About St. Theresa the Little Flower · Memphis, Tennessee
St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee, belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. Founded in 1930 as the 12th Catholic parish of Memphis, it is affectionately known as 'Little Flower' after St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The parish anchors the Vollintine-Evergreen Historic District and is recognized for its Italian Romanesque church (built 1951), its traditional Latin Mass, and its outreach through the St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry.
- Established
- 1930
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of the Infant Jesus (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Yoelvis Gonzalez
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis (formerly part of the Diocese of Nashville at the time of founding)
Why belong here
St. Theresa the Little Flower offers a rare combination in Memphis: a richly traditional Catholic parish with both a Sunday Latin Mass (usus antiquior) and a vibrant Spanish-language community, all in the heart of Midtown. Daily Mass Monday through Saturday, weekly Confession in English and Spanish, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday devotions, and a full music program (Parish Choir, Coro de Santa Cecilia, Schola of St. Gregory the Great) make it a place of deep liturgical life. Its St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry and the parish's century-long presence in the Vollintine-Evergreen neighborhood mean members worship alongside — and serve — a real, diverse community.
Mass times at St. Theresa the Little Flower
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- Confessions heard in English and Spanish
Adoration times
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
History of St. Theresa the Little Flower
Founded in 1930 as the 12th Catholic parish of Memphis, St. Theresa the Little Flower grew up alongside its parochial school. The upper floor of the original school served as the church for 21 years before the present Italian Romanesque church was built in 1951. The parish became an integrated community in 1963 under Msgr. Joseph E. Leppert, and the school closed in 1985 after more than 50 years of service. Today the parish continues to minister to the spiritual and material needs of Memphis's Midtown and tri-state area.
- Established 1930 by Bishop Alphonse J. Smith (Diocese of Nashville)
- First pastor: Msgr. James Whitfield (from St. Bridget's Parish)
- Ground broken on school: March 25, 1930
- Present church built: 1951 (Italian Romanesque, with bell-tower)
- St. Anthony's Parish closed 1963 — families welcomed by Msgr. Leppert, forming an integrated parish
- Little Flower School closed 1985
- Began as part of Diocese of Nashville; now Catholic Diocese of Memphis, Western Deanery
Parish Staff
In addition to the pastor and permanent deacon, the parish is supported by a small but committed staff handling faith formation, sacred music, and administration.
- Rev. Fr. Yoelvis Gonzalez — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. William (Bill) Lifsey — Permanent Deacon
- Brandy Oltremari — Bookkeeper / Administrative Assistant
- Beringaria Higginbotham — Office Manager / Bookkeeper (per diocese directory)
- Laurie Lewandowski — Director of Religious Education
- Emma Nwobilor — Director of Sacred Music
Music Ministry
Music is an integral component of the parish's liturgical life, drawing on the Church's tradition of sacred music, chant, and polyphony. The parish welcomes musicians ages 7 and up, with training offered in music theory, liturgical history, and the sacred repertoire of the Church. Rehearsals are held in Leppert Hall.
- Parish Choir — serves the 10:45 AM Sunday English High Mass; rehearses Sundays at 10:00 AM
- Coro de Santa Cecilia — serves the 1:45 PM Sunday Spanish Mass; rehearses Sundays at 12:45 PM
- Schola of St. Gregory the Great — serves the 8:15 AM Sunday Latin Mass and Extraordinary Form liturgies; rehearses Tuesdays at 6:15 PM
- Contact: Emma Nwobilor, Director of Sacred Music — [email protected]
Social Ministry & Food Pantry
The parish takes seriously the Church's call to works of charity and justice, providing direct service (food, clothing, shelter) while also addressing root causes of social problems. Its signature outreach is the St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry.
- St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry
- Direct service (food, clothing, shelter) to neighbors in need
- Open to volunteers — time, talent, and donations
- Contact the parish to get involved
Sacramental Life & Faith Formation
The seven Sacraments are central to the parish's life and identity, celebrated as 'signs and instruments of God's grace.' The parish's religious education program prepares children for the Sacraments of Initiation in cooperation with parents and Catholic schools.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Eucharist / First Reconciliation — second grade or older; two years of Religious Ed or Catholic school required
- Confirmation — eighth grade or above, celebrated in Easter season; two years of Religious Ed or Catholic school required
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony — contact the parish office
- Director of Religious Education: Laurie Lewandowski
The Bells of St. Theresa's & Building Restoration
When the present church was built in 1951, the iconic bell-tower was equipped with speakers that played chimes and hymns from the organ console rather than actual bells, due to financial limitations. After years of silence, the generosity of a parishioner and his family supplied a restored digital carillon in early December (early 2020s), part of a broader renewal of the parish's historic physical plant — including the major restoration by Hord Architects (roof, windows, interior finishes, and walkways) to preserve the Italian Romanesque character of the building.
- 1951 bell-tower with original speaker-driven chimes
- Restored digital carillon funded by a parishioner family
- Major restoration by Hord Architects: roof, windows, interior finishes, walkways
- Italian Romanesque style preserved
Giving to St. Theresa the Little Flower
Parishioner support underwrites Little Flower's liturgies, ministries, programs, events, and the food pantry, bringing together long-time members, returning Catholics, and new converts to build community, encourage spiritual growth, and serve neighbors in need. The parish offers multiple giving options including e-Offering, planned giving, tribute/memorial donations, and matching gifts.
- Cash gifts — checks payable to 'St. Theresa Church' and mailed to 1644 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38107
- e-Offering — online enrollment available
- Planned Giving — wills, living trusts, life insurance, retirement plans
- Memorial / Tribute donations
- Matching gifts through employers
Visit, Contact, and Location
St. Theresa the Little Flower welcomes visitors in person at one of its Masses, and is located in the Vollintine-Evergreen Historic District in Midtown Memphis. The Spanish-language Mass is held at Blessed Sacrament, 2564 Hale Ave, Memphis, TN.
- Address: 1644 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38107
- Phone: (901) 276-1412
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: littleflowermemphis.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/littleflowermemphis/
- Office hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Spanish-speaking secretary Mon, Tue, Thu); closed Tue and Fri–Sun, Holy Days, and Federal Holidays
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. James Whitfield1930–
First pastor; previously pastor of St. Bridget's Parish; raised funds, purchased land, hired architect, began construction.
- Msgr. Joseph E. Leppert
Second pastor; oversaw 1951 construction of the present church; led integration in 1963 after St. Anthony's closed; helped found VECA (Vollentine-Evergreen Community Association).
- Fr. John Scola
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. J. Edwin Creary
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. Edward Byrnes
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. Robert Ewing
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. David Foley
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. Richard Coy
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. Carl Jude Hood
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. Patrick Gallagher
Succeeded Msgr. Leppert.
- Fr. Yoelvis Gonzalez
Current pastor; leads a bilingual renewal of the parish.