On Christmas Eve 1949, parishioner John Maher buried a statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague on this site, and Catholics from the area began raising funds to build the first Catholic church in Bartlett. Within one year, the site was purchased for $5,000, and while construction progressed, services were held in a store at what is now Stage Road and Court Street. The church building was dedicated on October 19, 1952. In recognition of a gift from Bishop William O'Brien, the church was named St. Ann in honor of his sister Anna O'Brien of Chicago, Illinois. Built of red brick in a vernacular style of the period, the church later expanded under Father Leonnard Ogelsby, who became its first full-time pastor in 1955. During his 26-year tenure, a kindergarten and an elementary school opened, and the small rural parish grew into one of the largest in West Tennessee. To accommodate that growth, a new church building was erected in 1969, and the original structure was converted into classrooms. In 2002, that building was renamed The St. Joachim Chapel and, following renovations, returned to use for religious services. Saint Joachim was honored because he and Saint Ann were the parents of Mary, the mother of Jesus.