We will be honoring Father Orengo, who built a small log church in 1849 to serve Irish immigrants, then six years later moved the church to St. Patrick’s current site and established Humphreys County’s first school! A historical marker recognizing Fr. Orengo was placed at St. Patrick’s by the Tennessee Historical Commission on August 13, 2020. You can also pick up a map and take a walking tour of the old cemetery, and view a display by Susan Eaton on Irish dancing. Steve Bartlett, president of the Humphreys County Historical Society, and Ted Rice, director of the Humphreys County Museum will be on hand to discuss the rich history that is the legacy of St. Patrick Church and School! "In 1849, Father Aloysius Orengo built a small log church near here to serve the Irish immigrants who were sheep herders and furnace workers. Six years later, in 1855 he moved the log church to this site and established Humphreys County’s first school. To raise funds for a bell, Father Orengo sponsored the first Irish Picnic that is now an annual event in McEwen. During the Civil War, bushwhackers raided the church. New church buildings were erected in 1877 and 1925. Congregants and church officials dedicated the current church in 1949."