Catholics in Smith County, Tennessee, find a faith home in Glenmary’s mission. By Theresa Nguyen-Gillen 

Five years ago, there had never been a Catholic Mass celebrated in Smith County, Tennessee. In January 2021, Glenmary Father Don Tranel arrived there “with nothing.” Six months later, he celebrated the first Catholic Mass at the local Methodist church. Two years after that, the first Catholic church—St. Peter the Apostle—was dedicated in Carthage, the county’s seat.

“It’s a real Glenmary success story,” says Father Don. And today, the parish continues to find success.

“The Baptist church in town thinks it’s great when they have 30 or 40 people come a weekend,” says Chris Woodard, a parishioner who greets every person who walks through the doors of the church. “And here we are with about 100 people a weekend.”

It’s true—cars are overflowing in the parking lot and the adjacent grassy area before the Sunday morning Mass. And inside the church, almost every pew is filled.

The crowd may have been drawn by the Knights of Columbus breakfast held after Mass on this particular day in mid-July, but Father Don alludes to a greater devotion taking place in Smith County. “This is the most important thing we do this week,” he says, as he begins the Mass in prayer.

Supporting the community

While Mass continues, several Knights of Columbus are setting up tables and chairs in the parish hall.

The Knights of Columbus is an international, fraternal organization founded in 1882 by a parish priest “to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members and their families,” according to its website.

Carl Rasmussen, who is frying sausage patties for the breakfast, is the newly appointed financial secretary for the parish’s Knights council. Like many other men in the parish, Carl was a knight at a previous parish before he joined St. Peter the Apostle.

“We wanted to be a separate council,” he says, to raise funds and support their own projects in the parish and throughout the community.

One such project was purchasing an ultrasound machine for the local pregnancy resource center.

It’s one of the many things that Michael Manor, a fellow knight, says has helped shift the attitude toward Catholics in the area.

Compared to 10 years ago, Michael emphasizes that the Catholic community is now more accepted in Smith County. He can see the change in his family, especially his teenage daughter. “My daughter, who just graduated, is not afraid to admit she’s Catholic,” he says.

Working together

Although the Catholic community in Smith County was started by Father Don, it’s the parishioners who help keep the church going.

“St. Peter’s is blessed with everyone who does all they can,” says Chris. Volunteers clean the church, mow the lawn, and perform various other tasks around the church.

A kitchen was built and finished in the parish hall earlier this year. Much of the physical labor was done by parishioners, and the cabinets were donated. Even the sausage for the Knights’ breakfast was donated.

It might not seem like much, but it adds up. “With everyone doing sweat equity instead of paying to have everything done,” says Chris, “we are able to have a parish that is paid for.”

Paying off the debt for the church building is another milestone that St. Peter the Apostle has accomplished in a little under two years. Much of it was possible thanks to Glenmary’s supporters, says Michael.

“It’s a big deal for a small parish,” he adds. Indeed, it’s an important step for the parish toward self-sufficiency and growth.

Finding a faith home

The vitality of this small-town church can be seen in the success of the Knights breakfast. “Fifty-four people showed up,” says Carl. “It was great.”

One of those 54 people was Wendy Clonch, who is not Catholic and was even volunteering to flip pancakes for the breakfast.

She has seen the growth of the church through a longtime friend, who shared his excitement that St. Peter was being built in Smith County after living there for 17 years.

After persistent asking, “he talked me into coming” in December, Wendy says. “And I never looked back. It felt like home.” She plans on joining the church when RCIA classes begin in the fall.

From new ministries to new members, St. Peter the Apostle has, in Father Don’s words, become a true success. Catholics in Smith County, and even non-Catholics, not only have a place to worship, but also they are finding a faith home.