About St. Mary · Oak Ridge, Tennessee
St. Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, founded in 1943 by Bishop Adrian of the Diocese of Nashville to serve the faithful of the Secret City. Since its first Mass celebrated in the Recreation Hall of the Guest House, the parish has grown into a vibrant, multicultural congregation offering Mass in English and Spanish, a PreK-8th grade school staffed in part by the Dominican Sisters of Nashville, faith formation for all ages, a thrift store, food pantry, and active outreach programs. The parish is known for its pioneering role in racial integration (its school integrated in 1950), its longstanding commitment to pro-life work, peace and justice, ethnic harmony, and a sister-parish relationship in Haiti. Today, St. Mary Parish continues to welcome new members into a community shaped by its Atomic-Age origins and a deep Catholic identity.
- Established
- 1943
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Saint Mary)
- Rector
- Father Ray Powell
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
St. Mary Parish is a historic and welcoming Catholic community that has served Oak Ridge since 1943, with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish. It offers a parish-based PreK–8 school staffed by Dominican Sisters of Nashville, religious education and faith formation for all ages, dynamic youth ministry, a food pantry and the White Elephant thrift store that serve struggling neighbors, and decades-long commitments to pro-life, racial reconciliation, and immigrant outreach. Parishioners find a parish where the Eucharist is central, service to others is lived out daily, and families of every background are welcomed into the life of the Church.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:30 pm
- Saturday 8:30 am
- By appointment
Welcome to St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish is the Catholic Church Community of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a historic community that has served the Secret City since 1943. The parish welcomes families, individuals, and visitors to worship, learn, and serve together through Mass, formation, school, and outreach. The parish describes itself as a vibrant, growing Catholic community whose foundation was laid by the original parishioners and continues to grow with new members today.
Our Story — A Parish Born of the Atomic Age
Saint Mary Parish grew out of the Atomic Age created by the development of Oak Ridge during World War II. Because the city was built under total secrecy, no resident priest was available for its first two years; Mass was eventually celebrated in the Recreation Hall of the Guest House, and Catholic families gathered in homes for prayer. On August 22, 1943, Bishop Adrian of Nashville officially established Saint Mary Parish, with Father Joseph Siener as its first pastor, and he decreed its parochial boundaries on May 1, 1945.
- 1943 — Parish established by Bishop Adrian; Father Joseph Siener named first pastor.
- 1950 — Parishioners build the proto-church and the school; school adopts a racial-integration policy.
- 1950 — Dominican Sisters of Nashville (Congregation of Saint Cecilia) take up residence to staff the school.
- December 1957 — Rectory completed under Father Thomas Woodley.
- October 12, 1958 — Bishop Adrian dedicates the 'Our Lady of Oak Ridge' Peace Statue, one week after the Clinton High School racial bombing.
- May 13, 1962 — Father Woodley lays the cornerstone of the new church.
- October 11, 1962 — Bishop Adrian dedicates Saint Mary Church.
A Witness for Peace and Justice
From its earliest days, St. Mary Parish has taken public stands for peace, justice, and human dignity. The parish led a series of forums on racial reconciliation in 1968, has been active in the pro-life movement since the 1970s, has helped teach ethnic harmony to the children of Northern Ireland since the 1980s, and has supported a sister parish in Haiti since the 1990s. Today, the parish proactively welcomes poor immigrants and enrolls their children in St. Mary School.
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Mary Parish is served by a pastor, an associate pastor, three deacons, a Dominican Sister as school principal, and a professional parish staff. The pastor also serves as head of St. Mary School.
- Father Ray Powell — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father Jhon Mario Garcia — Associate Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Dave Duhamel — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon Gary Sega — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon John DeClue — Pastoral Associate
- Sister Catherine Marie, O.P. — School Principal
- Kathy Mesmer — Parish Manager
- Denise Miller — Parish Bookkeeper
- Bailey Broussard — Assistant Bookkeeper
- Maureen Romanoski — Parish Secretary
- Hannah McFadden — Admissions & Communications Coordinator
- Russell Overland — Facility Manager
- Monica Price — Director of Religious Education
- Margaret Merrill — Director of Youth Ministry
- Tiffany Shreve — Director of Advancement
- Zachary Sizemore — Assistant Principal
- Megan Kupfer — SMS Office Manager
- Jodi Harbin — Associate Music Director
- Christy Wiest — White Elephant Manager
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Mary Parish's Religious Education and Faith Formation programs are rooted in growing hearts and guiding minds toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The parish nurtures the spiritual development of children, youth, and adults through vibrant catechesis, sacramental preparation, and community engagement, supporting families as the first educators of faith.
