By Paula Day

Parishioners and their pastor, Father William Calhoun, of St. Mary’s Church in Toccoa have realized a dream.

In early August they moved into their new church, one they “have needed for years,” and on October 6 Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, will bless it during the 11 a.m. Mass.

The 5,000 square foot structure replaces a 36-year-old building that will now be the parish hall, in turn, will be renovated for much needed classroom space.

The dedication liturgy will be the only Mass celebrated at St. Mary’s on October 6 to emphasize and foster a sense of family unity in the parish community, Father Calhoun said. Toccoa’s mayor and members of the city council are invited. A special choir made up of people from Catholic communities in the northeast Georgia area will provide the music. Young people from the youth group and religious education program will be part of the Offertory procession. “Everyone wants to get involved,” the pastor observed.

Father Calhoun described the architectural style of the new building as “contemporary country with some features of early American.” These include four columns at the church entrance and a beam ceiling of light oak. Pews upholstered in blue fabric and blue carpeting are reminders that Mary, the Mother of God, is the parish patroness. A stained glass window of the Madonna and Child, designed by Father Methodius Telnack, OCSO, of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, rises behind the altar in the church sanctuary.

The marble altar from the old church is matched by a new marble pedestals supporting statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. A marble credence table and baptismal font add a final touch of unity.

The Blessed Sacrament is reposed in the tabernacle placed on a slate and rock pedestal in the day chapel. The chapel seats 10. Its stained glass window contain symbols of the Eucharist and were crafted by Clarkesville company.

“We went by the book,” in planning the new church, explained Marion Rice. Mrs. Rice was chairperson for the 26-member parish building and development committee. The committee was reactivated in December of 1987 as part of the parish council. The process involved obtaining permission from the archdiocese, consulting with Bill Lyday, director of new construction and facilities maintenance for the archdiocese, and getting input from parishioners.

“It was a long hard struggle,” Mrs. Rice admits. “The greatest challenge was to keep in budget. We had our dreams. It’s like building your own house. You have all these dreams and wishes but then look at your pocketbook and say, ‘Oh, oh, we’ve got to economize.’ It puts your feet back on the ground, really.”

The architects, David Roberts and Michael Collins of Atlanta, had literally to go back to the drawing board and design” a much simpler building, something we could afford,” Father Calhoun said. The $320,000 structure was completed on budget with the parish in debt to the archdiocese for only half the amount. “Our payment plan is very low,” added the pastor with some pride. “The people have been very generous.”

St. Mary’s was established in 1954 with fewer than 50 families making up the faith community. Today it has grown to 130 households. Originally named Mother of Our Divine Savior Church, the name was later simplified.

The new church stands on the 9.1 acre site on Rothell Road in Toccoa.

The Catholic community in Commerce with its 25 households is a mission of St. Mary’s.

A reception lunch will follow the dedication Mass October 6. On October 13 the parish will host an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. for members of the wider Toccoa community.