TN Writers | TN Stories: Joe Pagetta, "The Apostle of Tennessee: The Indefatigable Life and Ministry of Father Aloysius
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time
- Saturday, Sep 12, 2026 10:30am - 12:30pm
Location
Tennessee State Museum
1000 Rosa L Parks Boulevard
Details
When Nashville became a Catholic diocese in 1837, it was mostly an aspirational exercise. The few Catholics scattered throughout the state were ministered to only occasionally by missionary priests who traveled by horseback from Kentucky. That all changed when the Italian-born Father Aloysius “Luigi” Orengo arrived in Nashville in 1848. He traveled all over the state, sleeping in the woods, using his saddle for a pillow, and eating cheese and crackers. He’s credited with building churches in Franklin, Columbia, Pulaski, East Nashville, Tracy City, Gallatin, Humboldt, Brownsville, Grand Junction, Covington, Jackson, and McEwen. But for as influential as he was, Father Orengo’s story remained untold, until now. Author Joe Pagetta will be in conversation with Katie Peterson.
