The roof of St. Joseph’s Church, Athens, was about to collapse, so next-door neighbors—members of the First Christian Church—came to the rescue.

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph’s parishioners gathered around an improvised altar in the First Christian Church for the celebration of Mass. “This is a milestone in the ecumenical movement in Athens,” said Father Jarlath Burke, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church.

When an architectural firm inspected the 55-year-old Catholic Church, they found the roof weakened by weather and structural defects. The church was unsafe for use and with the approach of the Holy Day, Father Burke went to Dr. Harley Patterson, pastor of First Christian Church, with an urgent request for help.

The general board of First Christian Church by unanimous vote, offered their building as temporary location during the emergency. Three Sunday school classes were moved to other rooms to accommodate Catholics attending the Sunday Masses scheduled at 8 a.m. 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., Dr. Patterson said.

A special meeting of St. Joseph’s parishioners is scheduled to discuss costs of renovation and future arrangements with First Christian Church.

The present agreement will continue until the first of the year and is evidence of the growing friendliness between Protestants and Catholics in Athens, said Father James Maciejewski, assistant pastor of St. Joseph’s.