- Pre-K through adult faith formation
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
- Family nights, service projects, and fellowship opportunities
- Parish Catechesis Night on Wednesdays during the program year
Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation invites adults at any stage of their faith journey to grow in relationship with Christ. Those returning to the Church or seeking deeper understanding are welcomed into the parish community.
Youth Faith Formation
Youth Ministry, directed by Margaret Merrill, walks with teens as they encounter the Catholic faith and live it in the wider community. Youth are invited into Wednesday evening catechesis, retreats, and service opportunities.
St. Mary School (PreK–8th)
St. Mary School is a parish PreK through 8th-grade Catholic school renowned for academic excellence. The school is staffed in part by the Dominican Sisters of Nashville (the Congregation of Saint Cecilia), continuing a tradition begun in 1950. Students participate in Encore Classes including Spanish, Music, Art, PE, Library, and the Atrium — a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program developed by Sofia Cavalletti in collaboration with Maria Montessori.
- PreK–8 curriculum rooted in Catholic identity and academic excellence
- Dominican Sisters of Nashville on staff (since 1950)
- Encore Classes: Spanish, Music, Art, PE, Library, Atrium
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium
- Weekly Spanish classes aligned with Tennessee World Language Standards
- STREAM-integrated interdisciplinary learning
- Advent/Christmas and Spring concert performances
Sacraments of Initiation
Through Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist, Jesus invites everyone into His Church. Baptism initiates us into the death and resurrection of Christ; Confirmation initiates us into a relationship with the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation in communion with the Father.
- Baptism — contact the Pastoral Associate at (865) 482-2875 to enroll in Baptism Preparation Classes
- First Holy Eucharist — typically celebrated in 2nd grade; contact the Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Confirmation — celebrated by the Bishop with 5th graders each spring; parish program for school-age candidates and adult preparation by contacting the pastors
Hispanic & Multicultural Ministry
St. Mary Parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, with a weekly Spanish Mass on Sunday afternoons and on Tuesday evenings. The parish partners in diocesan Hispanic ministry efforts, including Unidos Con Cristo, a Hispanic marriage retreat program.
Outreach & Service
Outreach is central to the identity of St. Mary Parish. Through its thrift store, food pantry, sister-parish relationship, pro-life work, and decades-long commitment to peace and justice, the parish serves the material and spiritual needs of neighbors in Oak Ridge and beyond.
- White Elephant Thrift Store (managed by Christy Wiest)
- Food pantry
- Sister parish in Haiti (since the 1990s)
- Northern Ireland ethnic-harmony outreach (since the 1980s)
- Pro-life ministry (since the 1970s)
- Racial reconciliation work
Visit, Contact, and Directions
St. Mary Parish is located at 327 Vermont Avenue in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. From Oak Ridge Turnpike, turn onto New York Avenue and take the first left onto Vermont Avenue; the church is on the left about a quarter mile down. The parish office can be reached at (865) 482-2875 or [email protected].
- Address: 327 Vermont Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
- Phone: (865) 482-2875
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stmarysoakridge.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Siener1943–
First pastor of St. Mary Parish, appointed by Bishop Adrian on August 22, 1943.
- Father Thomas Woodleymid-1950s–early 1960s
Oversaw the building of the rectory (completed December 1957), the Peace Statue 'Our Lady of Oak Ridge' (1958), and laid the cornerstone of the new church (May 13, 1962).
- Father Brent SheltonJuly 2015–June 2023
Served as pastor until taking a leave of absence.
- Father Ray PowellJune 2023–present
Named pastor by Bishop Stika in June 2023; also leads St. Mary School; previously pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City.