About St. Mary · Americus, Georgia
St. Mary Roman Catholic Church is a historic, bilingual parish in the Diocese of Savannah serving the small city of Americus, Georgia, and surrounding Sumter County. Established around 1890, it is one of the oldest Catholic communities in southwest Georgia, and its current church building has stood at 332 South Lee Street since 1961. The parish worships in both English and Spanish, hosts OCIA (formerly RCIA) and children's religious education, and describes itself in its mission as a family that 'shares our diversity while embracing our common Baptism by worshiping God, celebrating the Eucharist, honoring Mary, spreading the Word, and serving others.'
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Reverend Nathanael Swann (Parochial Administrator, appointed May 2023)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Savannah (Albany Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Mary is a small, diverse, bilingual Catholic family in the heart of southwest Georgia that takes its mission to 'worship God, celebrate the Eucharist, honor Mary, spread the Word, and serve others' seriously. Parishioners can worship in English or Spanish, grow in faith through OCIA and children's religious education, support one another through ministries like the Knights of Columbus Council #7113, and join a historic congregation that has worshipped on South Lee Street in Americus since 1890.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 p.m. (or by appointment — call Fr. Samuel at 412-606-7701)
History of St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Mary was established around 1890 as a Catholic mission in Americus, Georgia, and is one of the oldest Catholic congregations in southwest Georgia. In January 1892 the parish completed its first church — a wooden domed structure designed by architect G. L. Norrman on the east side of Lee Street between Brannon and Taylor Streets. That original frame church served the community for nearly seventy years before being razed in February 1961 to make way for the current brick church, which continues to serve the parish at 332 South Lee Street in Americus's historic district. The parish today is a parish within the Diocese of Savannah, in the Albany Deanery, and serves a diverse congregation that worships in both English and Spanish.
- Founded circa 1890
- Original 1892 church designed by G. L. Norrman — a wooden domed structure
- Original church razed February 1961; current church built on the same site
- Member of the Diocese of Savannah, Albany Deanery
Other Devotions
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish keeps the prayerful tradition of the Rosary before Saturday Mass, and the Anointing of the Sick is available to those who are ill or homebound, including in emergencies.
- Rosary before Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 p.m.
- Anointing of the Sick: by appointment or in emergencies, call 412-606-7701
Meet Our Pastor
Reverend Nathanael Swann was appointed by Bishop Stephen D. Parkes as Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Catholic Church in May 2023, transferring from his role as Parochial Vicar of St. Mary on the Hill Church in Augusta. He succeeded Father Samuel Aniekwe, a priest of the Diocese of Savannah who led St. Mary from July 1, 2018 until his reassignment as Pastor of St. Mark Church in Eastman and Holy Redeemer Church in McRae.
- Rev. Nathanael Swann — current Parochial Administrator (appointed May 2023)
- Rev. Samuel Aniekwe — Parochial Administrator, July 2018 – May 2023; now Pastor of St. Mark, Eastman and Holy Redeemer, McRae
- Father Samuel's email (historical): [email protected]
About Father Samuel Aniekwe
Father Samuel Aniekwe was born July 10, 1964 in Agulu, Nigeria and grew up as a refugee of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). He was ordained to the priesthood in 1996 after formation in Nigerian junior and major seminaries, and served in Nigeria as a parochial vicar, pastor, and Catholic school manager before migrating to the United States in 2004. In the U.S. he earned a Master's in Healthcare Ethics from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, served as an on-call hospital chaplain and as a Roman Catholic U.S. Army Reserve chaplain at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and was parochial administrator of parishes in Springfield and Montezuma, Georgia before being assigned to St. Mary, Americus on July 1, 2018.
- Born July 10, 1964 in Agulu, Nigeria
- Ordained a priest in 1996
- Master's in Healthcare Ethics, Duquesne University
- U.S. Army Reserve chaplain (Fort Gordon, 2010–2012)
- Served St. Mary, Americus July 1, 2018 – May 2023
Parish Staff and Contacts
St. Mary is supported by a small bilingual staff and a network of lay ministry coordinators listed in the parish bulletin and on its website. The parish secretary is bilingual in English and Spanish, and most ministries have both English and Spanish coordinators.
- Parochial Administrator: Fr. Nathanael Swann
- Bookkeeper: Randy Vanderwilt
- Bilingual Secretary: Mireya López
- Pastoral Council President: Lynn Ingle
- Finance Council Chair: Cindy Crowley
- Facilities Coordinator: Britt Miller
- Security/Alarm Caretaker: Chet Crowley
- Director of Religious Education (DRE): Mireya López
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs catechetical programs for both adults inquiring about the Catholic faith and for children of parishioners. Adult initiation follows the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) in English and the Spanish-language RICA, with separate directors for each language.
