About St. Philip · Somerville, Tennessee
St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church is a Catholic parish serving the residents of Fayette County, Tennessee from its location on US Highway 64 just outside the town of Somerville. Part of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, the parish community grew out of a 1975 telephone call from a local resident concerned about the lack of Mass in Fayette County, and today worships in English, Spanish, and Filipino. The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Dexter Noblefranca, installed December 14, 2025, and is home to roughly 938 parishioners from 327 households drawn from one of the fastest-growing counties in Tennessee. Its mission is to follow Jesus and invite everyone in the community to encounter His Mercy and Grace.
- Established
- 1975 (mission); 1980 (formal parish establishment); 1981 (first church building)
- Patron
- St. Philip the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Dexter Noblefranca
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis
Why belong here
St. Philip the Apostle welcomes Catholics from a wide range of backgrounds into one parish family: English, Spanish, and Filipino communities all celebrate Mass together under one roof, and the parish provides live Spanish interpretation, a Hispanic Prayer Group, and bilingual Encounter Jesus Nights. A robust life of formation is offered through Parish Religious Education for K–8, a high-school Youth Group, OCIA/RCIA, ALPHA, Discipleship Groups, and Formed.org and Ascension Press catechetical courses, while a strong service tradition — anchored by the Ladies Guild, Men's Club, Knights of Columbus Council #14482, Mary & Martha, the Ministry of the Sick, and the parish's role in founding the ecumenical Fayette Cares — gives parishioners concrete ways to serve their neighbors in one of Tennessee's fastest-growing counties.
Mass times at St. Philip
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
- By appointment
- Parish Penance Services during Advent and Lent (as announced)
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel open daily 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM beginning Monday, May 4, 2026 (enter through the back door directly to the chapel)
- Friday silent Eucharistic Adoration following the 12:00 Noon Mass in the Sanctuary
- Encounter Jesus Night — second Friday of the month, 7:00 PM, bilingual prayer service with Eucharistic Adoration, rosary, music, and Reconciliation
Parish History
St. Philip the Apostle grew out of a 1975 telephone call from Fayette County resident Linda Carneal to St. Ann Church in Bartlett, asking for a Mass in her own county. Bishop Carroll T. Dozier established the Fayette County Catholic Mission on May 2, 1975; for the next six years the community worshipped in St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Somerville, paying $100 a month in rent. On August 20, 1980 the bishop formally created the parish of St. Philip the Apostle, and the first church and parish facilities in Warren were opened on September 20, 1981. A multicultural congregation — blacks, whites, Filipinos, and Vietnamese — has been part of the parish since its earliest years.
- 1975: Fayette County Catholic Mission established (May 2)
- 1975: First Mass said May 4 in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Somerville
- 1980: Bishop Dozier formally establishes St. Philip the Apostle parish (August 20)
- 1981: First church opened September 20 in Warren
- 1993–2001: Sister Jeanne Dion, OP serves as Pastoral Administrator
- 1998: Parish Life Center (Schaubroeck Hall) dedicated June 7
- 2001: Priests from St. Francis of Assisi begin serving; Deacon Bill Davis named Pastoral Administrator
- 2003: Church renovated with new carpets and pews from St. Ann
- 2008: Knights of Columbus Council #14482 chartered March 25; Deacon Mike Blomè ordained April 19; Fr. Stephen K. Kenny assigned as first Pastor July 24
- 2009: Rectory purchased; open house May 31
- 2015: Andrés de Jesús Soliz-Chavez hired as first Pastoral Associate; parish becomes fully bilingual
- 2017: Fr. Robert 'Robbie' Favazza named Parochial Administrator July 1
- 2018: Fr. Favazza named Pastor September 23
- 2022: Fr. James 'Jim' Martell, V.F. arrives as Pastor July 1
- 2025: Fr. Dexter Noblefranca named Pastor July 1; installed December 14
Mission
The parish's stated mission is 'to follow Jesus and invite everyone in the community to encounter His Mercy and Grace.' Today St. Philip is composed of longtime Fayette County families alongside newcomers moving into one of the fastest-growing counties in Tennessee, served by a bilingual and tri-cultural pastoral team.
Clergy and Staff
Fr. Dexter Noblefranca, named by Bishop David Talley, was officially installed as the current pastor on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at the 10:30 AM Mass. He is assisted by Deacon Joseph Kuzio, who leads OCIA/RCIA, and is supported by an office manager, bookkeepers, a Director of Religious Education, a Director of Liturgical Music, housekeeping, and grounds staff.
