St. Oliver Plunkett's Parish History

Saint Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church

3200 Brooks Drive (770) 979-2500

Served by the Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette

Parish History

On March 15, 1978, The Georgia Bulletin announces the establishment of a new parish in Snellville. On Thursday, April 13, 1978, Fr. Terence Kane is appointed pastor. The diocese of Atlanta purchases 10.28 acres of land, and on Father's Day, June 25, 1978, approximately 350 Catholics celebrate together their first Sunday Mass. Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan arrives on June 25th to officially install Fr. Kane.

A rectory is purchased at 1318 Summit Chase Drive, where all daily masses and meetings are held over the next three years. During 1979, plans for the new 14,000 square foot parish complex are conceived and in 1980, the groundbreaking ceremonies are held On June 2 1st, the third anniversary as a parish Archbishop Donnellan dedicates the new church As the parish continues to grow in size and spirit, the staff is enhanced by the ordination of Rev. Mr. John Cicala Sr., as Deacon on August 25th 1984, The following year Fr. Kane is transferred and Fr. Joseph Beltran becomes the new pastor.

During the next five years, the parish continues to grow, so that on July 1st, 1990, during the celebration of the feast of St. Oliver Plunkett, the church family burns their first mortgage, note. The next year, at the request of the Archbishop of Atlanta, the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette are now in charge of the pastoral care of the parish, and Fr. Joseph Beltran is transferred. Fr. Thomas J. Carroll M.S., and Fr. Michael J. Flanagan, M.S., are assigned to the parish and begin making plans for a new sanctuary. With the continued growth, a bookkeeper, music director, and outreach coordinator are added to the parish staff. On August 29th, 1993, the new Archbishop of Atlanta, John Francis Donoghue, makes his first visit to St. Oliver's in order to participate in groundbreaking ceremonies for the new sanctuary. On Saturday, November 19th, 1994, the Archbishop returned to dedicate the new sanctuary.

Presently, St. Oliver's continues to grow and provide approximately ???? families with spiritual growth, dedicated ministries, and extraordinary parishoniers always reaching out to those in need.

On ??????, Fr. Cliff Hasler, M.S., ???? joined parish ......

On ????, Michael A. Capozza was ordained and became the second Deacon at St. Oliver's

On ?????, William Jindrich joined St. Oliver's having been ordained a Deacon on ??????

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Last Updated - Monday November 30, 2009 01:26:36 PM -0500