Holy Ghost Parish in North Knoxville is holding a number of events this year celebrating the 100th anniversary of its church building.
An anniversary Mass is planned for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the church located at 1041 N. Central St. The date is the exact centennial of the building’s dedication.
A catered dinner in Henkel Hall will follow the liturgy, featuring church history displays and a slide show.
Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate Holy Ghost’s 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 26, with a reception following.
Bishop Alphonse J. Smith of Nashville dedicated the current Holy Ghost Church building on April 25, 1926. The structure succeeded the original church, still standing next door, that was dedicated in 1908 after the parish was established the previous year by Nashville Bishop Thomas S. Byrne. The April 1926 dedication also fell on the silver anniversary of priestly ordination of then-Holy Ghost pastor Father Louis J. Kemphues.
Additional events during the anniversary year include first Holy Communion and a May Crowning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2; a parish picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 23; a eucharistic procession at the 10 a.m. Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, Holy Ghost Parish’s feast day; confirmation with Bishop Beckman at the 6 p.m. vigil Mass on Saturday, May 30; and a 25th-anniversary celebration during summer of Holy Ghost pastor Father John Orr’s priestly ordination.
Holy Ghost associate pastor Father Valentin Iurochkin gave a piano recital on April 11 to kick off the anniversary events. Family fun nights over the summer and church tours and a choral concert in December will conclude the yearlong celebration.
Also in connection with the centennial, Holy Ghost parishioners Linda Bolen and Donna Charron are compiling volumes of “Our Dearly Departed” to be placed permanently near the St. Joseph altar in the church.
The volumes will devote one page to each of the parish’s deceased members with a goal of praying for the repose of souls in purgatory.
Volunteers are needed to help with the 100th-anniversary events. Contact the parish office at 865-522-2205 or office@holyghostknoxville.org to help.
Tickets to the anniversary dinner are free, but seating in Henkel Hall is limited to 150. Obtain tickets at tinyurl.com/ymnse8ht.