Compiled from "The History of St. Gregory Mission" By: Dottie Smith

The first Catholic Mass in the history of Dekalb County was offered at 4pm, Sunday, September 19, 1976, at the Hitchin' Restaurant, Smithville, Tennessee.  Dave and Lynn Allen, owners of the restaurant, generously offered the use of their building.  There were 34 people in attendance.  Fr. Gregory Putzer, SDS, of St. Catherine's in McMinnville was the Celebrant.  After the Mass, open discussion regarding the feasibility of having weekly Masses in Smithville took place.  Many suggestions were forthcoming concerning a suitable place for the weekly masses.  Locating a central site was important as the future parishioners were scattered over a wide area of the county.  Until a more suitable building could be found, Bill Smith arranged for the Westinghouse Plant cafeteria to be transformed into a "church".

On September 29, 1976, Most Reverend James Neidergeses, Bishop of the Nashville Diocese, accompanied by Fr. Gregory, came to Smithville and met all the Catholic families in the area.  The Bishop explained that the future Masses for the time being would be called "Masses of Convenience".  If it was found the masses were well attended and convenient to the local Catholic population, a Mission Church might be established.  In order to learn how the business of operating such a facility was done, Bill and Dottie Smith were requested to attend monthly meetings of St. Catherine's Parish Council.  

A second discussion with the Bishop was held to decide on a name for the future Mission.  At first various names were suggested, all of which would have been suitable.  Then, almost as one, St. Gregory the Great was mentioned.  Before Fr. Gregory could voice an opinion, the vote was unanimous and the parish-to-be had a  name, but the Bishop summed up all of our feelings when he said, "It's been taken out of your hands Father, and so St. Gregory's it will be ",  When asked about the possibility of having weekly Masses, the Bishop replied, "Congratulations on your new endeavor.  May God look with favor upon it",  Thus the Mission of St. Gregory was launched. 

Mission status was not easy to come by.  Meetings in McMinnville, telephone calls and correspondence with the Bishop in Nashville and congregational meetings involving lengthy discussions concerning mission recognition were numerous.   Being the only Catholic parish in Dekalb County (of which Smithville is the County Seat), this active group of fifteen families were determined to make a success of the venture.

On Sunday, October 31, 1976, the first official weekly Mass was celebrated.

On Sunday, January 16, 1977, Fr. Gregory made the long awaited announcement.  St. Gregory's was officially a Mission.  The dream had suddenly become a reality.

The Bishop took time from his very busy schedule to come and celebrate the 1st Anniversary Mass with us on October 30, 1977.  Everyone was of the opinion that God must approve the steps we were taking because He was showering us with so many blessings. 

The time: April 15, 1979... Easter Sunday. Bill Smith announced, "For sale, one Calvary Baptist Church."  There was silence followed by pandemonium!  Was it possible that Mass would be celebrated in an actual "church building" instead of our makeshift home in the Westinghouse cafeteria?   Down to business talks took place and the Bishop gave his consent to purchase.  The Diocese would purchase the land, and the parish of St. Gregory's would assume the remaining debt.  By a vote of 100% the "dreamers" decided they could ill afford to lose such an opportunity.  It was a "go" from that night on.   St. Gregory's was going to have a permanent home.  The final papers were signed on Wednesday, June 6, 1979.

We rejoice today.  As the song says, "We've only just begun".   There are still mountains to be climbed, rivers to be crossed and forest to be cleared.  We will do it with Faith, prayers and God's help, for we have had an experience that very few people ever have... 
We built a parish.

Compiled from
"The History of St. Gregory Mission"
By: Dottie Smith