The Henry Ford Chapel and the Parish It Became
St. Anne Catholic Church sits on Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, Georgia, with a backstory that begins long before any Catholic Mass was celebrated here. In 1937, automobile magnate Henry Ford and his wife Clara built the Martha-Mary Chapel on the grounds of the Ways Station Community House and school. The chapel was named for Ford's mother Mary and Clara's mother Martha, and a wooden plaque with that name still hangs to the right of the chapel altar. Architect Edward J. Cutler patterned the building after a colonial-era church in Bradford, Massachusetts that Ford admired; lumber for the pews and furnishings came from the Ford Plantation sawmill and was worked in the local plantation carpentry shop. The chapel served students of the adjacent school every day and the wider community on Sundays, led by community worship leaders. Henry Ford died on April 7, 1947, and Clara Ford died on September 29, 1950, after which the Ford Foundation sold most of the surrounding land to the International Paper Company and the chapel fell silent.
The small Catholic community in the area at the time numbered only about thirty souls, and most drove seventeen miles to Savannah each Sunday for Mass, a heavy burden on families who were largely poor. On September 16, 1951, Bishop Francis E. Hyland arranged for Mass to be celebrated at the Courthouse in Ways Station. Twenty people attended the first Mass, and the community took the name Mission of St. Joseph. A few years later, textile executive Gilbert Verney of New Hampshire, an Episcopalian who employed several Catholics at his Richmond Hill operation, arranged for the Martha-Mary Chapel to be transferred to the Diocese of Savannah so that his Catholic employees would have a local place to worship. The newly renovated mission of St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was dedicated on June 13, 1955, with five registered families and a few Catholic soldiers from Hinesville in attendance. On November 1, 1987, Bishop Raymond W. Lessard raised the mission to full parish status.
The historic chapel could seat about 250 worshipers per Mass, and by the early 2000s that space was no longer enough. In 2004, Holy Family Hall was built behind the chapel to host parish offices, social events, religious education, and Sacramental preparation; it was soon modified with an altar and 500 folding chairs so it could double as overflow worship space. Within a few more years even that arrangement proved cramped, and on February 6, 2016, Bishop Stephen D. Parkes dedicated a new main church adjacent to the hall. The new sanctuary is approximately 24,000 square feet and comfortably seats 1,000 for each Mass. The Martha-Mary Chapel is preserved as part of the parish's history and remains in active use, especially for smaller gatherings, OCIA classes, and the Friday morning Lauds of the Exodus men's fraternity.
Sunday Mass, the Vigil, and a Sunday in Three Parts
The weekend worship life of St. Anne is built around three Sunday Masses with three distinct musical and liturgical settings. The Saturday Vigil Mass begins at 5:00 p.m. and is celebrated ad orientem with simple hymns sung by a cantor and accompanied on the organ; on first Saturdays, the First Saturday Devotion follows the Vigil Mass in the church. Sunday morning begins with a quieter versus populum Mass at 8:00 a.m., with hymns from the cantor and gentler organ accompaniment. The 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is the most elaborate: it is celebrated ad orientem with incense, the Saint Anne Choir, and the chants of the Mass setting known as Missa de Angelis, including the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Parishioners at this Mass are invited to remain in sacred silence during the choral polyphony and antiphonal propers while joining in the processional, communion, and recessional hymns and the sung parts of the Mass that appear in the bulletin or hymnal.
Daily Mass fills out the weekly rhythm. Monday Mass is at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday Mass is at 12:10 p.m. with organ and cantor. Wednesday has two Masses, at 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday Mass is at 9:00 a.m., offered with Communion by Intinction, organ, and cantor. Friday Mass is at 9:00 a.m., and a 6:30 p.m. Mass is added on first Fridays. On Sundays and major feast days, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the main altar for Adoration following Mass.
Daily Confession and a Perpetual Adoration Chapel
Confession is offered throughout the week. The standing schedule is Monday and Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 to 8:55 a.m., and Saturday from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. A first-Friday evening slot is offered from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., and the priests are also available during selected Sunday Masses and by appointment on request. The parish priests distribute the Sacrament of Reconciliation and offer penance-friendly examinations of conscience, including a children's version, a guide from the Fathers of Mercy, and a single-page Parish Examination of Conscience.
The Eternal Adoration Chapel behind the church is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Registered parishioners who have requested an access code may come at any hour, while visitors and the wider community may step in during the parish office's regular hours, on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., using the side door near the parish offices. The whole parish joins in a community Holy Hour from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, and Eucharistic Adoration is offered on the main altar after some Sunday Masses and feast days. Adoration is open to anyone who wishes to sit in silence before the Blessed Sacrament.
