McDonough
Georgia
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St. James the Apostle Catholic Church
History
The Redemptorist priests first made an appearance in the area in 1879. While visiting in Griffin, Redemptorist Bishop William Gross from Savannah said the first Mass in the home of Charles Wright. Catholics in Griffin were able to worship in a frame chapel by 1910.
By 1942, the Catholic population of Henry, Butts, Upson, Pike, Monroe, Lamar and Spalding counties had swollen to 120. On April 4, 1943, less than one year later, the first Mass in McDonough was celebrated at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Gasses. An altar was set up in the Gasses home, and for 16 years the Mass was celebrated there for the 17 Catholics living in and around McDonough. At about the same time mass was said in Jackson at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Land. Later Mr. and Mrs. Charles Deraney fixed up a room of their home in Jackson, and it was known as St. Alphonsus Chapel.
In 1946 the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Baltimore arrived in Griffin and began to visit the various counties. By 1948 there were 228 Catholics in the area; in 1960, 600 Catholics, and by 1970 over 1,000 Catholics living in the seven-county area. All churches were missions, served by four Redemptorists residing in Griffin.
In McDonough the mission was moved from the Gasses residence to the top of the Masonic Building and Mass celebrated there for seven years. A fire destroyed the Masonic Building and the mission was moved into the Agricultural Building.
In 1966, Redemptorist priest Fr. James Anderson purchased the land of the existing church site. St. James the Apostle Church came into being in 1968. It was officially dedicated on May 23, 1971. The facility was named in honor of Anderson’s patron saint. Fr. Vincent Douglas was installed as the first pastor at St. James.
A religious education building was added in 1990. The church was remodeled and enlarged a second time in 1992. A plan for a new church and expanded classroom and social facilities began in 1996 under the leadership of Msgr. Henry Gracz, Fr. John Howren and Fr. Austin Fogarty. The building was completed in the fall of 2001.
Monsignor Terry Young took the reins of pastor in June 2001. He is presently assisted by Fr. Michael Sherliza. Deacon Pat Gillespie serves the St. James community, while Deacon Bob Readdy ministers at St. Mary’s.
The parish continues to grow from 150 in 1988 to over 1,200 families presently. A preschool program was initiated in 2001 under the direction of Mara Martin. Sr. Mary Jane Stapleton R.S.M. is the Director of Religious Education for children pre-K through high school.
The Redemptorist priests first made an appearance in the area in 1879. While visiting in Griffin, Redemptorist Bishop William Gross from Savannah said the first Mass in the home of Charles Wright. Catholics in Griffin were able to worship in a frame chapel by 1910.
By 1942, the Catholic population of Henry, Butts, Upson, Pike, Monroe, Lamar and Spalding counties had swollen to 120. On April 4, 1943, less than one year later, the first Mass in McDonough was celebrated at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Gasses. An altar was set up in the Gasses home, and for 16 years the Mass was celebrated there for the 17 Catholics living in and around McDonough. At about the same time mass was said in Jackson at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Land. Later Mr. and Mrs. Charles Deraney fixed up a room of their home in Jackson, and it was known as St. Alphonsus Chapel.
In 1946 the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Baltimore arrived in Griffin and began to visit the various counties. By 1948 there were 228 Catholics in the area; in 1960, 600 Catholics, and by 1970 over 1,000 Catholics living in the seven-county area. All churches were missions, served by four Redemptorists residing in Griffin.
In McDonough the mission was moved from the Gasses residence to the top of the Masonic Building and Mass celebrated there for seven years. A fire destroyed the Masonic Building and the mission was moved into the Agricultural Building.
In 1966, Redemptorist priest Fr. James Anderson purchased the land of the existing church site. St. James the Apostle Church came into being in 1968. It was officially dedicated on May 23, 1971. The facility was named in honor of Anderson’s patron saint. Fr. Vincent Douglas was installed as the first pastor at St. James.
A religious education building was added in 1990. The church was remodeled and enlarged a second time in 1992. A plan for a new church and expanded classroom and social facilities began in 1996 under the leadership of Msgr. Henry Gracz, Fr. John Howren and Fr. Austin Fogarty. The building was completed in the fall of 2001.
Monsignor Terry Young took the reins of pastor in June 2001. He is presently assisted by Fr. Michael Sherliza. Deacon Pat Gillespie serves the St. James community, while Deacon Bob Readdy ministers at St. Mary’s.
The parish continues to grow from 150 in 1988 to over 1,200 families presently. A preschool program was initiated in 2001 under the direction of Mara Martin. Sr. Mary Jane Stapleton R.S.M. is the Director of Religious Education for children pre-K through high school.