Bishop Joseph L. Bernardin will dedicate the new Queen of Angels Catholic Church and church hall at Thomson, GA, Sunday at 4 p.m.

The dedication of the new church building on Highway 78, about a mile north of Thomson, highlights the hard work of the Catholic community and the Verona Fathers for their new church and hall.

Father Walter J. Mattiato, F.S.C.J., pastor of St. Joseph’s, Washington, GA, and the mission, said there were only seven Catholics in Thomson 25 years ago. Fifteen years ago there were about 30, but in the past 10 years the community has grown to more than 100 persons.

“During that time the opinion of the local people about Catholics has changed and non-Catholics now aid us in all of our endeavors,” he commented.

A few years ago a small group of Catholics would gather in the Thomson City Library to hear Mass, celebrated by a priest from Augusta or Washington.

Then on May 11, 1954, two Verona Fathers, Alexander Medeghini and Gino Donini, arrived in Washington to take over the parish and missions at Thomson, Sharon, Elberton, and Hartwell.

In 1955, a house and a lot within the city limits of Thomson was donated to the Church. The parishioners on a “do-it-yourself” basis renovated the old house and converted it into a chapel. The chapel was dedicated to Bishop Francis E. Hyland, who was auxiliary bishop of Savannah at the time.

The chapel named Queen of Angels, was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Ellen McNeill, formerly of Thomson.

During the next three years, under the leadership of Father Alfred S. Paolucci, F.S.C.J., the building was enlarged.

“The increasing number of Catholics was a blessing,” Father Mattiato said, “but it was also our biggest headache. The little, old frame building was bursting at the seams and we desperately needed a new Church.” Planning for the new church and hall began four years ago. “Father Larry Endrizzi, F.S.C.J., an assistant, put all of his energy and youthful zeal into the project with his parishioners. They raised funds through cake and rummage sales, suppers, paper drives, raffles and other activities. Father Larry and the parishioners saved $17,000 before the young priest was killed in a traffic accident in December, 1966,” Father Mattiato said.

The parish purchased six acres of land and on Sept. 24, 1967 groundbreaking was held. A month later construction began on the church building which is made of pre-engineered brick with laminated wooden beams, wood floors and paneled walls. The first Mass was offered April 28 of this year.

Construction on the new hall was started in February of this year and it was named “Father Larry’s Hall” in memory of Father Larry Endrizzi. The hall was opened May 3.

Joining Bishop Bernardin in the dedication Mass will be Father Anthony M. Todeso, F.S.C.J., provincial of the Verona Fathers, and Father Mattiato.

A reception will be held in the church hall after the ceremonies.