About St. Mary's Catholic Church · Johnson City, Tennessee
St. Mary's Catholic Parish in Johnson City, Tennessee, is a vibrant community centered on Christ in the Eucharist, welcoming families to make it their spiritual home. The parish offers Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin, along with multiple confession times and active ministries including youth, Bible study, and sacramental preparation. It is led by Pastor Fr. Dustin Collins and Parochial Vicar Fr. Moises Moreno, supported by a team of deacons and parish staff. The parish traces its roots to 1905 with the founding of Mount St. Mary’s, and continues to serve the local Catholic community with a strong emphasis on faith formation and outreach.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. Mary
- Rector
- Fr. Dustin Collins
- Diocese
- Diocese of Knoxville
Why belong here
Join a parish that centers its life on Christ in the Eucharist, offering vibrant ministries like youth programs, Bible study, and sacramental preparation. The community welcomes families with warmth and provides opportunities to grow in faith through active participation in Mass, confession, and service. With Mass celebrated in English, Spanish, and Latin, and a strong emphasis on faith formation, St. Mary’s offers a rich spiritual home for all ages.
Mass times at St. Mary's Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 6pm Wednesday
- 9am and 4:30pm Saturday
- 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am, and 1:30pm Sunday
- 1/2 before each Mass on Sunday (or by request)
History
Our story began in 1789 when Father William Roham spent a year in this area attempting to establish a colony of Catholics. It was not until after the Bishop of Nashville made a missionary tour of East Tennessee in 1838 that Catholicism began to take root. Father Emmanuel Francis Callahan and his horse “Rebel” became a familiar sight in the 34 counties of East Tennessee, establishing Johnson City as his headquarters because of its railroad lines. In 1902, Father Callahan purchased a small cottage on Walnut Street for $1,200 which he converted into a chapel and dedicated it to St. Francis de Sales. Mass was held on the first Sunday of the month. Around this time, the VA began in Johnson City and Mass was celebrated there twice a month. Several years later when congregation had grown to ten families. Father Callahan felt it was time to build a parish church in Johnson City. In 1905, he purchased the Old Burrow Hill Estate between Main and Market Streets for $8,500. The small wooden house on a hill overlooking Market Street became Johnson City’s first Catholic Church and was named Mount St. Mary’s. In 1916, the Dominican Fathers of St. Joseph assumed responsibility for the parish.
Clergy
Pastor Fr. Dustin Collins was born in Johnson City and ordained in 2012. He previously served at St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge (2012–2018) and Our Lady of Fatima Parish (2018–2019). Parochial Vicar Fr. Moises Moreno, originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, was ordained in 2010 and has served in East Tennessee since 2021. Deacons Mike Jacobs, Don Griffith, Jim Haselsteiner, and George Fredricks serve the parish with varied backgrounds and long-term commitment.
Ministries
The parish offers a wide range of ministries including youth ministry, Bible study, sacramental preparation, OCIA, Knights of Columbus, and faith formation programs. The parish also supports the Diocese of Knoxville through its involvement in scouting and community outreach.
- Youth Ministry
- Bible Study
- OCIA
- Knights of Columbus
- Sacramental Preparation
- Faith Formation
- Scouting Chaplaincy
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Dustin Collins2012–present
Ordained in 2012; previously served at St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge (2012–2018) and Our Lady of Fatima Parish (2018–2019).