- Pastor: Rev. Dexter Noblefranca
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Joseph Kuzio (OCIA/RCIA)
- Office Manager: Debbie Speer ([email protected])
- Bookkeepers: Charlene Lane ([email protected]) and Amy Ng ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education: Yiselle Carroll ([email protected])
- Director of Liturgical Music: Paul Cummings ([email protected])
- Housekeeping: Sharon Harrell
- Grounds Keeper: John Tracy
- Communications: Ken Monz
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full life of formation for children, teens, and adults. Children in kindergarten through 8th grade meet for Parish Religious Education (PRE) on Sunday mornings from 9:05 to 10:20 AM; the Diocese of Memphis requires two consecutive years of formation before a child receives 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion in 2nd grade, and Confirmation in 8th grade. OCIA/RCIA restarted in September 2025, with classes officially beginning Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
- Parish Religious Education (PRE) for Grades K–8, Sundays 9:05–10:20 AM
- First Reconciliation and First Communion in 2nd grade
- Confirmation in 8th grade
- OCIA / RCIA — led by Deacon Joseph Kuzio and Jiffy Spencer
- Youth Group (grades 9–12) — 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:00–7:45 PM
RENEW — Adult Discipleship
St. Philip's RENEW track moves adults from inquiry through ongoing discipleship. It begins with the ALPHA course and continues into a Discipleship Group meeting in the rectory or church with food, teaching videos, and discussion. Catechetical courses draw on Formed.org, Ascension Press, and 4PM Media, with recent series including Forgiven, Wild Goose, Eucharist: Discovering the Mass in the Bible, Ephesians, Philippians, Exodus, Mary, and Catholicism.
- ALPHA course
- Discipleship Group — meeting in the rectory at 7:00 PM
- Catechetical courses via Formed.org, Ascension Press, and 4PM Media
- Encounter Jesus Night — bilingual, 2nd Friday at 7:00 PM, with Adoration, rosary, music, and Reconciliation
Parish Organizations and Community Life
Long-standing organizations anchor the parish's community life. The Ladies Guild was founded shortly after the church opened in 1981, the Men's Club was established in 2002, and the Knights of Columbus Council #14482 was chartered on March 25, 2008. Mary & Martha, the S.P.O.T.S. (Saint Philip Old Timers Society), and a Hispanic Ministry round out the parish's groups.
- Ladies Guild
- Men's Club
- Knights of Columbus Council #14482 — 2nd Tuesday, Rosary at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM
- Mary & Martha — Mary Ann Hagan
- S.P.O.T.S. (Saint Philip Old Timers Society) — 2nd Tuesday, 6:00 PM
- Hispanic Ministry — Yiselle Carroll
- Coffee & Donuts — Knights of Columbus
Other Devotions and Seasonal Celebrations
Beyond Sunday Mass, St. Philip keeps a rich calendar of weekly devotions and seasonal celebrations that reflect its Hispanic, Filipino, and Anglo-Catholic heritage.
- Rosary every Monday at 12:00 Noon
- Spanish Prayer Group every Wednesday at 7:30 PM (after the 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
- Knights of Columbus Holy Hour for Vocations — 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 PM
- Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 7:00 PM; Live Stations on Good Friday at 1:00 PM
- Fish Friday dinner during Lent, 5:00–7:00 PM
- Las Posadas during Advent (December 16)
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 11 — rosary, danza, Mass, procession, and reception
Parish Office, Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone, fax, or email, or stop by in person during office hours. The office is closed for lunch and on Mondays beginning May 26, 2026.
- Address: 11710 US Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068
- Office Phone: (901) 465-8685
- Fax: (901) 466-1645
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.saintphilipcc.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saintphilipcc/
- Office Hours (2026): Sunday 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM; closed Mondays
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J. Leonard Oglesby1975–1980 (mission period)
Pastored the Fayette County Catholic Mission from its founding; later turned the parish over to Father Ciaramitaro.
- Rev. Victor P. Ciaramitaro1980–
Associate of St. Ann, then pastor; oversaw construction of the first church in Warren, opened Sept. 20, 1981.
- Rev. John Scola
One of the priests who served St. Philip.
- Rev. Bruce Cinquegrani
One of the priests who served St. Philip.
- Rev. Stephen Baxter
One of the priests who served St. Philip.
- Rev. Cyril Wagner, O.F.M.until June 2000
Sacramental minister; died in June 2000.
- Sister Jeanne Dion, OPJuly 1, 1993 – June 15, 2001
Pastoral Administrator.
- Deacon Bill Davis2001–2008
Pastoral Administrator; appointed by Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD.
- Rev. Stephen K. KennyJuly 24, 2008 – 2017
First resident Pastor; added Saturday Vigil, daily Masses; oversaw purchase of the rectory (2009).
- Rev. Robert "Robbie" FavazzaJuly 1, 2017 – July 1, 2022
Parochial Administrator from July 1, 2017; named Pastor on Sept. 23, 2018 by Bishop Martin D. Holley; fluent in English and Spanish.
- Rev. James "Jim" Martell, V.F.July 1, 2022 – July 1, 2025
Named Pastor by Bishop David Talley.
- Rev. Dexter NoblefrancaJuly 1, 2025 – present
Current Pastor; named by Bishop David Talley and officially installed at the 10:30 AM Mass on December 14, 2025.