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BY ERIKA ANDERSON
Staff Writer
MCDONOUGH--The parish community of St. James Church rejoiced Oct. 29 as
Archbishop John F. Donoghue presided at a prayer service and broke ground for a
new church.
Msgr. Henry Gracz, pastor, and Father Austin Fogarty, parochial vicar, also
took part in the service crowded with parishioners eager to see their new
church take shape. Deacon Ray Egan served as the master of ceremonies.
In his reflection, the archbishop reminded the congregation that Christ must
be the center of any project.
“Any endeavor on our part, whether to build a church, or to build a
family, must be based on the love of Christ, and especially as that love comes
to us through the sacraments,” he said. “That is why we are so
faithful in the Church about starting any worthy project, or ratifying any
important decision on sacred ground, the ground where we offer Mass, and where
we are able to receive the most direct communication of God’s love, the
actual Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.”
The archbishop spoke of important rituals in the church which signify the
life of the parish, such as baptisms and weddings. A groundbreaking is also a
significant event in a church’s life.
“But today, our business is this groundbreaking for the future home of
Jesus Christ, and for his welcome guests, the people of St. James Parish in
McDonough, Georgia,” he said. “Our Lord is already with us, and we
declare before God in Heaven, that everything we do from this point forward
will be built upon and will stand upon His love, as He gives it to us, and as
we share it with one another.”
Once the service ended, the archbishop and priests, followed by the
congregation, processed outside into the crisp autumn air to break ground for
the new church. After the congregation excitedly gave the countdown, Archbishop
Donoghue, Msgr. Gracz, Father Fogarty and parish representatives dug their
shovels into the ground amid cheers from the crowd.
The parish celebrated in the parish hall, dining on the famous barbecue made
by St. James’ parishioners.
The new church will be built between the existing church and the
parish’s religious education buildings. The architect for the $3.8 million
project is Crawford Murphy & Associates of Asheville, N.C., and Beck Co. is
the contractor.
Bill Herbert, chairman of the building committee, said the new church will
match existing structures and be connected to them.
“When it’s done, you won’t be able to tell that it’s one
building between two buildings,” he said. “It will just look like one
big, huge building.”
The existing church, which holds 350, will be renovated into a parish hall,
and eight new classrooms will be added as well as an administrative wing for
parish offices. Two hundred parking spaces will also be added. The new church
will hold 650.
Herbert explained that this is only the first phase of the building project.
Parish staff expects, with the estimated growth in the area, to outgrow the new
building within five years so they have purchased an additional 15 acres to
adapt to the growth. Eventually St. James will have a church that holds 1,100
people.
Herbert said that he is excited to see the construction begin. The parish
started the planning process several years ago, visiting other churches for
design ideas and discussing with parishioners the needs of various parish
ministries and asking them what was needed.
“I think we’ve been able to accommodate what everyone wanted in
this first phase with room to grow,” he said.
“It’s been a long process … I’m excited to see it get
started and go from paper to the actual hammer and nails.”
The existing church on Decatur Road (Highway 155), near McDonough Square,
was dedicated in 1979. Since that time, St. James has experienced tremendous
growth. In 1988, 150 families were registered at the parish. Currently there
are over 900 families who attend St. James.
“It’s packed,” Herbert said. “Any Mass you go to is
standing room only.”
Mara Martin, a parishioner who serves on the building committee, agreed.
“We desperately need (a new church),” she said. “We’re
on top of each other right now.”
As he walked among parishioners dining at tables with red-and-white-checked
tablecloths, Msgr. Gracz said he was pleased by the turnout.
“I am truly amazed by the number of people who came out tonight,”
he said. “I think the excitement shows that we really have an opportunity
to make newcomers (in Henry County) feel welcome. I think it shows that the
Catholic Church has been accepted in the South.”
Martin also thinks the new church will add to the spiritual life of Henry
County residents.
“I think it will be a wonderful focal point for this part of the
county,” she said. “If everything turns out as we planned, it will be
a really nice building and design to show people that we are here.”
Martin, who is a member of the music ministry and volunteers as a catechist,
said that being involved at St. James strengthens the presence of God in her
and her family’s life. She enjoys being active in the church she considers
her home.
“When you go to church on Sunday mornings you really do feel like
you’re with your family,” she said. “… I just have a sense
of home and family there and a sense of friendship with these people.”
Though Msgr. Gracz said that the growth of the parish happened very quickly,
he prays that the spirit of the parish will continue.
“I really think we’ll keep this family spirit,” he said.
“I don’t think we’ll lose our sense of community when we grow.
We just have to continue to pray boldly and serve boldly as we have done.”
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