Immaculate Conception Parish has a tremendous amount for which to give thanks. Founded in 1845, the parish has continued to flourish and to give a strong witness to the Catholic faith in Montgomery County .  Since the early nineteenth century, Immaculate Conception Church has thrived in Clarksville , Tennessee .  Served by missionary priests from Bardstown , Kentucky and Nashville , Tennessee , the Roman Catholic Parish, originally formed as St. Mary’s, was ministered to by the Reverend Ivo Schacht, the first pastor.  The church bore the name St. Mary’s until May 30, 1875, when entries on the parish record books were recorded under the name “Immaculate Conception.”

On August 12, 1880, Rt. Rev. Dr. Feehan, Third Bishop of Nashville (1865 - 1880), and Father Patrick Gleeson, Pastor (1873 - 1885), laid the cornerstone of the church that serves as Immaculate Conception’s Chapel today.

St. Mary’s Center was completed and dedicated as an educational-activity center on August 17, 1975.  The center was rededicated to Immaculate Conception Church June 21, 1987 by Most Rev. James Neidergeses, D.D., Bishop of Nashville, and Pastor Robert J. Roeser (1982 - 1992), and presently serves as Immaculate Conception’s Worship Center .

A school existed in Immaculate Conception Parish from 1860 - 1968.  St. Mary’s was staffed by the Dominican Sisters and was located at 740 Franklin Street .  The old St. Mary’s School was closed due to the condition of the building and a decline in enrollment when Ft. Campbell opened their own schools and could no longer bus their students to the Catholic school. 

A Town Hall meeting was held in February 1999 to address growing interest among parish members of Immaculate Conception to revive a Catholic elementary school for the education and faith formation of their children.

On June 16, 1999, Fr. Eric Fowlkes purchased our current school site from the Academy for Academic Excellence.  Further, the Jubilee Year (2000) marked the return of St. Mary’s Catholic School after a forty year absence.  After considerable renovation, St. Mary’s School, including a chapel and gym, opened its doors on August 15, 2000 serving grades Kindergarten through Fourth, implementing a grade each year through Eighth.  Currently, St. Mary’s Catholic School is a parochial K-8 elementary school located in Clarksville , TN.   The Before and After Care Program for students began in August 2002.  One unique characteristic to St. Mary’s is that there are many second generation children attending.