Church History

In October of 1948, C. O. Franklin wrote to the Most Reverend William L. Adrian, Bishop of Nashville, expressing a need for a worship space in Germantown. Due to the shortage of priests and the greater need of Catholics in outlying areas, Bishop Adrian responded to Mr. Franklin by saying that he found it difficult to fulfill this need, but would give it serious thought. During the next few years, further appeals were made to the bishop for a Catholic church to be erected in Germantown. Mr. Franklin contacted the bishop again in June of 1950 asking permission to have Mass celebrated in the city hall. In a letter dated August 26,1950, the bishop appointed Fr. Joseph P. Gresham to create in Germantown a mission from St. Anne Parish on Highland. This parish would be the eighteenth parish in the vicinity of Memphis.  Fr. Gresham was named Assistant Pastor of St. Anne’s, though his duties were to celebrate Sunday and Holy Day Masses in Germantown at the city hall.

The first membership of the mission parish consisted of thirty families. Father Gresham celebrated Mass using a portable altar, while a folding screen set up in the corner of the building served as a confessional.  Funds to build a permanent church were raised and the property for the church site was donated by an Episcopalian family, Mr. and Mrs. Jere L. Crook, Jr., in honor of Mr. Crook’s father, Dr. Jere Lawrence Crook, M.D., L.L.D.,F.A.C.S.  The original property consisted of seven and half-wooded acres, situated on one of the highest elevations in Shelby County.  On June 1, 1952, the first Mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Germantown. Formal dedication ceremonies were held on October 19 of that same year. The Most Reverend William D. O’Brien of Chicago was celebrant of the dedication liturgy. Twelve days after the dedication of the new church, Fr. Joseph P. Gresham died at the age of thirty-nine from complications of pneumonia and a reaction to penicillin.

On November 8, 1952, Bishop Adrian appointed Fr. James Driscoll to succeed Fr. Gresham as pastor. During Fr. Driscoll’s pastorate, the parish was certainly not idle and many improvements were made.   In November of 1952, a Fall festival was held to raise funds to help pay for the new church. The parish continued to grow and in April of 1953 the Holy Name Society presented an evening of song performed by the world-famous tenor, Christopher Lynch.  In May of the same year, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary was dedicated to Father Gresham’s memory by Bishop Adrian.

On July 15, 1954, Father Paul J. Morris was appointed pastor when Father Driscoll was transferred to Chattanooga to become principal of Notre Dame High School. During Fr. Morris’ fifteen years as pastor, the parish experienced much growth. The first parish council was formed with John D. Canale, Jr., as its first president. The parish religious education program was formalized under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy. The first parish census was conducted and bus service from the Catholic schools in Memphis was extended to include the OLPH children.   By 1965, the rectory was built and Father Morris had moved from a rental house on Dogwood Road to the present rectory. The parish membership had grown to about 100 families. The opportunity soon presented itself for the parish to purchase an additional fifteen acres of land adjoining the property. With the renewal of the liturgy called for by the Second Vatican Council, the interior of the church was redecorated and rearranged.

In June of 1969, when Fr. Morris was named Superintendent of Education, Fr. Edward C. “Ned” Elliott was appointed pastor of the parish.  Father Elliott soon recognized the great need for an all-purpose building to accommodate the many activities of the growing Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish family.  William P. Brennan, Jr., constructed the building and Marshall Tillman volunteered to oversee the construction of the facility. The total cost of the new building was $47,000.  The building was named in honor of the parish’s first pastor, Father Gresham.  During Father Elliott’s pastorate, the parish continued to grow and soon the need arose for greater C.C.D. work. Sr. Clement Marie, O.P. (now Sr. Mary Della Quinn) was asked to direct this program, and later on, an adult education program. 

On January 6, 1971, the Diocese of Memphis was created with the Most Reverend Carroll T. Dozier being ordained the first Bishop of Memphis.  In the same year, the 5:30 p.m.  Vigil Mass was added to the weekend schedule.  As we moved into our new church, it was interesting to note that the following announcement ran in the church bulletin for Sunday, September 26, 1971: “Our attendance at Masses last weekend - Saturday evening 65 people; Sunday morning at 7:30, 82; at 10:00, 276, and at noon 97. Total of 520 persons at Mass here last week.”   Father Gresham Hall was dedicated April 22, 1972.  The church was painted and new carpet and drapes installed in 1973.  In 1974 plans were initiated for a new parish council.

