By Paula Day

The “little parish that could” would be an apt nickname for St. Clement’s in Calhoun.

In three years, members of the 143-household parish raised $460,000 and built a 300-seat sanctuary notable for its simple and modest elegance. Only a $160,000 debt remains of the $620,000 cost of the new building.

An “outstanding feature” of the construction was the value received for the money spent, according to architect Michael Barrett. But other essential elements add to this parish success story.

“One of the really important things I find,” commented Father James Henault, MS, “is the cooperation and involvement of the people. There’s a real sense of ownership in this parish, and real pride in that.” Father Henault came to St. Clement’s in July, becoming pastor after Father Michael Flanagan’s near decade of shepherding the North Georgia parish.

This ownership was evident when an enterprising parishioner made a deal with a local radio station. The station was operating out of a building purchased from the Church of the Nazarene.

But the religious symbols in the windows seemed inappropriate. In return for putting in functional windows for the station at a cost of $1,700, St. Clements acquired 10 stained glass windows.

Through parishioners’ connections, the deep burgundy carpeting was donated, as was material for a unique ceiling made of wood flooring. The owner of the wood products company admitted he had never heard of using flooring for a ceiling. Part of the donation actually was used for the floor in the parish hall. The cabinets in the sacristy were also donated.

Only the Wisconsin-made light fixtures came from a distance, according to Barrett. And when they arrived three days before the October 27 dedication, a parishioner, owner of a local sign company, together with his workers, assembled the lights and put them up.

Donations of time and materials were not the only debt cutters. The parish raffled an antique car, assembled from a kit by a car-buff in the parish and given to the cause. A motor boat, donated by one of the area’s outboard motor companies, was another big ticket raffle item.

Parishioners also got into the act when it came time to plan the dedication ceremony. More than 50 families helped with everything from sending out invitations, to planning the liturgy to preparing for the reception. The Saturday following the blessing others hosted an open house for Calhoun’s townspeople. A dinner-dance that evening inaugurated the new parish hall as everyone celebrated the successful finish of their three-year project.

A sense of light and expansiveness greets those coming into the new church. Indirect lighting from a tower over the altar reflects off the unadorned back wall. Clear glass panels border the stained glass window allowing even more light to stream into the church as well as permitting a glimpse of trees and sky outside. A surprise delights the eye when one walks up the center aisle and turns around. The light oak backs of the gleaming pews have turned into the rich deep burgundy of upholstered seats.

For the first time the parish has room for a Blessed Sacrament chapel. The larger church also makes possible having two Masses each weekend instead of three. This will improve the quality of the liturgy, Father Henault believes, because talents can be consolidated. Already the parish has a 25-member choir, unusual for a small parish, the priest pointed out. Having two Masses can draw the parish community even closer together, he noted, adding, “One of the hallmarks of this parish has been its friendly, family atmosphere.”

Another parish first is six classrooms for the 88 children in religious classes. For years students and teachers have met in private homes and in every possible space in the rectory. Through a special donation, the old church, which is attached to the new sanctuary, was renovated and totally furnished earlier than first planned. The classrooms have improved the youngsters’ “excitement of learning,” Father Henault said, and “moved our program onto a professional level.”

For parish secretary Ginny Stives, the dedication ceremony “went too fast.” The four former pastors of the parish concelebrated with Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, and Father Henault. LaSalette priests Father Flanagan, Father Stephen Dressell, Father Philibert O’Hara and Father Thomas Carroll also took part in the rite of anointing the walls of the new sanctuary in recognition of their past service in the parish.

Other concelebrants were LaSalettes Father Victor Chaupetta, Father James Hurley, Father Joseph Nolan, Father Eugene Barrette, Father Joseph Aquino and Father James Caffery. Vicar Provincial Father Kuczynski represented the larger LaSalette community at the celebration.

The Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette have been linked with St. Clement’s since the first small church was built on top of a hill on the outskirts of Calhoun in 1969. At that time, St. Clement’s with its 15 families was a mission of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Cartersville. The present rectory was purchased in 1981 and Father Dressell moved in as first resident pastor.

Father Henault brings the energy of a 38-year-old to his first appointment as sole pastor. He co-pastored a 1,300-household congregation of working class Catholics in East London for nine years before coming to Georgia. Much of his ministry in England, he said, was one of motivating parishioners to get involved in their parish, something he won’t have to do at St. Clement’s. He believes his ministry here is that of an enabler and it will be on a much more personal level. Ruefully he admitted that, even after nine years, he didn’t know half of his East London parishioners.

In proportion to their number, Catholics in Calhoun and Gordon County wield considerable influences, according to Father Henault. The chairman of the county commissioners is a parishioner, as are two past presidents of the Calhoun Chamber of Commerce, and the current president of the Gordon County Hospital Foundation Board. Catholics were responsible for setting up the Voluntary Action Committee Center, now a thriving thrift shop under community management. A parishioner is presently forming a Big Brothers/Big Sisters group to bring together underprivileged youngsters with adults who can be role models and friends.

Practical plans for the future in St. Clement’s include renovation of the basement of the old church by Christmas. Again, parishioners will make up the work force. Michael Barrett will be asked to design altar furnishings, Father Henault said, to replace those from the old church used now. The architect is a member of St. Joseph’s parish in Marietta who takes great pride in the first Catholic church he designed under his own license.

“I put a lot of myself into it,” he said. “It became more of a cause than a project.” Barrett credited Father Flanagan who saw the project through from beginning almost to the end.

Father Henault also praised the previous pastor. “Father Mike was the real driving force who held things together when at times the project seemed like it was coming apart.”

“There is enthusiasm for the future,” Father Henault pointed out. “The parish can now enjoy the harvest of its labor.”