History of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Blairsville, Georgia
|
The history of the Catholic Church in Union and Towns Counties is your story - for you are the people who continue to respond in faith and love. To quote Fr. Bob Poandl, "Thank you for being a part of this history by living as part of Christ's Body." On June 16th, 1966, about twenty people (mostly visitors) gathered for what was the beginning of the first regular weekly Masses in this area. Among those joining Fr. Frank Ruff in the lunchroom of the Blairsville Manufacturing Company for the Mass were Alice Hert, Jo Bearse, Buck and Anne Burns, and Bess Dockery. The church in these counties was served from Dahlonega and Cleveland. Fr. Ruff made no little effort to begin the assembly of Catholics, journeying from Cleveland over a mountain road, which at that time had no passing lanes. It seemed that the faith of this small band of Catholics was frequently tested. Bess Dockery told her story of taking her grandchildren to Mass one Sunday but never attending because she could not find Lance's Cove, where the Mass was being celebrated. For a brief time the small church gathered at the North Georgia Experiment Station and celebrated Mass at various homes. In 1967, a home on the Murphy Highway, at the city limits was rented. At 11:00am Mass was held there during the summer months. Father Bob Poandl was there that summer as a Glenmary seminarian. Both Fr. and Bess Dockery told of the time then Bishop (Cardinal) Joseph Bernardin came for visitation. During the fellowship time he enjoyed the beauty of the mountains from the rocking chair on the front porch. During Fr. Gerald Peterson's pastorate (1968-1969), the site for celebration was the Methodist Church in Blairsville. Mass was celebrated there each week with 9 families attending regularly. It was during these years that the Parish Council was organized. Sharing with the Methodist Church in the annual Harvest Festival (originally called The Lord's Acre) began in the early '70's. There was a 6:30PM Mass at the Methodist Church until March of 1975. Catholics were then able to meet each week in the Blairsville Civic Center. This proved very suitable for the Masses and the fellowship, which followed. Covered dish meals were begun and in 1975, Fr. Bob Cameron was assigned to Dahlonega with missions in Cleveland and Blairsville. He was instrumental in beginning the pastoral associate program in 1976 - 1977. Ruth Holtel, Sr. Joan Meyer, OSF, and Mr. Rick Beben were members of the parish staff. Rick lived and worked in the Blairsville area. It became increasingly necessary for the parish family to look toward having their own church - a permanent place where they could be at home to celebrate the Eucharist. Property was available off the Young Harris Highway, east of Blairsville, near the Towns and Union County lines. The vacated building on the property at one time served as a gun shop (that business was moved to the adjacent property which was later to be come the rectory and office). In March of 1977, the church was given the name "Saint Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church," a very fitting patron for the 28 families, which comprised this North Georgia mission, tucked away in the mountains. In early spring of 1978 parishioners worked untiringly to provide an appropriate place for worship. Assistance was also received from the Mennonites of Morgantown, PA, parishioners from Cleveland's St. Paul and Dahlonega's St. Luke's. In May of 1980, with the experienced skill of Glenmary church builders (Brothers Larry Jochim and Joe Steen) the building neared completion before dedication. Sr. Lene Ruble replaced Rick Beben as parish worker in 1978. Fr. John Zeitler, on loan to Glenmary from the Diocese of Des Moines, IA, was assigned administrator during Fr. Bob Cameron's pastoral study and renewal. Fr. John's gift of outreach to the underprivileged inspired all. In July of 1979, Fr. Bob Poandl became pastor. Like his predecessors, he was assigned the parish in Dahlonega with missions in Cleveland and Blairsville. He continued in this capacity until March 4th, 1982, when he became the first resident pastor of St. Francis with the mission of St. Paul in Cleveland. With the purchase of property in Hiawassee in July of 1982 came the arrival of two more Franciscan Sisters. Sr. Ruth Fagan assumed many of the responsibilities as Religious Education Coordinator and parish work in Union County, and Sr. Lene focused more in Towns County. Sr. Veronica Bagenstos was a member of the community and parish but did home health work in Hayesville, N.C. Mention also needs to be made of the many volunteers who shared their life and talents through they years. We are especially mindful of the Glenmary brothers and volunteers as well as those from the Sisters of St. Francis Common Venture Programs. Numerous college students have served in the parish from Young Harris