Glenmary Home Missioners (aka The Home Missioners of America) is a Catholic church missionary society and was founded in 1939 by Father William Howard Bishop, a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, to serve what he termed “No Priest Land, USA.” At that time, he noted that more than one-third of the counties of the United States, mostly in Appalachia and the South, had no resident priest. Father Bishop foresaw that this area—then as populous as Canada, as large as Mexico and covering one-fourth of the United States—could be lost to the Church unless this vast priestless “home mission” area was recognized by and designated a specific ministry of the Church.
of priests and brothers who, along with coworkers, are dedicated to serving the spiritual and material needs of people living in mission counties throughout Appalachia and the South.
who work exclusively within the United States and who are dedicated to bringing the Catholic Church to people who live in counties where the Church is not effectively present.
who share a history and charism with Glenmary Home Missioners, are a separate religious community.
Glenmary currently conducts missions and ministries in the following dioceses:
As of September, 2024, there are 29 priests, 15 Brothers, and 2 deacons within Glenmary. In addition, the society has 13 students in formation.
Glenmary currently staffs 12 missions and numerous ministries in the small towns and rural areas of Appalachia and the South.
Glenmary Home Missioners was founded in 1939 by Father William Howard Bishop to serve what he termed “No Priest Land, USA.” At that time, he noted that more than one-third of the counties of the United States, mostly in Appalachia and the South, had no resident priest. Father Bishop foresaw that this area—then as populous as Canada, as large as Mexico and covering one-fourth of the United States—could be lost to the Church unless this vast priestless “home mission” area was recognized by and designated a specific ministry of the Church.
Lay men and women partner in many ways with Glenmary members to carry out Glenmary’s mission to rural America. One lay pastoral coordinator currently staffs a mission in North Carolina. The Glenmary Group Volunteer Program in Grainger County, Tennessee is administered by lay staff. Lay employees also comprise the bulk of Glenmary’s support staff in Cincinnati.
4119 Glenmary Trace, Fairfield, OH 45014
Mailing Address: PO Box 465618, Cincinnati OH 45246
