Riverside location of Georgia Catholic church helps rowing team

Published: 2004-06-03

ROSWELL, Ga. (CNS) -- The Chattahoochee River, just behind St. Andrew's Church in Roswell, is the parish's "best-kept secret," according to its pastor, Father Frank Richardson. The location, under the shade of Georgia pines and massive oaks, is also the training spot for members of the varsity women's team from St. Andrew Rowing Club. The St. Andrew Rowing Club was formed in 1988 when the Georgia Tech rowing team and John Hunter, a former rower at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an avid Georgia Tech supporter, approached the church about using its property to build a boathouse. Hunter spoke with Father Peter Ludden, then pastor, about the idea. After consulting with officials of the Atlanta Archdiocese, the pastor agreed, with the condition that Georgia Tech start a youth rowing team. The original members of the youth team named the new rowing club St. Andrew as a way of thanking the church for allowing them to use the property. Since then, the church and the rowing club have created a bond of mutual respect and admiration. Head coach Dan McNair said that the club is a "welcome guest in (St. Andrew's) back yard."

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