St. Patrick Church at 175 St. Patrick Street, McEwen, TN 37101 US - Our History
Our History
The following article was retyped from:
WAVERLY AND HUMPHREYS COUNTY IN THE 20THCENTURY
A PICTORIAL AND HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENT ISSUED BY THE WAVERLY SENTINEL
April 17, 1902
St. Patrick’s of McEwen
The Catholic Parish of McEwen and vicinity was established away back in the fifties by the pioneer priest, Rev. L. Orengo, who, seeing how hard it was for people with large families to live by their daily labors in towns and meet the expenses thereof, induced several to leave Nashville, Clarksville, and other places and buy the then cheap land of Humphreys County, where they and their children could live by cultivating the soil. He remained with them, ministering to their spiritual and often their temporal wants, worshiping in the little log house which served for a church, until some years after the war of the States, when the weight of years induced him to return to his native land – sunny Italy – where, however, he did not live a life of ease, as he entered a leprosy hospital, ministering to the wants of the unfortunates therein.
The people of this parish were then without a resident priest, being visited at short intervals by the priests of Nashville, until at last Father McInery was sent by BishopFeehan (now Archbishop of Chicago, Ill.) to McEwen. His first impulse was to build a church, and he was making preparations to get the material necessary for a neat frame, when he was stricken with the illness that resulted in his death. The parish was again left without a resident pastor. Finally Father John Fahey was sent here, and, seeing how much a church was needed, went to work, and by his untiring zeal and energy succeeded in building the beautiful brick edifice whichnow stands in the place of our little log church of former years. Father Fahey did not long enjoy the fruit of his labors, as about the time the church was completed he went to Memphis ,where he died, a victim of yellow fever, which was epidemic there.
The dedication of St. Patrick’s Church was witnessed by people from all directions, among whom was a large concourse from Nashville. The dedication services were performed by Bishop Feehan, of Nashville, assisted by a number of priests. The writer well remembers the text of the sermon preached on the occasion by Rev. Father Maher of Nashville. The speaker mentioned a trip he had taken through McEwen a few months before, when he noticed the little log church in the woods. On his next journey in that direction he saw the beautiful church of today, and the words of his text came to his mind, taken from Isaiah: “The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad; and the wilderness shall rejoice, and flourish like the lily.” He, too, soon after joined the number of those who volunteered to labor for the fever-stricken people of Memphis, and diedthere at the post of duty.
After Father Fahey left McEwen his place was filled by Rev. Father Caughlin, who endeared himself to the people by his untiring zeal and devotion to the sick and suffering; but after his lifelong friend, Bishop Feehan, was made Archbishop of Chicago, he went there, where he yet remains.
Father John Mougin was then made pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish, where he remained a number of years, until the infirmities of age made it hard for him to fulfill his duties, such as long rides in all kinds of weather, visiting the sick, dying, etc. He finally left, much to the sorrow of his congregation, and went to Nashville, where he now resides.
Today, Father Michael Baltrus is the pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Such is a short history of St. Patrick’s Church, of McEwen, Tennessee.
Irish & More
Visit St. Patrick's Irish & More Store - Your source for religious articles, books & movies!
Located across from the parish office. Click here for hours and events.
Faith Formation for Children
Children's faith formation (CCD) starts *every Sunday following 9am Mass in the school building. Classes are available for those entering kindergarten to 8th grade. Anyone still needing to sign up...
RCIA
What is RCIA? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process established for the universal Church for the individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. This initiation ...
St. Patrick School
Click HERE to visit the St. Patrick School's website.
St. Patrick's Irish Picnic and Homecoming
Hosted by members of St. Patrick Church and the friends of the Parish, the Irish Picnic is always held the last Friday and Saturday in July. Some 21,000 pounds of barbecue pork will be slow cooked over hickory bark coals during a 24-hour laborious process, ready for hungry lunch crowds Saturday ...
Photo Gallery
Here are some photos from past events featured at St. Patrick's Church.