The Seven Sacraments in the Parish's Care
Baptisms at St. Anne are celebrated on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m., except during Advent and Lent. Parents are asked to register with the parish and to have attended Mass at St. Anne for at least six months before scheduling; the family then reads through the Rite of Baptism, completes a Baptism Request and Family Information Form, secures Godparent Verification Forms from each sponsor's home parish, and works through the Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God online course from Ascension Press together as a family. Children age seven and older are prepared through a different process overseen by Kathy Zdunich. The parish holds a single Godparent, with at least one sponsor required to be a practicing Catholic in good standing; a non-Catholic Christian may stand alongside a Catholic sponsor as a Christian Witness.
First Communion preparation begins in first grade and continues for two years, so that children typically receive the sacrament for the first time at the end of second grade. Children in third grade or higher are prepared with age-appropriate instruction. Two years of regular religious education in CCD, in an approved Catholic school, or through an approved homeschool program is the basic prerequisite, along with regular Sunday Mass attendance. Confirmation preparation begins in seventh grade and continues for two years, with Confirmation typically received at the end of eighth grade. Candidates fulfill a service-hour requirement tracked with sponsor certificates, saint reports, and signed service time sheets. Confirmation, together with Baptism and the Eucharist, completes the Sacraments of Initiation, and each year the parish's candidates are presented by Bishop Parkes in the liturgy.
Weddings at St. Anne are celebrated only on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m., with rehearsal the evening before at 6:00 p.m., and they take place either in the Main Church or in the Martha-Mary Chapel. Couples meet with the pastor at least six months in advance to begin marriage preparation. The unity candle is not used, the Eucharistic part of the Mass is celebrated ad orientem, and bridal gowns and attendants' dresses must fall below the knee in keeping with Catholic sensibilities in the house of God. Tuxedos and formal suits are the norm for the groom and his attendants. The parish priest guides couples in choosing either the Nuptial Mass or the Nuptial Liturgy Outside of Mass, depending on whether both spouses are Catholic and other pastoral circumstances. St. Anne does not accommodate destination weddings to the Savannah area.
Anointing of the Sick is offered to those facing illness, surgery, or the frailties of age, and parishioners are encouraged not to wait for immediate danger of death. Arrangements are made by calling the parish office at (912) 737-0112 to arrange a priestly visit. Funeral Masses follow a parish guide of their own. Eulogies are not permitted at the Mass itself but may be arranged at the visitation. Lectors are provided by the parish, the funeral has one reading and one psalm, and the priest selects the Gospel. The Bereavement Committee of the Council of Catholic Women often hosts a simple reception afterward. The parish follows the Vatican's guidance on cremation and burial, and the parish guide explicitly does not permit alkaline hydrolysis or human composting before or after the rites.
Becoming Catholic: The OCIA Process
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is the Roman Catholic Church's formal process of welcoming adults into the faith, and St. Anne's OCIA program walks inquirers, catechumens, and candidates into full communion through prayer, study, and participation in the life of the parish. The program is open to the unbaptized, to those baptized in another Christian tradition, to Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or First Communion, to non-Catholics curious about Catholicism, and to cradle Catholics seeking a refresher on the basics of the faith. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., between the 8:00 and 10:30 Sunday Masses, in the historic Martha-Mary Chapel. The program is led by Parochial Vicar Father Noah Pace, with Dr. Conan Higgins serving as OCIA Coordinator and Kate Upshaw as OCIA Administrator, working alongside a team of catechist volunteers. Each catechumen or candidate is paired with a sponsor, a confirmed Catholic chosen from the parish to walk the journey of faith alongside them, present them to the bishop at Confirmation, and connect them to the wider Catholic community.
Religious Education, CCD, and Divine Mercy Academy
The parish's religious education program, known by the historic name CCD for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, gathers children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:15 a.m., the same hour as Adult Faith Formation and OCIA, so that families can be on campus at the same time. Kathy Zdunich is the Coordinator of Religious Education; catechists, assistants, and substitutes are needed each year to pass the faith on to children from the parish and surrounding community. Two years of CCD, two years in an approved Catholic school, or two years in an approved homeschool program is the basic prerequisite for receiving First Communion and Confirmation at St. Anne.
