St. Luke’s Catholic Church of Dahlonega will commemorate on Sunday, Oct. 4th, the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the parish.

Rev. Leonard Spanjers, the first pastor of the local church, will be the special guest speaker at the 10 a.m. Mass. Members of the church are also planning a parish supper to celebrate the occasion.

Rev. Spanjers came to Dahlonega as the first resident pastor in the fall of 1960. Prior to this time, the Catholics of the area were served by the pastor of St. Michael’s Church in Gainesville. October 4, 1960 is the official date of the appointment of Fr. Spanjers as the pastor and the establishment of St. Luke’s Church. The four counties of White, Lumpkin, Towns and Union were designated as the territorial limits in which the priest would serve.

To serve as the priest’s residence and temporary chapel, Fr. Spanjers rented the John H. Moore house on Park St., next to the present Catholic Church. This house served as the center of Catholic activities for three years. During these first years Fr. Spanjers was assisted in his work by Rev. Gus Guppenbergen. Following Fr. Gus and working only on weekend assignments each for one year were Rev. Lawrence Goulding and Rev. Thomas McCarthy.

The present Catholic Church structure has a venerable history as a Presbyterian Church for many years. The building was purchased from the Presbyterians in October 1962. Extensive renovations were made by volunteers. The first Catholic service was held in the renovated church on Aug. 18, 1963. At this same period of time the Catholic Center was built behind the church on the Hawkins St. lot purchased from Robert Moore. An open house was held on Nov. 10, 1963.

In 1964, Rev. Frank Ruff joined Fr. Spanjers in Dahlonega. He opened the house chapel in Cleveland and began serving the people there as well as acting as chaplain to the Catholic students at North Georgia College.

Rev. Gerald Peterson, the present pastor of St. Luke’s came to Dahlonega on June 15, 1966. He replaced Fr. Spanjers, who received new responsibilities at Glenmary Headquarters in Cincinnati.

The Catholic Church has seen steady growth in membership over the past 10 years. The new members have come primarily through additional personnel at the Mt. Ranger Camp of the U.S. Army and through the increase of student enrollment at North Georgia College. Eight people attended the first Mass 10 years ago, reports Fr. Spanjers. Today, St. Luke’s Sunday attendance is approximately 100.