The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section B, Page 1 THE HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Highway 78 West is a relatively new structure servicing the needs of Catholic people and others in the Counties of Lamar, Fayette and Marion. It also stands as a focal point in these counties for fellowship and growth in unity with all Christian Faiths, for service to the community at large, and for all people still seeking a church home. Through it's extension resdiency(sic) in Russellville, it also serves Franklin and Lawrence Counties in Alabama. In December 1960, Rev. Michael QUEALY (later killed as a chaplain in the Vietnamese War) offered Mass, that is, the Eucharistic worship service, for the first time in Winfield in a downtown building. It was later moved to the two-car garage at the home of James V. HAWKINS, and then moved to the southside half of the McDONNELL building on South Main Street. Services had previously been held for the 25 Catholics then living in the Winfield-Guin-Fayette area in private homes and a mission trailor(sic) in the city of Fayette. In the spring of 1964 construction of the present Holy Spirit church and apartment residency began on the two and two-thirds acres. It was bought by 13 Catholic families. Among these wee Brad and Betty ALEXANDER of Guin, Mrs. Nelson KEMP of Winfield, and Shirley and Helen PALMER of Hamilton. Nelson KEMP of Continental Conveyor Co., Mayor Lymon GOOLSBY of Winfield and Ivan HILL of the Citizens Bank helped expedite this land purchase. Mr. Ed ORTH, and(sic) executive of Birmingham paid for the church. He also helped plan and carry out its construction under Rev. Ed FOSTER who directed the parrish(sic) in Winfield as a mission at that time from Mobile. On April 4, 1965 Archbishop TOOLEN, Catholic Bishop of Alabama, blessed and dedicated the church. Citizens of various churches attended. Subsequently, the sisters of the Society of the Most Blessed Trinity from Birmingham held instruction classed(sic) for the children. Rev. Michael J. DYER was the priest immediately in charge of this Winfield mission church. During the years from 1968 to 1972 Holy Spirit church was a mission of St. Cecilia Parish in Jasper under the care of Rev. Patrick O'DONOHUE. In September 1972, it became a new parish center under Rev. Pat BREHENY as Pastor and there began the care of the three counties of Marion, Fayette and lamar. In December adult religious education began with assistance from the Glenmary Religious Education Department, Nashville, Tenn. The first Midnight Mass and reservation of the Blessed Sacrament was held on Christmas. In June, 1973 the first Bible school program was had at the parish, with the aid of the Birmingham Diocesan seminarians. In October of the same year a mission was established in Russellville as a part of Holy Spirit church to care for the people in Franklin and Lawrence counties. Rev. Robert CAMERON came as Assocaite(sic) Pastor to Fr. Pat BREHENY. In December Sunday service was extended temporarily into Fayette and held at the Episcopal Mission chapel, and into Hamilton at the United Methodist Church. A mobile home was added in October, 1974, in Winfield for extra residency space and parish programs. In August 1975 a home was rented in Hamilton for three Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky, who came to coordinate the religious education and social ministry of the parish in the five counties. Srs. Julie BRISCOLL and Marie SWEENEY work in religious education and Sr. Pat CHUCKERY cares for the social ministry. In September Rev. Robert VALENZA came to replace Bob CAMERON in Russellville. At the present time there are 250 Catholics being reached from Winfield, and about 70 from Russellville. The parishoners(sic) with their two priests and three Sisters are anxious to grow in their commitment to God and to each other, and in addition, to other Christian Faiths in service to the community, and to all people seeking to find a church home.