Blessing of the Animals 2019
This time of year, you may notice animals gathering at churches for a special service called the “Blessing of the Animals” or “Blessing of Pets.” The service is held in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures.
St. Francis, whose feast day is October 4, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey. He wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.”
Listed below are Blessings of the Animals that will be held in our churches across East Tennessee, and just across the border below Chattanooga into Georgia, in September and October.
All manner of furry, feathered, scaled, or hooved friends are welcome! We’d love to see you and your beloved animals!
Please bring your pets in an appropriate pet carrier or on a leash.
The list below is in date order. It is regularly updated, so check back if you don’t see a Blessing of the Animals near you.
September 28 | 6 pm
St. Thaddaeus & St. Alban’s | 4300 Locksley Lane, Chattanooga TN, 423.892.2377 or 423.842.1342
September 29 | 10:45 am
Grace Church, Twenty Belvoir Avenue, Chattanooga, 423. 698.2433
Outdoor service with pet blessing. Optional but encouraged: lawn chair and pet food donation for Metropolitan Ministries.
September 29 | 3 pm
Concord Dog Park, 10909 Northshore Drive
With St. Elizabeth’s Church 865.675.0450
Each animal will receive a St. Francis pendant that can be placed on their collar as a reminder of God’s love for all creation!
October 2 | 5:30 pm
St. Paul’s, 123 South Jackson Street, Athens, 423.745.2224
Food collection for impoverished pets – bring a bag of pet food! Our Friends from Animal Aid will be here!
October 4 | 7: 30 am – 8:30 am
The Episcopal School of Knoxville, 950 Episcopal School Way, Knoxville 865.777.9032
October 4 | 10 – 10:30 am
Good Shepherd, 5409 Jacksboro Pike, Knoxville (Fountain City near Central High), 865.687.9420
October 4 | 6 pm
St.Timothy’s, 630 Mississippi Ave., Signal Mountain, 423.886.2281
The blessing will be held in our Outdoor Chapel. If you are able, please bring a donation of pet food to donate to local animal shelters.
October 5 | 12:30 pm
Christ Church, 663 Douglas Street, Chattanooga, 423.266.4263
October 5 | 4-5 pm
Christ Church, 302 3rd Street, South Pittsburg, 423.837.7715
Blessing will be held in the courtyard. Donations to M.A.R.C. thankfully accepted.
October 6 | 10-11 am
St. Martin of Tours, 7547 E. Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, 423.892-9131
In honor of St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology, we bless our pets and companions and we are reminded to be good stewards of the earth and its inhabitants.
October 6 | 11 am
St. Thomas, 815 East Second St., Elizabethton, West Lawn 423.707.0042
11 am the Lord’s Supper; Noon Blessing of the Animals with Meet and Greet! Hear Bluegrass Professor Lee Bidgood and Friends leading beautiful Appalachian hymns. Celebrate with “Waffles” the parish donkey and our animal family!
October 6 | 1:30-4 pm
St. Francis of Assisi, 7555 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road, Ooltewah, 423.238.7708
Pet parade followed by the liturgy to celebrate creation. Noah’s Little Ark Petting Zoo and pony rides. Free pet photos and animal-related exhibits. Adorable pets, hot dogs, popcorn, and more! All are welcome and there is no charge.
October 6 | 2 pm
St. Luke’s, 320 Broad St. NW, Cleveland
October 6 | 2:30 pm
St. Andrew’s, 190 Circle Drive, Harriman, 865.882.1272
Blessing of the Animals and ice cream social!
October 6 | 3 pm
St. Paul’s, 161 East Ravine Road, Kingsport 423.245.5187
October 6 | 3 pm
St. John’s, 500 N. Roan St., Johnson City, 423.926.8141
October 6 | 3 pm
St. James, 107 W. Church Street, Greeneville
The Blessing of the Animals offers an opportunity to reflect upon the positive impact animals have on our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Animal Rescue, service organizations and local shelters will be on hand to offer information, and pets for adoption. Refreshments for humans and pets!
October 6 | 3 pm
St. James, 1101 North Broadway, Knoxville, 865.523.5687
Blessing will be held in the courtyard.
October 6 | 3 pm
Church of the Good Shepherd, 211 Franklin Road, Lookout Mountain, 423.821.1583
The Blessing of the Animals will be held on the lawn in front of our parish hall.
October 6 | 3 pm
St. Andrew’s, 314 W. Broadway, Maryville, 865.983.3512
Bring all the critters you love to our Blessing of the Animals!
October 6 | 4 pm
Church of the Ascension, 800 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville
The blessing will be in the church! Every pet blessed will receive a complimentary blue “Blessed” collar tag. Any monetary donations will benefit Pantry for Feeding Pets. A light reception will follow the blessing.
October 6 | 4 pm
St. Paul’s, 305 West Seventh Street at Pine, Chattanooga
Sweet potato in-gathering hosted by Green Faith, a pet scavenger hunt for the kids, and our pet blessing!
October 6 | 5 pm
Church of the Nativity, 1201 Cross Street, Fort Oglethorpe GA, 706.866.9773
Meet at the entrance to our labyrinth just off our north parking lot!
October 6 | 5-7 pm
St. Peter’s, 848 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, 423.877.2428
October 13 | 2-3 pm
St. Clare’s, 103 S. 6th St., LaFollette, TN, 865.809.3487
October 13 | 5 pm
Good Samaritan, 425 North Cedar Bluff Road,
Knoxville
The service will be held in the outdoor chapel. If you’d like, bring any of the following for donation: bath & hand towels, washcloths, in good shape; cat, kitten, dog, or puppy food; leashes – new OR used in good shape; toys; paper towels; cat litter; dog biscuits – plain. There will be parting treats donated by Agri-Feed Pet!
October 20 | 1-2 pm
St. Raphael’s, 1038 Sparta Highway, Crossville, 931.484.2407