Located near the front entrance of West Georgia College, Carrollton, is a small, white, frame building known as the John F. Kennedy Interfaith Chapel.

In 1893, the building was first used as St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. The church building was offered for sale in 1952. Through hard work and the help of the Catholic Extension Society and many understanding friends, those of the Catholic faith in the Carroll County area were able to purchase the building. In 1953, the once Episcopal Church was dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The number of parishioners had tripled by 1961. A larger church was needed. In March of 1962, dedication ceremonies for the new Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, on Center Point Road, were held. Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan offered to donate the building to West Georgia College to be used as a Chapel of All Faiths. Dr. James E. Boyd, president of the college, accepted the offer. On May 26, 1964, the building was dedicated to the late President John F. Kennedy, by his brother, Robert Kennedy.

No services are conducted in the John F. Kennedy Interfaith Chapel that conflict with regular Sunday services in the churches of the area. It is available for use by all denominations on the campus as well as a place of meditation and prayer. The Newman Club of West Georgia College has Mass in it every Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. and confessions are heard from 5:10 to 5:25 p.m. According to Father Richard Morrow, Catholic chaplain, the primary purpose of this move is that students might have the opportunity to gain needed grace and inspiration. Its continuance depends on its popularity.

The Newman Club officers this year are: the president is Michael Higgins of Atlanta, GA; vice-president is William Sorenson of Atlanta, GA; secretary-treasurer is Kathy Wolfe of Avondale Estates, GA; and interfaith council representative is Johnnie Crider of Fairmont, Ga. The club is presently sponsoring a series of programs on the study of other religions.

The college provides transportation for Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady. The college bus passes each dormitory at approximately 8:30 a.m. and picks up those students who hail it. The bus returns the students to the college following Mass. While the hour is early, the inconvenience will not deter responsible and mature Catholics who recognize the obligation and pleasure of worshiping their Creator and Savior through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.