You are here: home >> parishes

Photo by Michael Alexander, The Georgia Bulletin

Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Mission, Sharon

Note: The church and the old cemetery are under the care of Saint Joseph, Washington.

Brief History of Locus Grove (Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

written on the flyleaf of the Sacramental Register for 1822-1844 by Bishop John England

Transcribed from the original document in the Archdiocese of Atlanta Archives by Anthony R. Dees, July 20, 1999.

The Counties of Warren & Wilkes in Georgia were by me placed under the special charge of the Revd Francis O'Donoghue on the 1st day of December 1822.

+ John England, Bishop of Charleston

In the year 1790 the Rt. Revd Doctor John Carroll was appointed & consecrated first Bishop of Baltimore with jurisdiction over the United States, in which union, the State of Georgia was comprehended.

In the year 1794 the Revd Mr. O'Reilly visited the State & remained for a short time in the vacinity of Warren, Wilkes & Columbia. In the year 1797 the Revd L. LeMercier visited the same place. The Revd Mr. Souzi arrived about the end of the year 1800 or the beginning of 1801. A log church was then built & a cemetery was laid out and enclosed. In about 17 months time he departed from the State.

In the year 1808 Baltimore was raised to an Archdiocese of which Georgia still continued part. The duties of Warren, Wilkes &c were performed by the Priests of Augusta.

In the year 1820 the Diocese of Charleston was created & the Rt. Revd Doctor John England was appointed & consecrated the first Bishop thereof. Georgia was a part of this Diocese. In the latter part of January 1821 the Bishop first visited Warren & Wilkes. In that year the old Church was taken down & a frame building was erected. The Revd Francis O'Donoghue continued until the end of 1823.

On the 8th of December 1823 -- The Revd Patrick O'Sullivan was appointed to the charge.

+ John England, Bishop of Charleston

Upon visitation on Friday 2nd day of April 1824

Ordered that a mass be celebrated every year some day convenient to the 9th day of February in the Church of the Purification of the B.V.M. for the repose of the soul of Joseph Thompson - And that the Pastor of the said do celebrate the same, or cause it to be celebrated & that he do on the day previous to said celebration publish the same to the congregation & request their attendence, thereat, to pray for the repose of the soul of the said Joseph as a principal benefactor who bestowed ground for the Church & burying place & for the support of the Pastor.

+ John England, Bishop of Charleston

Note: John England (1786-1842) was first Bishop of Charleston from 1820-1842.