Saint Clement’s Catholic Church History

The first Mass for Catholics in the Calhoun area was held in 1949 in the log cabin used by the Calhoun Women’s Club in downtown. By 1958 five families attended services in the old WEBS radio station building. Early members of the group included the Silks,  DiPrima, Wyatt, and Smith. Ground was broken at our present location for construction of our church in 1969, and on December 7th, the first Mass was held in the new church. Fifteen families made up the original parish at that time. They had doggedly raised funds for construction of the new church in many ways, but the best remembered method was through the sale around town of Mr. DiPrima’s famous spaghetti sauce, which was personally delivered by other parishioners!

 

The church has served the Catholics of Calhoun and Gordon County. Priests and brothers from the Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette faithfully served the community. We continue to recognize, appreciate and value their service, commitment, and love. Spiritual care continued under the guidance of the Redemptorist Fathers from Saint Joseph’s Church in Dalton until Father Dennis Dullea, the new Pastor in Dalton and a priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, planned the construction of a church building that was completed in 1969.

 

At the 1969 dedication of the building, Father Joseph J. Loftus, M.S., a LaSalette priest, was the First Pastor along with Father Peter T. McKeown, M.S., his Assistant. In 1984, the Parish, comprising 100 families, and 350 members made application for Status to a full parish with its own Pastor. This was granted September 20, 1984 with Fr. Michael Flanagan M.S. as first Pastor.

 

Today the community has grown to over 1000 Anglo, African American, Asian and Hispanic families. God is present in our diversity and challenges us to be a united Catholic Community in Gordon County even though we speak different languages. The diversity of culture and language provides us with challenge, opportunity and grace from our God. The parish church has undergone several renovations and expansions that continue today to provide a better service to our community.