On January 11, 1975, Fr. Michael L. Stewart was ordained to the priesthood.  In 1977, the parish celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the original church. The year 1978 saw parishioners Walter Chandler and Ned Turner ordained as permanent deacons. And in 1979, the current practice of the offertory or “honor” family was introduced. In the summer of 1979, Father Elliott completed his first decade as pastor of the parish. At the end of the same year, the Knights of Columbus held their first meeting here.   Parish records show that in November of 1980 there were 478 families registered in the parish.  The growth of the parish in the early eighties necessitated larger offices, which in 1982 were added to the existing rectory.  Recognizing the increased pastoral needs of our thriving parish, the Most Reverend J. Francis Stafford-the second Bishop of Memphis-appointed Fr. Ed Byrnes the first Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the summer of 1983. Meanwhile Germantown and the parish family continued to feel the population boom. July of 1985 saw a note in the parish bulletin asking parishioners to begin to jot down ideas for the design of a new and larger church.   During all of these years the parish religious education program flourished under the direction of several gifted leaders. Sr. Mary Agnes Sullivan, O. P., followed under Sr. Clement Marie as Director of PRE.  Sr. Mary Michael Greaber, O.P., who served as director for five years, succeeded her.

Many changes were seen in our parish during 1986. Fr. Ned Elliott, who served as pastor for seventeen years,-announced his retirement.  Bishop Stafford appointed Fr. Michael L. Stewart to the pastorate of our parish in the spring of that year, though he would not take possession of the parish until the summer.  Also in the summer of ’86, Fr. Gary Lamb was appointed associate pastor.   In the same summer, the diocese bade farewell to Bishop J. Francis Stafford, who had been named by our Holy Father to become the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Denver.  Under the excellent leadership and pastoral spirit of Father Stewart, our parish continued to grow and prosper. Many dedicated men and women became involved as lectors, ushers, and extra ordinary ministers of the Eucharist at liturgies.  When Father Stewart was appointed pastor in April of 1986, Bishop Stafford discussed with him the need for building a new church to accommodate the 650 families registered in the parish at that time.  By the time Father Stewart’s appointment became effective in July, Bishop Stafford was leaving for Denver.  Monsignor Paul Morris, a former pastor of our parish, was called out of retirement to serve as administrator of the Memphis Diocese. He and Father Stewart discussed the plans for future building and it was decided to set forth with the plans to build a new church and family life center.   In January of 1987, Father Stewart met with the parish council to form an ad hoc committee to establish a building committee for the proposed construction.  An ad hoc committee of finance was established in April of the same year and an open parish meeting was held to discuss and evaluate the parish building philosophy. In the same month, a pledge drive was begun under the title “Challenge to Build.”   In June of 1987, Granville Taylor of the Firm Taylor, Gardner, and Montgomery was selected as the architect for the project.  Father Stewart and representatives of the building committee and finance committee met with the newly appointed Bishop Daniel M. Buechlein to discuss the plans and needs for the new church and family life center. This meeting resulted in a “phase down” from all needed facilities to the “first phase” of a church building.   At an open meeting of parishioners in January of 1988, Granville Taylor presented a project cost summary of $2,450,654.00.  Shortly thereafter, John Heirigs of John J. Heirigs Construction Company was selected as our general contractor.  The blessing and groundbreaking ceremony, with Bishop Buechlein presiding, was held on Sunday, May 15, 1988.  Although the original completion date for the new church was scheduled for Fall of 1989, many unforeseen delays ensured. The first Mass in our new worship space was celebrated on Saturday evening, April 7, 1990. The celebration began with the commemoration of the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Passion Sunday.  The Solemn Dedication Liturgy was held on May 6, 1990.

In 1992, Father Stewart was assigned by Bishop Daniel M. Buechlein to be the founding pastor of the new St. Brigid Church on Lowrance Road.  Father Milton Guthrie was assigned as Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on July 1, 1992.   In discussion of the appointment of Father Guthrie by Bishop Buechlein, the bishop asked that Father Guthrie promote the development of a Catholic School.  At this time it was decided to hold elections in September of 1992 to build the parish pastoral council. Out of these reactivated groups came the plans for the Family Life Center.  The Family Life Center soon incorporated the plans for a school. These plans became the Family Life Enrichment Center which would contain classrooms, a great room for parish gatherings, a nursery for infants and small children, a new bride’s room (so that the original bride’s room could be transformed into a vesting room for the priests and deacons), new offices so that the entire staff at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church could work together more efficiently.  The plan consisted of eight classrooms, four meeting rooms, and office space for every staff member, and out-of-doors secured play area for the children.   Included in this elaborate plan were a soccer/baseball field, parking lot expansion and improvement, opening for a new picnic area where a pavilion seating up to 100 people, large barbecue and permanent picnic benches.  In August of 1992, Fr. Edward Fisher, a newly ordained priest, was assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. During that same time, Fr. Adolpho Valanzuela, a native of the Philippines, was assigned to our parish as well.  Sr. Grace Saia, SCN, arrived in 1993 to become director of pre-school and kindergarten.  In 1994, Fr. Joseph Nguyen and Fr. Marian Spadini arrived to serve our membership.  Fr. Nguyen was the first Vietnamese priest to be ordained for the Diocese of Memphis.  The same year, a welcome addition to our parish, was the Korean community.