For families who educate their children at home, the parish offers a homeschool network covering preschoolers through high school seniors, with Katherine Morrissey serving as the parish's homeschool point of contact and Anna Buerkle helping to support teens through Catholic Youth Ministry. Children in sacramental preparation years submit monthly homeschool catechism reports to the CCD office.
Divine Mercy Academy is the parish's homeschool hybrid program for grades 6 through 12, with classes meeting on Fridays during the school year at Saint Anne. Course offerings vary by year but typically include Religion, History, Mathematics, Sciences, English, Literature, Composition, and a range of electives. Parents register their children with the parish for an annual family fee and pay tuition directly to each teacher for individual courses; supervised study halls are available throughout the day for students who wish to remain on campus between classes.
Music Ministry: Polyphony and Gregorian Chant
The Music Ministry at St. Anne is led by Music Director Jody DeLiguori and Organ Master Dr. Gordon Carson. The adult choir sings each Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. Mass and on all major feast days, holy days of obligation, and special liturgies; rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., auditions are required, and attendance at scheduled services is part of the commitment. The children's choir sings at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on the first Sunday of each month during the school year and on a number of feasts; rehearsals are held on Fridays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., open to all children of reading age, no audition required.
Music at the parish's three principal Masses is carefully varied. The Saturday Vigil and the early Sunday Mass rely on cantor-led hymns with relatively simple organ accompaniment. The 10:30 a.m. Mass is the parish's high-choral setting, sung with sacred chants and polyphony by the full Saint Anne Choir and accompanied by the organ master, with antiphonal propers and a meditative quality that lends itself to inward prayer and devotion to the Eucharist. Congregational participation is welcomed in the processional, communion, and recessional hymns as well as the sung parts of the Mass.
Catholic Youth Ministry and Family Faith
Catholic Youth Ministry, or CYM, is the heart of the parish's outreach to teenagers in grades 6 through 12, with middle school students meeting in the Martha-Mary Social Hall and high school students gathering in the Youth Center. The schedule combines a Wednesday evening meeting from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., which includes dinner, with a combined first-Sunday-of-the-month evening session led by the junior and senior Youth Leadership Team, who are formed throughout the year as Catholic leaders. The form is small-group based, with four to six teens and an adult mentor in each circle, focusing on apologetics and the practical application of the faith in everyday life. The roster of adult youth leaders is led by Anna Buerkle, the parish Youth Minister.
Boys in third grade and older may serve at God's altar as Youth Altar Servers, deepening their connection to the mystery of the Holy Mass. Confirmed men 18 and older may apply to serve as Adult Servers (adult acolytes), assisting the priest directly at Mass, distributing Holy Communion, helping with incense and holy water when used, and supervising the younger altar servers. The parish also keeps a list of deployed military members in partnership with the R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) prayer initiative, so that the whole community can pray for and write to those serving away from home.
Small Groups, Bible Studies, and Men's Fraternities
Several small groups gather throughout the week for prayer, study, and fellowship. The Exodus Men's Group meets every Friday at 6:00 a.m. in the Martha-Mary Chapel for the Liturgy of the Hours, beginning with Lauds (Morning Prayer), which the entire parish is welcome to attend; men are then invited to remain for coffee and fraternity in the Martha-Mary Social Hall. That Man Is You, a weekly men's apostolate, gathers on Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:30 a.m. during the Fall and Spring in the Margaret Mary Social Hall. The Marian Movement of Priests cenacle meets on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Martha-Mary Social Hall for the Rosary and cenacle prayers. Natural Family Planning classes in the Sympto-Thermal Method are taught upon request through Betsy DeBry.
On the women's side, the Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Martha-Mary Social Hall to pray the Rosary and study the New Testament and other faith-based material, while the M&M Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. to discuss selected books over a typical six-week run. Mothers' Ministry offers Wednesday morning fellowship from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. for moms with children of all ages. Marriage Ministry sponsors date nights, talks, and retreats for married couples throughout the year, with babysitting included. Adult Faith Formation is studying The Compendium of the Catechism on Sunday mornings during CCD hours.
Marian Devotions, the Holy Rosary, and the Crusade for Human Liberation
The Holy Rosary is prayed before nearly every Mass at St. Anne. The schedule includes Mondays at 12:40 p.m. in Spanish, Tuesdays at 12:40 p.m. in Latin Chant, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., Fridays at 9:30 a.m. in Latin Chant, Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. A different Marian devotion marks each month: the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary in May and after each First Saturday Mass, the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in June and after each First Friday Mass, the Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus on Thursdays after Mass, the Rosary after every Mass in October, the Angelus before each Tuesday Mass, the First Saturday Devotion after First Saturday Masses, the Holy Face of Jesus Devotion on Tuesdays from 11:45 to 12:00 noon, and the Our Lady of Tears Chaplet on Fridays from 8:45 to 9:00 a.m. The Traveling Statue of Our Lady of Fatima is available for home visits.