- Religious Education Classes for Children
- OCIA (English): Sal Rodriguez and Bonnie Mallard
- RICA (Spanish): Raul Yanez and Sara Rueda
- Director of Religious Education: Mireya López
OCIA and RICA — Becoming Catholic
Adults who wish to learn about the Catholic faith or to become Catholic are welcomed into the parish's OCIA (English) and RICA (Spanish) programs, which meet throughout the year. The parish posts online resources for those inquiring.
- OCIA Directors (English): Sal Rodriguez and Bonnie Mallard
- RICA Directors (Spanish): Raul Yanez and Sara Rueda
Children's Religious Education
St. Mary offers Religious Education Classes for Children, including preparation for First Communion. The parish subscribes to FORMED, a Catholic streaming service that parishioners can access free of charge for faith formation at home.
- Religious Education Classes for Children
- First Communion preparation
- Parish subscription to FORMED — free accounts for parishioners
Sacraments
The parish prepares its members for the Sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick, and welcomes those seeking First Communion and Confirmation. Advance notice and preparation classes are required for Baptism and Marriage.
- Baptism — pre-Baptism class required; contact the pastor at least one month ahead
- Marriage — contact the pastor at least six months before the wedding date
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment or emergency, call 412-606-7701
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:30 p.m. or by appointment
- First Communion — through Children's Religious Education
Baptism Preparation (Bautismo)
Baptismal preparation is offered in both English and Spanish. Spanish-speaking families may contact Juan and Angélica Alejo at 229-591-9846 to register for pre-Baptism classes at least one month before the projected Baptism date.
- English Baptism prep: contact the pastor
- Spanish (Bautismo): Juan y Angélica Alejo, 229-591-9846
Knights of Columbus Council #7113
The parish is home to Knights of Columbus Council #7113, whose Grand Knight is Ron Akerman. The council supports parish life through fundraisers such as bake sales after Mass and free pancake breakfasts for parishioners, with proceeds serving the local faith family.
- Knights of Columbus Council #7113
- Grand Knight: Ron Akerman
- Bake sales after weekend Masses
- Free pancake breakfasts for parishioners
Liturgical Ministries and Music
Bilingual liturgical and music ministries serve both the English and Spanish Masses. Coordinators organize readers, extraordinary ministers, and music for each language.
- Liturgical Ministers (English): Ron Akerman
- Liturgical Ministers (Spanish): Sara Rueda and Karina Rueda
- Music Coordinator (English): Kathy Calcutt
- Music Coordinator (Spanish): Martin Lara
- Altar Linens: Karina Rueda
Parish Mission
St. Mary's stated mission is to be a diverse Catholic family in Americus that embraces its common Baptism while worshipping God, celebrating the Eucharist, honoring Mary, spreading the Word, and serving others. The parish publishes this mission statement in both English and Spanish on its website.
- English: 'We, the parishioners of St. Mary Catholic Church in Americus, Georgia, share our diversity while embracing our common Baptism by worshiping God, celebrating the Eucharist, honoring Mary, spreading the Word, and serving others.'
- Spanish: 'Nosotros, los feligreses de la Iglesia Católica Santa María en Americus, Georgia, compartimos nuestra diversidad mientras abarcando nuestro Bautismo común adorando a Dios, celebrando la Eucaristía, honrando a María, difundiendo la Palabra, y sirviendo a los demás.'
Parish Office, Address, and Contact
The parish office is located at the church at 332 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709, in Sumter County. Office hours are limited to four days a week, with an emergency line available around the clock.
- Address: 332 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709
- Parish phone: (229) 924-3495
- Emergency phone: (412) 606-7701
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tue & Fri 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Wed & Thu 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Diocese and Deanery
St. Mary is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah, situated in the Diocese's Albany Deanery in southwest Georgia. It is included in the Diocese of Savannah's official online parish directory.
- Diocese of Savannah
- Albany Deanery
- Sumter County
Safety and Protection
Following the Diocese of Savannah's safe-environment policies, St. Mary posts the Diocesan Office for Protection of Children & Youth contact numbers in its bulletins and welcomes reports of abuse through civil authorities and the diocesan reporting line.
- Diocesan Office for Protection of Children & Youth: (912) 201-4074
- Toll-free abuse reporting hotline: 1-888-357-5330
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Francis Gillespie, S.J.2014–2018
Jesuit priest assigned to St. Mary while in the Diocese of Savannah.
- Reverend Samuel AniekweJuly 1, 2018 – May 2023
Parochial Administrator; born in Agulu, Nigeria in 1964, ordained 1996, came to Americus from the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Army chaplaincy; reassigned May 2023 as Pastor of St. Mark, Eastman and Holy Redeemer, McRae.
- Reverend Nathanael SwannMay 2023 – present
Appointed by Bishop Parkes as Parochial Administrator of St. Mary, Americus, transferring from Parochial Vicar of St. Mary on the Hill Church, Augusta.