St. Peter marks 180 years since the city’s first Catholic Mass
Monika Coats prays during the mass marking the 180th anniversary of the first Catholic Mass in Memphis, Sunday, November 17, 2019 at St. Peter Church (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Father Augustine DeArmond prepares for the eucharist at the 180th anniversary mass of the first Catholic Mass in West Tennessee, Nov. 17, 2019, at St. Peter Church. (Greg Campbell/ Special to The Daily Memphian)
Father Augustine DeArmond (right), and Deacon Eddie Ramsey begin the Mass marking the first Catholic service in Memphis, Nov. 17, 2019 at St. Peter Church. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Father Augustine DeArmond and Deacon Eddie Ramsey greet parishioners after Mass marking the 180th anniversary of the first Catholic service in Memphis, Nov. 17, 2019 at St. Peter Church. (Greg Campbell/ Special to The Daily Memphian)
Members of the Christian Brothers High School band wait outside St. Peter Church before performing next door on the lawn of the Magevney House, site of the first Mass in Memphis. (Greg Campbell/ Special for The Daily Memphian)
Father Augustine DeArmond serves communion to Cheryl O'Bannon at Mass observing the 180th anniversary of the first Catholic mass in Memphis, Nov. 17, 2019 at St. Peter Church (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Father Augustine DeARmond delivers the homily during the 180th anniversary of the first Catholic Mass in West Tennessee, Nov. 17, 2019 at St. Peter Church. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The Sunday afternoon Mass recalled the 1939 milestone at the neighboring Magevney House and the ecumenical spirit that led to the city's first Catholic parish that followed. St. Peter's pastor also reminded parishioners that faith is not without divisions and controversy but is also about unity.
Topics
Augustine DeArmond Holly Jansen Magevney House Memphis@200 St. Peter Catholic ChurchBill Dries on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Bill Dries' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Bill Dries
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for more than 40 years.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.