The blessing and dedication of the new Parish Family Life Enrichment Center, with Bishop J. Terry Steib presiding, was held on Sunday, October 20, 1996.  Bishop Steib blessed the building, accompanied by Fr. Joseph Nguyen.  During the sprinkling of the building, Fr. Guthrie led the people to the Cornerstone area where a Time Capsule was placed.   In September of 1996, the blessing of the Pavilion took place, a gift of the Knights of Columbus, Germantown Council 7447.

In the summer of 1998 Fr. Guthrie retired.  Fr. J. Edwin Creary was appointed to succeed him as pastor.  With great joy we also welcomed Fr. John Kim in July of 1998.  Fr. Kim was sent to us from the Diocese of Birmingham to serve our Korean Community and the parish family.  The chapel, which once was referred to as “the Church”, is now called the Chapel and is used for daily Mass, weddings, funerals and the Korean Community.  It is the first foundation of our community and is cared for lovingly. 

In the year 2000 as we entered the New Millennium we celebrated our 50th Anniversary at Our Lady, with many festivities and a special Mass of Thanksgiving. The Mass was held on September 20, The Most Reverend J. Terry Steib, S.V.D., D.D., Bishop of Memphis was the celebrant and the Mass was concelebrated by our Pastor, Fr. J. Edwin Creary and past pastors Fr. Edward C. Elliott and Fr. Michael L. Stewart. The Mass was dedicated in loving memory of our deceased pastors: Rev. Joseph P. Gresham, Rev. James Driscoll and Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Morris, and all deceased Members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

On June 10, 2000 Richard Dennis Coy a parishioner of Our Lady was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ by the Most Reverend J. Terry Steib, SVD, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Memphis. He celebrated his first Holy Mass of Thanksgiving here at Our Lady on Sunday, June 11th. Fr. Coy was the first parishioner to be ordained from Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  In the year 2000 three parishioners, Paul Hamblen, William Herbers and John Kang were ordained permanent deacons.

The year 2001 marked another great mile stone in the growth of our parish, we were very proud to dedicate our new Education and Recreation Facilities, Bishop Steib officiated, Fr. Creary our pastor and Fr. Spadini our associate assisted. The building houses nine Classrooms, a School Library, 2 Meeting Rooms, a Gymnasium and Running Track.  On this same day September 23rd, we also rededicated our parish hall in honor of Saint Therese of the Infant of Jesus.

Once again in 2002 another member of our parish family was ordained to the priesthood.  John C. Pecoraro’s ordination took place on June 8, 2002 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Most Reverend J. Terry Steib, SVD, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Memphis presided.  Rev. Pecoraro’s first Mass was celebrated at Our Lady on June 9th.  Reverend Marian Spadini retired due to poor health in March 2003 and Reverend Michael Werkhoven was assigned to the parish as Associate Pastor in July 2003.   In June of 2004 Rev. Marian Spadini former Associate Pastor of Our Lady went to his eternal rest.  Our former Pastor, Rev. Edward C. Elliott, moved from the rectory to Villa Vianney, the Priest’s Retirement Center in June 2004 and celebrated the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination on September 25, 2004.  On October 1, 2004 we welcomed Rev. Jolly Sebastian, Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, from India as our new Associate Pastor.   After nineteen years as Director of Religious Education, Gretchen (Smith) Kirk left her position and was honored on July 22, 2005 at the closing dinner for VBS.   Mrs. Mary Jo Healy was hired as the new DRE. 

In 2006 we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and held commencement exercises for our first eighth grade graduating class.  We said a fond farewell to Fr. Michael Werkhoven in July as he went on to be the pastor of St. Paul the Apostle and welcomed Fr. Joseph L. Tagg, III as a new Associate.  Sadly we said goodbye to Deacon John & Margaret Kang who came to O.L.P.H. in 1970.  John served our parish community and the Korean community humbly and generously until he and Margaret accepted the call to serve in the mountains of Mexico as missionaries in the Diocese of Tlapa. 

In July of 2007 Fr. Tagg was appointed chaplain at St Peter Villa and the newly ordained Fr. Krzysztof Ruisn joined us as Associate Pastor.  Fr. Rusin came to the United States from Poland.

We continue to grow and our facilities are brimming with activity every day of the week and there is an organization for everyone in the parish community and always a need for more active members.  We are very proud of our parish family here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Germantown, Tennessee and pray for its growth in service to its members and the community at large, always in the spirit of love and charity with the guidance of our Pastor, Father J. Edwin Creary, and Associate Pastors, Father Jolly Sebastian and Father Krzysztof Rusin