nashville). Founded Camp Marymount in 1945. Honored as Reverend Monsignor by Pope Paul VI in 1967.
- Rev. (Name not publicly verified in sources reviewed)Late 1960s – c. 1978 (approximate, between Monsignor Rohling and Father Cain)
Pastoral tenure between the founding pastor and Father Cain; no reliable published source confirming the name within the search budget.
- Rev. John Nolan Cainc. 1978 – 1991
Oversaw the 1981 west-wing addition (library, kindergarten and religious education center). Retired in 1991 due to the effects of a stroke. Born 1919, died March 15, 2002.
- Rev. Edward F. Steiner1991 – c. 2010s
Succeeded Father Cain in 1991. Distant relative (2nd cousin 2x removed) of Father Cain through the Nolan family. Tenure covered the 1997 'Building Our Vision' capital campaign (which expanded the school) and the attempted 2008 gym campaign.
- Pastors 5–7c. 2010s – 2017
Intervening pastors between Father Steiner and Father Kyabuta; specific names not verified in the sources reviewed. The parish's eighth pastor writing in 2017 (Father Kyabuta) means there were three pastors between Rohling (1st) and Kyabuta (8th).
- Very Rev. Fr. Jean Baptiste Kyabuta2017 – present
Eighth pastor of St. Joseph Parish and School since 2017. Launched the multi-phase 'Together We Build Our Future to Greater Heights' capital campaign (feasibility study 2021) and presided over the parish's 70th anniversary (2023) and first May Crowning/International Rosary (2025).
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