St. Philip

Fayette County is very close to the center of Catholicism in western Tennessee," said Bishop Dozier in 1980. "Yet it never has had a witness to our faith in the form of full-fledged Parish and church. Now we are to have our own permanent seat of witness in the county" said the Bishop. St. Philip, being one of the earliest of the apostles, is a great symbol for the Catholic presence in this area. The Ladies Guild was established shortly after the church was opened. Their first purchase was a nativity scene for the church, which was refurbished in 2003, recalls Rose Marie Johnson. The much needed Parish Life Center opened on June 7, 1998 and was dedicated Schaubroeck Hall for the work and service by Ray Schaubroeck. The Parish has also been served by the following sisters: Rose Sullivan, SCN; Alice Adams, SCM; Helen Goatley, SCN; Josephine Wathen; SCN; Eileen Cahalane, OSF; Bridget Lennon, OSF; Mairead O'Reardon, OSF; Alice Pittz, OP; and Mary Della Quinn, OP. Sisters Eileen, Bridget, and Mairead were instrumental in establishing the roots of the community out-reach that has evolved into an ecumenical outreach institution named Fayette Cares, which serves the entire Fayette County. Sister Jeanne Dion, OP served as Pastoral Administrator from July 1, 1993 until June 15, 2001. Priests who have served at St. Philip Catholic Church are: Rev. Victor P. Ciaramitaro, Rev. John Scola, Rev. Bruce Cinquegrani, and Rev. Stephen Baxter. Rev Cyril Wagner, O.F.M. Served as sacramental minister until his death in June 2000. In June 2001, the priests from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, under the direction of Rev. Msgr. Peter Buchignani, began serving the Parish of St. Philip. Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, D.D. appointed Deacon Bill Davis as pastoral administrator. The men's club was established in 2002, and joined the Ladies Guild on yearly projects for the service of the church. The church was renovated in 2003 with the expansion of the walls of the church, new carpets and the addition of pews donated by St. Ann Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus, Council #14482, was established for St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church on March 25, 2008 with 33 members. In January 2003, Deacon Mike Blome' and his wife Peggy were accepted into the Aspirancy Program for the Deaconate Program for the Diocese of Memphis. Following five years of twice monthly education and spiritual training on Saturdays in churches throughout the Memphis and Jackson Deanery, Deacon Mike was ordained a Permanent Deacon on April 19, 2008. Peggy Blome' received a Professional Catechist Certificate. St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church was assigned their first Pastor,