Groundbreaking ceremonies were held July 12 for the new St. Peter's church in LaGrange, GA. Monsignor John F. McDonough, vicar general of the Atlanta archdiocese, representing Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan, officiated at the ceremonies. He was assisted by Father Joseph Ware, pastor.

One hundred fifty parishioners attended the ceremony and reception that followed.

Construction for the new 35,000 square foot building began July 20. Completion is set for Sept. 1, 1988. The octagonal structure will include a sanctuary with seating for 475, a parish hall, educational facilities and a rectory.

The six acres for the building, site of the Milliken Company's Calumet Mill, was donated to the parish in 1985. The 165,000 square foot red brick mill had to be demolished and cleared away before groundbreaking and construction could begin. The Callaway Foundation is providing matching funds for construction.

The new building will be located at the intersection of Lafayette Parkway and Morgan Street, at "the busiest corner in town" and a block from the town square. Its entrance will face into the property, toward the south, to give parishioners a gathering place away from the five-lane highway at the rear.

Pre-groundbreaking "ceremonies" included placing a note under the statue of St. Patrick in the present church. It had rained every day the week prior to the groundbreaking. The note reminded St. Patrick, called the "patron of sunshine" by Father Ware, that the ceremony was coming up and the parish would need good weather for the occasion. "We had a beautiful day!" Father Ware adds.

St. Peter's parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in April, 1986.