Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan has named the new Catholic recreation center on Lake Hartwell, Camp Rosary, and in recent ceremonies blessed the camp sign and site.

Present at the naming and blessing were Father Jerry Hardy, vice-chancellor, Father Joseph Drohan, pastor, Donald Kotal, builder, and parishioners from the Hartwell and Toccoa parishes.

The recreation center covers 12 acres on the shores of Lake Hartwell, with a recreation-hall built by the men of the Sacred Heart Church in Hartwell. The site was donated to the Archdiocese of Atlanta by the Corps of Engineers, Savannah, for a recreational facility for the archdiocese and the parishes of Hartwell and Toccoa.

A pilgrimage, from the recreation hall along the waterfront road to the entrance of the camp, was led by Archbishop Donnellan, reciting the Rosary. He was accompanied by altar boys, candle bearers, the choir, and members of the two parishes, who recited the Rosary in return. At the blessing and naming of the camp, the archbishop prayed: “To the praise and glory of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God; in memory of the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of Our Jesus Christ, may this camp, named in honor of the Most Holy Rosary, be blessed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Archbishop Donnellan, accompanied by Father Hardy, spent the week-end at the camp, and celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Hartwell, and at Mother of Our Divine Savior Church in Toccoa.

Meats for guests and parishioners were cooked by Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Kotal, assisted by Mrs. Donald Kotal and Louise Kotal.

A tour of the lake for the archbishop and guests were conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Malik, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Malik in their houseboat and cruiser.

Mrs. Charles Gordon was in charge of the choir for the ceremonies, assisted by Mrs. Anton Kotal, and Mrs. William Ketteringham.

The camp is being used for weekend retreats by the Cursillo, under the direction of Father Richard Kieran; by the Religious sisters of the archdiocese for recreation; by organizations of the archdiocese for the scouting purposes and days of recollection; by ecumenical groups and members of the local parishes.

The recreation hall was dedicated last year by Bishop Joseph Bernardin, and named “Y.W. Vickery Hall” in honor of a Baptist deacon, who donated the road to the camp.

The architect for the hall was M.R. Snipes of Atlanta, and the builder was Donald Kotal, assisted by Frank Craft of Elberton, Ga. In charge of the finance committee were William Knowles Sr. and Frank Thomason of the Toccoa parish.