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6 THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, SAVANNAH, GA. BY VERY REV. JOS. D. MITCHELL, V. G. IX. The Reverend Anthony Carles. The last record where Father le Mercier’s signa ture occurs as Rector of the Savannah congregation is dated July 25, 1803. There is an interval of about five months when Savannah was without a priest; and then, under date of December 1 8, 1 803, we first note the signature of the Rev. Anthony Carles, who signs his name as “Priest Rector per interim of the Church.” Anthony Carles was a native of France, and at the outbreak of the Revolution he had gone to San Do mingo, where he remained but a short time when, with other French inhabitants of the Island, he was forced to leave on account of the insurrections there. He was a near relative of the Marquis de Montalet and his sister Madame Cottineau; and it was no doubt on account of this relationship that he came to Savannah, with the approbation of Bishop Carroll. It is evident that he did not intend in the beginning to take charge of the Savannah church, for his signature as “Rector per interim” occurs several times until February 7, 1804, when his name appears as “Carles Rector” and sometimes “Rector and Priest.” He remained as Rector of the congregation until December 1 8 1 9 a long term of office and served the church faithfully during all those years. There are gaps in the records from time to time indicating periods of absence. We know that he made frequent visits with Madame Cottineau and her sons to the Is land of Sapelo, and remained there as the guest of the Marquis Montalet. We also have records of his vis its to Augusta, where he celebrated Mass and perform ed other church duties in the house of M. Bignon on Broad Street, just as his predecessor had done for so many years before. It was during one of these pe riods of absence that we find fifteen records, dated from April 19th to 22nd, 1806, signed by Father le Mercier as “Rector of the R. C. C. of Charleston.” The next record after these is dated February 26, 180 7, and signed as usual, “Carles Rector.” Growth of the Congregation The revolutions in France and San Domingo con tinued during these years to bring a host of refugees to America, and many of them came to Savannah. Most of them arrived destitute and almost penniless, and the number was constantly increasing. The lit tle chapel on Liberty Square became entirely too small to accomodate the people, and the trustees therefore petitioned Council in June, 1 804, for an extra lot on which they might build a larger church. This peti tion was rejected by Council owing to the fact that there were no city lots laid off at that time which had not already been disposed of. The chapel was accord ingly slightly enlarged, as there was room to extend it in front to the street; but even then it was not nearly large enough an indication that the people were faithful in attending the church services. Thus for many years we find the Catholics of Sa vannah crowded in the little building, attending Mass when their pastor was in the city, and during his ab sence gathering in the church on Sundays and on the occasion of funerals when, as the records often state, “common prayers were said,”—a practice which is still .carried out even at the present day on some of the country missions in Georgia. Mr. John Dillon usually presided at these services—doubtless owing to his being best fitted to read the prayers in English. The Second Grant of Land On the 26th of April, in the year 1811, the “abbe Carles,” as he was familiarly known, together with the trustees of the church, made a second petition in be half of the congregation for an extra lot. The wording of this petition is preserved, and we therefore give it in full, as it occurs on the city records: “The Roman Catholick Church of this City has been incorporated for several years past, and author ized to hold real and personal estate. Your Honor able Body in the infancy of the said Church allotted a lot of land to build an edifice consecrated to that religion, which building was thereafter erected from liberal subscriptions among themselves and other citizens of Savannah. Owing to continued emigration from Europe and the West Indies, settling on these hospitable shores to avoid death or persecution, the said congregation has grown numerous and respect able, and formed of citizens and inhabitants of Sa vannah; but, from the troubles and ruin in the West Indies and Ireland, those whose consolation is placed in the practice of the Roman Catholick Religion are mostly unable to give that assistance which other churches receive from their congregations, by which the repairs of the church and other incidental ex penses fall heavy on a few. As Your Honorable Body has ever been anxious and solicitious to promote the cause of religion and the propagation of every reli gious sect whose tenets tend to the maintenance of or der, peace and charity; also in the encouragement of literature and education, as branches in which society is highly interested, and has liberally contributed by vacant lots to every separate institution, Your Peti tioners therefore pray that, considering the rapid in crease of Roman Catholicks in this City, their mis fortune, their uniform respect for the laws and or dinances of the City, the distressed circumstances of the greatest number, Your Honorable Body will ap portion another lot within the precincts of the City for the use, benefit and advantage of the said Church (only one-half of a trust lot having been originally given) ; and therefore enable Your Petitioners to in crease the scanty funds of the Church, and promote the interest of an institution which has for its basis, love of Cod, charity to men and obedience to the laws.” The Report of Council This petition, having been read and discussed in Council, was referred to a select committee, which committee, after careful consideration, made report as follows: The Roman Catholick Church was heretofore en dowed by the corporation with a half of a trust lot. The said Church was then in its infancy and with a very small congregation. Since that period, as truly observed by the petitioners, the congregation has con siderably increased, and that increase composed of persons whose circumstances have not aided that Church. Viewing the whole tenor and conduct of those persons, who belong to that persuasion, and the reasonable and just claim which they have on the bounty of the Board, we do recommend without hesi tation that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, as it appears to the committee that this Honorable Body have heretofore granted to other religious societies and institutions more than one lot. V^e recommend that lots No. (1 7 and 18) seventeen and eighteen in Elbert Ward be conveyed to the said Church for the use and benefit of the congregation.” Accordingly, under date of August 2, 181 1, a deed in fee simple was given by the Mayor Aldermen to the Vestry of the Church, for the two lots mentioned. This deed was accompanied by a diagram showing the size and location of the two lots, and certified by Isidore Stouf, City Surveyor. Isidor Stouf was a native of France and was himself a member of the Catholic con- gregation. He it was who laid out all the old city lots West of Jefferson Street. His name occurs several times on the Church records, his death being record ed under date of June 22, 1822, over the signature of the Rev. Robert Browne. The two lots given to the Catholics occupied the small city block facing Elbert Square on the East side of Montgomery Street, between Hull and McDonough, and the West side of Jefferson Street, just back of the Municipal Auditorium. No church was ever built on this site owing to the poverty of the people; but (Continued to page 15.)