The parish is also home to the local chapter of the Crusade for Human Liberation, a movement Fr. Francis Blachnicki founded in 1979 in which adults commit to a year of voluntary abstinence from alcohol and other substances as a spiritual offering on behalf of those who struggle with addiction. New members may sign the CHL declaration with Fr. Dawid after the 7:00 p.m. New Year's Eve Mass or after the 10:30 a.m. New Year's Day Mass in the sacristy.
Charitable Outreach and Pastoral Care
St. Anne Charities is the parish's outreach arm, coordinating a monthly effort to box meals for the Food for the Soul soup kitchen at The Church on the Hill. The ministry partners with Bryan County Family Connection to brighten Christmas for families and seniors in Bryan County, offers support to victims of domestic abuse and to migrant farm workers, participates in the annual CRS Operation Rice Bowl, distributes Little Prayer Aprons to expectant parents, and stands ready to assist in other crisis situations. The Pro-Life Ministry reaches out into the Richmond Hill and Savannah area to promote a culture of life from conception through natural death.
The Meal Train Ministry organizes home-cooked dinners for parishioners facing family emergencies, hospitalization, or the arrival of a new baby, as well as for the priests and visiting clergy; the Transportation Ministry, under the patronage of St. Christopher the patron saint of travelers, takes elderly parishioners to Mass and to Holy Days of Obligation evening Masses using a parish-owned minivan. Homebound Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministry brings Holy Communion to those in nursing homes, hospitals, and private homes, and a small Medical Assistance Team of physicians, nurses, and EMTs stands ready for medical emergencies that might arise during Mass or parish gatherings; the parish keeps two AEDs and three emergency medical equipment bags on the property.
Knights of Columbus and Council of Catholic Women
Saint Anne Council 10866 of the Knights of Columbus is the parish's men's fraternity and one of its chief charitable arms. The Council gathers on the third Monday of each month at 6:45 p.m. and welcomes Catholic men eighteen and older. The Council of Catholic Women gathers on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. for fellowship, opening with the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m. before the formal meeting. The CCW sponsors many of the parish's outreach ministries and operates the Religious Goods Store, which is open the second and fourth weekends of each month after Masses, supporting the parish and various charities locally, nationally, and internationally. The council's Bereavement Committee hosts the simple funeral reception offered to grieving families after a Funeral Mass.
Pastoral Staff and First-Time Visitor Information
St. Anne Catholic Church is led by Pastor Rev. Dawid Kwiatkowski, Parochial Vicar Rev. Noah Pace, and Permanent Deacon Ben Ernst. The Coordinator of Religious Education is Mrs. Kathy Zdunich, the Youth Minister is Ms. Anna Buerkle, the Music Director is Mrs. Jody DeLiguori, the Office Manager and Bookkeeper is Mrs. Mary Kay Delaney, the Receptionist and Administrative Assistant is Mrs. Michele Bryant, the Fundraising and Event Coordinator is Mrs. Kori Jung, and the Operations and Maintenance Director is Mr. Brendan Hilleary. A two-decade-long story of priestly ordinations, including the parish's role in the ordination of Bishop Stephen Parkes in 2020 and the ordination of Fr. Robert Phillips in 2020, is recorded in the parish photo albums.
The parish office is at 10550 Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324, and is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday by appointment, with a 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. lunch break Monday through Thursday. The parish telephone line at (912) 737-0112 reaches the office staff during open hours, and sacramental emergencies are handled through extension 0, which is monitored at all times. Online giving is available through the parish's Our Sunday Visitor hub, with options for the regular offertory, capital campaigns, special collections, CCD registration, Vacation Bible School, and Mass intentions. Masses are livestreamed on YouTube, and the parish maintains a weekly email list to keep parishioners informed of news, devotions, and upcoming events. Visitors planning to attend Mass need simply to arrive in time for one of the three Sunday liturgies or a weekday Mass; the parish is accustomed to welcoming first-time visitors and even occasional notes a recurring scam email that appears to come from the pastor, since the priests and staff never request donations via gift cards or prepaid credit cards by email or text.