A Music Festival, planned as a tribute to the memory of one of Atlanta’s great centennial figures, the Reverend Thomas O’Reilly, will take place on Sunday evening, May 31, at St. Joseph High School auditorium from 8p.m. to 10 p.m. This festival is being sponsored by The Immaculate Conception Home and School Association for the benefit of the school and was inspired by one of the parents, Mrs. Thomas Perun, as a result of her appreciation of Atlanta’s early history and especially, of the historic significance of Father O’Reilly’s courageous action in November 1864.

Atlanta’s records show that Fr. Thomas O’Reilly was pastor of Immaculate Conception Church at the time Sherman took Atlanta in July, 1864. When Sherman was about to evacuate Atlanta in November he planned to burn or mine every building, warehouse, depot and church which he felt the Confederates would consider necessary and important.

Father O’Reilly, realizing what a devastating loss it would mean to the people of Atlanta to have the downtown area destroyed, went at once to plead most earnestly before the federal officer, General Slocomb, to have Sherman spare the vital spot in Atlanta in which area stood the old City Hall, Court House and four churches, the Central Presbyterian, the Second Baptist, St. Philip’s Episcopal, and The Immaculate Conception. Out of respect for his wife’s Catholic faith, Sherman forbade his men to use the torch or to cannonade this section. This courageous act, carried out in the spirit of Christian brotherhood, is attested to by the beautiful monument erected on Atlanta’s City Hall corner in honor of this brave and noble patriot priest.

However, the greatest monument to Father O’Reilly’s memory is not one of marble but is etched out of the living, vibrant spirit of Christian neighborliness that exists among the members of the churches saved by Father O’Reilly. Worshipping and working within a stone’s throw of each other until recently, there has always been harmony and respect for the individual and his particular belief.

In the last few years changes have come before the demands of progress. Many fine old buildings, churches and homes have had to be sacrificed to meet Atlanta’s phenomenal growth. Many Immaculate Conception parishioners have had to move to the suburbs to find suitable homes, thereby reducing the enrollment of our school considerably. Expenses go on the same and it has taken hard and constant efforts by the Home and School Association to keep abreast of finances. This they have done admirably.

Now, as bread cast upon the waters returns a hundred fold, a galaxy of talented entertainers, professionals and non-professionals, the majority of them not of our faith, have, out of the goodness of their hearts, graciously offered to put on this magnificent Centennial Festival for the benefit of Immaculate Conception School. The Sisters of Mercy have always taught at our school and it is to the credit of these fine, devout sisters that numerous outstanding young men and women have gone out from our school to enhance the cultural, civic and religious life of our city. The Sisters of Mercy are indeed appreciative of the generosity of those taking part in the festival.

The program will be one of delightful family-type entertainment and a cordial invitation is extended to all our friends in Atlanta and in neighboring communities to join in the participation of this worthwhile event. Mrs. George Aseff is ticket chairman and tickets may be obtained by calling her at MA 7-5379, or at School, Church, or at the door the night of the Festival. Adults - $1.00; children $.50.