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The story of the beginning of Nashville's latest
Catholic parish, St. Ann's, and its growth to the present day, is an interesting
one and is an example of what a few willing workers can do.
For several years those Catholics who resided in the growing section of
Nashville known as "New Town!' but properly named West Nashville, were badly
handicapped, as there was no Catholic Church or school in that vicinity. A few
of the Catholic ladies and gentlemen of the community, realizing that they might
be able to relieve this condition somewhat if all Catholics in the section were
to get behind some movement looking to that end, called a meeting at the home of
Mrs. Jarrett, near the Cumberland Foundry, February 4, 1917, with Sister Mary
Thomas and Sister Mary Austin present to aid them by their advice and counsel.
As a result of this meeting, a hall was secured on the corner of forty-ninth and
Charlotte Avenue, where the good Sisters would hold Sunday School every Sunday
afternoon. Father Peter Pfeiffer, who was stationed at the Assumption Church
with the Franciscan Fathers would come out once a month and celebrate Mass.
The first Mass was celebrated in this hall in October, 1917, with 115 Catholics
present, and on Sunday, November 1, 1917, the First Communion class received the
Blessed Sacrament. At the same time Mr. Joseph Perry, Sr., received his First
Holy Communion, having the honor of being the first convert in the new mission.
It was thus that St. Ann's Chapel was founded. It was first called St. Peter's
Catholic Mission, and today it is a very progressive little parish in a
progressive section of the city.
 While this arrangement was better than before, it was not sufficient to meet the
requirements of the increased number of Catholics that were located in that
section, and these tireless workers began laboring for the establishment of a
new parish in order that they might have a church and the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass every Sunday, instead of once a month.
After four years of this makeshift arrangement, rough sailing and hardships,
with the aid of a bequest from the late Father Japes, beloved pastor of the
Church of the Assumption, the beautiful old home of Judy Nolan, on the corner of
Fifty-first Street and Charlotte Avenue, was secured in May, 1921. Soon after
the place was acquired it was remodeled and refitted under the supervision of
Father Desmond, who turned the old residence into a House of God. The location
of St. Ann's is very picturesque, situated, as it is, deep back on a lawn
studded with large, virgin forest trees that shade the grounds, making it a
place inviting to one to came and rest and hold communion with his Maker. There
were 72 children in school in June, and the roll now carries over 200 names of
members of the parish.
The cost of remodeling, refitting and maintaining the church and school placed a
considerable debt on the struggling young parish, but the workers faced the task
of raising funds with a zeal that is rarely shown. By entertainments, lawn
parties, subscriptions, etc., they have been able to raise a good part of the
indebtedness, and now have decided and are making plans, to conduct an extra
large dining booth at the State Fair grounds during the week of the Fair. Their
attractive booth will be located in the grandstand.
Several of the parishioners are so situated that they have their own cows,
chickens and gardens, and have agreed to furnish fresh milk, butter, chickens
and eggs for that week. The committee, who has the matter in hand, has worked
out the supply problem so that every one who visits the booth will be served
with plenty of the choicest "eats" any day they attend. Extra pains are to be
taken in order that the Friday menu will be as full and enjoyable as any other.
This is not written by a member of Saint Ann's Parish, but by an outsider, who
feels that because of that fact, he is in a better position to express his
admiration for the spirit shown by members of this beautiful church, and to say
that he knows of no better way to encourage them in their endeavor, at this
time, than to make it a point to look them up when at the Fair and to suggest to
all friends to do likewise.
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