| Parish Celebrates 25 Years -- November 3, 1994 Cartersville Blessing Caps Construction Project -- February 10, 1994 Parish Profiles: Saint Francis, Cartersville -- January 27, 1972 Shortly before World War II, a mission church was established in Cartersville from the parish in Dalton. Father Edward Moriarty was the first priest to offer Mass in Cartersville on a regular basis. He is remembered especially for his early ecumenical work, which helped dispel some of the myths that surrounded Catholicism in the rural South of the day. Initially, Mass was celebrated in a room in City Hall, and later, the church was moved to the second floor of the Shackleford Building. Finally, in the 1940s a permanent church was established over Young Brother's Pharmacy on Main Street. Members of the fledgling parish were elated to have their own church in spite of minor inconveniences such as Summer heat and the passing of trains right outside the window. Parishioners from those days remember how the priest would have to suspend the Mass for a short while every time a train passed. These interruptions averaged once every 11 minutes, extending the Mass to an hour and a half. In 1950 some $10,000 was raised by the Diocese of Savannah to help the tiny parish build its first church. The building was dedicated in 1951. The current church and parish center were dedicated on January, 30, 1994. By that time the parish numbered 204 families. Do you have a story about St. Francis that you would like to share? Please let us know by using the "Contact Us link. |
