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The History of the Catholic Church of Soddy Daisy By Frances King In the early 90's, Pat Appleton, coordinator of the Chattanooga Deanery Office, took part in a demographic study to determine the need for another Catholic church in Hamilton County. The potential areas for the church were Ooltewah, Brainerd, or the north end of Hamilton County. After all the data was in, a recommendation was made to Bishop O'Connell that a church be built in Soddy Daisy.
The next step was to find property on which to build a church in the Soddy Daisy area. Several properties were considered, but were either unacceptable or already sold. One day Joyce and Ralph Rodgers (Soddy Daisy residents) were driving down Corridor J when they saw a huge field with a sign flipped over. On further investigation, they found that the property was for sale. Joyce called the realtor, and then called Pat Appleton who called Father Al Humbrecht. Bishop O'Connell was in Ireland at this time, so a final decision could not be made. While waiting for Bishop O'Connell to return from Ireland, Joyce Rodgers, Denise Stockburger and Denise's mother stopped their car one day along Corridor J, and with traffic whizzing by, prayed for Our Lady's intervention in the sale of the property. Upon the Bishop's return, Socrates Sabater, a local Catholic architect, looked at the property. The Bishop quickly gave his approval for the purchase of the forty-six acres.
Several years went by during which time people continued to ask when a church would be built in Soddy Daisy. Karen Malo was persistent in asking Father Bob Hofstetter about a new parish. Bernie Coombes (Saint Jude parishioner) completed another demographic study and presented it to the Bishop before he left the diocese of Knoxville in December 1998. The Bishop reached a decision and called Father Bob the day after Christmas. Father Bob told Karen that the Catholic Church of Soddy Daisy was now a reality and Father Mike Creson would be its first administrator. Arrangements were soon made for the purchase of the rectory and adjoining ten acres.
From the time of the announcement of the new parish to its first Mass on September 12, 1999, many people came together to share the Bishop's vision. Karen spearheaded the effort by gathering names of potential parishioners, spreading word about the new parish, organizing Father Mike's schedule of meetings for different ministries, and organizing committees.
The enthusiasm of everyone in the new parish and in First Presbyterian Church, who have generously allowed us to use their church, has been tremendous. It is with a joyful heart and a great deal of faith that we go forward to build the Lord's Church in Soddy Daisy. On January 15, 2005 we had the Dedication of our church By The most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop of Knoxville
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