Welcome to Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church
We are a small parish located in Dunlap, TN, in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley. Less than one hour north of Chattanooga.
Our Mission
We will use our skills and resources to promote, maintain and encourage a supportive community that earns the respect and recognition of our neighbors both near and far as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Our History
From Humble Beginnings
In the late 1950’s the Mahoney family gathered other Catholics who lived in the Dunlap area and celebrated Mass in their garage because it was difficult to get a priest in this area. When the roads improved allowing easier access to established parishes, mass was not celebrated again in the Sequatchie Valley until late in 1995. Father Mike Creason at Our Lady of Lourdes in South Pittsburg, TN was commissioned by The Most Reverend Bishop Anthony O’Connell to help reach his goal of establishing a Catholic Community in every county in the newly-established East Tennessee Diocese. Father Mike held the first meeting of interested Catholics at the Electric Cooperative building, with 13 people attending. A few weeks later the first mass was held at the Senior Citizens Center.
Very quickly we outgrew the space at the Senior Citizens Center. Mr. Johnny Hunter and Mr. Doug Roberson along with Father Mike approached the Bishop about purchasing a small building then being used as a day care. After much work and many “borrowed” treasures, the first Mass of the newly-established Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church was celebrated on February 9, 1997.
Since our humble beginnings only a short time ago, Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church has expanded and outgrew our original building. In 2006 with the help of the Holy Spirit, another opportunity presented itself. Under the guidance of, and with much “sweat equity” from Father Mark Scholz and many talented parishioners and friends, the current home of Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz on December 16, 2006.
Today we share our priest, Father Mark Scholz, with our sister parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, in South Pittsburg, TN.
Our Mission
We will use our skills and resources to promote, maintain and encourage a supportive community that earns the respect and recognition of our neighbors both near and far as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Our History
From Humble Beginnings
In the late 1950’s the Mahoney family gathered other Catholics who lived in the Dunlap area and celebrated Mass in their garage because it was difficult to get a priest in this area. When the roads improved allowing easier access to established parishes, mass was not celebrated again in the Sequatchie Valley until late in 1995. Father Mike Creason at Our Lady of Lourdes in South Pittsburg, TN was commissioned by The Most Reverend Bishop Anthony O’Connell to help reach his goal of establishing a Catholic Community in every county in the newly-established East Tennessee Diocese. Father Mike held the first meeting of interested Catholics at the Electric Cooperative building, with 13 people attending. A few weeks later the first mass was held at the Senior Citizens Center.
Very quickly we outgrew the space at the Senior Citizens Center. Mr. Johnny Hunter and Mr. Doug Roberson along with Father Mike approached the Bishop about purchasing a small building then being used as a day care. After much work and many “borrowed” treasures, the first Mass of the newly-established Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church was celebrated on February 9, 1997.
Since our humble beginnings only a short time ago, Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church has expanded and outgrew our original building. In 2006 with the help of the Holy Spirit, another opportunity presented itself. Under the guidance of, and with much “sweat equity” from Father Mark Scholz and many talented parishioners and friends, the current home of Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz on December 16, 2006.
Today we share our priest, Father Mark Scholz, with our sister parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, in South Pittsburg, TN.