College, Lowell, MA, and Morris College in PA. Because of special need permission was granted to use the building for liturgies in July of 1978. Many will remember participating in Mass while sitting on planks supported by concrete bricks. Others will recall coming to church early to sweep and have the cement dust settle before the church family assembled for the weekly Mass. Those serving on the social committee not only brought cookies and cake, but also the coffee pot and cups! The construction story would be incomplete without recounting some of the happenings during the building. Some recall the time that the well needed to be cleaned. The 5'1" pastoral worker Sr. Lene volunteered to do the task. She was none too small! Not everyone knows that the Styrofoam insulation between the church walls came from the no longer used chicken house on the Don Cheek farm! Another time (one of the many work days) someone reminded us that snakes nest under rock piles and minutes later two of the younger parish members held up a lifeless rattlesnake! On September 20, 1980, the dedication of the church building (and consecration of the new altar constructed by Norb Guellter) was accomplished by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan. Attending were Glenmary priests and brothers, Dubuque Fransiscan Sisters, approximately 100 parish members, and many friends from St. Paul's and St. Luke's. It was officially announced by the Archdiocese of Atlanta that as of March 4th, 1982 St. Francis church in Blairsville would change from mission to parish status. Fr. Bob Poandl was the first resident pastor. In August of 1981, Glenmary presented a motor home to the parish, which would serve as a temporary home for Fr. Bob until such time that a rectory could be obtained. The adjoining property to the church grounds became available and parish, with the help of the Archdiocese, was able to purchase the ¾ acre, plus the house and extra building which would serve as an office. Fr. Bob was able to move into the rectory in February of 1982 after a month-long remodeling by parish volunteers. Some 1983 Parish
Statistics:
Unfortunately in 1984 the rectory was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. Fr. Bob, a deacon, and a Glenmary brother lived in the church sacristy while parishioners rebuilt the rectory that is now the parish office. In 1988 Fr. Ed Gorney became the pastor and promoted a three year Renewal Program under the direction of the newly assigned Sr. Rosemary Wickham. Sr. helped start a Union/Towns chapter of Church Women United. In 1992 the Glenmary Society ended their twenty-five year relationship with Union/Towns Counties responding to a request by the Archdiocese to establish churches in central Georgia. Fr. Patrick Donaghey then was appointed pastor and served from 1992 to 1996. He shepherded the flock through years of growth and the building of the present church.
Fr. Ronald Fuches was appointed pastor during Easter week and during his tenure from 1996-1997 expanded and obtained grant funding for the parish's area Outreach Program. The present church was dedicated on May 7, 1996 by Archbishop John Donoghue. Fr. Timothy Gadziala was appointed pastor of St Francis and St. Paul's in Cleveland Ga. Fr. Tim instituted a formal RCIA Program, spearheading the development and landscaping of the "Resurrection GArden" and the Renew 2000 Program. In October of 2000 Sr. Rosemary retired to the mother house in Iowa after 12 years of dedicated service. Fr. Balappa Selvaraj a native of India was assigned to the parish in 2000 and served as pastor of St Francis and St Paul's. During his tenure, St. Paul's was assigned a Pastoral Associate reducing the driving time over the mountain. In 2002 Fr. Richard Wise came to St. Francis from Sts Peter and Paul in Decatur GA. Fr . Richard initiated Adult Bible Study and Enrichment classes. Due the tremendous growth in our area, Fr. Richard initiated a study to determine the needs of the growing parish. A modular building was brought on to the property to help in the overflow of classrooms needed for religious education. To further increase needed office space, in 2005 the rectory was moved off site and the rectory became the parish office. This allowed necessary expansion of classrooms and meeting rooms. A Capital Campaign Building Fund was initiated and expansion of the parking lot and the construction of an eight thousand square foot building began during the summer of 2006. This multi purpose building will take the place of the Marian Hall and old office space. It will house several classrooms, a social hall, new office space as well as a new commercial style kitchen. 2006 Parish Statistics: As of July 2006 we have 452 registered families. Fr. Roberto Jaramillo is our Parochial Vicar and services our Hispanic Community with a Mass in Spanish every Sunday at 6:00pm. Our Children's Religious Education has 120 children from pre-k throug10th grade.
|