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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
It was to this wooden structure, partly residence,
partly Church, that the Rev. Theobald Butler, S. J.,
came in 1884, accompanied by Fathers Desribes and
Joseph Heidenkamp. Father Butler at once began
to collect funds for the building of the little brick
Church, now 1 the college hall. He was enthusiasti
cally assisted by such men as William Mulherin,
Patrick O’Callaghan, Capt. E. J. O’Connor and John
Armstrong. The work was soon accomplished.
Hardly was the little Church completed in 1890
when its pastor, Rev. Theobald Butler, S. J., was
called to New Orleans and made head of all the
Southern Jesuits. He was succeeded as pastor by
Rev. John O’Shanahan, S. J. In 1885 we read of one
of the Jesuit Fathers pronouncing the solemn vows
in the Church in the presence of Rev. Henry Begley,
who had succeeded Father O’Shanahan.
In 1886 Rev. James Lonergan, S. J., who had been
for some years vice-president of Spring Hill College,
Alabama, was transferred to Augusta. After two
years pastorate at the Sacred Heart Church he was
appointed President of Spring Hill College, and was
succeeded as pastor by Rev. David McKiniry, S. J.
Under the pastorate of the Father McKiniry, the
Sacred Heart Cadets were organized, the only corps
of its kind in the Southern States. It took part in
all the festivals of the Church and was active as well
in the military life of the city. Organizations of a
similar character was formed by them in Savannah
and Macon.
Father McKiniry in 1890 exchanged places with
Rev. John O’Connor, S. J.. rector of the old Jesuit
College in New Orleans. Father O’Connor was suc
ceeded as pastor of the Sacred Heart Church in 1891
by 'Rev. Thomas O’Callaghan, S. J.
In 1896 Rev. James Lonergan. was reinstated as
Pastor. Assisted by Rev. Theobald Butler, he under
took to comply with the wishes of the people, to erect
a greater and more magnificent structure in honor
of the Sacred Heart. Within two years, sufficient
means were at hand to start the new edifice.
The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Becker in
1898. Rev. John O’Shanahan now returned to Au
gusta, and after procuring the stained-glass win
dows and marble altar, prepared the day of dedica
tion. The Church was dedicated in the fall of 1900.
The dedication ceremony was performed by the
late lamented Cardinal Gibbons, assisted by Bishop
Keiley and other prelates. During the Solemn Pon
tifical Mass, the Sacred Heart Cadets, under the
leadership of Captain Rice, K. S. G., presented arms
at the time of the consecration. His Eminence, the
Cardinal, after the ceremony, attended a meeting of
the cadets and thanked them and their leader for act
ing as his guard of honor.
In 1902. Father O’Shanahan was succeeded by Rev.
William Wilkinson, S. J., who is at present pastor of
St. Joseph’s Church in Macon.
In 1907, the Rev. John Sherry, S. J., was appointed
pastor. Under Father Sherry took place the conse
cration of the Church. Bishop Haid of Belmont, N.
C., was the consecrator. Bishop Northrop of Char
leston, sang the Pontifical High Mass, while Bishop
Keiley assisted on the throne. The preacher at the
Mass was Father John Reville, S. J., and in the even
ing there was an eloquent discourse by the 'Rt. Rev.
Bishop Keiley of Savannah. At both morning and
evening ceremonies the Sacred Heart Cadets did hon
or to the occasion.
In 1913, Father Sherry was succeeded by Rev. John
M. Salter, S. J., who, in turn was succeeded in 1918
by Rev. P. A. Ryan, S. J. Father Rene Macready is
at present in charge of the Sacred Heart Church, and
Rev. C. A. McLaughlin, S. J., is also stationed there.
INTOLERANCE AND PREJUDICE HARMING ATLANTA
(FROM THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN)
The Georgian feels sure Mayor James L. Key
has saved this city from further harmful and un
deserved criticism and advertising at home and
abroad by his wise and patriotic veto of the resolu
tion passed by council proposing an inquiry by the
New York World into the activities of the Knights of
Columbus hereabouts—especially as to a so-called
“oath,” alleged to be the one taken in the fourth de
gree of that order by all initiates. Every progress
ive and clean-minded Atlantan should thank the
mayor for his veto.
The Georgian, in printing the news of the resolu
tion a few days since, printed the alleged “oath” as
set forth therein. It is a frightful and vicious thing
—calculated to arouse even the most callous to right
eous indignation and vehement resentment.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, HOWEVER,
NO SUCH OATH EVER WAS ADMINISTERED TO
ANY KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS ANYWHERE, AT
ANY TIME, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES:
The thing merely is a lie—just a plain, straight
way lie.
Moreover, it is a lie hoary with age. It originated
during the French Revolution, as part of a bitter
anti-Catholic campaign, directed against the Jesuits.
It was proven at that time to have been a forgery,
pure and simple; it has been so proven, time and
again, since.
It has been repudiated and pronounced bogus by
high Masonic committees, because it has been charg
ed that Masons have encouraged its circulation. It
has been denounced by non-Catholic organizations
of various sorts; it has been specifically denied by
the Knights of Columbus themselves, and the only
time it ever appeared in the Congressional Record,
from which it was “quoted” in the silly resolution
passed by council demanding its investigation, was
when it was written into the Record for the specific
purpose of giving it official and categorical congres
sional denial.
The Knights of Columbus, to make the matter
plain, has given out the real oath assumed by mem
bers of that order.
All of which has been set forth in detail by The
Georgian.
Let’s have an end to intolerance in this city.
We want to live together happily and in peace in
Atlanta.
Let’s not advertise Atlanta abroad as narrow,
bigoted, ignorant and mean.
Let’s tell the world, AND PROVE IT, that Atlanta
is a kind city—a city of real men and women—in
viting visitors and business enterprises and resi
dents to come here from other cities and sections,
to dwell with us in comfort, happiness and good
will—in unity, peace and comfort.
We may have our differences of opinion; we should
be a dull and dismal community, indeed, if we all
agree about everything.
We want our community to be known as a kind,
considered, clean and progressive community.
To the making of Atlanta a city free of intoler
ance, bigotry and prejudice, Atlantans—let’s go!