Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville

The Diocese of Knoxville was established on Sept. 8, 1988, out of the 36 eastern counties of the Diocese of Nashville. The diocese is comprised of four deaneries: Chattanooga, Cumberland Mountain, Five Rivers, and Smoky Mountain.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, principal patroness of the Diocese of Knoxville, is celebrated on Sept. 8 and St. John Paul II, secondary patron of the Diocese of Knoxville, is observed as an obligatory memorial on Oct. 22.

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Mark Beckman as the fourth bishop of Knoxville in 2024.  The Catholic population of the diocese is estimated at approximately 78,000 Catholics, which represents about 2.8% of the total population of the area, and the diocese covers about 14,242 square miles. 

The Diocese of Knoxville has hosted the #iGiveCatholic giving day since 2017 for Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries in East Tennessee.