The Catholic presence in Newton County in an organizational manner was first recorded in 1872 when Fr. Louis Valley added Newton to his missions along with Lake, Forest, Marion and Enterprise. In June 1873, Fr. Valley wrote to the Bishop that he had built a church in Newton naming it “Corpus Christi,” meaning the “Body of Christ.”

Before 1872, French Jesuit missionaries penetrated the territory of present Newton County as early as 1726 to minister to the Choctaw Indians. When the French lost the Mississippi territory to the English, the missions were closed.

The first Catholic Church in Newton, Corpus Christi, was located on the lots presently occupied by the Presbyterian Church. When the Catholic congregation dwindled, the lots were sold to a Presbyterian family who donated the land to their own denomination. The church building itself was used as a private residence and eventually torn down. In the years following the closing of Corpus Christ, priests from Paulding, Tucker, and Meridian would visit Newton to offer Mass in private homes.

In the early 1930s interest was again expressed in reorganizing the Catholics in Newton and building a place of worship. On Nov. 29, Bishop Richard Gerow dedicated the new church at Newton in honor of St. Anne. The building cost $2,000 and was erected through a donation from the Catholic Church Extension Society. The name St. Anne was requested by the benefactors.

In the early 1970s a nearby house was purchased to use for religious education and parish get-togethers.

In 1980, under the direction of pastor Rev. Remigius Kozak, St. Anne was extensively renovated. He obtained the stained glass windows for the sides of the church from the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Jackson. Parishioners donated the windows in the front and back of the church. A new pulpit, pews, sanctuary chairs, heating and air conditioning unit completed the inside. The exterior of the church was painted and re-roofed.

While Rev. Joe Dyer was the pastor in 2017, St. Anne was again refurbished with new carpeting, repainted inside and out, new doors, and a new roof. The old chimney was removed.

Church Name: St. Anne Catholic Church.

Pastor: We sadly said goodbye to our pastor of 12 years, Rev. Joe Dyer, who retired in February. We joyfully welcome our incoming pastor, Rev. Norbert Zilamba.

Denomination: Catholic.

Address: 608 Decatur St. Newton, MS 39345.

Contact info: Teresa Bunty – 601-507-6419.

Church founded: 1872 – present building 1931.

Members: 30.

Special upcoming events: Lenten services before Easter, possibly Stations of the Cross.

Annual event special to your church: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Thursday, All Saint’s Day.

Service Times:

Sunday – 9 a.m.

Weekly programs:

To be arranged, Rev. Norbert celebrates Mass in English, Spanish and Vietnamese in three different locations – schedules are still to be finalized.

Tuesday night Mass and study group at 5:30 p.m. when scheduled.