About St. Mary · Bolivar, Tennessee
St. Mary Church is a small Roman-Latin rite Catholic parish serving the Hardeman County seat of Bolivar in western Tennessee, one of 47 parishes and missions of the Diocese of Memphis. Established in 1950, the parish numbers roughly 125 parishioners across 50 households and is pastored by Fr. Wayne Arnold, who also serves the mission parish of St. Jude the Apostle in nearby Selmer. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday evening and Sunday morning, with a Tuesday evening weekday Mass, and the parish rectory and small office are open Tuesdays for in-person visits.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Wayne Arnold
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis
Why belong here
St. Mary offers the faithful of Hardeman County a small, intimate Catholic community grounded in the traditional Roman rite, where the same priest shepherds both Bolivar and nearby Selmer. The parish celebrates the weekend Sunday obligation (Saturday Vigil at 6:00 PM and Sunday at 8:30 AM), a weekly Tuesday evening Mass, and First Friday Mass, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation available before Mass and by appointment — a welcoming schedule for working families and rural parishioners across West Tennessee.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before Mass
- By appointment (call the parish office)
St. Mary Church, Bolivar — At a Glance
St. Mary Church is a Roman-Latin rite Catholic parish at 223 Mecklinburg Drive in Bolivar, Tennessee, the county seat of Hardeman County. It was established in 1950 and is one of 47 parishes and missions that make up the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, led by Bishop David P. Talley. The parish is part of the Southeastern deanery and is among the smaller faith communities in the diocese.
- Rite: Roman-Latin
- Diocese: Memphis (Southeastern deanery)
- Established: 1950
- Pastor: Rev. Wayne Arnold
- Households: ~50
- Parishioners: ~125
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
St. Mary is pastored by Rev. Wayne Arnold, who according to the Diocese of Memphis parish directory also serves as pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Selmer, Tennessee. The diocese directory lists parish staff as 'No Information Available,' indicating a lean operation with the pastor supported by lay volunteers.
- Pastor: Rev. Wayne Arnold
- Sister parish served: St. Jude the Apostle Church, Selmer, TN
Parish Office & Contact
The parish office is open in person one morning a week, on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Outside that window, parishioners can reach the rectory by phone or email.
- Office hours: Tuesday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Phone: (731) 658-4627
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: 223 Mecklinburg Drive, Bolivar, TN 38008-1736
Diocese of Memphis
St. Mary is part of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, which was established in 1971 and now encompasses 47 parishes and missions plus 15 Catholic schools across 21 counties in West Tennessee, serving more than 70,000 Catholics. The diocese is led by Most Rev. David P. Talley, M.S.W., J.C.D. St. Mary sits within the Southeastern deanery.
- Bishop: Most Rev. David P. Talley, M.S.W., J.C.D.
- Deanery: Southeastern
- Diocese headquarters: The Catholic Center, 5825 Shelby Oaks Drive, Memphis, TN 38134
- Diocese phone: 901-373-1200