The Catholic Parish of McEwen and vicinity was established back in the fifties by the pioneer priest, Rev. L. Orengo, who, seeing how hard it was for people with large families to live by their daily labors in towns and meet the expenses thereof, induced several to leave Nashville, Clarksville, and other places and buy the then cheap land of Humphreys County, where they and their children could live by cultivating the soil. Every year, St. Patrick Catholic Church hosts the St. Patrick's Irish Picnic and Homecoming where some 21,000 pounds of barbecue pork will be slow cooked over hickory bark coals during a 24-hour laborious process, ready for hungry lunch crowds Saturday morning. Early visitors may want to feast on the 4,200 chicken halves that will be prepared by lunch time Friday. Plan to stay for the free live music and dancing that begins at 6:00 P.M. in the outdoor bandstand. If you're feeling a bit of the Irish luck, try your hand at the numerous games, including basketball, dart throw, and a duck pond, that will be open from 5:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M. Friday and again on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M.. Music and dancing will begin Saturday morning and last throughout the day. The event is held the last Friday and Saturday in July.
For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact St. Patrick Catholic Church directly.
