About St. Philip Benizi · Jonesboro, Georgia
St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, is a vibrant Franciscan parish rooted in the spirituality of St. Francis, serving a diverse community of believers. Founded in 1967 as the first Catholic church in Clayton County, it began as a grassroots effort by the Hutcheson brothers to unite scattered Catholic families. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses in English and Spanish, a full sacramental life, and a wide range of ministries and faith formation programs. It is staffed by Franciscan Friars, deacons, and lay staff committed to nurturing faith and building community through service and prayer.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- St. Philip Benizi
- Rector
- Fr. Russell Governale OFM Conv.
Why belong here
Join a parish that welcomes all—whether lifelong Catholic, newcomer, or exploring faith—offering ministries, faith formation, and community rooted in the Gospel and Franciscan spirituality. Experience daily Mass, sacraments, and fellowship in a diverse, multicultural family of believers united in Christ.
Mass times at St. Philip Benizi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday - 7:00 pm in Church
- Saturday - 3:00 pm in Marian Chapel
Adoration times
- Wednesday - 7:00 pm (Holy Hour)
- Every 1st Friday of the Month - 7:00 pm
About Our Church
We are a vibrant parish community rooted in the Franciscan tradition, serving the faithful of Jonesboro and the surrounding areas. United by our shared Catholic faith, we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel through Bible-centered preaching and teaching grounded in Sacred Scripture and Catholic Tradition. Prayer is the foundation of our parish life, and through the Eucharist, Reconciliation, the Rosary, and Adoration, we encounter God’s grace and presence. With a full sacramental life, including daily and weekend Masses in English and Spanish, we strive to nurture a deep and active faith in all who worship with us. As a diverse and growing parish family, we cherish each person as a vital member of the Body of Christ, from children to elders, individuals to large families, and seek to support one another in faith. Through a wide range of ministries, faith formation programs, and outreach efforts, we are called to serve both within our parish and beyond, living out Christ’s command to make disciples.
Our History
St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, began in the early 1960s through the vision and determination of the Hutcheson brothers, Lee and Ware Hutcheson (1903–1975), who recognized the need for a Catholic presence in Clayton County despite knowing only a handful of Catholics in the area. Encouraged rather than discouraged by initial resistance, from both the local community and concerns within the broader Church, they set out to locate and unite Catholic families across the county. Often quite literally searching parking lots for familiar license plates and building connections one household at a time. With guidance from the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers and growing support from newly discovered parishioners, the community took shape. The Hutcheson family owned a vacant storefront on Main Street. It was cleaned and prepared by volunteers to serve as a chapel, furnished with borrowed chairs and donated altar items. On September 12, 1965, the first public Mass in Clayton County was celebrated there by Fr. Daniel J. O’Connor, a newly ordained priest whose deep personal commitment and close collaboration with the eight founding families proved essential to the mission’s success. Even as the young community faced suspicion and isolated acts of intimidation during a time of social tension, its members worked to educate their neighbors and foster understanding. Attendance at that first Mass far exceeded expectations, drawing more than 200 people and confirming the need for a permanent parish. Strengthened by the generosity of benefactors, specifically Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Lewis, whose donation through the Catholic Church Extension Society helped secure the parish’s name; the mission quickly grew, and within three years became the foundation of St. Philip Benizi Parish. Built through faith, sacrifice, and shared effort, the parish remains a lasting testament to the perseverance and unity of its founders.
Meet Our Friars
Fr. Russell Governale OFM Conv., is the third of five children, born in Brooklyn, NY, raised in a Catholic family, and a member of the Conventual Franciscan Friars since entering after high school in 1978. He professed Solemn Vows in 1984, studied philosophy and theology in the U.S. and Rome, and was ordained a priest on May 28, 1988, after serving as a deacon in Brooklyn. His ministry has included parish pastorship, formation and vocation leadership, pilgrimage work, and service as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Brooklyn, and since 2024 he has been serving as Head Pastor of St. Philip Benizi Church, trusting in God’s continued guidance on this journey.