By Rita McInerney

The Archbishop James P. Lyke Parish Center at St. Anthony's Church in Atlanta's West End was dedicated Sunday, Dec. 5, by Archbishop John F. Donoghue. The center is the first parish facility in the archdiocese to be named for the late archbishop who died of cancer Dec. 27, 1992.

The new parish center is in the large frame house that had been the convent for sisters teaching at St. Anthony's School since the 1930s. It is adjacent to the school building on Ralph W. Abernathy Boulevard.

In his homily at the Liturgy preceding the dedication, Archbishop Donoghue spoke of the proud history of the parish which this year celebrated its 90th anniversary.

"But the sense of present day accomplishments here at St. Anthony's, like the work of the new parish center, and the many other efforts in recent years to expand the Christian life of this parish into the community at large, these are the things for which you can be justly proud, for truly they indicate to the local community, and to the whole Church, the vital Catholic life which continues to thrive here in the West End..."

It was the archbishop's first visit to the historic West End parish. Concelebrating the Mass with him were Father John Salvas, OFM Cap., pastor; Father Ronald Rhodes, principal of St. Anthony's School, and Father Edward Branch, campus minister at Atlanta University. Deacons Joseph Barker and Fred Sambrone assisted on the altar.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the archbishop was presented with vestments decorated in an African design. Larry Steward, president of the pastoral council, made the presentation. Children from the Early Learning Center recited a moving poem, "Hey, Black Child," led by Julian Edwards, five.

Liturgical dancers from the upper grades of St. Anthony's School led the procession into Mass and later the procession down and across Ralph D. Abernathy Boulevard to the parish center. They are instructed by Mark Page, teacher of religion at the school.

After Archbishop Donoghue went through the spacious house, blessing each room, he greeted parishioners and their children in the wide center hallway. In the dining room refreshments were provided by the parish ladies auxiliary.

The new parish center fills a "real need for space," according to Father Salvas, whose parishioners call him "Brother John." There are 21 ministries and parish organizations that meet regularly. On any given night, he said, three meetings could be held at the same time. There are about 450 active families in the parish.

No change in the building structure was needed to convert the convent in to a parish center. It was a low cost project, about $4,000, the pastor said, with the major expense being installation of an alarm system. This new safety equipment didn't prevent an early morning break-in a few days after the blessing when burglars took small heating units and lamps.

All of the parish and school officers are now in one building, Father Sylvan said. His office was formerly in the rectory as were those of the director of religious education and the business manager.

There are two large meeting rooms where the pastoral council, board of education, finance council and a home and school group will meet along with other groups whose attendance is under 50 people.

In addition to offices on the first floor, there is a large and well-equipped kitchen, a classroom for the RCIA, children's catechesis, and adult education classes, the school records room and guidance office.

A small chapel seating about 12 people has been situated on the second floor.

Father Salvas says the parish "is really alive." The year just ending was marked by celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the West End parish. The feast of St. Anthony of Padua was observed June 13 with a special liturgy and a barbecue, and a family celebration took place in October. The blessing of the Archbishop James P. Lyke Center concluded events of the anniversary year.