By Rita McInerney

Purification Mission in Sharon is drier, warmer in winter and brighter these days. Its interior gleams with new coats of paint, carpeting and new finish on the pews.

The refurbishing of the oldest church in the Archdiocese of Atlanta has "given new life" to its small congregation, said Father Jimmy Adams, pastor. These are the same people who, in May 1992, feared Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, was coming to tell them he was closing their church. But the archbishop came and saw a future for the historic place.

Father Adams calls the fixing up of the small white church built in 1883 "a tremendous memorial to Archbishop Lyke." He is grateful that the archdiocese followed through on the archbishop's wish to have necessary repairs made to the old mission so that the church could become a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from around the state.

Repairs include reinforcing the leaky roof, installing a heating and air conditioning unit to replace four kerosene stoves, all new wiring and the elimination of the outside wire that always seemed prominent in photos of the church exterior.

Purification Mission is directly linked to the first Catholic settlers who came to the North Georgia area in 1790 from Maryland. They settled a short distance from Sharon in what was called Locust Grove and built a small chapel where they could practice their faith in the wilderness.

After the Civil War, it was decided to move the church to Sharon, at the time a busy railroad town. The present church structure was dedicated in November, 1883.

The church for many years thrived along with the area. The congregation built a school to house the Sacred Heart Seminary for Boys established in 1878 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Georgia. For generations, the sons and daughters of church members also were educated by the sisters.

But the church membership dwindled over the past decades. Marriage, death and jobs took the younger people away and the church was left with its small aging congregation. This small band worshiped in a building growing shabbier and more in need of repairs each year.

The newly repaired church was viewed by a small group on Saturday, Oct. 30, when the annual All Souls Day Mass at Locust Grove Cemetery had to be moved indoors to Purification.

Antonia Camp and her son Barney, 14, drove up from Savannah for the Mass despite warnings of tornadoes. Her great-great-great-grandfather, Dr. Ignatius Semmes, was the leader of the pioneers who came to the Georgia wilderness from Port Tobacco, MD. He was buried in the cemetery after his death in 1834.

Mrs. Camp said she would like to see an historical marker at the cemetery like the one which marks the church in Sharon.

John O'Stephenson, a church member, called the refurbishing "a dream come true. Everyone that comes, returns," he said, admitting "people had quit coming."

O'Stephenson, who gives careful attention to both the old cemetery and church, restored two old altar chairs he had found in the belfry. Now they occupy a prominent place on the altar.

A small organ long hidden under a dust cloth in the back of the church has been moved to the front of the church. Father Adams would like to find someone to play it, since it is in good condition.

He has gained members -- a young family. Tommie and Marion Reese and their sons, Wayne, Jason, and Joshua have joined Purification. Wayne and Joshua serve as altar boys for Father Adams when he celebrates the Saturday Vigil Mass at 5 p.m.