Diocese of Knoxville

The Diocese of Knoxville is a Roman Catholic diocese located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Established on September 8, 1988, by Pope John Paul II, the diocese was formed out of the 36 eastern counties of the Diocese of Nashville and is part of the ecclesiastical province of Louisville. The diocese is divided into four deaneries: Chattanooga, Cumberland Mountain, Five Rivers, and Smoky Mountain. As of June 2022, the Diocese of Knoxville serves an estimated 70,000 Catholics, which constitutes about 2.8% of the total population in the area it covers, spanning approximately 14,242 square miles. The diocese is home to 51 parishes and missions, 71 diocesan priests, 19 religious order priests, 13 seminarians, 100 permanent deacons, 45 religious sisters, and 11 religious brothers. Additionally, it encompasses eight foundational K-8 schools and two high schools. The Catholic presence in East Tennessee traces back over 180 years, with the oldest parishes being Immaculate Conception in Knoxville and the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, both established in 1852. The diocese celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, its principal patroness, on September 8, and St. John Paul II, the secondary patron, on October 22 as an obligatory memorial. The history of the diocese reflects the growth and development of the Catholic Church in the region. The first Europeans to arrive in East Tennessee were part of Hernando de Soto’s expedition in 1540, and it is recorded that Mass was celebrated at their encampment near Lookout Mountain. By the 19th century, many Catholics had settled along the Ohio River, leading to the establishment of the Diocese of Bardstown in 1808, which initially covered a vast territory including what is now East Tennessee. Significant growth occurred under the leadership of Father Emmanuel F. Callahan, who was assigned in 1899 to oversee missions in East Tennessee and later established several missions throughout the region. The Catholic population in East Tennessee expanded significantly from 1935 to 1988, prompting the creation of the Diocese of Knoxville to better serve the growing community. Three bishops have led the diocese since its inception. The Most Rev. Anthony J. O'Connell was the first bishop, followed by the Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz. The Most Rev. Richard F. Stika served as the third bishop until his retirement in 2023, after which Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Shelton Fabre as the apostolic administrator. The diocese has experienced rapid growth, evidenced by the elevation of three mission churches to full parish status and the construction of a new cathedral. The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was dedicated by Bishop Richard F. Stika on March 3, 2018, replacing the previous church on the same site in the Bearden neighborhood of Knoxville. The history of the Diocese of Knoxville is documented in the book "The History of the Diocese of Knoxville," with contributions from Dan McWilliams of the East Tennessee Catholic newspaper, and is available for purchase at the Paraclete bookstore in Knoxville, Tennessee. The diocese continues to serve the spiritual and community needs of its members through various ministries, affiliated ministries, and educational institutions.