WINDER--A special Mass in honor of the 30th anniversary of St. Matthew Mission was held Oct. 8.

Mass was concelebrated by the pastor, Father Tom Carroll, MS, former pastor Father Ed Danneker, Father Joseph Nolan, MS, and Father Cliff Hasler, MS, with Deacon Jerry Connell assisting.

During a reception following the Mass many of the original members of the mission, including the James Cohron family, Jimmy and Alice Taylor and Armand, Barbara and Stephen Cote, reminisced about the early days.

Betty Cohron was presented a corsage and honored as the only original member still living in Winder. She was also thanked for her years of service, including those as church organist.

The first pastor, the late Father John Mulroy, purchased the former Matthew Public School in November 1964 during the tenure of Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph L. Bernardin dedicated the building in the spring of 1965.

First a mission of St. Joseph Parish, Athens, the mission was later assigned to St. Anna in Monroe in 1972. Remodeling and repairs were completed under Father Danneker's direction in the mid-70s. The pews and stained glass windows were purchased from St. Joseph Infirmary when it was relocated.

The late Father John P. Kelley served as pastor from 1983 to 1990 and additional renovations were completed in 1988.

Father John Henley served the mission from 1990 to 1991. In 1991 the mission was assigned to St. Oliver Plunkett in Snellville and began to be served by the Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette.

Under Father Carroll and parochial vicar Father Mike Flanagan, MS, major renovations to the sanctuary, social hall and classrooms were completed in 1992.

St. Matthew's has grown from nine families to 200 in its 30 years.

Information for this article was supplied by Peggy Graham, co-chair of the anniversary celebration.