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- Parish
- St. Francis of Assisi
Type: Parish
Phone: 912-496-3219
- Deanery:
- Valdosta-Brunswick
- Parish Features:
- Mission Parish
- Year Established:
- 1965
- Categories:
- Parish
The first Catholic Mass in Charlton County was held in September 1965 in the Lobby of the Folkston Motel on Hwy 301/US1 just North of downtown Folkston. In attendance were five local families and several tourists who were staying at the Howard Johnson and Folkston Motels. Both of these motels were owned by Josephine and Frank Greco who would later donate our first Church building. In those days Folkston was a very bustling town from heavy tourism due to Hwy 301/US1 being the main southern route to Florida. With the celebration of this Mass began the tradition of a Catholic community in Folkston. In the months to come, the Greco Family worked with the Bishop of Savannah to purchase and move a Church building between their two motels on property they donated to the Diocese. This “new” Church was dedicated as St. Francis of Assisi on Christmas Day 1965. Over the years our little Church served the tourists and growing Catholic Community in Charlton County. With the passing of time, the tourist traffic left with the completion of Interstate 95, 20 miles to the East. But our Catholic community continued to grow until Sunday Mass in 2005 reached “standing room only” attendance. Thanks to our many blessings and the vision of Father Gabe Cummings, Bishop Kevin Boland, Parishioner Emmett Boyd and our Parish Council, plans were put in action to build a new Church in 2005. As a testament to Gods Grace which included countless prayers and donations, on December 20th, 2008 our new Church was dedicated by Bishop Boland with all members in attendance.
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