Father Michelson retires from parish, continues school leadership

Father Chris Michelson, pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish since 2007, has retired as an active pastor but will continue to serve the Diocese of Knoxville as president of St. Joseph School and as special advisor to the president of Knoxville Catholic High School. 

Father Michelson's 44-year vocation to the priesthood included teaching at Father Ryan High School in Nashville and serving as an associate pastor at four parishes there. He later became pastor of St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge, his home parish; and was the founding pastor at All Saints Parish in Knoxville before moving to his most recent parish, St. Albert the Great, where he was also the founding pastor. Father Michelson oversaw the sale, relocation, funding, and design of the new Knoxville Catholic High School and the "rejuvenating and stabilizing" of St. Joseph School beginning in 2010.  

"I can clearly see how the Holy Spirit brought talented people into my life as mentors and friends," Father Michelson said in a letter to St. Albert parishioners. "As I move on to the next phase of my life, I will be trying to provide an affordable and stable financial future for our Catholic schools. I know the Holy Spirit will give me the strength to accomplish whatever tasks are in store for me."  

Father Michelson's retirement became effective on July 1. Father Christopher Floersh now serves as parochial administrator of St. Albert the Great Parish.