By Mary Beth Marino

A muddy winding road leading to the graveyard had decayed branches scattered across the trail. Trees, hundred of years old, raised their winding branches to the heavenly blue sky. The sun gleamed on the cement headstones documenting that men, women and children lived and died in Locust Grove, Georgia.

There was something different about this old graveyard, however. Despite its age, it suggested that loving hands toiled the ground and kept the weeks from twining around the headstones. But there had to be more to the story. This graveyard had not been frequented for over 100 years. A few years ago, a newspaper article had mentioned that the stones were cracked and out of place; that one could barely read the inscriptions of this ancient graveyard. Pictures had indicated that there were more important priorities than maintaining a graveyard full of people, who no one knew, or even cared about.

Studying the pictures, one could see that this cemetery had almost faded from the face of the earth.

Yes, there was a mystery here for sure. It was Father John Fallon who uncovered the secrets of a history that almost died. He literally transformed and brought back the vital history of the Catholic Church in Georgia by restoring an “almost forgotten cemetery” where prominent Catholic citizens were buried.

“As I walked the graveyard two years ago, all I could think of was “these poor lost souls,” Father Fallon recalled.

The log cabin Church at Locust Grove, which was the first Catholic Church in Georgia, built 200 years ago, was long gone and all that remained was a circle of dead growth that suggested a building had stood there. “The graveyard was infested with chiggers, snakes and insects,” Father John said. “The tombstones were all lying down broken into pieces and covered with weeds and brush. The inscriptions were barely readable.”

It soon became very apparent to Father Fallon what his task MUST be. History was to be renewed and restored. The “poor lost souls” must be remembered.

Father Fallon rolled up his sleeves, sprayed himself with insect repellant and went to work on the graveyard.

He called in a firm, Clark Memorials, located in Macon, Georgia and his project was underway. The workers stayed in a hotel located in Sharon, and worked for two weeks, sandblasting the tombstones, being very careful not to damage the valuable stones. They cemented broken stones back together and placed them in the exact spot they found them.

Mrs. Lucyle Hamlin, an official of Clark Memorials, stated that it was a pleasure to work on such a project. “It is always pleasing to do restoration work and “chip away” at things that were over it,” she said. Mrs. Hamlin said, “Father Fallon knew exactly what he wanted done and how he wanted us to go about it.” She said she had never witnessed a more dedicated priest who took pride in church history. “Each stone was restored on an individual basis according to the need,” she said.

Today, anyone walking through the cemetery would never know that this piece of Catholic history was almost buried along with the deceased. Instead, they would see trees rich in growth and a manicured yard that was fertilized with seed, and new growth. The sandblasted tombstones would suggest that it really mattered who was buried there.

An inquisitive person would want to find answers to the questions still lurking and dignify them with answers. Questions like, who these people were that lived and died some 200 years ago? How did over 100 Catholic people come to be buried in this particular graveyard?

Father Fallon said Mass will be celebrated at the cemetery on All Souls Day, November 2. “This year, a bus of 50 people will be traveling from Savannah to attend the Mass,” he said. The Mass would be offered encased in a “Rock Garden” which was designed by Father Fallon, showing the exact spot the first log cabin Church in Georgia stood.

Plans for a paved road will be activated soon.

History will not lie dormant as the graves once did. The Historical Society is investigating the questions now. The Diocese of Savannah is also researching Georgia Catholic history.

Father John Fallon was called to the service of Christ and his people. He is in love with God’s creation. He sees it, explores it, and lives within it every day.

There is much to be said about this charming Irish priest with his lilting Irish brogue! There is much to be said about history and the preservation of its birth. There is an abundant need to be reminded about God and his creation, and Father Fallon will remain special to the people of Locust Grove for restoring and retaining history which will be documented for years to come.