By Marie Mulvenna

Atlanta’s first new building since 1966 to be used solely as a Catholic church may well be on its way to construction.

Holy Spirit parish has commenced a $200,000 capital funds drive to erect a building exclusively for worship purposes on the parish property at Northside Drive and Mount Paran.

Monsignor John F. McDonough, a BULLETIN columnist who is pastor of the church, said that the present parish center was never intended as a permanent sanctuary. It is now being used as a gymnasium and a school, as well as a church. Most of the parish weddings and funerals have to be celebrated at Christ the King Cathedral.

The Archdiocesan Finance Council gave Holy Spirit the green light on the drive for funds with certain stipulations. First, all funds for the new church must be raised prior to construction. Second, $50,000 must be paid off the top of the parish’s existing debt; third, the present parish debt must be restructured so that the number of years on the present mortgage plan is reduced.

All in all, what is needed is $400,000. An anonymous benefactor has promised a substantial supplementary donation if the parishioners are otherwise able to raise $200,000.

The new structure is expected to seat 350. Its interior design will bring worshippers as close as possible to the celebrant.

The overall design for the new church was conceived by architect Albert Ordway, who won an award for it in recent competition. The basic Ordway design will be followed, although Monsignor McDonough indicated that there may be some modifications as plans progress.

The last new building erected in the area solely for use as a church was St. Jude’s church, dedicated in 1966. Ordway was also the architect of that building.