Sunday, Jan. 27 at 8:30a.m. the people at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Cleveland celebrated the 20th anniversary of their parish. Mass was followed by a short play on the history of St. Paul’s given by the children, and a potluck brunch with sharing of stories about the good times over the years.

On July 5, 1964, the first Mass in White County was offered in Cleveland by Father Frank Ruff at the chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home. This arrangement continued for two months. At this time there were only six Catholics in the county --Mrs. Frank Kinnear, Mrs. Betty Helton, Mrs. Laxton Westmoreland and her two children, Donna and Charles, and Father Frank Ruff.

From the Ward’s Funeral Home, the Catholics moved to the house next to the laundromat on Highway 115 west of the square, first rented from Clyde Turner and later purchased as the “Catholic Chapel.” Mass was held there from Sept. 1964 until June 1971. Because of the increase in the numbers of visitors, Mass was moved to the Cleveland United Methodist Church during the summer of 1967 and was held there each summer thereafter. In June 1967, Mass was celebrated in the Methodist Church on a year-round basis.

Father Frank Ruff served as pastor in Cleveland from 1964-1969. When he became involved full time in Baptist-Catholic Ecumenical Relations, Father Lou McNeil served in Cleveland from 1969-1971. Father Gerald Peterson, pastor in Dahlongea, assumed the duties next, and Father Cal DeLeuil was pastor from 1972-1974.

In June 1975, property formerly owned by the Henry McAfee family on Highway 75 was purchased for the new church. Also during this year, Father Venatius Preske came to Cleveland from Aug. 24 to Oct. 5. Father Bob Cameron then became the pastor of the four-county parish.

Significant events in 1977 include the beginning of the Rosary Society and the arrival of Sister Joan Meyer, OSF. Her home became known as the “Catholic Center.” Renovation began on the farm home on Highway 75 which was made into a church building. Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan came on Oct. 2 to install Eucharistic Ministers. When seeing the church he remarked: “This is where the Catholic Church in North Georgia should be!” Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day, Father Bob Cameron celebrated the first Mass at the new church site.

On June 25, 1978, a special appreciation picnic was hosted by the Catholics for the Methodists who had so graciously provided them with a place for Mass for eight years. Reverends Leland, C.E. Wallin and Bob Cameron presided at the prayer service. There were 80 people present. Also during this year, Sister Lene Ruby, OSF joined Sister Joan. Father John Zeitler came to serve as temporary pastor during Father Bob’s absence for pastoral renewal and study.

On July 3, 1979, Father Bob Poandl, the present pastor at St. Paul’s, came. As the Catholic community grew in numbers and the little wood frame church could no longer house the people, plans were made for the present church building. It was built by the Glenmary Brothers Larry and Virgil and parishioners under the direction of Father Bob. The beautiful new building including church, social area, and classrooms was dedicated by Archbishop Thomas Donnellan on March 25, 1983.

Sister Toni Kivlahan, OSF came in 1983 and Sister Ruth Fagan, OSF joined the parish in 1984. They now reside in the wood frame building which the parishioners remodeled for their home.

The Catholic family at St. Paul’s now consists of 75, families, and they are grateful for 20 years of God’s blessings.