About St. Mary · Memphis, Tennessee
St. Mary Catholic Church (formally St. Mary's German Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception) is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee, founded in 1860 and dedicated in 1870. The parish sits at 155 Market Street at the corner of Market and 3rd Streets in the heart of the city and belongs to the Diocese of Memphis (Catholic Diocese of Memphis). It is one of the smallest parishes in the diocese — roughly 200 parishioners from 125 households in 2025 — but one of the most historic, operating the longest continuously running soup kitchen in the United States since the Franciscans took charge in 1870. The church building is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (added 1974) and is a Late Gothic Revival structure designed by Memphis architect James B. Cook, with handmade German altars and carved furnishings crafted by Franciscan brothers.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (formal patron); parish known as St. Mary's
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick Gallagher
- Diocese
- Diocese of Memphis (Catholic Diocese of Memphis)
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small, historic downtown parish where you can truly know your fellow parishioners — about 200 people from 125 households worship here together. The parish offers the full sacramental life of the Church (daily and weekend Mass, Saturday confessions, First Friday devotions, Eucharistic Adoration, baptism, marriage, and the sacraments of initiation through RCIA), and its faith formation program serves both children and adults. Beyond the liturgy, St. Mary's operates the longest continuously running soup kitchen in the United States, founded in 1870, so belonging here means joining more than 155 years of feeding Memphis's poor in the name of Christ.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Fridays 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Mary Catholic Church (formally St. Mary's German Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception) has been a cornerstone of the Catholic faith in Downtown Memphis since her founding in 1860. Whether you are visiting, looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of the faith, or simply curious about the Catholic Church, the parish describes itself as a community of believers and a spiritual family — a place to grow spiritually, put faith into action, and share the gifts of time and talent as disciples of Christ. The parish welcomes everyone to join them for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to connect via Facebook, phone, or email.
- Founded 1860; church dedicated October 30, 1870
- Formal name: St. Mary's German Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception
- Commonly called 'St. Mary's Downtown'
Our History
The parish's history traces from its 1860 founding by German Catholic immigrants, through the laying of the cornerstone in October 1864 and dedication of the Gothic Revival church on October 30, 1870, to its pioneering educational and charitable ministries. The Franciscans took charge in 1870, founded the soup kitchen that same year, and opened Tennessee's first parochial high school in 1887, a night school for working adults in 1889, and a kindergarten in 1912. After World War II and urban renewal nearly emptied the parish of territorial members, descendants of original parishioners and newcomers from across Greater Memphis (including Mississippi and Arkansas) returned to worship, ensuring the parish's future in a revitalizing downtown.
- Cornerstone laid October 1864; church dedicated October 30, 1870
- Franciscans took charge in 1870 and founded the soup kitchen that same year
- First parochial high school in Tennessee opened 1887
- Night school for working adults began 1889
- Parish kindergarten opened 1912
- Cotton Carnival float won first place nine of ten years before WWII
- Major renovation began August 2002 — earthquake resistance and wind protection (New Madrid fault)
The Church Building
The church was designed by Memphis architect James B. Cook in the Late Gothic Revival style and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (added August 7, 1974). Its altars are handmade of wood shipped from Germany, and the carved pews, the ornate confessional, and the frames of the Stations of the Cross were mostly made on site by Franciscan brothers who traveled with the order wherever the Franciscans settled to build church furnishings. The 2002 renovation added earthquake resistance because Memphis lies in the heart of the New Madrid fault, as well as wind-damage protection.
- Architect: James B. Cook (Memphis)
- Architectural style: Late Gothic Revival
- NRHP reference No. 74001929; listed August 7, 1974
- German-made wooden altars and Franciscan-crafted pews and Stations of the Cross
- Major renovation began August 2002 (seismic + wind upgrades)
Clergy & Parish Staff
St. Mary's is served by a pastor and two deacons, with a small lay staff supporting parish operations, faith formation, music, outreach, and facilities. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Patrick Gallagher
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Ernest 'Ernie' Albonetti
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Jerry Horne
- Office Secretary & Bookkeeper: Nancy Thielemier ([email protected])
- Director of Education: Vernua Hanrahan ([email protected])
- Music Director & Wedding Coordinator: Connie Clingan
- Facilities: Mark Smith
- Outreach Ministry: Soup Kitchen (Ext. 103)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Mary's is directed by Vernua Hanrahan and follows the parish's mission of proclaiming the Gospel through sacramental ministries, religious education, and service to the sick and the poor. As a historic parish, St. Mary's roots in education run deep — it opened Tennessee's first parochial high school in 1887 and its first parish kindergarten in 1912.
- Director of Education: Vernua Hanrahan
- Programs for children and adults (contact parish for current offerings)
- Sacramental Formation / RCIA available
Music Ministry & Weddings
Music at St. Mary's is led by Music Director and Wedding Coordinator Connie Clingan. The parish supports the full liturgical life of the Church, including coordination of weddings for parishioners and visitors.
- Music Director & Wedding Coordinator: Connie Clingan (Ext. 105; cell 901-832-4330)
- Wedding coordination for couples marrying at St. Mary's
St. Mary's Soup Kitchen — Outreach
St. Mary's Soup Kitchen began when the Franciscans took charge of the parish in 1870 and is recognized as the longest continuously running soup kitchen in the United States. For more than 155 years the parish has fed people's spiritual needs through Word and Sacrament and their physical needs through the soup kitchen. Outreach inquiries go through the parish office at extension 103.
- Founded 1870 by the Franciscan friars of the parish
- Longest continuously running soup kitchen in the United States
- Outreach Ministry contact: 901-522-9420 Ext. 103
- Soup Kitchen website: www.stmaryssoupkitchen.org
Mission Statement
The parish's published mission statement reads: 'Jesus commissioned the Apostles to go out and proclaim the Gospel to all nations. At St. Mary Catholic Church, we continue this mission through our sacramental ministries, religious education, and our service to the sick and to the poor. Still, in all our various ministries, we keep in mind that the salvation of souls is our primary purpose.'
- Pillars: sacramental ministries, religious education, service to the sick and the poor
- Primary purpose: the salvation of souls
Visit & Contact
St. Mary's is located at 155 Market Street, Memphis, TN 38105, at the corner of Market and 3rd Streets in Downtown Memphis. Visitors are encouraged to use the front doors of the church. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Connect by phone, email, or Facebook (linked from the parish homepage).
- Address: 155 Market Street, Memphis, TN 38105
- Phone: (901) 522-9420
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Use the front doors of the church for entry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick Gallagher2024–present
Listed as pastor in the Diocese of Memphis 2024 and 2025–26 parish directories.
- Rev. Gary E. Lamb
Listed as pastor of St. Mary Church (Memphis) in the 2023 Diocese of Memphis parish directory.